Grandmas Headphone Ban Lifted

Good news for music-loving, gray-hairs everywhere: Grandma's runners can use headphones again.

This story could possibly raise way more questions than it answers. I mean, why were grandmas banned from using headphones while running in the first place? Seems kinda discriminatory, if you ask me. On the other hand, why the sudden reversal? I mean, it was dangerous for grandmothers to run with headphones a month ago, but now it's somehow safe? What changed, exactly? Did a group of angry grandmas lobby for this change? If so, did they wave their canes and walkers in a threatening manner while doing so? Because that could be considered assault. And what do grandma runners listen to anyway? Folk music? Lawerence Welk? (Is that stuff even available on MP3?) It just doesn't make sense.

While you ponder, and possibly either show displeasure or revel in the rule reversal, here's some background music for your run/workout today...



By the way, I've signed up to run Grandmas Marathon again. I think this will be either number 15 or 16 this year. And I doubt I'll be bringing my iPod.

Down by the River

Reading "50/50" by Dean Karnazes today, I ran across this very insightful viewpoint regarding an intriguing contrast of both passion and motivation in regards to running. Here is an excerpt from his book:

The best way I know to overcome low motivation for running is to get back in touch with the source of my passion to run. Motivation and passion are somewhat different. Passion is an overwhelming love for the experience of a favorite activity. Motivation is a drive to engage in an activity based on some reward the activity offers beyond the simple enjoyment of the experience itself. When you have great passion for running, or anything else, you don't need any extra motivation. But motivation without passion can only take you so far.

Nonrunners become runners by developing a passion for running. But runners often take their running in directions that distance them from the source of their passion. Trading the simple joy of running for a focus on competition is the classic scenario... That being said, there is no question that setting event goals can be a powerful motivator for runners, and it has had a positive effect on my moral in the past. Looking forward to a specific event goal has a way of making each individual training motivation level high. However, goals only have this effect when they are appropriate, and when they are viewed with the proper perspective. For example, if you set a goal to run a marathon as a way to impress others, it probably won't keep you motivated. Goals have to come from the heart. They must represent achievements that you desire for yourself. And if you place too much importance on any goal, then it won't keep you motivated. If achieving a certain finishing time in your next marathon becomes the only thing about your running that matters to you, then you may not enjoy the process of training for that marathon. Sure, achieving a goal can be rewarding, but it's the journey--not reaching the destination--that brings true fulfillment.

Okay, I sheepishly admit...I secretly love playing dodgeball with the church youth on Wednesday nights. I'm certainly not an dodgeball expert, because frequently you'll see me being completely owned by those who are younger and, realistically, more expertly-trained than I. But even though I am clearly not the dodgeball professional I aspire to be, I still utterly enjoy it. You could say I have a passion for it. Now, if Jon were to make good on his regular promises of fist-fulls of candy to the winning team, rather than only his "undying love and affection", things might change. However, I am thinking that still wouldn't affect the outcome of the game for me. Though such motivation is obviously good and all, just the act of this favorite pastime, shared with our group of middle-schoolers, is simply more than enough to suffice.

Sure, some runners say that running and motivation go hand-in-hand. That by seeking motivation first, the desire to run (and run successfully) will surely follow. I can relate to this. Who wouldn't say that motivation isn't a strong stimulator? I'm certainly not denying the effect that it has on pushing us out of a warm bed at those freakeshly-early morning times, or the response that it develops in us as we inevitably work increasingly harder towards prized goals. That's life. Without motivation, most of us wouldn't tackle the hard stuff. But remember, if all you strive for is a set of results, then that motivation is inevitably going to keep you locked on a one-way path headed towards lack of enthusiasm.

Dean is obviously onto something here. It seems that some of us have forgotten the basics of how powerful passion can be within our lives, as well within our running.

Can you remember back to the original enthusiasm that brought you to running in the first place? Maybe it was the liberation from your own self-doubt...you know, those limitations you thought that eternally separated you from the casual runner you'd see time to time running across town, seemingly without a care in the world. Or how about the courage your running developed...the desire to experience or do something you thought previously wasn't possible, and the glorious self-awakening you felt when you did it. The rush of endorphins, and the knowledge that by breaking through those limitations you had found a hidden runner inside yourself.

I feel that running and passion go hand-in-hand. That, by finding and remembering your passion (and making this a running foundation), your motivation and the success of your running will surely follow. It's all about getting back to those basics. Back to the acceptance that some goals may or may not be reached, a race may or may not be finished, a PR may or may not be set...it's acceptance. It's back to running for and with a passion, and letting the motivation grow from there.

I like this quote by Jesse Owens -- "I always loved running...it was something you could do by yourself, and under your own power. You could go in any direction, fast or slow as you wanted, fighting the wind if you felt like it, seeking out new sights just on the strength of your feet and the courage of your lungs." How true this is, that when you break running down to its very core, the single strongest element that encourages and pushes us is the passion from which it was originally developed.

I'm just like you. I have my days of good running, and some days of bad running. My motivational levels swing up and down, much like the thermometer currently outside. Today was clearly one of those days where the pool of motivation was lower than normal. But then I found an old trail down by the river, and for an hour I simply ran. Through four inches of fresh snow, patches of ice and sharp gusts of wind, I ran. Thoughts from the pressing matters of life dropped away for a few brief moments, and somewhere along the way the passion was found again.

And in finding this, I kept right on running.

Monday Run-Down

It feels as though the fall season is rapidly bleeding away from us. Just yesterday, it seemed it was October...bright autumn leaves and the plans of a marathon trip to NYC but a away. Yet today's run reminded me that God created these wonderful seasons. He also created running tights, for a reason—and when the north winds howl and the temperature is hovering above freezing, you shouldn't end up forgetting them at home.

A quick run-down on recent happenings and things to come...

Though a little over two weeks have passed, I am still feeling the afterglow of running in the NYC Marathon. It was a great experience for me, and one I know I won't soon forget. I've had so many opportunities to relate my personal story to friends and family, as well as numerous chances to thank them for their support and prayers. It has also inspired me to look ahead and set still more goals.

It's definitely that time of year again. Yes, you know…the age-old, annual tradition where you blanket the outside of your home with millions of tiny bulbs, that fine act of ladder-balancing while freezing most every body part you own, the seemingly endless process of poring over the miles of drop cords and strands of Christmas lights searching for the one small reason why the entire house refuses to become a Griswoldian beacon to the local neighborhood...

 Clark:  Russ, we checked every bulb, didn't we?
 Rusty:  Sure, Dad.
 Clark:  Hmm...maybe we ought to just go up there 
         and check...
 Rusty:  Oh, wow.  Look at the time.  I gotta 
         get to bed. I still gotta brush my teeth, 
         feed the hog, still got some homework to
         do, still got those bills to pay, wash 
         the car...

Ah, Christmas is coming...now, where's that ladder?

The Living History Farms race is this Saturday...I am so totally psyched. And why not, this happens to be my favorite race of the entire year. I mean, where else can I spend a fabulous Saturday morning in November running through woods, fields and streams with thousands of other crazy runners and, while crossing that finish line completely covered caked in mud and grime, still have the incredulous look of pure enjoyment on my face? It's priceless.

Race Report: NYC Marathon, Part IV

Event: The ING New York City Marathon   
Runner: Mike Eilers
 
Latest Results at 02:24:09 PM, 11/02/2008
 
Location        Time         Pace/mile
5km             0:28:08      9:03
10km            0:54:55      8:50
15km            1:22:56      8:53
20km            1:51:49      8:59
Mile 13.1       1:59:19      9:06
25km            2:23:27      9:14
Mile 16         2:29:29      9:20
Mile 17         2:38:42      9:20
Mile 18         2:48:59      9:23
30km            2:56:40      9:28
Mile 19         3:00:06      9:28
Mile 20         3:12:14      9:36
Mile 21         3:23:58      9:42
35km            3:32:12      9:45
Mile 22         3:34:38      9:45
Mile 23         3:46:22      9:50
Mile 24         3:57:50      9:54
40km            4:07:41      9:57
Mile 25         4:09:09      9:57
Mile 26.2       4:21:57      9:59
 
All times are unofficial. Times may vary in post race official results.
 
Please note: This e-mail was sent from the NYRR Automated E-mail Notification System. Please do not reply.
 
Sincerely,
New York Road Runners
 

Race Report: NYC Marathon, Part III

Crowds are not allowed on the course between miles 15-16 of the New York City Marathon, therefore it is a quiet, convenient place perfect for contemplation and assessment as you focus on the final 10 miles remaining in the race. All you hear is the pounding of hundreds of runners feet around you, as they trudge up what is considered to be the steepest portion of the marathon course. Oh, that and the sound of your racing heart as it attempts to keep up with the incline of the onramp and your pace setting as you climb up, and up, and up...welcome to the Queensboro Bridge.

Honestly, I had been secretly dreading the Queensboro Bridge. All I had been hearing was how hard it was. Not only would you be crossing over the 15 mile mark at the start of the bridge, but you would also be crossing the 16 mile mark while on the bridge...while still climbing. That's crazy, if you ask me. It is about 2 miles long, with a nominal uphill incline. Oh, and did I mention there were no fans there to scream out encouragement? It was seemingly endless, but I kept running. Checking my watch, I noticed I had been fairly consistent up and to this point in the race. Mile 16 showed an overall pace/mile of 9:20. Now, I'd been hoping for a finish time of 4:00 to 4:15, but these hills were beginning to take their toll on my quads. I wasn't sure yet how I would be able to pick up the pace for the remaining miles. Then we crossed over Mile 16 and came off the bridge into Manhattan. And if race bliss ever had a name, it would surely be First Avenue.

The crowds of First Avenue are much different than those found in both Brooklyn and Queens. There the streets are lined with crowds 2-3 people deep offering words of encouragement. However, here the wide avenue was stacked 4-6 people deep, all yelling at the top of their lungs. What a crowd! The entire street stretched on and on, as if you could virtually see all the way from 59th to well past 125th. Each person seemed to be screaming my name..."co'mon Mike, you can do it!", "way to go, Mike!", and "run, Mike, run!!" Of course, having my name printed on the front of my running Team World Vision jersey obviously helped with that. I'd been reminded over and over again to have my name visible throughout the race, primarily as a way for the crowds to offer their own personalized encouragement. And on First Avenue, they gave me plenty. I would hazard a guess I must have heard my name called out more than a couple hundred times throughout the race, but here is where I needed it the most. It was also here that I saw my wife and travel companions, just before Mile 17, rooting and cheering ecstatically for me. I think I heard them long before I actually saw them, they were that loud. In my opinion, Miles 16-18 were pure enjoyment. One large street, six lanes wide, and virtually a million spectators. Who could have asked for more?

However, I could tell my quads were beginning to feel kaput by Mile 19. My overall pace had been slipping ever so slightly over the past couple of miles and was threatening 9:30/mile. All of those previous hills were finally taking their toll. As I neared the dreaded "Wall" at Mile 20, my pace had officially reached 9:28 and I could tell then the final 10k was going to be a bit of a challenge. Crossing over the orange carpeting on the Willis Avenue Bridge from Manhattan into the Bronx, we were surprisingly met with a host of bag pipers as the runners wound their way off the onramp. However, here the crowds were a bit sparse. We also had a quick chance to see just how weary we all looked as each of us passed by the huge jumbo-tron screen there. But we didn't have time to soak in the sites, as this section inside the Bronx was only about a mile in total length. Before we knew it, we were headed over the Madison Ave Bridge and back into the familiar territory of Harlem and Manhattan.

Just off the bridge, we passed over Mile 21 and the crowd began picking up again. Bands were playing with gusto, family members were waving banners, and kids were handing out Halloween candy. Bless their hearts...I even had one little girl offer me a grape Jolly Rancher. How did she know they were my all-time favorite marathon hard candy? I relished the sour taste it provided and pushed on. Less than five miles to go.

Up next, we rounded the Marcus Garvey Memorial Park for Mile 22. This is a unique and totally inviting section of Harlem that just beacons "stay a while" to a tourist like myself. The shops all along the avenue were quaint and well-kept, and I tried to take a couple of photos to remember it by but my hand must have been unsteady enough that the pictures all turned out too blurry. Guess I'll have to come back someday. Within a few blocks, we could see the famous Central Park treeline up and to our right. I knew we would need to follow along the Park on Fifth Ave for a little longer than a mile before actually entering it. By now, it hurt enough that walking seemed the most inviting. But trying to start running again after that only hurt worse, so I resolved myself to just plugging along.

Mile 23 came and went quickly. By this time the crowds of people had begun to creep off of the sidewalks, narrowing the runners course to only about 10-15 feet in width. I suppose it felt much like the Tour de France, where the teams of bikers are forced to literally plow their own pathway through thousands of well-wishers. Many a time I found myself having to move towards the center of the roadway as unbudging spectators lined my intended path.

We next turned right at the Reservoir and into Central Park. Ah, running down these tree-lined roads there felt like I was running at home again. It was possibly even invigorating. Just over 2.5 miles to go. And the crowds just kept getting larger. Mile 25. I can't tell you how many times I heard my name called out. I kept running. Exiting the Park near the Plaza Hotel, we came upon the last lonely stretch on Central Park South. Quickly scanning the crowds for the trademark Yankees baseball bat and pink butterfly, I thought I caught a glimpse on the opposite side of the street. Crossing over through the throng of runners to greet them there was more difficult than I expected, however I was able to surprise them before they even had a chance to snap a photo. And, Laura, here's my photo to prove it...he, he.

At the end of Central Park South was Columbus Circle and Mile 26. Just one final turn into the park and it was almost over. I was smiling from ear to ear by this time. I could see the finish line in the distance. The official marathon signs, and the deafening crowds, all began counting it down... 400 yards to go... 300 yards to go... 200 yards to go... 100 yards to go... Thrusting my arms high into the air, I greeted these final crowds and crossed the finish line. The official clock read 4:21:57. I'd done it. What I had set out more than a year ago with ambition and the dream to run the largest and most popular marathon in the world, I had now completed only a moment ago.

I'll be honest, I truly felt the emotion of the moment swirl over me...and with misting eyes I just kept smiling.

Race Report: NYC Marathon, Part II

With the first wave of runners now underway at 9:40, we were quickly moved down our corral system and into the general runner queue on top of the waiting bridge. Helicopters kept criss-crossing the sky, all vying for the best angle on the starting line action. I silently readied the chronograph feature on my watch and lifted my camera into the air, hoping to catch a snippet of the actual start on video. Not a moment later, the cannon sounded and Frank Sinatra's "New York, New York" filled the air. We were off!

Now, the first mile of the marathon happens to be all uphill. The race begins at the base of the Verrazano Bridge and the end of Mile 1 is located just after the apex of the climb upward. Normally, I would think a slope such as this would affect the planned pace of runner. But not here. Off we went immediately throwing caution to the wind, just happy to be running in the greatest marathon in the world. Giddy like a schoolchild, I pulled out my camera and commenced snapping photos left and right, hoping to catch every nuance of the start as I could. I even stepped up onto the center median of the bridge to capture the site of Manhattan in the distance, and was pleasantly surprised to learn a news photographer had also captured me doing so. We found out on Monday that this photo made the front page of the NYC Times. I'm officially a celebrity. (I actually wouldn't have noticed its inclusion in the paper had it not been for my wife. As I scanned the page while standing in Times Square the next day, I exclaimed to her, "that's exactly what it looked like, and I was out there taking photos just like that guy there." To which she excited responded, "umm, hon, that's your blue sweatshirt—that IS you!!" A few tourists nearby perked up their heads at the mention…I wonder if I should have offered to autograph THEIR paper?)

Coming down the other side of the bridge, we quickly entered the southern region of Brooklyn. Exiting the main bridge highway, we zipped past the Mile 2 marker and were shuffled west onto 4th Avenue which roughly spanned miles 2-8 of the course. Laura and our friends had mentioned to me the night before, as they pored over subway and course maps, they would attempt to see me near the beginning and end of this section of the race. So I sidestepped a few runners and moved left to keep an eye open for my cheering crew. Now, finding only three people in a crowd of thousands is not easy. Fortunate for us, we took it upon ourselves to pick up a few kids blow-up toys: a blue Yankees baseball bat and a large pink butterfly. It it had not been for these, I know I would have surely missed them in the throng of spectators. Sure enough, they had successfully navigated the R Line and were patiently waiting for me as I blazed them by. Their screams of encouragement were loud and clear: keep going! I wasn't about to let them down, so onward I pressed.

Miles 3-8 were largely uneventful, other than the guy I noticed in front of me who had a bib pinned to his back which simply read "STREAKER". Come to find out later, this was one of only a handful of runners who had successfully completed NYCM for more than 20-some odd years in a row. What an accomplishment! Okay, I originally thought the guy was waiting for his most opportune moment to shed his running apparel and make a name for himself before course police yanked him down. No such luck. But I am glad.

Mile 9 saw us entering an interesting section of Brooklyn named Clinton Hill. Here, the streets narrowed a bit and the business fronts were replaced by actual neighborhoods filled with old and curious facades. I was feeling fairly well still by this time and hadn't yet decided to walk, even for the water stations that passed by every mile or so. My plan was to run as far as possible, likely until the 15-16 mile mark, before taking a quick breather. This is a mental-thing for me. I use it to continually push myself throughout a race, extending it where necessary to continally give myself goals throughout a course.

Miles 10-12 brought us through a variety of interesting neighborhoods, all rich with their own diversity. One that stood out for me was the Polish, or Polska, neighborhood. I am a quarter Polish myself, so this was truly a unique experience for me to see a little of my own heritage. So many little foods shops and restaurants dotted this area of the course, with little Polish children playing and plumb grandmothers walking to market everywhere. Such a wonderful area to see.

By Mile 13, I would have thought the crowd of marathon runners would have thinned some. But as I approached the halfway point, I was still literally elbow-to-elbow with my running comrades. And the crowds of well-wishing spectators were still as strong as ever. Truly amazing to be in a race where crowd support is so intense! Approaching the Pulaski Bridge, we prepared for our departure from Brooklyn and our grand entrance into Queens. Considered the largest in area and the second most populous of the five boroughs of New York City, Queens also happens to be the city's most diverse borough. Of course, experiencing it all would have to be for another day, as Miles 14-15 quickly passed by. Shortly after passing through the Queensboro Plaza and Mile 15, up ahead lay the infamous Queensboro Bridge.

Coming up...the last half!

Race Report: NYC Marathon, Part I

Race: ING New York City Marathon
Distance: 26.2 miles
Official Time: 4:21:57
Pace/Mile: 9:59

The alarm on the nightstand went off, startling me awake. The clock read 4:30...time for my NYC marathon experience to begin. I quietly crept to the bathroom, being careful not to wake everyone else, and began my pre-race routine. I could already hear the bustling city traffic below our 15th-floor window, no doubt many of the vehicle drivers being runners themselves as they worked their way through busy streets towards the start line in Staten Island. Fortunately for me, I had already signed up for bus transportation through NYRR and wouldn't need to navigate the unknown streets myself. However, it was already 5:05 and my bib ticket read for a 5:30 transport time…I'd better hurry or I might be sitting in a longer line than expected. Grabbing my official runner bag filled with pre-race goodies, I slipped out the door of our hotel room without waking anyone.

Exiting my hotel, I stepped out into early morning darkness and the crisp, cold race morning air. It was beautiful outside…the temperature being around 38 degrees and no wind to speak of. Had it not been for the multitude of other marathon athletes steadily flowing down the streets reminding me of the impending race to come, I may have wistfully forgotten my plans and instead opted for unique excursion run through Midtown as the city slowly woke itself up. But not today. Today I was on a mission: all five bridges, all five boroughs. I followed the sidewalk, and the existing throng of half-awake pedestrians, west towards the New York Public Library where dozens of Midtown Manhattan buses waited for the thousands of nervous but eager runners to board them. Queueing up with other athletes in the block-long line outside Bryant Park, starting where the entrance to the No. 7 line runs unnoticed below, we slowly filtered our way back east where officials continually verified our runner bibs and checked over our baggage. Standing in the colder temps, instead of walking like we'd been doing during our siteseeing the past couple of days, only invited shivers to join our nerves. Rounding the east side of the library roughly 20 minutes later, a full set of buses pulled away from the curb as another new group of buses took their place. The gaggle of runners I was with were directed towards the empty lead bus and quickly, but efficiently, herded inside. Sitting in the warm seats and dim lighting, I leaned my head back against the headrest and soon watched as the neighborhoods slipped by on our way to the start line.

I remember some of the bus ride over to Staten Island, but much of it just slipped by as I closed my eyes and began preparing myself mentally. And it was too dark to see much of anything any way. I didn't consider myself to be nervous at all, though I did want to do my best to properly anticipate the expansive grounds there at Fort Wadsworth and the mind-numbing crowds that would be surely milling about. Besides, I just wanted to reclaim a few precious moments of sleep if I could. As our bus crossed over the Verrazano Bridge and pulled up to the dropoff point, the hint of impending sunrise was just beginning to make itself known on the horizon. It was 6:20.

Following the collective bunch of runners as they exited the bus and joining the thousands already walking down the side of the roadway towards the Athlete Village entrance, I quickly snapped off a few pictures. I'd bought my little camera, an Olympus Stylus 850SW, not a week before and was intending to somehow document each stage of the voyage into the NYC Marathon unknown. I guess I was hoping to catch a little of the excitement, maybe some of the unrelateable, that many runners may never see or experience themselves. Seeing the lines of literally a hundred chartered buses waiting to pass through the tollway plaza behind ours, as well as being greeted by the multitudes of volunteers and police officers as I stepped through the official village entrance, it was more than enough to allow this realization to begin sinking in. Think of the largest race staging area you have ever been in…then quadruple it. Here was hundreds of tents, thousands of porto-potties, and 40,000+ of your closest friends…it was literally mind-boggling. That is what it was like as I walked onto the grounds there at Fort Wadsworth.

Runners are organized into three start villages or zones—blue, orange, and green. With a bib number of 27079, mine happened to be the orange village, officially known as the "Grete Waitz village". I followed the orange balloons and fencing down a long set of streets with other like-colored bibs, and finally found our staging area near the base of the bridge. Rather than simply finding a place to sit down, and being somewhat chilled yet from the gusts of wind from the bay nearby, I chose to check out my surroundings. Dunkin Donuts apparently happened to be one of the bigger sponsors of the race, since I found ample amounts of coffee and hot tea—crowd favorites it seemed. I also found tents where multitudes of bagels and powerbars were being handed out in droves. Quickly learning the runner tents were already full to overflowing, I grabbed a fresh bagel and some hot tea with honey and located a secluded spot alongside a Dunkin Donut truck where I could lean against its side and be away from the cold wind. The hot tea did little to warm me, so I pulled on my windbreaker. Hearing how the weather might be somewhat adverse while waiting for the actual race to begin, I'd planned ahead by purchasing some extra "toss-away" clothing from the local thrift store a couple weeks previous. My meager collection at least made the cold tolerable, as I grabbed the newspaper from my goody bag and hunkered down for a little over two hours of waiting.

Close to 9:00, I relinquished my cozy spot next to the donut truck and made my way over to the UPS baggage check area. Here I found volunteers outside my 27,000-27,999 truck who were eagerly waiting to take my bag off my hands and prep it for delivery to the finish line. The bag only contained my reading material and some extra food stuffs, so post-race collection wasn't exactly mandatory. If I found the lines too long there, I planned to bypass the truck entirely and head out of the park as quickly as possible. Next, I wandered over past the giant entertainment stage where a blues-inspired band played melodic tunes, apparently enticing several runners to get up and dance. Having forgotten my dancing shoes, I plodded past and soon found the entrance gate to the orange runner corrals. I located the sign containing the batch of numbers my bib was attached to and asked the gentleman there how soon before we could enter. He mentioned they would allow the first wave of runners to enter first, then us second wave runners could enter promptly after at 9:15. I only had a few minutes, so I found the closest tree nearby and began my stretching routines. I also pulled off my "toss-away" clothing, but kept my blue hooded sweatshirt to keep me somewhat warm for the final 45 minutes before the cannon sounded. Stepping through the gate, I moved forward as far as they would allow and waited for the eventual surge that would carry us along the corral and into starting position on the bridge.

Next...the start!

PHOTOS BY Mike
LABELS New York City Marathon, race report

Our NYC Trip

Well, we're back from New York City! Though we had an incredible time siteseeing in the city that obviously never sleeps, we are happy to be home with the kids, our slower Midwestern traffic, and less noise. Yeah, I know a person becomes accustomed to the noise levels from the persistent street and pedestrian traffic, but we like our quiet here at home. Sure makes sleeping a whole lot easier. {grin}

Our flight lifted off at 5:00 a.m. on Friday morning, with a quick stop in Minneapolis to change planes and pick up another travel companion. When we finally touched down in at the Newark Airport in New Jersey, it was about noon. Grabbing a hotel shuttle to Midtown East, we arrived at our hotel before our room was ready. We quickly checked our baggage and found the local charter bus that would transport us to the Javits Center for the ING New York City Marathon expo, where I was supposed to pick up my race packet. The actual check-in process was rather speedy, all of 10-15 minutes total I suppose, but the walk through the official marathon merchandise and vendor sections was clogged beyond imagination. Fortunately, I was able to snag a few articles of apparel (a LS half-zip running shirt, a running vest, etc.) that could remind me of the trip later and located a fast moving checkout lane. Additionally, I was able to have an Asics poster signed by Brian Sell (who took 3rd at the 2008 Olympic Marathon Trials), which was a pleasant surprise.

Saturday was filled with basic NYC siteseeing...a trip to the top of the Empire State Building, views of Wall Street and the WTC site, Times Square, Central Park, and most everything inbetween. Though I had visited earlier in the year for a work-related conference, it was still exciting to re-experience many of these again, especially with Laura. In fact, she fulfilled one of her lifelong wishes of riding the Central Park Carousel...that was fun.

Later that evening, we headed over to the Team World Vision pasta dinner at Dean's, just a block over from our hotel. When we arrived, we were ushered upstairs where we met and chatted with a dozen other team runners just like myself. Then we sat down for a wonderful dinner served family-style, with heaping bowls of various pasta and chicken creations, as well as authentic brick oven pizza, all very yummy. And just as I was stuffing my face with some tasty Rigatoni Mezza Calabra, who should walk in on the party? Ryan and Sara Hall, our charity team captains. Ryan happens to be the 2008 Olympic Marathon Trials champion at NYC last fall, surprising most everyone with a very consistent and even effort. What is exciting for me is his outspoken faith in the sport of running. They both greeted each of us and made small talk, before also sitting down to share in our meal. What an incredible night!

Leaving the restaurant, we headed back to the hotel so I could prepare my things for the race the next morning. I carefully pinned my race number bib (#27079), as well an additional smaller sign above with "My 1st NYCM - MIKE", to the front of my Team World Vision jersey, then made sure to attach the official timing chip to the laces of one of my running shoes. I also put together a few things that I would be taking with me for the long, pre-race wait the next morning, including extra clothing, my camera, food stuffs, and a newspaper for reading material. Carefully setting everything near the door where I could easily find it without waking everyone, and checking to be sure my alarms were set, I got ready for bed and turned off the light. It was about 10:30 p.m - only six hours until my race day would begin!

Next up, my NYC Marathon race report and photos as I work my way through the five boroughs of New York and 26.2 miles...

My Bags Are Packed…Let's Roll!

As you can see, my marathon bags are nearly packed and ready to go. I have yet to throw in a couple of items before they are complete, primarily our flight & hotel itinerary and my shaving kit, though I will likely perform a hasty, last-minute final check before heading out to the airport early tomorrow morning. And I do mean, early...as in our flight to NYC leaves at 5:00am? Big ole yawn.

Through my calm exterior I can tell the realization is beginning to sink in that, in just a little over two days, I will be running with a world-record crowd of nearly 40,000 other runners as we elbow our way from the Verrazano Bridge start on Staten Island, all the way to Central Park finish in downtown Manhattan. For 26.2 miles I will be experiencing firsthand the thrill this grand and majestic race, as it weaves us over five landmark bridges and through five historic city boroughs. I know my anxiety level will be high the morning of the race, as expected, but I'm hoping the three or so hours I will spend at Fort Wadsworth waiting for the marathon to begin will provide me a chance to relax and some time to reflect on what it took to get me to this moment.

From several sources, including Weather.com web site, all signs are pointing towards wonderful weather for the race on Sunday. Lows in the upper 30s, highs in the upper 40s to lower 50s, with light winds and a mostly sunny sky. Perfect, as most marathoners would say, for running fast times.

One of my hopes during the marathon is to see my lovely wife, and our friends who will make the journey with us, sometime during and just after the race. Their plan is to find me just after the 16-mile mark of the race, as I cross over the Queensboro Bridge from Queens and head north on First Avenue towards the Bronx. I know this point in the race will possibly be a crucial time for me to just recognize a familiar face in the crowd, as the race begins taking runners into its final miles. Though I have run and finished many marathons over the years, I know that finishing the final 6-10 miles are always the toughest for a runner. And New York City won't be any different, as I've been told that the course gets challenging as it winds it way over the final couple bridges and, lastly, through the hills of Central Park. Then our final challenge will be to find each other in the throngs of the over 1 million well-wishing spectators. Fortunately, the 1-2 mile post-race walk will give my legs a chance to stretch out some, but I know it will be great when I finally see her.

Personally, I don't know what finish time I'll receive -- there are so many factors involved with running the New York City Marathon for the first time -- but my goal is to finish close to around the 4-hour mark as possible. Of course finishing in under four hours for my inaugural NYCM would be wonderful and all, but I'll take whatever is given me. I'll just hope and pray I will do my best. Honestly, I want only to finish knowing that I have given it my all and have "run with endurance the race that is set before me (Hebrews 12:1).” To hopefully have a wonderful experience of the marathon, and of siteseeing in New York City, while sharing it all with my wife. That would make this trip the best.

Before leaving, I would like to thank all the family and friends who have or will support me this weekend. I really appreciate you all being there for me and this crazy endeavor. You all make it worth while.

So, the question is...am I ready? Ready to run with this insane amount of runners? Oh man, you bet!

I'll see you all when I get back on Tuesday.

Now, let's roll...

Pre-Race Butterflies

I am but a week away from boarding my early morning flight to New York City and, for the first time in a long, long while, I think I may be getting pre-race butterflies.

It's not that this is a new feeling for me, I mean I have been toeing the starting line of races for 22 years, having run in 19 marathons and well over 40+ other road races up and to this point in my life. Each one presented its own list of anxieties and goose bumps - some more, some less. But there's just something about knowing you're going to be running in the largest, and widely considered the most famous, marathon in the world.

Last night I was talking with a friend who completed her first half-marathon at the Des Moines Marathon this previous weekend. I could tell how incredibly excited she was knowing she had conquered the previous unknown, that she had charged through and had persevered the challenge of the distance she set before herself. Her expressions told the story of an elusive goal now met. Congratulating her on such a wonderful accomplishment, I politely inquired if she had any plans to explore the marathon distance someday. She paused for a moment, but I could see in her eyes the twinkling of a dream beginning to unfold. "I think I could do that," she said with a smile. Knowing her, I bet she'll tackle that marathon dream at next year's event, and good for her for accepting that challenge.

It has been many years since my first race. To me, it's been a long history of training through the seasons, giving each race everything I could, and leaving the gas tank empty each time. And though I've seen the finish line of countless distances, even a few multi-day staged events, I haven't yet felt like I've lost that twinkle of future possibility myself.

The anxieties I feel each and every time I pin that number to my shirt are what keep those possibilities, those dreams, inside of me alive. Those butterflies I experience reaffirm for me that I simply enjoy what I do. Trying to explain that to someone who hasn't felt the surge of thousands of runners suddenly explode into motion when the gun goes off is often times difficult. But, in that simplicity, the anxieties are what makes the race exciting, full of potential, and fodder for future possibilities.

You see, without them the race would be just that...a race. I'll take butterflies any day.

PHOTO BY Jupiter Images
LABELS race anxieties, training

Snapshot: Watching the ING New York City Marathon

If you can’t make it in person, you can still catch all the action of the 2008 ING New York City Marathon live on TV and via the web on Sunday morning, November 2nd. Get complete race day coverage using these resources below:


TELEVISION

New York: The race will be broadcast live exclusively on WNBC 4 New York for five hours. Telemundo Channel 47 will have live cut-ins during the race as well as segments leading up to the marathon. The WNBC 4 New York broadcast will begin at 9:00 a.m. with the pre-race warm-up and will follow the race through the five boroughs, across the bridges, and over the finish line until 2:00 p.m.

United States: NBC Sports will broadcast a one-hour highlights show nationwide beginning at 2:00 p.m. CST on November 2. Be sure to check your local listings for details. (In the metro New York area, it will be on WNBC 4 New York.)

Around the World: A one-hour highlights show will be broadcast in nearly 125 countries worldwide. Check your local listings for details.

INTERNET STREAMING

United States: On Sunday, November 2, it’s the world’s race — the ING New York City Marathon. Catch all the action LIVE, only on NBC’s UniversalSports.com. Coverage for the ING New York City Marathon begins at 8:00 a.m. CST. The ING New York City Marathon will be available on demand after the live broadcast.

International: Watch the entire race live on the Internet at UniversalSports.com for FREE! Viewers will get the entire race broadcast from 8:00 a.m. CST to 11:45 a.m.

RACE DAY: START TIMES

Early Start, Athletes with Disabilities, Presented by Avis - 7:30 a.m.

Wheelchair Division, Presented by Avis - 8:35 a.m.

Handcycle Division - 8:55 a.m.

Professional Women - 9:10 a.m.

Foot Locker Five Borough Challenge - 9:15 a.m.

Open Field, including Professional Men - Wave One 9:40 a.m, Wave Two 10:00 a.m, Wave Three 10:20 a.m.

Note: Daylight Savings Time ends at 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, November 2. Remember to set your clocks back one hour before going to bed on Saturday, November 1.

Race Report: Des Moines Half Marathon

Race: Des Moines Half-Marathon
Distance: 13.1 miles
Official Time: 1:50:43
Pace/Mile: 8:26

There's nothing like waking up race morning to a nice, cool 48° outside, partly cloudy skies, and a slight wind. What better conditions to set a new half-marathon PR with? That I did.

With only two weeks until my planned trip to New York City for the marathon debut of my life, I originally decided today would be treated like a training day. A nice and easy 13.1 miles on a spectacular course, with very few ups and downs along the way. But all that went out the window when I realized the prime conditions we'd been given this race morning. Suddenly, I found myself dreaming of new splits and a myriad of ways to increase and maintain my pace...oh, that elusive sub-1:50 would soon be mine. Heck, maybe I'd take off the kid-gloves and do some serious swinging towards a 1:45...

Toeing the line (okay, officially I was more like a full 100ft back), I eyed the competitors in my immediate vicinity and braced myself for the start that would inevitably unleash the furious nature that I surely had inside... ready, GO!

Moments later, unfortunately I quickly learned the "furious" nature from within had apparently decided to sleep in. That long training run on Friday suddenly reminded me that my legs were still a tad tired, and contending with slightly warmer starting temps than I'd expected, I decided it might be better to conserve a little energy and play it safe. Nestled in a crowd of a few thousand of my closest running friends, I began calculating an 8:10-8:15 pace that would give me a chance at breaking the 1:50 barrier.

Though the crowds were a little thicker than my experience from previous DSM marathons past, it did make for finding other like-minded runners of the same pace much easier. Settling in behind a few guys who were talking of BQ dreams, the first few miles of the course soon flew by, taking us from one end of downtown to the other, past the half and full-marathon split, then down onto Fleur Drive. My pace during this time fluctuated only slightly per mile, primarily due to the crowds.

Turning off of Fleur Drive, racers then entered the Water Works Park area south of the downtown area. Here, the next five miles would take us through the beautifully wooded roadways and past a long stretch of the Raccoon River. This is a particular favorite area of mine, and I often spend my lunch hour on training runs there. The park road is bounded by George Flagg Parkway, making it a great place for spectators to get close to the action without having to walk far. Shortly past the 5.5 mile mark, I encountered my kids doing their best to enthusiastically high-five every runner they could. Both they and my wife gave me big hugs, then cheered me on as I pulled away to begin the large loop portion at the back of the park. Miles 6-8 clicked off rather quickly, and soon I found myself reapproaching Fleur Drive.

Crossing over the roadway we next entered Grays Lake Park, widely considered the “Place to Meet” in the Des Moines Metro area. The centerpiece of the park’s renewal plan is the two-mile trail encircling the lake, also a runner favorite. Here I felt my pace beginning to lapse somewhat, my mile average dropping to roughly 8:30 or so. I could tell I was feeling tired, but I also knew I needed to keep going if I wanted to stay close to my 1:50 goal.

Rounding the lake, we began the push up the bike trail, over the MLK Jr. Parkway bridge and onto the final stretch. Mile 12 came up quickly, and I noticed my watch reading 1:41...this would be cutting it close. I picked up the speed as much as I could and followed the course as it turned north towards the downtown finish line area. You could hear the crowds during this final half-mile, and along with Laura and the kids about a hundred yards from the line, they carried me my final steps.

Though I missed my sub-1:50 goal by only mere seconds, I'll admit I am still happy to be bettering my PR by close to two minutes.

For those of you who have not had the pleasure of running the Des Moines Marathon or Half-Marathon, I seriously suggest you check it out. It is well-known for it's beautiful course and plenty of friendly spectators. Definitely, a "must do" if you live in the Midwest.

Finally, a guick shout out to my family for their support and encouragement today...without you my racing would never be as special you make it for me.

NYCM: #27079

NYRR has released the bib numbers for the participants... mine will be 27079. Besides being a runner's identity on the streets, these bib numbers play a more significant role on how a runner will be started the morning of Nov 2. The bib is color-coded (every color means something) and a person can tell a lot by just the colors of the bib background and number itself. To the left is how I imagine my bib to look look…we'll see if the actual one comes anywhere close to my imagination.

What does this bib mean? It signifies that:

Based on the orange main bib color...My staging area on Staten Island before the race will be Grete Waitz Village. This is considered the second "village" that you'll get to once the bus drops us off. It doesn't appear to be the largest of the villages (blue, or Alberto Salazar Village, seems to be the biggest), but I'm sure it will still be as crowded. Here, I plan to relax and stretch as much as possible before the race begins. Also, I will be have the exciting opportunity to start my journey by running across the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge on the upper (scenic) deck, rather than on the below deck. Of course, there are advantages and disadvantages to this. Running on top means I will tackle a strong incline and decline (the first 2K of the bridge itself), rather than the more subtle elevation change found while running the lower portion. However, I hear runners on the bottom often contend with sprinkle storms from runners above as they relieve themselves while on the bridge. That aside, be sure to keep your eagle eyes out for me when the TV crews film the start!

Based on the yellow background (floodcoat) color behind my number...I will be assigned to the Wave 2 Orange Start commencing at 10:00 a.m. Instead of releasing a mass start of approximately 40,000 runners at one time, the field will be organized into three separate starts (or “waves”) released at 20-minute intervals. The first wave (white) will start at 9:40 a.m., the second wave (yellow) will start at 10:00 a.m., and the third wave (blue) will start at 10:20 a.m. Each wave will include approximately 13,000 runners. [Note to self: Wow, this IS bigger than the Des Moines Marathon…uff-da.]

Based on the actual bib number of #27079...I will be participating in the third block of runners of Wave 2, otherwise known as "C" Corral. This letter will be prominently displayed on the righthand portion of the bib. Virtually, I know nothing about the "corral" system other than I believe these help situate runners according to their approximate finisher times (see the official start corral chart). That way, faster runners at the beginning of the race won't need to furiously weave between those of us who aren't super-human powered. So, I guess "C" means I'm an average superhuman?

I will be checking my pre-race runner baggage with UPS truck #27. Trucks are apparently sorted in increments of 1,000 according to bib numbers. I'll hazard a guess it will be this same truck I will be searching for at the end.

The bib number also means that when I finish the race I will be exiting Central Park at the second runner exit of 81st Street. This will route me directly onto Central Park West where I can then meet up with my family & friends post-race.

pre-race

race start

post-race

Only 14 days left!!

Snapshot: NYC Marathon Preparation

Okay, if you're like me, you've trained, tapered, and overcome your share of bumps in the road to your marathon. But there's still a lot you need to do right come marathon day. Taken from both running experts and running novices, all who share their hard-won wisdom below, here are a few ins and out of race day you should wisely consider. I know more than a few of these have served me well on big days past, and I will be taking heed of again for my upcoming race in NYC in a short couple of weeks.

1. Don't do anything new. Race day is not the time for new shoes, new food or drinks, new clothing, or anything else you haven't done on several training runs. Stick with a routine that works for you.
   
   
2. Eat first thing. Too many marathoners skip breakfast on race day, opting for just a cup of coffee and/or some sports drink. You need more than that. From the time you go to bed until the start of the race is usually eight to 10 hours. In that time, your liver glycogen — which is stored carbohydrate — gets depleted. If you don't have a simple, high-carb breakfast, you're going to be in trouble at 20 miles. Bananas, bagels, or energy bars are good picks.
   
   
3. Don't overdress. Marathons often start in the cool of early morning, and it's easy to overestimate the amount of clothing you'll need. As a rule of thumb, it will probably feel 10 or more degrees warmer once you get going, and temps will rise as the day goes on. If you wear too much clothing, you're carrying extra weight, and will sweat more than you want, possibly increasing your body temperature and risk of dehydration. By overdressing, you create a microclimate around the skin that induces sweating. The best clothing allows for some heat loss, but not so much that you become uncomfortably cold.
   
   
4. Prevent chafing. During a marathon, every moving body part that can chafe will chafe. And nothing is more irritating and painful than skin rubbed raw. To prevent this, make sure your shoes, socks, and clothing have no raised seams that will rub against the skin. Also, use Vaseline, BodyGlide, or something similar in key locations, including your armpits, nipples, and inner thighs.
   
   
5. Wear sunscreen. Marathoners sometimes don't think about the fact that they're in the sun long enough to get sunburned. This is particularly true if you finish in four or five hours, which takes you into the high-sun time of the day.
   
   
6. Pin your race number on your shorts. That way you can fiddle all you want with your upper-body apparel. If the temperature rises, you can peel off the long-sleeve shirt that kept you toasty for the first three miles. If the wind kicks up, reach for the shirt that's wrapped around your waist. Putting your number on your shorts allows you to add or subtract layers as needed to adjust to changing conditions. On a hot day, you could even exchange a sweaty shirt for a dry one. The easier you can vary your torso covering, the better.
   
   
7. Go for the jolt. Twenty years ago, researchers thought that caffeine helped runners burn more fat, thereby sparing precious glycogen. That theory has been mostly disproved, but caffeine does make the marathon feel easier.
   
   
8. Top off your tank. Most marathoners know enough to stay well hydrated in the days before their race. It's tough to superhydrate, however, because your kidneys have time to release any excess water you consume. But in the final minutes to half hour before the start, you can trick your kidneys by sneaking in a late drink. (Your kidneys will mostly shut down once you start running hard.) Another trick many marathons try is eating pretzels before the marathon, figuring the extra salt will help them retain the fluids they consume.
   
   
9. Keep your warmup short. It makes sense to not warm up much before a marathon. After all, you want to save energy. But you'll actually run more efficiently if you first loosen up your leg muscles. Consider doing a warmup just to the point of a very light sweat. You can also use the warmup to gauge the weather, to see how you will need to adjust your pace to the conditions.
   
   
10. Run even pace. This is possibly the oldest and most important of marathon strategies. "Both the laboratory data and experiences of countless marathoners show that even-pace running is the optimal approach," says Russ Pate, who has a Ph.D. in exercise physiology and qualified for three U.S. Marathon Trials in '72, '76, and '80. "In my best marathons, I almost felt that I was running too slow the first five to 10 miles." Exercise physiologist Phil Sparling, Ph.D., concurs. "You have to run so slow that it feels like you're holding yourself back," says Sparling. "Later it feels so good when you're going strong and passing people."
    
    
11. Fix it sooner, not later. You might notice that your shoelace is beginning to come untied. Or you're starting to chafe in that one particular spot. Or a pebble has taken up residence in your left shoe. These things don't go away on their own. And the sooner you deal with them, the better you'll fair over the distance. It's like the old saying, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." Only in the marathon, it's more like an ounce of cure early is better than a pound of pain later.
    
    
12. Drink early — and late. When you're aiming for a fast marathon time every ounce of fluid you consume helps maintain the blood flow to your skin (for cooling) and to your heart and muscles. Since running hard slows the absorption of fluids from your stomach, you need to begin drinking early to have the fluids become available later. That said, drinking at the 24-mile mark also helps. There might not be time to absorb all the water and sugars, but some can get into your system, and this will help you in that last tough mile. (Important note: If you expect to run four hours or slower, be careful not to overdrink and develop hyponatremia. Drink when you are thirsty, and stop drinking if your stomach becomes uncomfortably full of fluids.)
    
    
13. Use some gel. Sports drinks contain carbohydrates and other good stuff, but gels provide a more concentrated source of carbs that can prove especially helpful in the last half of the marathon. Some marathoners carry four gel packs, taking them at miles 10, 14, 18, and 22. That's an average of about 60 grams of carbohydrates per hour, or about the maximum the body can handle.
    
    
14. Draft off someone. Hey, it works for Lance Armstrong. The drafting effect isn't as strong in running, but it's still there. "I always tried to tuck in behind someone in my marathons, because it's so much more efficient to follow," says Ken Sparks, who has a Ph.D. in exercise physiology and ran a personal best 2:28 at age 46. "I'd often pick one of the first women. They'd usually run a strong, even pace." Just be decent about it and don't follow too closely, or better yet, agree to take turns leading so you're working together with this person. Alternative: Find a marathon that offers pace groups, and join the peloton, just like Lance.
    
    
15. Don't charge the hills. The goal in marathon running is to maximize your efficiency over 26.2 miles. That's why drafting works. And it's why running hard up the hills doesn't work. From an energy-output perspective, you gain more speed by putting your effort into the flats than the hills. When you're on the hills, just relax. Don't worry about those people who are passing you. You'll get them back later.

NYCM: By the Numbers, Part III

The last in a handful of interesting facts about NYCM...









1970 year of the first New York City Marathon, with 127 starters, 55 finishers, and a $1 entry fee
1976 year of the first five-borough marathon
9 New York City Marathon victories by Grete Waitz (1978–80, 1982–86, 1988)
4 victories by Bill Rodgers (1976–79)
1982 year of the most recent victory by an American man (Alberto Salazar)
1977 year of the most recent victory by an American woman (Miki Gorman)
2000 year of the first official wheelchair division race
786,566 starters to date
749,831 finishers to date

NYCM: By the Numbers, Part II

Here are a few additional amazing facts about this race..






2:07:43 male runner course record (Tesfaye Jifar, 2001)
2:22:31 female runner course record (Margaret Okayo, 2003)
1:29:22 male wheelchair course record (Kurt Fearnley, 2006)
1:52:38 female wheelchair course record (Edith Hunkeler, 2007)
38,607 finishers in 2007, the most ever in any marathon
26,072 male finishers in 2007 (event record)
12,535 female finishers in 2007 (event record)
104,000+ applicants to the ING New York City Marathon 2008, the most ever.

That last statistic is astounding, really. Given that participation is generally limited to ~37,000 entrants chosen largely by a lottery system (okay, closer to 45,000 with all the additional complimentary entries), that shows the overwhelming popularity of runners who want to run this exciting race.