Pushing the (fund-raising) envelope!

Exciting news, y'all! Over the weekend I hit my fund-raising target of $2,500.00. (Thanks Audrey, Paul and Elizabeth!) Since we've hit this mark with a full week to go before the race, let's push the envelope! I've increased my target to $3,000.00. With your continued generosity, I'm sure we can get there.

http://www.active.com/donate/2011mmrfNYC/TeamLinford

Last weekend, the MMRF PowerTeam held it's annual pre-marathon run with Coach Tom Holland. As in past years, we ran the last ten miles of the official NYC marathon course. (From 1st and 60th, up the Eastside, over the Willis Ave Bridge into the Bronx, then back down 5th through Harlem to Central Park.) Here's a team photo that was taken at the start. This is not the full team, mind you; only the folks who were able to make it out for a run two Sunday's ago. Dig the high-visibility orange!

Forward!

Reflections on a cold, rainy morning

Looking out my living room window, I see that much of the city has been obscured from view by a damp, oppressive sky. A fine spray of rain is lashing the apartment building across the block. This is not encouraging me to lace up for run.

Or am I making excuses? Would a truly committed runner shed his "jammies," put down his second cup of coffee and brave the elements for the sake of athletic integrity?

On the other hand, getting a cold one week before race day would be foolish.

So, this is the conundrum we runners face as autumn transitions into fall: push through nasty weather, or play it safe and use our best judgement. The trouble is it's awfully difficult to tell the difference between the whiney voice in your head that says "I just don't want run today because I don't feel like it," from the voice of reason that says, "Running today would be foolish and irrational."

Griping about bad weather aside, the past few months of training have been deeply gratifying, if a little uneven. Every year, as I'm logging miles in preparation for the marathon, I feel like I learn a little more about the chaotic, impossible, magnificent city I live in. Exploring new routes, especially for those longer runs, takes me through unfamiliar neighborhoods and I'm constantly astounded by the extraordinary vistas this city has to offer. And most of these views are not accessible by car!

For example, here's one I found during a recent thirteen miler. This is the view running up the West Side from Battery Park; looking north from the back steps of the Winter Garden, you get this stunning panorama of glass and steel, including the partially completed One World Trade Center. (They're up to floor 80, with another 20+ to go!)

So, inclement weather aside, I would encourage everyone who wants to get to know NYC to get out of the car and pick up a pair of running shoes!

By the way, we're only one week away from the marathon! Anticipation builds even as blisters and sore muscles heal. Anybody who's going to be in NYC on race day: check out the official marathon spectator's guide. They've included some good tips here.

More to come in the next week...

Mushroom: Friend or Foe?

Yesterday's run...

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Distance: 8.01 miles

Duration: 1:01:02

Average Pace: 7' 37"

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I've been traveling quite a bit for work during the past month, so I'm my training hasn't been as consistent as it should be. (Hopefully this won't catch up with me on race day.)

Still, I've gotten to see some beautiful parts of the country. For example, two weekends ago I was in Virginia for an event and took a short hike along a section of the Appalachian Trail. (See photo to the left.) There has been so much rain in the East this summer that the ground was absolutely saturated. It was an amateur mycologist's paradise! Look at this handsome specimen:

What does all of this have to do with marathon training? Nothing, really. Except to make the point that developing a consistent training regimen can be a real challenge!

I think I'm back on track now, and had a solid run yesterday afternoon. It was a beautiful day for a run... temp in the mid 70s and very low humidity. It's amazing what a difference a drop in temperature can make! Suddenly, your legs no longer feel like they're full of rice pudding.

Today I'm gearing up for a 10+ miler, so I'm going to have to track down my motivation... I'm sure it's around here somewhere... maybe between the couch cushions. Well, it'll turn up. Wish me luck!

Forward!