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...