yeccccch!

ANOTHER fine mess

OK, best laid plans etc.....

Plan WAS to do day of race IF I was gonna do Rob's Run. So much for THAT idea. Preregged, woke up this am, so far so good...then (theme from Jaws) rain, snow. SHIT!

What a friggin' mudfest. Couldn't get a head of steam goin', XC to boot, disfreakin'gusting.

...but I'd do it again ;)

This is the answer to the question of: where do used beyond belief running shoes go to die??? Rob's Run. Use 'em and lose 'em.

2/3 ain't bad

check, doublecheck.

Did the 4k yesterday, 5k today. Came in @ appropriate times-today 5 secs per mile slower than yesterday. Factoring in yesterday was shorter and flat, today rolling hills as well as back to back races, I'm happy.

Fun race, great cause, challenging course.

Dave, Deb, Marlon n' I reppin' The Green-just gotta wrestle that blue jacket from Dave. 2 of us took home hardware, nice!!!

Always good to see the usual Long Island suspects-George, Paul, Bob Paterson, Doc, etc...but especially nice due to today's popularity. Terry was having his race today, but out east. Whothefuck is gonna drive to Heckscher? Also, helluva choice-which cause to support: orphans or cancer???

Been doing this one since Steve was alive, so I'm kind'a stuck. Also, it's rolling hills are made for a Strider.

Amazing facility. Never ceases to impress me. This place is to orphanages (or whatever the pc term for them is, let's face it: what do you call where minority children lacking parents are housed/schooled???) what Disney is to theme parks. Immaculate.

And-as runners are tough to satisfy: amazing munchies. 6 foot heroes to die for!

Manana, a manly run: XC. Good excuse for a crap time.


...I know you're out there somewhere...and somehow I'll return again to you............

g'day mate

made it through yesterday, with the help of my peeps and Australia (2 hr 45 m movie, helped me avoid Toxichouse). Surprised the flick was THAT good. Nothing can hold my attention for that long, but this did. Really a sweeping epic, like they used to make before budgets ruled everything.

So, on to today. The 4k, did alright, then into work for a couple of hours, then home. Nice. Not my distance of choice, but was able to get some speed. Really grateful to the people who probably don't really know how important they are. Never thought today would come but, it did.

Keith @ his brotherfromanothermother's (miss him terribly but he needs HIS peeps as well-being an only child I'm grateful his brotherfromanothermother is a good kid), Shebitch-who cares, It's not here. Nice.

.....come Monday, it'll be alright, come Monday I'll be holdin' you tight. I spent four lonely days in a brown L.A.haze n' I just want you back by my side.

gobble this

ok, did St.Francis with a twist. Knowing what I'd be up against @ Toxichouse, did it with the Club. Hadda. "Family" you can't choose, peeps you can. Good to see the crowd that showed.

Glad I did. Had a great run, really fun, great company, thanks. Saw my people, really felt like hiding but didn't. Nice to come outta the shell.

***Props to Deb-mini miffins, and Tom-homemade cookies. Nice touch.

Days like this are hard, but, gotta treat it like another day off. At least I'll be rested for manana. AND I don't have to contend with screaming in the presence of Keith. What slays me on days like this, again, is the thought of "what memories will he have?" Times like these however make you cut your losses. The pain of being in solitude is less than the pain of knowing those in whose presence you are, hate you. Much rather be here.

Nice n' cool-shorts.

Can't wait for today to end.

Thanksgiving

Things to be grateful for:

1)My family. Gotta fine tune that one. NOT my brothers and the person who used to wear my ring. Sad, but, it is what it is. Priest never quite grasped the notion that the world doesn't exist to kiss his ass, and DMV brother is lost to Shebitch's bullshit. I can't believe he puts faith in the crap It spreads, but he does. Shebitch? Well, you already know. Suffice to say, it's thanksgiving eve, Keith walked home from school, and It's out. One of those "for the memory book" nights. Now, don't underestimate the precariousness of my position here. Am I supposed to join them for Thanksgiving dinner at a restaurant (!!!???) Or, cut my losses and not expose myself to this level of dysfunction (i.e. I can't believe HE'S here???" Or better "There's Satan.").

2)My peeps. Without them-and my son-I would've taken myself out a long time ago. Peeps were there for me in every dark moment, and will always be there. The question is: do I leave myself open to them? Often I crawl back into the hole where I can't be hurt. Solitude is good.

Yes, living with It's illness is painful. Imagine never knowing what you're walking into after working all day and battling 2 hours of traffic. Really makes you feel good doesn't it??? But, with a son, everything's different. You can't be as selfish as they that bear my last name (can you imagine being outr all day knowing your son is home, unattended???, ditching him to hang with your friends???????). Truly pigs. You MUST be there for him. REALLY wish I wasn't alone in functioning this way, but...it is what it is.

3)My own damn self. I'd LOVE to have a million of me. Strong willed, dedicated, generous, intolerant of bullshit, smart. Being me doesn't suck.


St.Francis this am. Cool, not cold, cool-38 degs. Tempted to wear shorts but, maybe tomorrow. The thanksgiving run with the peeps (NOT Quantum's run, love how they tried to bogart it).

oh well

woke, up, checked outside. Nope. Zip. Nothin' doin'. It be RAININ'!

G's way of saying "take a day off."

Spin class instead (gotta do SOMETHING).

*Took Spike to see The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. Wow. He came home from school with a homework assignment asking where our parents came from. Since Shebitch hasn't a clue (hmmm, kind'a says something), he asked me. So, I took him to see this. Devastating. Quite a film.

Lord I tried!!!!!

ok, tried to detach, couldn't. If I don't intervene, G will rightly place me in a lower rung of hell-present circumstances excluded.

?????

Referring to parenting Spike. It's really depressing. I'm in the process of supervising his homework and Shebitch has to contradict everything I'm saying (if you have nothing supportive to add, shut the fuck up). AND, after he had a weekend @ his brotherfromanothermother's, he comes home with an X Box game his bro lent him. And Shebitch supports it. So much for no games for a month. And when pressed, i.e. "you MIGHT want to back the decision," It responds with words to the effect of "payback's a bitch," referring to my pulling him out of religion when It was in hospital.

Now. A)This was HOW many years ago???
B)Am I standing with a shotgun, preventing It from reenrolling him???????
It's really good at criticism, when It has accomplished literally nothing.

So, yes, St.Francis. After the flat 10k yesterday, felt damn good.

DAYUM!!!

We DID miss a season. Listened to the news on my way to the run, per my usual, they said the obvious: this time of year it's usually 50-ish. KNEW IT!

Did Long Beach. Now, normally a flat 10k would be no big whoop, after doing The Line daily. But this was COLD and it seemed both parts of the course (one loop) were INTO the wind. Ouch!!!

4 Wearers of the green: Marlon,Fran, Tom and I. I, of course, enjoyed the course the longest/was slowest.

Fran took first in her age group-in Long Beach they do it right-a medal AND a trophy for 1st place. Nice.

But all agreed it was damned cold. Nice turnout-our race had as many, but this one was boosted due to their sending $10 off coupons in the mail. In their last race they fucked up, so to apologize.......


...and those who loved and lost will know the way it feels...to touch the night without the one you love.

how's your putin???

St.Francis. WAS gonna run with the club, but those friggin' peeps talk too goddamned much. When I set to run @ 9, that's NOT 9:01.

COLD!!! But @ this point, used to it. Longs, gloves, t-shirt and hooded sweatshirt-the unabomber look.

Got to chat with Pret, reconnected, soul @ ease. yesterday was tough.

Stopped by the job, they were taking down some stuff, among which was this gem from the 2004 marathon (printed on a billboard by Nike)

"Run Like You Devoured The Big Apple: ...and man was it sweet. Sweaty. Salty. Bitter. But sweet. Run like you can still taste it. How Staten Island was ripe and delicious. How the Bronx was rotten. How you couldn't feel your legs in Manhattan, but kept chewing apart the pavement. Remember when you thought you couldn't make it, but the crowds gave you a big juicy shot of adrenaline. And bam. You did it. Because this was your race. Your city. Your apple to eat. And you bit that baby right down to the core. The core of your sanity. The core of your well-trained heart. Enjoy it. Savor it. But save some room for next year. Run like the city."

Wow eh?

...home, home on the range.................

we did it!

a full week of St.Francis!!! Nice. Knees held up. Nothing like cold weather as a motivator.

Now, the big question, take manana off n rest for sunday or no? Decisions decisions.

Look below for the rest of the pix, FINALLY converted 'em.

One Day At A Time

gotta measure "success" in these parameters.

OK, yesterday Keith put on notice, no computer/x box for a month........today, come home to MORE shit. Shebitch freakin' went to pick him up @ school (13 years old, school 4 blocks away, gets a lift???), he says he's going for "extra help," and then to his peeps to hang. So, what's the dilly, yo? Isn't THIS exactly what I wanted. YES!!! Rather than hang @ home for MORE endless hours in front of the pc, he a)got his homework done and b)went to hang with a peep. Now, hangin' with the peep (someone I know and trust) porobably means playing on the peeps pc, but, it got him off his ass. Nice. First rule of parenting 101: choose your battles.

St.Francis this am, on a roll here. FREEZING, but good. Taking this distance in stride now. Hadda. All day conference. Yeccccccch. First recommendation I made to the Comish: "Eliminate committees," they only get in the way of peeps who know what they're doing/waste numerous peeps' time rather than one's. THIS is why it's vital to start the day off right (a run and Pret), leaves you prepped for whatever the day brings and whatever shit Toxichouse brings. Kind of a spiritual breakfast.

F**K

What else can you say after a mnorning like this? Friggin' cold! So much for a transition from one season to another.

Woke up "late," meaning 4:30, hadda take matters in hand, then left Toxichouse. Stopped @ 7-11, picked up a pair of hot hands-glad I did.

Hit The Line @ 5:40, WAY too late, but...in view of the temps-27 degs, glad to be out. Was seriously thinking of sleeping in, but if you slept where I slept you'd have been running as well.

("We love you Hulk," yet he was left outside while they slept, when I got up I let him in. Nice.)

Glad I ran. St.Francis; hooded sweatshirt-xl, t-shirt underneath, gloves/hot hands, longs. Actually worked up a bit of a sweat.

It WAS weird coming back after sunrise-no, I didn't melt. Nice to see branches and such, minimize the risk of reinjury. But, still COLD. If there had been a spin class tonight I would'a bailed on the run n' done that.

THEN, Spike's report card comes out. He's fucked. Got a 50 in _______and a 77 in ________. No more x box nor computer for a month. He's gonna lose his mind. Come home, call me as soon as he hits the house, do either homework or walk the dog. And the BEST part, Shebitch is on ANOTHER rant. God grant me the serenity.......

...and the bells were ringing out for Christmas day.

once again, with fervor!

brrrrrrr pt.deux. Dayum chilluns!!! We ain't in Kansas no mo'. What happened to global warming?

Of course it didn't help to go out in shorts (gloves, t shirt, windjacket), perfect for running, SUCKED for cool down.

(yes, St.Francis)..Sorry 'bout the pix, Adobe keeps jammin' me in pdf form, I'll get the rest in jpeg manana n' post 'em. 'Til then, look below for the first one. (I can't believe we haven't aged, AND, that there actually WAS a simpler time).

brrrrrrrrrr

jacket, t shirt, gloves, shorts. It was COLD, but good. 37 degs to greet the return to St.Francis. After running in the short race yesterday, hadda.

Was looking through some crap on the pc @ the job when what do my wandering eyes behold??? The Runners World Photo Shoot pix from '04. WOW. What a time that was. First NY Marathon, the club picked me to rep for them @ the shoot, wow. Just wow. Scroll down for the pic. Also, a shot of the mascot from yesterday's race.

so far, so what

ok, did the Mustang. SHOULD'A done the Race to Deliver. Why I got sucked into this bullshit race, I dunno. But I did. Regretfully.

It's a fun run really, you can't get a head of steam going due to its size-911 finishers. Wow. But ok, you're there, do your best.

Did ok, not great, unless you're Franklin Diaz, you can't. But I was on pace with the bluepeoplewhoshouldjustcallaspadeaspadeandjoinaREALclub, until I tired of it and fell off their pace. Why run your balls off if you know you're not gonna place? Save a lil for manana. Hopefully, it won't be pouring. Still, happy they didn't totally smoke me. They're a)naturally faster and b)much more competitive. I really can't be bothered. Run to stay skinny (though one kept pace with George, took some pride there).

We had a good showing, lots of Wearers of the Green, none took home hardware. But it wasn't about that-it was about being there, being part of the scene. One of the things I like about the peeps-we don't choose our races per "can I place," rather by the event itself. But, as if you couldn't tell, I'm not fond of this run. WhatthefuckwasIthinking? Too many damn turns.

Good news was: there were, again, choices (as always). Between the Race to Deliver and our own refreshment run, there was plenty to do-for those of us who must avoid where they sleep. For the rest, they could always enjoy their homes (the ONE thing I'm envious of.). So it goes...

friggin' rain!!!

can't beLIEVE the club peeps went running.

Got up, fell outta bed, felt the rain. SHIT! OK, need a day off, but.....maaaaaaybe.....

Headed to the job, STILL pouring, ok, this is beat. Head to the Y, seemed to remembere ther was a spin class. OK, I'm there @ 7:40, class starts @ 8. It's well past the customary mourning period, so, safe to reenter the world of spinning.

GREAT class, forgot how hard it can be buy hey, after a marathon, how tough can 45 mins of spinning be? The class was packed, the instructor very good. Few of the spin peeps asked where I'd been-guess I'm no0t invisible. Then, my miracle of the day: showered, looked in the mirror to make sure all the hardware was in place, SHIT! Lost one, damn. Checked the shower room floor-REALLY hard to do that lookin nonchalant, but I pulled it off. THEN, lo n' behold, one of the Y members asked if what he found was what I was looking for. Thank you G! Quick, grab an atheist!!! Another reason I stick to the Y. Not as pretty as LA Fitness, but the members are cool.

So, then, out of curiosity, bop over to the Park. The friggin' park is full! What the fuck is wrong with these people??? Found MY parking spot, Pret is there, all the other usual suspects. POURING rain. And peeps think I'm wacked???

good?

dunno what to make of it, all I know, another week under the belt.

86th this am. Should'a taken the day off, but in view of impending rain, hadda do something. Did 6, then more. Felt good, after almost a week of St.Francis, running flat is a pleasure.

Came home, no fartin' around this pm. Glad I did. Guess who was home? I was breaking Spike's balls re: never attending a full week of school, and...lo n' behold...he's home. Was ready to go this am when he puked. I told ya' before, I quit.

So, was it a good week or a bad week? Dunno.

the end is near!!!

one more day, draaaaaaaaging to the finish line.

St.Francis again this am, temps getting warmer. Short sleeves, shorts, gloves.

Knee hurts, getting used to the 6-7 a day again. Wanted to take a day off, but no. Suck it up wuss.

Fortunately, Lucy DIDN'T pull the ball away, i.e. the skies DIDN'T open up on my way back from St.Francis as they usually do. Got back to the job actually...what's that word....dry. Nice.

p/t this pm, arm is KILLING me, guess that means the therapy must be working (?!). Manana am got an app't with orthopedist. Prediction: 4 MORE weeks of pain/physical therapist. Why can't they just operate???

oh, and while we're on the subject (?) wassup with the state budget? People around here are freakin' over nothing. First: is the state supposed to turn a profit/break even??? Second, we won't close, and if we did, I'd bump some poor shlub with the same job title and less time. So, what's the biggie??? Again, work is what you do in between runs. AND, how the FUCK could we have become so dependent on Wall Street??? Dayum we be stoooopid. America gets what American deserves (wish I could remember who said that).

AGAIN???

Yes, Virginia, manana rain predicted. Can you beLIEVE this shit??? Really gettin' played out.

St.Francis this am. Hooded sweatshirt n' shorts + gloves (37 degs). The weekend has the big 5k, really should'a signed up for the Race to Deliver, but you kind'a gots'ta do the Mustang.

Hope the Wearers of the Green show like we did last week. REALLY strong showing @ the Autism 4m, hope we can recreate that scene.

Scroll down for group pic from 11/9.

another notch on the belt

ok, drove ALL the way from suburbia to meet Pret, missed by thiiiiiis much. Dayum!!! So, had a few hours to kill before running with the group, ducked into the job to chip away @ the pile of shit awaiting me for Wednesday. Spoke with Pret, like I said, juuuuust missed one another. Gotta learn NOT to be so friggin' detail oriented. My loss there.

So, went to the club, changed into shorts and hooded sweatshirt-gloves also (ANYONE who says/types/thinks "hoodie" gets it right between the eyes. Obama DID say he'd maintain and utilize the death penalty in such cases). Def the right choice.

Couldn't wait for the club. They come to talk, socialize, AND run/walk. I show up for an undetermined reason, but cann't wait for talkers who inevitably make us start late. My loss there as well. Wish I could get this social animal thing down, but too impatient.

Felt good. Good thing didn't set out earlier, was 39 degs when I started. Summer's gone ('ya think???)

Missed Pret sorely.

***miracle of the day: got a call from Geico, they're recovering my deductible. Are they amazing or what???

*****downer of the day: imagine being off for the day, and having to avoid where you lay your head? HATE "living" this way, but can't split. What would happen to Spike??? We've been down that path before. Gotta suck it up. Still sucks though.

no, that WASN'T your imagination

I'm the kinda person that: if it doesn't get posted online it didn't happen. No, not referring to the blog, this is just free therapy, I mean race results.

Did the 4m Autism run yesterday. Not to do well, but to share in the experience: a first time race, great cause, challenging course, and the club would be there. Sooooooo, after making lots of noise to support our peeps, after running very well considering the course, what happens? Nothing. Zip. Bupkis. My fucking results didn't get posted. I emailed the guy from JMS, and called. He responded asking WAY too many questions, leaving our conversation with "I'll check with GLIRC, it appears I have to fudge it." FUDGE it????? Like my results are changing the awards breakdown????? So, long story insufferable: he checked with GLIRC, they vouched for me, results posted.

Now, why is this important? I don't EVER wanna be one of those assholes who have a bone to pick with seemingly everyone and everything, i.e. "Oh, I don't do ANY JMS scored race because once they....." what petty crap. But it annoyed me endlessly that my cred was doubted. That's ok, they must deal with alot of weasals, but, I told them as much info as I could. All's well..............

Yum yum, eat 'em up!!!

wow. We done good!

In a 4m that was in our backyard, we collected hardware across the board. Quite an accomplishment.

It was a tough race, hilly, rolling hills, long downhill. Yet, and this was big as for many it was their first post-Marathon run, we smoked 'em.

What made it nice was the race director is one of us by association. AND, many who normally don't race were there. Really came together as a club.

One factoid: if I reeeeeeeally wanted to, I could make Boston. But I see how some who did amazingly well @ The Marathon are STILL feeling the effects. I wanna be able to run the next day. Not necessarily the day after a marathon, but manana I'll be out there. @ my age/speed it ain't about winning, it's about the Zen of it all.

what the HELL was that???

ok. Another weekend, another chance to try stuff out, i.e. race.

Lots of options today, actually had the brochures for 3 races on the passenger seat, but first, do The Line. Each race was only a 5k, so hadda get them there miles, mon.

Did St.Francis, felt good. Ran into the group on my way out, saw Dave, the man's a friggin' miracle. I've been blessed to know 3 such people in my life, including myself, the others: Steve and Tom. Dave actually was taken by the Prez of The Wearers of the Green givin' him props on his Marathon time. Amazing. a)a true gentleman, b) a truly humble person.

So, felt good, now, decisions, decisions. What to do, what to do. Decided on Eisenhower. A weird ass race-who the fuck starts a race @ 11 am, but that says something for the organizers. Also, the LIRRC peeps were scoring it, AND as it was their turf, chances were excellent I'd know it and do well. OK, sold. Off we went.

Got there late for me-1 1/2 hours before the run. Asked the organizers whose idea it was to do it @ 11, they looked @ each other. Not runners, but kind people. Spoke with Bob Patterson, he said they had 22 preregged. Hmmmmm, sounds like this one'll reach the epic numbers of our Back Alley. He's doing the Autism run manana, as THIS race was also for autism, I couldn't resist calling it Autism Weekend.

Total 29 people in all, nice run-glad I did St.Francis before. Placed 9th overall, first in my age group. VERY cool, twenty years from now no one'll ask either how many runners there were in all-or how many in my age group (2). So, what did I win? A trophy? Medal? Ribbon? Neither, a $25 American Express gift card (from which $3.95 is deducted @ first use). OK, I recouped my investment-also goody bags. Odd, no trophies or bagels. But, a fun run, can't QUITE call it a race, believe me, all the racers were @ the Veterans Day 4k in Northport-as I usually am. But, really sick opf the same old shit year after........this one was fun. GLAD I wore the colors, Fred and the LIRRC peeps gave loudspeaker props, and two runners asked "aren't you that guy we see @ the park." P.R. at work n'est pas.

Should'a rested, but that's not in my vocab.

THEN the skies again opened up. Conditions for the race were near perfect-a bit too warm, but tourists wore coats, what does that tell you, 57 degs. Got home, raked the leaves (HATE that, but G forbid someone slips), then BOOM, rain rain rain.

So...would I have preferred a trophy or medal? Yes. You know I'm a medal whore. But, I got way more than I expected (nothing, never disappointed that way). Funny part, I think they expected better numbers. There was no raffle, and they had a bunch of gift cards left, so they announced "if you want one come on up." Kinda cheapened my award, but, everyone went home happy.

...I thought love was only true in fairy tales...it seemed the more I gave the less I got........then I saw her FACE!!!!!!

back on the chaingang

eased back into it. Did 86th. Total 6 n' some.

Felt good, faster than I usually do, but good. Manana the autism weekend starts. Saturday a 5k, Sunday a 4m. Odd n'est pas? Odder STILL, manana's race starts @ 11. A good excuse to get out of the Veteran's Day 4k @ VA ratrace. Did it for too many years as a tribute to where I used to golf, until I couldn't go there anymore without memories of Steve and his son. Good times for sure, but painful to relive his loss. Helluva guy. And to think, THAT motherfucker signed me up for my first race 2 weeks after I started running-Cow Harbor. KNEW we were tight when he wrote "congratulations" on my mother's funeral card-he knew I'd get it despite the staff thinking he was wacked. He was, but our kinda wacked. He's always with me.

STILL gonna try n' do the "use the marathon as a base layer" thing. Use it as a foundation, never running less than 6 +. Races don't count, they're speed runs. Yes, even @ my pace. Don't get funny.

Goin' with Spike to see Role Models. Looks good.

Wasn't THAT good, but ok. Bless Keith. We rate movies, he ALWAYS rates them 8.5. Little optimist. Put it this way: wait for it to come to cable.

back in the saddle

really hadda fight myself NOT to hit the road again, but, gots'ta repair.

Went to p/t again, this is getting tired, but gotta. The muscles appear to have tightened, REALLY tightened, so now, rather than the cold, it's heat therapy followed by deep tissue massage. Hurts like hell after, sore. Running's easier.

Had the bored meeting, then membership meeting. Really hate to wear out a point, but after The Big One, it's tough to get regrounded. These meetings seem so trivial. But it WAS a chance to again thank the peeps who were there @ 14 +. This run really is a ny thing, we made it a Queens thing.


***scroll down for pix of the shipwreck. You'll be left with the distinct feeling of "isn't this where the homeless live?/How can ANYONE live this way?" (remember, It cleans OTHER people's houses for $$$.

Now, the uninitiated will ask "why post these?" You need to know: It will critique everything, way beyond the usual spousal bitching, this is in the area of outright psychosis. Rip me a new one for everything-mostly imagined, yet totally and completely neglect where you rest your head, while teaching religion and housecleaning for "profit." I.E. the other day It had guests over for dinner. The piles (use your imagination) in the dining room and living room were nowhere to be found, the guests under the impression that I'm Satan (to be expected). Of course, it never dawned on them to ask It what role It plays in all this, nor to scratch the surface and see the rest of Toxichouse where all the shit was haphazardly thrown-with total disregard to it's occupants. Could YOU do this to those with whom you live? So, if It's friends think I'm Satan, let the world now judge if our version of decor is appropriate.

The Hero Within Yourself

THIS is why we run. The bitch @ home never has a good thing to say, tonight's another one when It's in rare form. Angry bitch. Take a pill n' be done with it already, do us all a favor.

So why do we run? First, it's what we do. Second, we run obscene distances because it's what sets us apart. Lebow had that quote about the Hero Within Yourself. Don't expect validation from others, you'll be disappointed.

My peeps, on the other hand, are always there. I don't lean on them nearly as much as I should, but they're there.

In my bidness we define a dysfunctional household as one in which you never know what to expect when you get there. So, what's YOUR verdict???

Thank G for running.

Rec.Therapist from SB wants to do the Suntrust. Told him what my experience was, he wants to run it together. We'll see.

almost back

stairs are STILL a bit painful. Gotta take @ least one more day off-perfect as it's s'posed 'ta rain.

Lots of well wishes from peeps, much appreciated.

What got me was the rec.therapist from S.I. came in @ 5 1/2. Now, factor in typical runner's low self-esteem, but I figure a guy who does a sub 2 hour 1/2 would've done better. He didn't think so, but I did.

Was really nice to see Terry "The Voice" Bisogno within the 200m mark, helped push my finish, didn't expect to see him, then again, after 26 miles you don't expect much. Another nice surprise was Michele Nero @ 14+. Pops up in the most unexpected places.

STILL can't believe I came in @ a sub 4 1/2. Wow!!!

*** pictures from the dinner down below.

wow

this shit never gets old.

Took the day off to return to the scene of the crime. NEVER ceases to amaze me that Central Park is put back together, garbage gone, everything but the grandstands were gone. Really made you wonder: "did that really happen," then you go down a flight of stair-or attempt to-and reality sets in.

Tried like hell to avoid noting my time until I was ready, but the toothaste leapt from the tube: I done good! Very happy with my time. This was one of few marathons I had no walk breaks, walked through the Gatorade stops-no, can't drink n' run @ the same time, but other than that, consistent pace. My split reveals the same: consistent pace. Nice. Really was a perfect day for running, shitty for the spectators, but great for us.

Can't say enough for the wonderful support. We're wacked for running such a distance, but @ least we have an excuse. The truly wacked are the wonderful peeps who show up to give us what we need. Bless you all. REALLY gave the push needed. The comment was made that I looked "strong," easy to look strong when you know you're on stage.

THAT made me buy the goddamned jacket. Hadda. I'm very proud of what we were able to accomplish.

Thank you.

please allow me to introduce myself

SOMETHING about the boogie down Bronx that does it. Last year, "Let's Go Crazy" was playing when we came off the bridge, this year "Sympathy for the Devil." Amazing. But don't let's get ahead of ourselves.

Got my am wake-up call from Tom. Actually, my Murphy's Law call. It was 4 am, Tom called wondering where everyone was. Turns out SOMEONE forgot to turn their clocks back.

Got to Runner's Edge, onto the bus, away we go. To the fort, 6:30, then chillax, wait, eat, wait some more. Of course, become best friends with the guy to my right. A Delaware cop, sold him on the idea of doing the Manhattan Run. @ this point Tom found me-we'd l,ost each other as soon as we went grazing (2 POWER BARS, 3 BAGELS, 2 CUPS OF COFFEE). OK, so far so good. Hang, TRY to stay warm. It was FUCKING COLD. Ok, we're ready, garbage bags, blankets (thank you taxpayers), STILL cold feet-above the waist, no prob. Tom went off in wave 2, I waited for 3. Not a prob, we were called to the corrals, away we went-faster than last year.

Not bad, upper level of the Verrezano-a first for me, always had been on the bottom (hee hee, go ahead, go there). Before we knew it, my fave borough for this run. God bless Brooklyn.

Made it to the halfway point knowing my peeps were @ mile 14+. Got to them, G forgets my package. THAT was funny. So into the excitement, completely slipped the mind. Apologized profusely (never mind that it was thoughtful to ask if I wanted anything stashed for me-very kind), no biggie, ended up handing it to me like a QB handing off to a RB. Also, saw Deb-noticed me n' gave a shout out-thanks!!!, as well as the College Point peeps-Carmen urging me to re-up my potassium with a banana (a constant source of amusement for me-hello, banana peels???)

Lo n' behold, my heart is there!!! Didn't know, complete surprise!!! Wrong side of the street, but no matter. Uber cool. Way to go G!!!

Before too long, there it is, the 59th. street bridge. NICE. From then on in, it's a skate.

So...how'd it go? Well, I used those pocket shorts my heart had given me, worked perfectly. Had 3 powergels in 'em, then re-upped on the course. Worked like a charm. The AP singlet worked VERY well, but of course, I threw off the raisin suit too early and was forced to pickup a discarded shirt along the way. It's like my yearly thing. THAT kept me ok. Did Gatorade Endurance @ every stop until 23 (if you need fluids with 3 miles left, you fucked up big). Wore gloves for the first half, like I said it was FUCKING COLD, until you got a head of steam. GREAT running weather, shitty hangin' weather.

Also, unfortunately, they herded us out like last year, total bullshit. But, hey, c'est la vie. What WAS uber annoying was the crowds that kept spilling onto the course. They really gotta hold 'em back. This was the first year it became a problem. Snd yes, my arm is killing me. Kept forgetting to hang on the left side of the course-how can you NOT low five a munchkin?

My best NY time yet. Nice. And to think I almost bailed. Was pretty low there for a period, Shebitch-despite my best efforts, affecting me-something about her usual psychosis + no heat that pained me to the core. But no, couldn't quit. Never do.

...made damn sure that Pilate...............

18 hours

home stretch. Now it's time to relax and try not to have any stupid boo-boos.

Last night: Shebitch wakes me up to ask if I knew where Keith was. No you can't write stuff this good. It's 10 pm, do you know where the bitch's mind went?

Saw the crowd @ the Parkhouse this am. Hadda go get a singlet for Tom. Good to get regrounded. Then off to the Y. THAT was weird, saw the "old crowd," taxi driver, Richie, racquetball guy. Really weird. I was the guy wishing "the guys" a good weekend when I left. Not so long ago I was on the outside looking in, seeing guys be guys, wishing each other a good weekend. These humans, not a bad lot.

Kept missing my heart, gardening, flat tires, lots of priorities. Always there nontheless.

I'll never be the same.