1000

Saturday, while running errands (literally) around Park Slope, I logged my one thousandth mile of the year. I would expect such a milestone would prompt reflection, but in truth, I’ve been reflective for weeks now. So I’ll just continue on that mind jaunt like a skipped stone over a calm lake. The type of calm that comes before a storm- antsy and impatient, achy... but calm nonetheless.

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Our San Francisco Nike Women’s Marathon and Half Marathon participants have returned with triumphant tales of guts, glory, and firemen in tuxedos. That fateful Sunday morning in the Bay area, they faced fog and rain. I and many of our teammates waited in anticipation of news. And we received it almost as it happened via text messages and facebook. It’s a pretty amazing thing, this facebook. I was fairly opposed to it back in January. Coach Lisa convinced me to give it a shot because it had developed into such a great communication device specifically for TNT. And I can say I’m thankful for it. Just moments ago, Brian posted a pre race video from Dublin. Pretty sweet.

The latest charity poker night was a success!

We are three events down, three to go. Our Dublin runners are lining up at the start line as I type this. I’ll be cheering from London, literally screaming “Go Team!” I’m sure the Brits will think I’m just another overzealous crazy American. I’d rather be on the streets of Dublin, but oh well. I gotta make a living too. Running doesn’t pay the bills. How can I make that happen? Hmmm.

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Saturday’s GTS covered the last 10ish miles of the NYC Marathon course. We skipped The Bronx because the Willis Avenue Bridge isn’t open to foot traffic. So I didn’t see the spot of my infamous conversation with my legs from 2009. Our run took us over the 59th street bridge and back, then up 1st Avenue to 125th street, and over to 5th Avenue to meet the remainder of the course. I ran the majority of it with Erin. She's great company- much better company than my cramping hamstrings were a year ago. We went along at an easy pace for both of us on that lovely autumn morning.

The team crosses the 59th Street Bridge

I had to make an unscheduled, GI induced pit stop due to the 5 day old pizza I ate for breakfast. No, I don't know what I was thinking. Shut up. Erin offered to wait, but I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to run more so I sent her off. After taking care of business, I felt much better and tempo-ran the last 1.5 miles or so. Alone, I reflected on how I barely remember any of that last mile from 2009. I remembered the Mile 25 marker. That’s about it. There’s an incline right at the end. I didn’t remember that. I missed my sister and Lisa cheering as well as some work colleagues at Columbus Circle. I was really out of it.

Post run smiles

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The marathon is 13 days away and I am in taper mode, which challenges my discipline more than going out to run the Jim Purvis Hardcore Hill & Interval workout. Runners like to run. The difficulty is cutting back on mileage and convincing one’s self that doing so is good. What is helpful is having fellow running friends experiencing the same and constantly reminding me to behave. How about you? Are you behaving? Tapering properly? Just checking.

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MP sent me his copy of Bart Yasso’s book. I blew through it. Great read. It’s funny how after 4 years of marathon running I still didn’t know who he was until this month and within 10 days, I met him, read his autobiography, and want to emulate his running career. ‘Funny’ probably isn’t the right word- maybe ‘intrinsic’. I bet everyone who has met him and read his book feels the same way.

Christy and Bart at the Chicago Marathon expo

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The Boston Marathon sold out in 8 hours. Last year it took 2 months. So Boston 2011 is no longer an option for me, even if I qualify. That actually takes some pressure off. MP ended up not getting into it either. It appears they changed the qualifying race rule. His winter 2009 qualifying race is already too old to be used. I’m disappointed that we will not be able to run it this year, but am also excited that the popularity of the sport has exploded. I think Boston should make their qualifying times harder. Once upon a time (1989) a male under 25 years old needed a 2:50 to get in. Time to bring that back it appears. So we are aiming for Boston 2012 now. And we are both looking to get some clock smashing times, just in case Boston does adjust their qualifying times. It looks like we will be taking a trip to Fargo, ND, where the course is fast, flat, and friendly.

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Is planning the next marathon like cheating on this marathon? I suddenly feel dirty. NYC, it's you and me, baby. I'll stop turning my head when other marathons walk by, no matter how sexy they are. I promise. We have a date with fate. November 7th...

Thanks for the pic, Melka!