New Yorkers Polite, Runners Unite!

Feverishly working the day away on the left coast, I am exhausted from my volunteer activities.  I am so glad I knew this would happen in advance so as not to waste a trip and hefty expenses to run the Boston marathon on today. But now why am I getting so many calls and FB messages and text messages asking me if I am okay? Oblivious to the news unless it is sports-related, I check twitter.  Yes my source of quick no-chaser info.  It appears there was a bombing near the finish line.  WTH!

After about 10 minutes looking at the jambalaya of mixed reports, I start responding to everyone's emails, calls, text messages.  First my dad who was already comforted in knowing that "he knew I wasn't there".  Of course I did not want him to go through the same feeling of not-knowing for hours on end as he did with the World Trade Center incident.  Next a general post to Facebook because most people are glued to that.

Now here I go again in disbelief, two days later after trying to understand how the world of sports was crumbling (in my eyes) with the Kobe torn ACL and the Tiger penalty post-Masters play.  This one was closer to home because it could have been at ANY marathon in ANY city in ANY country that I run.  Talk about blessed and highly favored!

What an awful experience for the traditional only-elite qualification major run in the country?  But how do these people put their lives back together again after this tragedy?  The injuries, the memories, the feeling of no accomplishment after crossing a finish line marred with drama, the aftermath, the nightmares?  I have no idea but one thing is for sure, marathoners know what it is like to persevere.  Marathoners understand mind over matter.  Marathoners don't quit.  Marathoners will walk or crawl to the finish line because we will make it.  Marathoners will continue to run and not let this take away their freedom.

So tomorrow, in honor of those impacted in Boston (marathoners, families, and innocent bystanders), this New Yorker will rep her blue and yellow.   Giants and Jets fans don't care about the Patriots today; we love the Americans that are Patriots fans.  The Bronx Bombers will stand with Boston and the Knicks will honor Boston too regardless of the bitter sports rivalry.   That's what New Yorkers will do.  Now when it comes to the Knicks taking on the Celtics in the playoffs, we still have to route for the 'orange and blue' but we will still clap for the 'green and white' because New Yorkers know what it feels like to be invaded on what we considered safe territory.

13 Miles Just Because - Mind Over Matter

Being an only child, solace is sometimes being siloed and it is where I operate the best and plan the most. New goals. Another marathon (26.2 miles) is not one of them, been there accomplished now more than 40 in 36 months. I am focused on full body, core strength and training, boxing, and dancing.  That equates to having lots of fun with only positive people around me.  No classes, no negative fitness instructors - only my trainer, Gregg Miele, boxing trainer, KG, and choreographer, Kennis, and my, myself, and I.

Today it's just me so I decided to whip out one of my blue Sauconys and see if I still had the ability to run semi-long distance. Miles 1-4 were a breeze.  Miles 5 - 6 I was thinking "you're almost there and you can quit after 6". After Mile 6 I was telling myself "You don't quit this. This is about you". Miles 7-9 I started enjoying the run and taking in the scenery. Miles 10 and 11 I started wishing I had more time to get in at least another 10 miles. Mile 12 was a coast. Mile 13 I felt like I hadn't accomplished anything.

That's the feeling of a marathoner at heart. Mind over matter.

The H-Town Comeback

With two hours of sleep I am up and ready to get it done.  Nervous but ready!  I walk over to the start hype.  Ultra Lite has a major display and the people working there are nice.  No beer for me, EVER, but I am not judging those who are whooping one down for the carb-load right now.

Off to the starting corral and this is a lively bunch.  I will not run with my iPod today unless I feel like I can not make it.

And we're off!

Mile 1 - Here we go with the mix of the half and the full marathoners making for tight quarters. And my Lord - men you are right - women do talk a lot.  I have to shake this group of women who just won't shut up!

Mile 2 - Where are we?  I have never been in these parts before.  People are hanging clothes on a clothestring on their porch.  I have not seen that in ages.  Nice friendly people cheering us on though.  

Mile 6 - Going steady and going strong.  No worries.  Not bad for someone who has not run in 2 months.

Mile 12 - The breaking point for the half-marathoners.  You're almost there - best of luck!

Mile 16 - Oh yes the Galleria.  Something about knowing there is a mall nearby with the best mix of discount, luxury, and quality is helping me to run.

Mile 20 - Okay I am almost to Memorial Drive and this is my ULTIMATE stopping ground and I have hit an early wall.  Time to stretch because I have to take this on in to the finish.  Let me run a little and walk a little.  And there is the Ultra Lite group handing out beers.  Wonder if that works.  I will try these Sports Beans instead.

Mile 21 - 25 And now it's time for the iPod.  Some strength came from somewhere as I am running through River Oaks.  Timeout:  I get my strength by running through the expensive residential areas. Evaluate that later!

I am running past Otto's and wishing I had a turkey barbecue sandwich on a wheat bun.  Wow! The last time I will pass this place.  I am sad that they are closing tomorrow and I stop and walk and take it in.

Mile 26 - Downtown I see you.  The finish is on the way.  I am doing a lot of waving and thank yous to the volunteers.  Let me just smile.  I need all the energy I can get.

FINISH - I did it. I can't believe this - under 5. Wow!  Take 2 months off and perform the best. And here's my medal for my Houston comeback.  BUT I have to walk to the farthest end of the convention center to get my finisher's shirt and mug.  SAY WHAT!!!!  

Timeout:  I just ran 26 miles and I have to walk the equivalent of 3/4 mile to get my well-deserved Under Armour shirt.  Hell keep the mug but the shirts should have been given with the medal.  Lord have mercy!

I brave the walk like a little old lady with a walker afraid to walk after a fall. I return outside of the Convention Center and there is a bike taxi - just like in San Diego.  Price is not a worry - take me to the hotel!

Cold bath for 15 minutes - NO ICE! Not an athlete yet!

Pack up and head to the airport.

Continental hold me down.  Oh wait, no legrests!

Without Adversity There is no Growth

I have breakfast with Lou in Montreal at the Queen E and of course, grab about 10 of those delicious French crepes (the real crepes).  Before we leave, Lou grabs about 4 croissants for his train ride back to Albany.  I walk him to le station du gare before I head to the airport for my quick trip to Quebec City.

A lovely two days with Father #2 in a very chilly Montreal for this time of year.  Quebec City must be freezing...and when we de-boarded the plane the cold air hit me like I was back in Albany in the middle of January.  My taxi ride to the hotel is quite depressing as the rain hit the windshield and the wind is blowing pretty hard.  The driver tells me that the weather will be like this tomorrow.

I check into into my hotel and head across the street to the Expo to pick up my bib.  What a small "expo"...it's more like a meeting in a gym.  However I need to purchase a hat and a jacket with a hood.  I was not expecting this weather.  Sugoi to the rescue.

I brave the wind and take a taxi to have dinner at La Cremaillaire.  It is supposedly the best in Quebec City and I was not disappointed.  They were nice enough to make me a special pasta dish.

I finish dinner and they were gracious enough to call a taxi for me because the 40mph wind and rain was not my queue to walk back to the hotel.  After waiting another 35 minutes for a taxi, my mind is racing as the Maitre D tells me that this is the coldest summer night they have had in over 30 years.  I don't want to run tomorrow.   

The taxi driver informs me of the weather tomorrow before he drops me off in front of the hotel.  I pass other marathoners in the lobby and head to my room.

Will I really run in this weather?  I have not trained for that.  The weather channel did not say rain and wind and the temperature was supposed to be 20 degrees higher.  I get on Facebook and send my friend Marc a message.  His response - "Without adversity, there is no growth."  

I start preparing my running gear for tomorrow saying this phrase about 15 times.

San Francisco Check-In

The ITB issue has moved from the left leg to the right leg.  I only signed up for this race because this evil manager at this project has me at my boiling point.  If I don't exercise I am going to lose my mind, cuss someone out at the office, make someone mad that does not deserve it, or have a mental breakdown.  None of these are options so I am going to run another marathon.
I land at SFO with a mindset of purchasing an ITB wrap to allow me to run.  If I can't buy it, I am not running because the pain is way way way way worse than post-26 mile runs.  The leg just locks up and you feel like you are going to break your leg if you bend it. 
I arrive at the expo and head straight to the vendors and bypass the bib pickup.  Every gimmick possible is on display and for sale.  After roaming around for 15 minutes, I see the wrap that I need and purchase it.  Feeling much better, I go pick up my bib and tech tee shirt.  Now off to Left Bank for a fabulous French brunch and a check-into the hotel.