The iconic start of the NYC Marathon, running over the Varrazzo-Narrows bridge from Staten Island. Photo credit: New York Road Runners
It has been 25 years since I crossed the finish line in Central Park, having just run 26.2 miles through the lively streets of New York, knowing I’d never be the same.
Gobsmacked would be the best way to describe how I’m currently feeling about the fact that two and half decades have already flown by since that memorable autumn day, especially since I remember it like it was yesterday.
As I’ve been deep in the throes of training for this year’s New York Marathon, which I’ll be running soon (!!) with my dear friend, and former college roommate, Janet Cook Hixson, I’ve been reminiscing about my first experience in the Big Apple, along with the many marathons that followed.
Yesterday I came across an ancient article I wrote for Runner’s World, which chronicled my first journey through New York. The beauty of being a Goddess Keeper of All Things Sentimental (aka pack rat) is that it’s never too difficult to put my fingers on memories. I’m sharing this relic here because it brings back all the feels, and leaves me sporting a big goofy smile, just like my finish line photo. A digital version of this piece never existed, so I’m simply posting a snapshot of the article, which will hopefully be legible enough to read.
Legendary runner and former Runner’s World Editor, Amby Burfoot (1968 Boston Marathon winner), was generous in accepting an article from a newbie writer. This little piece helped launched my budding writing career when my full-time career at the time was running our bustling photo agency. Never underestimate what one small act of kindness can do for another person. 🙂In a full circle moment, Janet, who I’m running this year’s race with, and who is a talented writer, and Editor of The Gorge Magazine, was also beyond generous with her time back in the day, helping me carve down a truly horrible and massive first draft of my article into something much more appropriate for publication.Without her advice, I’m not sure this would have ever seen the light of day.
When this little piece was published in November 1999, I was about to head back to New York to run my second marathon with Fred’s Team, an organization I cannot say enough good things about. The mission of this nonprofit, raising funds for Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, along with the fabulous (now former) Directors, Sue Shay and Sheila Lennon, and the team of passionate athletes who each had their own reasons for being part of it, all swirled together into a priceless gift for each of us.
One of the many NYC highlights: high-fiving pediatric cancer patients who came out in front of Sloan Kettering Cancer Center to cheer us on.
The second and third time running New York were just as fun and gratifying as the first, especially when my friend Elizabeth Whitton joined the team and ran her first marathon along side me. Then in 2002 Elizabeth and I headed to France to run the Paris Marathon with Fred’s Team; and 2003 took my hubby Jeffrey and me to Italy so I could combine running the Rome Marathon with our honeymoon afterward. Then came the Portland Marathon nine months after our daughter was born, and then the inaugural Santa Barbara Marathon. The two most recent marathons I completed took place during Ironman triathlons in Arizona and Sacramento. Each of these races was different and memorable in its own way, and I do believe none of these marathons would have happened if I hadn’t fallen madly in love with my first one. If you want to see photos from some of those events, click on SPECIAL PEEPS | PLACES | EVENTS or find it on the menu bar at the top of this blog.
As Janet and I head to New York in early November, I cannot wait to share her first marathon with her, and also experience the race again through fresh, more mature eyes. I wonder if Janet will get hooked on 26.2 like I did or be thrilled with “one and done?” Will the energy be the same? Will the scale, almost 20,000 more runners than in 1998, be energizing or overwhelming, or both? Will I get choked up at the starting line like I always do? And when I cross the finish line will I know that it’s just the beginning of another adventure or decide 10 marathons is enough?
Whatever lies ahead, I know it will be memorable. New York never disappoints.
Running a marathon is simple at its core: lace up your shoes, train for 16 to 20 weeks, then conquer 26.2 miles, hopefully while creating unforgettable memories all along the way. Obviously there’s a whole lot more that goes into it though: the details–and the details are what can make or break your level of enjoyment during the race, and training in general. This week has been about noodling out some of the details of the race, from fuel and hydration to shoes and clothing choices to timing and logistics, while at the same time consistently plugging away at training, one day, one work-out at a time.
Even though this will be my 10th marathon (including two I ran during IM races), I still get nervous/excited like it’s my first marathon all over again. The one thing that wraps me a warm blanket of calm on race day is hammering out all the logistics well in advance. Having an awesome training partner like Janet helps in that department, even though we live 900 miles apart (she’s in OR and I’m in CA). Texts and DMs have been flying back and forth during the week with thoughts and questions, all of which are coming together in my mind and then landing squarely on my hand-written “Race List,” something I always lean on for races and big events. Without my list, my mind spins in overdrive.
As John Wooden once said, “It’s the little details that are vital. Little things make big things happen.” Taking the time to think them through and test them usually pays off tenfold.
Here’s a peek at my Week #14 training schedule (Sept 18-24):
Mon 9/18: Run 5 miles, strength 45 min. (Kim Miller Fitness legs/glutes)
Tues 9/19: Spin class 60 min (23 miles), strength 20 min arms
Wed 9/20: Run 7 miles (track) 1.5 mile warm-up, 5x800s w/ 400 RI, 2 mile cool down, core 15 min.
Thur 9/21: Yoga 30 min, rest day
Fri 9/22: Run 5 miles, core and mobility work 25 min.
Sat 9/23: Run 12 miles, walk 1 mile with my hubby afterward
Sun 9/24: Rest & recovery day, yoga, walks
Monday: Nothing feels quite as good as starting the week strong, and being able to enjoy another fab fall-like run. I chose a new route to keep it fresh, which included a few little hills, knowing NYC includes five bridges with sneaky inclines and descents, along with several deceptive hills in the last few miles near Central Park. Practice. Practice. Practice.
Kim Miller Fitness app is helping me keep my strength workouts short, sweet, and focused
Tuesday was another heart-pumping outdoor spin class with my favorite instructor, Kristine. Good tunes, great vibes, and a killer workout with hills and sprint intervals, always leaving my spirits high and my body drenched in sweat. Afterward I did a short dumb bell arm workout session at the gym.
Wednesday was a “hurt so good” kind of training day with a 7-mile track workout, starting with a 1.5 mile warm-up followed by 5 x 800m intervals with 400m recovery intervals, finishing with a 2-mile cool down. Good stuff. Felt great to finally move my feet a little faster.
What started out as a cool morning quickly heated up so I had to lose the hat, peel off my arm sleeves, and consume two bottles by the end of my workout.It has been a while since I’ve done speedwork so I was especially diligent with stretching, foam rolling, Theragun’ing, and rolling my calves with “the stick.”
Thursday I opted for yoga and foot exercises, and then went on a 1.5 mile walk at Lake Los Carneros with my hubby. All in all, a nice recovery and reset day.
Rest is good for the soul. Since I’m not planning to win New York :-), I’m trying to settle into my training plan and tweak it to fit where my body is at so I get to the starting line in one piece.
Friday was a 5-mile maintenance run, which I chose to knock out on Mountain Drive, a scenic, windy road in the foothills of Santa Barbara. It never disappoints with its views and gently rolling hills.
Later in the afternoon it was time for some core and mobility work.
Saturday’s long run was shorter this week (12 miles) to get the body rested up for next week’s 18-miler. I had the pleasure of running the first 8 miles with my friend Becca (the other B in Team B & B), who is currently training for a half marathon. Yay Becca! We ran from Leadbetter Beach to Montecito and back on another spectacular SB morning. The miles flew by so quickly, we almost blew past our turnaround point. That’s the power running partners. Afterward, I finished up with 4 more miles–up Shoreline Drive on the Nite Moves course and back. It was noticeable how much longer those 4 miles felt solo.
Time zips by when you’re laughing and telling stories. On the last part of my run, when I was solo, I finished my audiobook, A Race Like No Other: 26.2 Miles Through the Streets of New York, which not only got me even more excited about the race, but got me circling back to honing the details.
Here are a few of the details that are getting sculpted into shape…
“Stay the course. When thwarted try again: harder, smarter. Persevere relentlessly.” ~John Wooden
This week is a celebration of staying the course and persevering despite a fairly bumpy start to this marathon training cycle. Nothing out of the ordinary–just injuries, family events, scheduling logistics…life–little frustrating setbacks and challenges that multiplied over time and caused enough friction to make me question myself and my ability to pull off another 26.2 mile adventure.
As I write this post however, I am feeling relentlessly optimistic again, knowing that Staten Island will see my toes, and my running partner Janet’s toes, on the starting line in six weeks. And what a moment we will share as we run through the five boroughs of New York and cross the finish line in Central Park!
To any of you who might be struggling with your training, you’re definitely not alone. I don’t know anybody who doesn’t bump up against at least a few of these common obstacles during a 16 or 20-week training program. Life happens. It’s how you manage to keep your chin up, your head on straight, and your eyes laser-focused on the prize–that glorious starting line.
Progress, as we know, isn’t always linear, and it’s okay to step back, regroup, start again, and/or figure out a new approach all together. It’s your story to write, and your journey to enjoy, so make it fun and make it work for your lifestyle. Most importantly, stay the course and keep moving forward in some form or another. You will get there!
Success isn’t always linear, and it’s often in the midst of all the twists and turns that we learn the most.
Here’s a peek at my Week #13 training schedule (Sept 11-17):
Mon 9/11: 5 mile recovery trail run at Ellwood Bluffs, core 30 min.
Tues 9/12: Spin class 50 min, strength (leg weights) 25 min.
Wed 9/13: Run 6 miles hills and fartleks
Thur 9/14: Yoga 30 min, rest day
Fri 9/15: Run 4 mile trail run at More Mesa, core 25 min.
Sat 9/16: Run 16 miles
Sun 9/17: Rest & recovery day, walk 2 miles w/ my hubby
Monday was the 22nd Anniversary of 9/11, and even after all these years, it still hits hard. After being glued to all the tributes on TV, mid-morning I opted to lose myself in a trail run. Nature cures much.
Running through the eucalyptus-lined trails of the Ellwood Butterfly Preserve in Goleta, and venturing out to bluffs overlooking the ocean below, a sense of calm and joy always washes over me. It’s the perfect place for a easy recovery run, especially on a Monday morning when my heart was heavy and my body was feeling a little creaky. Five miles later and I was ready to conquer the week.
Tuesday’s cross-training was another high-octane spin class with my favorite instructor Kristine, who always brings the energy. It was a sweatfest, then it was leg day in the weight room.
Morning fuel before spin class: oat yogurt with dates, a banana, and almonds.
My favorite run this week was Wednesday’s late afternoon run. I don’t usually like to run in the evening nearly as much as the morning, but it took me allllll day to get out the door, so when that happens, you get what you get. Thankfully what I got was an incredible run, and I credit that in part to “letting down my hair,” changing it up, and turning it into a “free-form” run (ie-anything goes).
I went to a location I had never run, but often cycled, a nearby rural neighborhood with a couple steep hills, dreamy flats, and a few tiny rollers. The beautiful late afternoon light added to the awesome autumn vibe. My choice of music–some of my fav old rock-n-roll like the Stones–and my choice of hills and fartleks (unstructured and playful speed intervals) had me smiling from ear to ear for the 6 miles I knocked out. It just reminded me once again, that hard work doesn’t have to be torture. It’s a win/win when you push yourself, and still feel the joy bubbling through.
Much of marathon training, and life in general, is about showing up. It’s the simple act of getting out the door, embracing the challenge, and putting in the work, even if your motivation is waning. It’s about getting through aches and pains, life’s scheduling challenges and the onslaught of mental fatigue that often comes with week after week of training. It’s about keeping your eye on the prize, even if that prize still feels like it’s miles away.
That is what this week was about for me: showing up.
Some days training was a struggle, other days it was like butta, but each day of dragging my hiney out the door added a drop of grit into the mental toughness bucket because I didn’t allow excuses to creep into the day.
No matter how much you love running, you will absolutely have days when you’d like to do anything but run. It’s usually those days that are the most important because figuring out ways to overcome your mental block becomes gold on race day, especially when you hit rough patches (and there will definitely be rough patches during a marathon).
Here are a few mental strategies that have helped me over the years:
Create personal mantras. One I lean on often when my motivation is waning is: “Don’t think, just go.” I simply shut down my brain, block out all the things that are pulling me in a different direction, lace up my shoes, and go through the motions of getting out the door. Once out the door, everything usually falls into place. On the run I repeat, “Just keep moving forward.”
Know your “why.” Lean into why you decided to commit to running a marathon. Every person has a different reason. Maybe it’s a Bucket List item. Maybe it’s a milestone celebration like turning 40 or 60. Maybe it’s a cause like Team for Kids, or in honor of somebody. Whatever it is, write it down and put in somewhere prominent so you look at it every day.
Visualize. Imagine yourself running through different parts of your race and visualize yourself successfully crossing the finish line. Internalize how incredible it will feel to reach your goal.
Focus on what feels strong. This is especially helpful during a run. If your calves are grumpy, focus on your core. If your quads are screaming, focus on engaging your glutes. No matter what, you will be able to find strength somewhere in your body, especially your heart and mind.
Week #12 training schedule (Sept. 4-10)
Mon 9/4: Run 5 miles EZ recovery run (Goleta Beach bike path), strength 35 min
Tues 9/5: Spin class 55 min, strength 30 min, walk 2 miles
Wed 9/6: Run 6 miles tempo run (SBCC track and waterfront)
Thurs 9/7: Run 3 miles EZ (Lake Los Carneros), walk 1.2 miles
Fri 9/8: Rest day, walk 1.5 miles
Sat 9/9: Race She.Is.Beautiful 10K plus 1.25 mile WU and 1 mile CD (8.25 miles total)
Sun 9/10: Rest day, walk 1.5 miles
Monday, Monday, so good to me [cue the Mamas & the Papas]…easing back into the week with a nice little recovery run from Goleta Beach.Tuesday’s workout was fueled entirely by caffeine, heart-pumping music, and an awesome spin instructor. Thank you Kristine for always bringing your positive energy to keep us going!Wednesday, I was feeling a little creaky, but there’s nothing like a good warm-up and an inspiring audiobook, (A Race Like No Other: 26.2 Miles Through the Streets of New York), to get you in the right frame of mind to knock out a solid 6-mile tempo run along the waterfront on a gray morning. I always look forward to my veggie sammies afterward with a protein smoothie. Thursday early morning 3 mile cruise around Lake Los Carneros, sporting my “Dream Big” hat for a little motivation, with a big shout out to my friend Jenni Miller and the Smith-Magenis Syndrome research foundation, who created these hats to support this important cause. It always gives me perspective and inspiration when I wear it. After my run, I had the joy of finally catching up with my friend Emma, whom I hadn’t seen all summer. Making time and creating balance while training is the secret sauce to a happy journey to the starting line.Friday was a rest day, so I took a nap, went for a nice walk in nature with my hubby, then tried to figure out what kind of “get-up” I was going to throw together for Saturday’s She.Is.Beautiful 10k. I love this race, which I’ve run 4 or 5 times, and always like to bring a little flare to the morning. These were my options. And this is what I ended up choosing…Continue reading →
It has been eons since I’ve posted, and for that I can only sigh. It seems that when my training started ramping up, so did “life,” which means that writing and sharing my journey back to NYC became a luxury I didn’t have time to indulge in besides a quick Instagram story here or there. I’m back now though, and even though the weeks have already started to blur together like a Polaroid dipped in water, I’ll try to bring you up to speed with a quick recap of the past eights weeks.
In a nutshell, training has been filled with high highs, a few low lows, and a whole lot of regular training days thrown in all along the way. It’s been a sweet dance of savoring the journey and reveling in the effort of pressing personal fitness boundaries again, while also managing the frustration of trudging through several weeks of healing injury setbacks–the price paid for pushing too hard too soon.
Here’s a look back at my training schedule (July 10-Sept 3). I share all the minutia here because I also consider my blog a digital diary, which I enjoy circling back to at times. If you aren’t interested in the daily details you can scroll down to Things I’ve Learned.
Week # 4: Healing hip/glute/SI injury, but still trying to keep moving forward Mon 7/10-XT (swim 525 y, spin 25 min, elliptical 1.25 miles, strength 15 min) Tues 7/11-Rest day and retail therapy buying new fuel and Hoka Clifton running shoes [ !! 🙂 ] Wed 7/12-Strength 40 min Thur 7/13-Spin class (60 min, 25 miles), strength 20 min Fri 7/14-Elliptical 1.5 miles, walk 1.25 miles Sat 7/15-Elliptical 1.65 miles, tested running on treadmill .25 mile (no bueno), strength 10 min Sun 7/16-Walk 1 mile
Week #4 You know you’re an optimist when you’re buying new fuel and shoes while you’re injured.
Week #5: Still healing Mon 7/17-Elliptical 3 miles Tues 7/18-Pool running 50 min Wed 7/19-Walk 1 mile Thurs 7/20-Spin class 40 min (12 miles), walk 1 mile Fri 7/21-Jog 1 mile on treadmill, pool running 30 min Sat 7/22-Core Sun 7/23-Run 3 miles
Week #5 still healing–pool running and an emphasis on going especially easy, gently stretching, and good nutrition helped me turn the corner. Love all the apricots from our tree this time of year!
Week #6: Slowly getting back at it Mon 7/24-Elliptical 3 miles Tues 7/25-Spin class (60 min, 21 miles), strength 40 min Wed 7/26-Run 4 miles EZ at Lake Los Carneros, walk 1.5 miles, core 25 min Thur 7/27-Swim 1025 y, pool running 15 min, strength 10 min Fri 7/28-Run 3 miles EZ at Ellwood Bluffs trail Sat 7/29-Run 8 miles w/ 1-minute walk breaks Goleta Beach bike path Sun 7/30-Rest
Week #6 slowly getting back at it–just trying to stay consistent
Week #7: Trying to build back up Mon 7/31-Run 4 miles (Nite Moves course) Tues 8/1-Spin class (45 min, 12 miles), strength 35 min Wed 8/2-Run 5.75 miles w/Becca at East Beach (Go Team B & B!) Thur 8/3-Yoga 35 min Fri 8/4-Run 3 miles at Ellwood Bluffs trail run Sat 8/5-Run 10 miles w/ 1-minute walk breaks (UCSB Campus Point, More Mesa, Goleta bike path–took a spill and injured my elbow–argh! are you kidding me?) Sun 8/6-Rest
Week #7 trying to build back up and not lose my mind when I added an elbow injury to the mix. WTF?
Week #8: A busy week calls for consistency with flexibility Mon 8/7-Run 4 miles on Patterson bike path, strength 15 min Tues 8/8-Rest day, Core 10 min (Taylor Swift concert in LA!) Wed 8/9-Run 4 miles at Lake Los Carneros after getting home at 3am from TayTay, Elliptical 2 mile Thur 8/10-Spin solo 48 min, strength Fri 8/11-Run 3.2 miles w/Becca at Goleta Beach bike bath Sat 8/12-Run 10 miles in the evening w/ 1 min walk breaks along the waterfront and at SBCC track Sun 8/13-Rest, Walk 1 mile, (helped friends move)
Week #8 A busy week calls for consistency with flexibility. I don’t usually like to run in the evening, but had to squeeze my 10 miles in late. It ended up being one of my favorite runs. #dontthinkjustgo
Week #9: After a storm comes a rainbow Mon 8/14-Run 4 mile trail recovery run at Ellwood Bluffs, core 30 min Tues 8/15-Spin class ez (50 min 11.5 miles) Wed 8/16-Run 5.71 miles w/Becca on the She.Is.Beautiful 10k course Thurs 8/17-Spin class (45 min), strength 35 min (elbow still healing), walk 1 mile Fri 8/18-Drive up to San Francisco to take my daughter back to college (epic) Sat 8/19-Drive back from SF before the storm hit. (doubly epic) Sun 8/20-Run 12 miles w/ 1-min walk breaks from Leadbetter Beach up around Douglas Preserve and back down to East Beach and back
Week #9 A fair amount of stress wrapped itself around this week with taking my daughter back to school in San Francisco, a C_r_a_Z_y drive both ways up and back on the 101 (an overturned celery truck may give you a glimpse into it for starters), and a hurricane heading our way for the first time in a century. But, of course, it all worked out, and as Katy Perry tells us, “after a storm comes a rainbow.”
Week #10: Steady as we go Mon 8/21-Core/strength 35 min, walk 1.5 miles, PM stretch Tues 8/22-Elliptical 3 miles, run .50 miles on treadmill Wed 8/23-Run 5.5 miles (SBCC track and hill repeats at Leadbetter, strength 35 min Thurs 8/24-Spin class 45 min, strength 45 min Fri 8/25-Run 3 miles (UCSB Campus Point trail run), strength 30 min, walk 1 mile Sat 8/26-Run 7 miles w/ Becca (UCSB Campus Point and Goleta bike path) Sun 8/27-Rest, walk 1 mile in nature
Week #10 steady as we go-enjoying the journey, especially running with my friend Becca, who always adds a dollop of light and levity to our miles.
Week #11: Finally feeling strong again! Mon 8/28-Run 4.75 miles w/ rolling hills on Mt. Drive, strength 35 min Tues 8/29-Spin class 50 min, strength 40 min Wed 8/30-Run 6 miles at SBCC track w/ some 800s and 400s Thur 8/31-Spin class 55 min, strength 30 min Fri 9/1-Run 4 miles Goleta Beach bike path and UCSB (testing more new shoes) Sat 9/2-Run 14 miles w/ 1-min walk breaks (Hendry’s Beach, Modoc bike path, Cliff Drive, Douglas Preserve, Shoreline Park, back down to Hendry’s) Sun 9/3-Rest, walk 1.5 mile
Week #11 feeling strong again-stoked to be up to 14 miles, and loving a hint of fall in the air
Things I’ve learned
The older you get, the more closely you need to listen to your body. Ignoring niggles and telling yourself “It’s not that bad” when you feel an ache or a twinge doesn’t often pay off. Twenty-five years ago, when I ran my first marathon, I know for certain I got away with a lot more if I over-trained, under-slept, or over-indulged. At 57, there’s much less room for error. Rest and recovery are as important as reaching new distances or pace numbers. Mobility, mindfulness, and quality nutrition are as important as day after day of quality training.
Instead of pushing back against a body that has had the privilege of enjoying so many fun fitness adventures over the decades, and now may carry a few creaks and scars from those indelible moments, it’s time to lean in and embrace this it for what it can still do and celebrate every step, no matter what speed it cares to move. It’s truly a gift to be able to keep running and challenging ourselves, and a gift that many, many people in this world never get a chance to experience. Can I get a “Hell yeah sister” from anybody else who knows exactly what I’m talking about? 🙂
Rest and recovery are as important as reaching new distances and pace numbers. Mobility, mindfulness, and quality nutrition are as important as day after day of quality training.
~The evolving athlete (me)
Highlights
With the help and generosity of so many of you, I’ve not only reached my $2,620 fundraising goal for Team for Kids, but surpassed it!! I’m so appreciative of all your good wishes and your help in paying it forward to the next generation of runners. Thank you!!!
Congratulations to Anna Stump for winning a new pair of Hoka running shoes during my fundraising giveaway for Team for Kids. I hope they make your feet happy and your heart full as you log your miles, knowing you have supported a great cause and are helping make a difference in the lives of kids.
Even though I’ve reached my personal fundraising goal, there is no finish line when it comes to raising funds to help kids continue to live an active and healthy lifestyle. If you’d still like to contribute to Team for Kids, you can do so HERE. I’d be thrilled to raise just $200 more to reach an even $3,000 by October. Who is in?
Things I’m loving right now
I’ve been struggling to settle into running shoes this training season because my feet are getting a little more sassy. The latest pair I’m trying is Saucony Kinvara 14s. They are light, breathable neutral shoes for short-medium distances. So far, so good! Bonus–they were super discounted. The color might be a little too bright for some, but not for me! Bring on all that sunshine on my feet. 🙂
Lately I’ve been setting aside my beloved music and opting for an audio book during my long runs to mix things up. I’m really enjoying Liz Robbins’A Race Like No Other: 26 Miles Through the Streets of New York. It takes me right back, reminding me why I’m working so hard to get to the starting line again. It’s all about the unique energy, diversity, and quirky details of the city…and then of course, the running.
Even though I’ve been lifting weights on and off since high school and am familiar with all kinds of strength exercises, I realized I was haphazardly throwing together my core and strength work, or spending way too much time overthinking it. Instagram has a way of “reading our minds” [#eyeroll] and Kim Miller Fitness’ strength training for runners kept popping up in my feed. I liked her approach so I finally decided to give her app a whirl. It has been great, saving me time, introducing me to new exercises (videos included), and taking the brain strain out of this important component of training. Link to check it out: Kim Miller Fitness Insta: kimrunsthemitten
I hope you’ve enjoyed this little catch-up session. Thanks for coming along on this long and winding journey with me! I love sharing it with you!
I’m heading back out the door for a run now, but drop me a comment if you can spare some of your precious time, and tell me one thing that has made you smile over the summer with your fitness, or life in general. Positive energy is contagious. Let’s spread it far and wide!
xo Becky
PS: If you’ve missed any of my previous NYC Marathon posts, you can click here to check them out:
Run Be Run 