Race Report: More Marathon, Half -- wait. More Half-Marath -- wait, the More 13.1 Mile Fun Run

This past Sunday was the More Marathon/Half Marathon/Health Walk. Sort of.



My training has not been consistent the past couple of weeks. I went into this a little concerned about being undertrained. But I was only doing the half, and had managed to get a 10 and 11 miler in the weeks prior, so I figured it would be okay, as long as I went slow (um, no problems there) and didn't try to set any records.



A few words about this race. This is a woman-only race sponsored by More Magazine, which is geared towards women over 40. Therefore, the marathon was only open to women over 40. The way it USED to be, you could only run the half marathon if you were either over 40, or paired with one. So all my young whippersnapper Teammates wanted to be Grandma's best friend, to get that coveted entry. Alas, this year they opened the half up to all age groups, so my fleeting popularity, well, fleeted.



The course: Marathon -- 4+ clockwise loops of Central Park (the original NYC marathon route), Half Marathon and Health Walk -- 2+ loops.



The expo was nice. A little cramped, but all the products were women-oriented, and you know, I NEEDED that pair of MBT shoes -- those are the ones that mimic the Masai, with a curved sole. They're odd, but comfortable, and they purport to help the wearer stand in alignment (they also say they'll tone you up, but I'm not buying that.) I must say, having worn them a few days now, they do help with the posture.



I also got to meet Kathrine Switzer, who was there with copies of her book, "Marathon Woman." For those who don't know, Kathrine is the first woman to semi-officially run the Boston Marathon -- she entered as "K. Switzer" in 1967, when it was still a men's only race. The race director, Jock Semple, discovered her four miles in and, as you can see here in this photo, tried to physically throw her out of the race. Her boyfriend Tom, who ran with her, pushed Jock Semple off her, and she finished the race with an unofficial time of 4:20. Her effort inspired other women, who began running the course unofficially, and by 1972, the first women were welcomed to participate as athletes. In many ways, Kathrine's the First Lady of female marathoners. It was great to meet her. She told us that she does the television commentaries for the major marathons -- NY, Boston, etc. -- but nobody knows it, because we're all out running the races and never hear that it's her!

Sunday morning, 6 a.m. Woke up, ate, got dressed. A little stomach distress -- there are some foods one should avoid even looking at the night before a long run or race, and I fear I may have looked at some of them. Used the bathroom three times before heading out at 7:15. The race started at 8:00, and I'm not far from the start line.



Used the Hecksher playground bathroom on my way to the start line. It's going to be one of those days.



Did I mention it was 90 degrees?



As I'm walking to the half marathon starting corrals, I see three women with marathon bibs pass me. Hmm. The marathon doesn't start for another ten minutes, and surely they're not trying to get more miles in. Even if they were, for some reason, they would've had too many miles to go to get back to the start line in time for the marathon to begin.

Find my corral and hop in. Start chatting with the women around me, who've come in from Connecticut. This is their first half marathon. They tell me that NYRR just cancelled the marathon, halved the distance of the health walk, and weren't going to time the half marathon. Wow. NYRR has turned winter races into fun runs when the roads were too icy to safely race, but I don't recall them ever actually cancelling a race.

I will go on record to say it was the right call to make. Better to deal with pissed-off runners than dead ones. Four loops of the Park is brutal under ideal weather conditions. To do a race that long in this heat practically begs for disaster to happen. NYRR has held races in this degree of heat before -- I know, I ran a lot of them -- but not at marathon distance. Even with the two spray stations and extra water and Gatorade on the course, it would have been too dangerous. So kudos to NYRR for making the tough, yet right call.

So now I'm doing a 13.1 mile "fun run." Someone needs to define "fun" in this context a little better.

The run begins. And, of course, the minute we start, I have to use the bathroom.

Pass Teammate Lynn around mile 1. She's got a Gatorade/water/sunscreen station set out for runners. She ran Boston last week, finished in well under four hours. Kiss her, and head forward.

As we hit the first set of porta-potties, I think -- why not? No one's timing it. All the women in line, me included, went through the same thing -- momentary anxiety from waiting to use a bathroom mid-race, and realizing that there was, in fact, no race.

Much better. Onwards. Pass Teammate David at some point on the East Side, and Teammate Yan is volunteering during this race, handing out water at the 72nd Street Transverse.

Complete the first loop feeling relatively okay. I think I have another loop in me. Teammates Erica, Ashley and Leanne are at Tavern on the Green, the halfway point/ finish line.

Stop at Lynn's homemade water station for water, and take a gel and an electrolyte capsule. Onwards.

At the water stations along the course, I drink 2/3 of the cup and pour the last third on my head. It steams.

At the water station at the top of the North Hill, there are salt packets. I am feeling a little over-Gatoraded, so I take one. Gives me the boost I need. I've taken salt during a race before, but never actually felt it working the way I did there. It's like I could actually feel it hit my bloodstream.

They've even removed the clocks at the mile markers, so unless you're personally timing yourself, there's no way to know your time until you hit the end. Without that reminder of time, I was definitely pacing myself properly for the heat. I felt leaden-legged from being undertrained, but otherwise physically fine.

Around the East Side of the reservoir is when I started running past the health walkers, and it got a little crowded. I don't mean this to sound awful, but it seemed like everyone doing the health walk was clinically obese. I've never seen so many big women in a race before. I am hoping that this race was their first step towards a healthier lifestyle. Everyone's got to start somewhere.

At long last, rounding the turn off Central Park South and heading up towards Tavern. I find myself with enough left for a finishing kick. Through the finish line, at a time of around 2:10. Definitely not my best, but that wasn't the goal.

Although I can't help thinking, if I can do that undertrained, what am I going to be like in a few months, with all that Fred's Team training under my belt? And you know, my half marathon PR was set in the heat...

Next week, LET THE FUNDRAISING BEGIN!

All Access -- A Great Weekend of Running!

I ignore my own advice about running in the rain and wouldn't you know it, I have a cold. Yes, I know that running in the rain has nothing to do with getting a cold. I just prefer to think of it that way.

No new members of the Honor Roll this week. I am not pushing the fundraising too hard just yet, plus I am also involved in another fundraising project, Broadway Bares, the annual strip show put on by Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Yes, a strip show. No, I'm not the one stripping. We are trying to MAKE money!! It's a dozen or so original choreographed musical numbers danced by Broadway's hottest dancers, with straight strip, gay strip, drag strip -- all kinds of stripping! -- and it ends with everyone go-go dancing for tips. This year over 200 performers will participate. It's a whole lot of fun, and I love to help out on it (in past years I've been towel girl, door opener, and lately scenery mover, aka "panel pusher." ) It's next Sunday, the 22nd, at Roseland Ballroom in NYC. Click the link above for more info!

You don't have to wait for the e-mail solicitation to become a member of the Fred's Team Honor Roll. Just click on the links on the side or bottom of the page, or heck, right here, and donate to my Fred's Team marathon effort on behalf of Liam Witt.

This past weekend was a record-breaking heat wave. Over 90 degrees both Saturday and Sunday. What better time for two races?

Saturday was the NYRR Women's Only Mini 10K. What makes this race a "mini?" I heard that the race used to be called a "mini-marathon," so that makes sense to me. There ain't nothing mini about this race, it's not like we only run 6 miles. It's the whole shebangabang. I've run this race four times, and each time the weather is either too hot or too cold. It's never a temperate day. Ironic, or something like that.

The race started at 9am, on the corner of Central Park West and 61st St. This race is different in that it starts with a run up CPW to 90th Street, then into the Park and a clockwise loop, finishing at Tavern. Not so fun -- the dreaded uphill finish. Don't know why the course is different, but I like the CPW part of the run. I woke up at 7am, ate my "lucky" breakfast -- whole-wheat bagel with banana and a little bit of honey -- and headed over. Took my AirAides and a Succeed electrolyte caplet, and brought another Succeed cap with me. I also wore my fuel belt for the first time in a race this year. I saw on the race course map there would be three water stops and no Gatorade, and I wanted to take some electrolyte drink with me. I sweat like a moose under optimal conditions, so I wanted be comfy and have my "security blanket" for the stifling weather. I also had my BluBandoo cooling hat. I put the hat in the freezer for ten minutes, which made it instantly stiffen, but by race time it was already getting warm. My goal was not to set a PR, it was to finish without barfing or passing out, both of which were distinct possibilities. It pissed me off a little because I set PRs in the last two races, and I was hoping for the streak to continue, but not in this heat. Not worth it. Also, the run I had on Thursday was a crappy one, I had to stop four times for that "can't breathe" feeling I had in Florida. A real set-back. I was not looking forward to this race.

Dropped off my bag at bag check and saw Teammate Lynn and some of her friends. We talked for a few minutes, and I headed over to the porta-johns for a pit stop before the race. Yes, even though I live five minutes from the start line and went three times before leaving the house, I needed to go again. But after waiting in line for ten minutes, I gave up. My only quibble of the day -- this is a WOMEN'S race. MORE PORTA-POTTIES!!

I stuffed my way into the corrals and saw Teammate Sara, so I lined up with her. The intros took a while -- there were a lot of cool people at the race, like the three women who will represent the US in the Olympic marathon, plus a lot of other professional women runners who do this race every year. The National Anthem was sung -- why am I the only person to remember: hat off, and hand over the heart!! -- and we're off!

The first mile-ish is relatively flat, being outside the Park. I ran with Sara for a few minutes, but I'm a little faster than her, and I ended up pulling away. I was really trying to hold back. Still, mile 1 -- 8:32. It was still just a little cool out, but that was quickly changing.

At 90th Street we head into the Park and start heading north towards the Great Hill. I actually prefer going clockwise up and down the hill, so that was good. Mile 2 -- 8:28. I'm thinking good, that's about what I want to do, not dealing with negative splits or anything, just trying to get through the race.

We round the Great Hill and begin the ascent. I pass the 5K mat at 27:27 (official time -- 26:32.) I take a slightly longer walk break at the water station. I also take my second Succeed cap. Still, mile 3 -- 8:32. Geez, I'm cranking. For me. And for this heat. There's a hose spraying water at the racers. I take my hat off and try to get my sprinkle on, but it fizzles into steam by the time it hits my head. I'm starting to feel woozy. Mile 4 -- 8:39.

Down the East Drive and rounding the corner of the Res, and at the next water stop -- there's GATORADE!! Hooray! Thank you, NYRR! Boy, did I need that. Took another slightly extended walk break at the station to drink it down, and also some water. Down Cat Hill (yay!) and up that infernal little hill at 72nd Street (boo!) Mile 5 -- 8:31.

Last mile and change, around the south end of the Park and to the finish line. I see Teammate Michelle in front of me at the 800m to go mark. For those of you who followed my exploits last year, this is the same Michelle who I spent most of last year emulating on the running front because she's a strong runner with an effortless stride that I admire. You can read that post by clicking right here. Holy crap, did I catch up with Michelle? Holy crap, am I PASSING her??

Holy crap, I am!

Mile 6 -- 8:15, and the last uphill .2 -- 1:41

For a grand total of 52:38 (official time.)

I PRed!

In 90+ degree heat!

And Michelle, your compliments after the race once again made my year.

Sunday was the Second Annual MSKCC Rock and Run by the River. It's a 5K run/walk along the Hudson River that celebrates survivors and their families, and supports their Cancer Survivor Initiative. I ran this race last year with my friend Greg, who lost his brother Tim the year before. It's a lovely race, and with so many friends, family members and Teammates being survivors thanks to MSKCC, even if I wasn't a member of Fred's Team I would be there. More than 2,000 people showed up, even in the heat, and that just shows you what an impact MSKCC has had on so many people.

I'll tell you the story in pictures -- and I have all the pictures on my Koday Easy Share site, if you want to see them all. I will tell you they ain't the best pictures; I took a lot of them on the run. Literally.

Here we are, waiting for the race to begin. There's Lynn, Harrie, and Harrie's friend whose name I am forgetting (sorry!) on the left, and Michelle and Julia on the right:

Here's Coach Annie hanging on the patio, and Nicole:

At the start line I ran into Dr. Mark, one of the lung specialists at MSKCC. Dr. Mark was my buddy-slash-savior during last year's 18 miler, and I was happy to see him here today!

And we're off! I snapped this picture of us on the run:

Mark was pretty speedy, and I had blisters on my feet from the day before -- not from the run, but from Emily's birthday party. In an effort to look good, since the party was at a club, I wore heels. Just a shade over kitten heels. Those shoes rarely bother me, that's why I bought them, but I guess my feet were still swollen from the 10K and at the end of the night I had blisters on both little toes and the bottoms of my feet were scraped raw. So I was suffering, between the feet and the heat, but I kept up.

How I wish someone had told me that even though I washed my face twice, there was still a lot of eye makeup leaching out. I swear, I cannot get the gunk off of me, and that's with using eye makeup remover pads.

Our unofficial time -- it was a fun run -- was about 26 minutes.

Post-race, we all met up on the pier. There's Michelle, Julia, David, Nicole and Alli on the left, and yours truly on the right.

Here's Lynn, Coach Jeff, and Jeff's friend Ben Bailey (yes, the "Cash Cab" host.) "Cash Cab" is like a snarkier version of Jeopardy. Ben's a licensed cabbie, and if you get into his cab you are a contestant on the show, which takes place in his cab while he drives you to your destination. It's fun and also very funny. Watch it!

Turns out, we were all allowed to go to the VIP area at the back of the pier, behind the main stage. Cool! So off we went. There was food and water there, and tables with some much-needed shade.

That's Jill, who heads the Pediatric Cancer unit, on the left, and Jen and Cary on the right.

The two co-chairs of the Rock and run were designer Carmen Marc Valvo (that's him in the white cap; he designed the t-shirts for the race, which are really nice, with a simple footprint graphic) and MSNBC's Dan Abrams (that's him in the black cap!)

A bushel of Baksts


Lastly, but not leastly, Teammate Matt, our resident rock star and he of the 2:53 marathon. He was volunteering in the Survivor tent. Amazing guy.

We are all so lucky!

Let the Fundraising Begin!!

Ladies and Gents...


I am registered for the NYC Marathon.


I am registered with Fred's Team.


I have some very special news to share with you all soon about my run this year. I'm sure it's okay to say it out loud, but just in case not, I'll just give you a spoiler -- check the new "Important Links" section on the right side of the page.

So...

LET THE FUNDRAISING BEGIN!

Yes, I am shameless.

As excited as I am about running NYC Marathon #3, I am more excited about being a part of Fred's Team and raising money for the Aubrey Fund for Pediatric Cancer Research at MSKCC. I want to raise $6,000. My Team webpage says I'm only raising $3,000, but I want to DOUBLE that! Do I have faith that I will raise $6,000? YES, I DO. Not only because it is an important cause, but because I have so many amazing friends, family members, fellow runners, and blog readers across the country and around the world who feel that if a cause is so important to someone that they're willing to put their bodies on the line for it, that's a cause worth supporting.

But Marci, the marathon is in November. Why start fundraising now?


Because pediatric cancer is not seasonal.


My first e-mail blast will be going out shortly. However, if you want to join the Honor Roll now,
please click here, or at the links at the side or bottom of the page.

I'm telling you now, while I am positive that I will finish this year's marathon, and finish strong, it's not going to be easy. I am currently down here in Florida, and I am having a lot of difficulty coping with the humidity. It may just be Florida -- I've had this problem before, where I can't run in Florida heat, but I can in NYC -- but given that the majority of our training takes place during the summer, it's going to get worse before it gets better.

I saw a naturopath last week, and after talking with him about my problems with the humidity and also my PMS (did I mention I was shameless?) we both feel that these may be interconnected. Yes, I am a woman of a certain age, and while I'm still, um, fertile, I think certain changes are on the horizon. It's affecting a lot of things, but definitely my running. I want to be able to get my body back in balance, for my training and for my overall health. The doctor gave me some stuff to take, which I'm taking, and I hope it will work. The biggest problem is -- I'm supposed to take them between meals, on an empty stomach. I have no "between" meals! I eat all day!

I am also trying to adjust by not turning on the a/c at night. It's been kind of cool here in the evenings, and with a fan, a normal person would be okay. I, however, am not normal. I love it ice-cold at night, I have trouble sleeping otherwise. But I'm trying.

If anyone has tips, tricks and advice for dealing with the heat, let me know!!

Did y'all see the Boston Marathon today? WOW! Heading out soon for a run myself, in the heat, I'm so inspired!! And I did sign up for the 10K on Saturday morning, so I'll keep you posted.

Random Musings

Oh, mah Gawd it's HOT in Florida!
No, really?
It was 82 degrees at 9am. Now it's 85. How am I going to run in this? Even the Team workouts get cancelled when the temps are too high. I don't have a gym membership down here, so heading for the treadmill isn't an option. I would run at night here, after work, but the gates are locked when I get back and I'd have to run on the golf course. That doesn't bug me, but I'm afraid that the people who live facing the course will see a shadowy figure and call the cops. I guess I'll need to tough it out. A couple of days ago I did a 4-miler that I thought was going to kill me. I took a Succeed cap (electrolytes) and had Gatorade but I still felt lousy. Good practice for summer, I guess.

I forgot to mention that my parents were also down here in Florida visiting for two weeks. It is their apartment, after all. And no, Dad, when I talked about new crops of madness in my life in a previous post, I was not referring to your visit. In fact, the only negative thing about their visit was that I had to sleep on the pull-out couch for two weeks, and that's just no fun. Oh, and they didn't leave the fridge stocked with food, nor the bathroom stocked with new towels (for some reason, my parents -- no, my Dad -- became obsessed with getting new towels last time they were down there. For an apartment that stands empty nearly eight months of the year, and at its fullest holds three people, there are now about 2 dozen towels.) I was such a wreck for the first week anyway with my computer trauma, I was certainly no joy to behold. But it was lovely to have them down there with me.

Now I'm nervous because I'm coming back to NYC in a week and a half, and I've got a month before my next "tour of duty" in Florida, and no job or nothing to come back to. I can't get unemployment until after the second gig because I won't have enough weeks of work in a calendar quarter. So it's TempVille for me. Of course there are all these little things I need to do in the month that I'm home that have to be worked around, like getting my taxes done. Why does life have to interfere so much with...life?

Some of the things I've noticed while running around Delray and Boca, is that there are precious few sidewalks. Why is that? I'm always reading studies that say people need to walk more, but how are these people supposed to walk when there's no safe place for them to do that? No wonder folks take their cars two blocks to the store.

And I've never seen so much random stuff on the sidewalks as I do here. I'm not talking about gum wrappers and such. On my runs I've found tampons (new and, um, used,) diapers, pizza boxes, cassette tapes, a whole dead fish (not from the supermarket, but from the ocean, which is really odd considering where I stay is nowhere near the water) and tons of clothing, especially shoes. I don't understand how a shoe can be left on the sidewalk. How can you not realize you've lost a shoe? No, it's not sneakers over the telephone poles, this is a retirement community, not a drug-infested neighborhood. Just random shoes. The weirdest one was when I first got down here, a sofa cushion. How does a sofa cushion end up on the street? Anyway, it was there for a couple of days, then it was gone. The weird part was that two days after that, it came back. Huh? Did someone take it home, decided they didn't like it and put it back? It's gone again, but I keep looking for it. Maybe that's why there aren't more sidewalks, to keep all this crap off them.

On Atlantic Avenue, Sky King Fireworks is located next door to ABC Liquor. Am I the only one who thinks that may not be such a grand idea? (I just went out to try to take a picture of it, but there's no place to park. I'm sure it's on Google Earth somewhere.)

Okay, enough avoidance. I've got my AirAides, I'm taking a Succeed and doing maybe three miles, four if my water holds out. I've been eating so much lately, I need to burn some of it off.

For real this time. I'm going.

Off I go.

Out the door...