Marathon eve thoughts...

Marathon-eve has arrived!

Today saw partly cloudy skies and temperatures in the mid-50s, but the weatherpeople have promised us sunshine tomorrow. In fact, it sounds like we'll enjoy perfect running weather for the race.

Earlier today I was at the Jacob Javits Convention Center to pick up my bib and D-tag. It struck me, as it did last year, what an international event this is! In fact, on my way out of the Center, I passed a group of guys in matching navy blue track suits with "Ministerio de Defensa" printed on the back. Hm... wonder where they're from. Remind me not to tangle with them on the course. Something tells me they have powerful friends.

This being only my second marathon, I'm far from an expert. Having said that, I do feel like I've got a better idea of what to expect than I did last year. For example:

• I know that the bus ride across the Verrazano Narrows Bridge on the way to the starting line will take a very, very long time. Bring a cup of coffee.
• And a related point: no matter how long the line, or how scary the prospect, be sure to avail yourself of the Portaloo before moving to the starting line. Believe it or not, it's the most appealing restroom option you're likely to get for the next 26.2 miles.
• I know to bring plastic garbage bags to tie around my feet before the start of the race. Recent rain makes it a necessity. Last year, I started the race with a soggy left foot due to an unfortunate encounter with a puddle in the Charity Tent. Lesson learned!
• I know not to be frightened by all the bright lights and shouting people at the starting line. Just pretend they're not there and keep running. (Don't forget to grimace athletically. That way, people will know you're serious.)
• I've learned that there's nothing in the world quite like the sound of cheering crowds from Bay Ridge to Central Park. How people run the entire race with headphones is beyond me.
• I've learned that mile 20 is tough, but whatever happens, keep running. Evidently, that's where many of the official race photographers station themselves. Last year, I paused for a brief "walk-break" on the Willis Ave Bridge and as a result 90% of my race pictures show me limping along looking VERY unhappy. Not good. And not inspiring.

Thanks to everybody for all the support, donations and good wishes! You will be in my heart tomorrow!

The morning comes early. (Note to self: don't forget to set the clock back.) Marie and I are off to a celebratory dinner and then I'm going to get an early night. After the race, I'll be sure to post again.

Forward!

The 2010 NYC Marathon Course

Hi All,

Here's the official course for the NYC Marathon on November 7th. For those of you who followed along last year, the "Willis Avenue Bridge" (connecting Manhattan to the Bronx to the north) is where things got really painful in 2009. By making some adjustments to this year's training regimen I'm hoping to avoid the gnarly bonk I experienced last year around mile 19.5.

Sure hope it works. :)

Forward!

Tired shoes & a bib number

First, a confession...

With five weeks left before race day, I’m feeling underprepared. I haven’t logged as many training miles as I feel I should at this point in the process.

It’s funny, I was chatting with a friend last week who is a marathoner and she told me that she also felt underprepared just before her second race. The good news is that she managed to finish her second race with a better time than her first. So.... with five weeks to go, I will be training hard and keeping my eyes-on-the-prize: an under 4 hour finish. This would mean shaving about 10 minutes off of my 2009 finishing time, but I think it’s possible.

As those of you who followed this blog last year will recall, my trouble on race day started around mile 19. My pace just dropped through the floor after the Willis Avenue Bridge... My endurance simply wasn’t what it needed to be for a strong finish. So, in an effort to address this second-half-lag, I’ve been increasing the number of miles I’m running on my “long days.” Tomorrow, I plan to complete 18 miles.

Let the ultra-marathoners scoff! I still think 18 miles is a darned long way!

And now... off to Paragon Sports for a new pair of shoes! My current pair have been loyal friends, but they’ve developed little holes over where my big toes are. Maybe it’s a sign that I should trim my toenails more often. (TMI?)

On a completely different note: New York Road Runners has just released bib numbers and corral assignments! I’ll be bib # 39610, starting with Green Wave #2, Corral #39!

Also, here’s the official route the marathon will be taking this year:

http://bit.ly/9g1m1e

It's official, people! This is really happening!

Forward!

Thanks heavens for cooler weather!

I haven't run yet today, but I wanted to post a photo of the NYC skyline. (For comparison with the last post!) While this unsettled weather isn't very nice for sitting in the Park, it makes logging the longer runs much, MUCH easier.

Thank you, Mother Nature!

Summer heat!

___________________________

Distance: 13.15 miles

Duration: 1:47:10”

Pace: 8'04" mile

___________________________

My friends, it has been HOT in New York City this summer.

H . O . T.

And yesterday was no exception. The not-so-kindly local weatherpeople were calling for highs around 95 degrees, but the baking footpath up the West Side of Manhattan made it feel at least 123 degrees. In the shade.

Blazing temperatures notwithstanding, the West Side Recreation Area was populated with brave (foolish?) souls like yours-truly. We were out on a late August afternoon doing our best to make good on marathon training commitments without suffering heatstroke. At this point in the season, with the last of the lava-hot summer days upon us, we begin to see runners wearing those silly (and somehow disturbingly clinical) hydration belts. You know the ones: they look like little high-tech saddles for people. Fat neoprene waistbands with dual (or in some cases even QUAD) holders for various neon-colored sports drinks.

As November 7th approaches, one also notices an increasing number of discarded energy-gel packages along the popular running trails; flaccid bits of foil detritus with appetizing brandnames like "AccelGel," "CARBOOM," "ClifShot" and my personal favorite, "GU."

Actually, GU really is my favorite. I had two yesterday.

But nobody in their right mind would claim to actually like the taste of these things. They are just nutrient-rich sacks of food-product to be ingested with a minimum of fanfare; preferably while still running. I mean, how tasty could they actually be?

Gustatory adventures aside, the training has been going fairly well. A friend recently showed me an online tool that could, just possibly, change everything forever! Check this out:

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/

This tool allows you to draw your own route using Google maps. It shows mile markers, calculates calories and will automatically create a return route. So, so cool.

In fact, if you'd like to check out the route I ran yesterday, click here.

Forward!

The Blog is Back! NYC Marathon 2010 here we come!

Hello friends,

After a hiatus of almost exactly nine months, the blog is back! We are now eleven weeks out from NYC Marathon race day and, as last year, I'll be blogging the training process. Join me for the adventure, won't you?

Avanti!!!

- B