Autumn Marathon

Persistence

Finished the Queens Half Marathon week before last in 2:38, a “personal worst.” It was 86F with 60% humidity when the race started at 7am and I could make several other legitimate excuses for the poor performance. There were many points during the race when I considered dropping out entirely. Early in the race, I told myself to just get to mile 3, then mile 5, then the 7 mile marker before throwing in the towel. After the halfway point, I thought about my goal of completing all 5 NYRR Borough half marathons in 2010. And later on about one of my running friends who shows up for every race and training run, displaying the same gracious smile through good and bad performances. Finally there were just 3,2, and 1 mile to go - by that point, you might as well just finish. After the race all I could do was smile and pose for a photo with my teammates. I was proud of finishing and at the same time, ashamed of my time. 3 boroughs down, 2 to go! Time has slowed from 1:49 in January to over 2:30 now. What is unquestionably satisfying is that the race is over and tomorrow, or later today, maybe, I’ll go for another run. This week I’ll adjust my training schedule. Maybe I’ll add another long run into my weekly routine. Or maybe I’ll continue the CrossFit strength and endurance regimen I started a few weeks ago. The following week, we might do a friendly long run in the Westchester woods (actually we ran a gorgeous run of all the East River crossings below 96th Street); the week after are the NYRR club championships, a celebration of local running spirit; and after that come the “summer streets” when a whole Manhattan avenue becomes the exclusive domain runners and cyclists for three Saturdays in a row. I am strong and healthy. I am a runner. There always is always the next race.