New Canaan's Waveny Park -possible ruinous construction

I have been running in the magestic and quiet Waveny park for years --as Jim says below in his column, it is a refuge from ever-increasing traffic and pavement in Fairfield County --now the wild meadow will be potentially destroyed for an amphi-theatre --simply unbelievable. A town meeting this Tuesday will decide whether construction can proceed or not -stay tuned! Runners and park users needed at the mtg..below is Jim's 11/30 column from the Stamford Advocate:

Running: Runners need to act to
preserve Waveny venue
By Jim Gerweck
Special Correspondent
Posted: 11/30/2008 01:00:00 AM EST

In the upcoming remake of the sci-fi classic "The Day the Earth Stood Still," Keanu Reeves, playing the alien Klaatu, is asked, "Are you aware of an impending attack on the planet Earth?"

While I can't answer that question, I am aware of a smaller scale assault that is under way right here in Fairfield County, one that threatens to irrevocably ruin the character of one of the running meccas in the area.

The Summer Theater of New Canaan (STONC) has asked for permission to stage their productions at Waveny Park in a section known as the cornfield, an area just to the east of the pond that is below the hill next to the Castle.

For years, this acreage, in the heart of the park, was the most unspoiled part of Waveny. And in the years since Ruth Lloyd Lapham donated the land to the town it had become a wild meadow, home to deer, birds, and numerous other forms of wildlife.

All that came to a shuddering halt a year or so ago when the town decided the area would make a good staging area for soil that was excavated during the construction of the new artificial turf field near the high school and later, silt dredged from Mill Pond in town.

Hundreds of dump trucks thundered down the central trail of the park, creating such deep ruts that asphalt grindings were laid down and compressed, forming what is essentially a roughly paved stretch from the main driveway to the entrance to the cornfield.

This "road," and the dirt piles in the cornfield, are perhaps some of the
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greatest blights ever imposed on Waveny, which is nonpareil when it comes to running venues in the area.

These blights were understood to be temporary insults to the natural setting (although the town powers remain disturbingly vague as to the duration of this intrusion).

STONC saw the situation as an opportunity to weasel its way into the last large remaining undeveloped tract in the park, claiming they would "improve" the site by landscaping it into an amphitheater where they would erect a large, albeit temporary, tent and stage for its productions, using the paved path to allow cars to drive in and park for rehearsals and performances.

And the argument is seductive in its logic: the town gets its "Superfund" site cleaned up in exchange for granting more or less permanent squatter's rights to STONC, as well as other thus far unnamed groups who might also wish to use the resultant facility (the undetermined extent of such use is just one of the troubling aspects of the proposal).

The potential reality, however, is much more dire, especially for runners and others who use the trails as an escape from the ever-growing volume traffic that pervades the crowded roads of the county.

The incidence of pedestrian-vehicle confrontations, which reached a dangerously troublesome level when the trucks frequented the path, is sure to rise even higher, and it seems certain that it will only be a matter of time until such interactions rise to the physical level, with the pedestrian coming out on the short, and perhaps lethal, end of the equation.

First and foremost, there is no reason for motor vehicles to drive down trails that should be the sole province of walkers and runners. The packed asphalt must be ripped up and the trail restored to its original width and surface. Then this unfortunate, if temporary, rape of the parkland can be healed over and forgotten.

Second, the soil and silt should be removed and placed in a less intrusive area, perhaps west of Lapham Road where the town currently mulches leaves, and the cornfield restored to its original state as a meadow.

To posit that constructing a "natural" amphitheater would be "improving" the cornfield is nothing more than sophistry, akin to stating that constructing a mall on a toxic waste site would solve that environmental problem.

One wrong is not undone by effecting another, however attractive and well intentioned it might seem.

If you are a runner or walker who has come to value Waveny Park as the natural treasure it is, come to the public hearing this Tuesday at South School at 7:15 p.m. and voice your opposition to the proposal to allow STONC to situate itself in the heart of Waveny.

And recall the old adage about removing a camel once its nose is inside the tent. This is one camel that needs to be sent packing from a rare, true running oasis.

Jim Gerweck is Managing Editor of Running Times magazine and organizes many races in the area.

ON THE RUN

Saturday

JINGLE BELL RUN, 5km, 9:30 a.m., Nichols.

Next Sunday

JINGLE BELL RUN, 3 mi, 9 a.m., Greenwich.

HOLIDAY RUN FOR KIDS, 5 km, 9 a.m., Fairfield.

JFK 50 Miler --11/22/08 -race report

Besides pizza, finishers get a medal and Hostess Twinkies (part of my dinner in car ride home)

Done --time to get the HE@#$% inside

looking for drugs while on towpath -where's the Vioxx that Wayne gave me?

the lonely towpath...looking for aid stations and m & ms

Coming into the Gatherton Gap aid station at mile 9.3-will the drinks be frozen??

Susan, Jen and I ---warm in the gym before the 7 a.m. start
It was with trepidation that I signed up for this 50 mile race. I had run last year with Frank (it was his 2nd JFK 50)and he and discussed entering. He wanted to join the 500 mile club:) and I wanted to run the course faster than my 10 hours of last year. S0 we both agreed to enter -what a bummer - he got closed out and I didn't!! Meanwhile, Meredith, Anthony, Wayne -all of my friends -had other plans such as Stone cat and javelina or rest:))) Then, I ended up doing Stone cat after NYCM --my choice, I know...but I love cats and Stone cat beer. Fortunately, our new friend Susan was running her first 50 mile race and her friend Jen was entered too. I had plans to start with them, and hook up before the start. So....I drove down on Friday afternoon. All was well until 1-81. Snow!! Standstill traffic..fortunately Anthony called me on the cell phone and we had a long talk about Javelina -- I was happy to finally get the details of the 100, as well as bide my time in stop-n-go. When 7 O'clock approached, I called Susan. "We've missed packet pickup also", she said. So, both of us would get our stuff on raceday morning....I got to the Days Inn and checked in --it was so cold that you could barely walk from car to motel!! As luck would have it, a chinese restaurant was in front of the motel so I ordered some takeout ($4!!!) and settled in my room to pack for the next day. At 5:15 the alarm went off --as usual, had tossed and turned.

The motel coffee area was alive with runners --we all discussed the weather, and I settled on 4 layers -- !! Figured could take stuff off and wrap around my waist or give to Susan's companion Glen who was crewing!!! So, in the dark, I drove down route 40 and route 66 to arrive at Boonsboro High school gym. I met up with Susan (thankfully I found her, after 10 minutes of panic, as she had picked up my bib!!!)
Glen and Jen. I was so happy to find them!! You mean we have to walk to the start? Susan and Jen said?? Yep --and so we walked out into the cold field (we all went behind a trailer to go to the bathroom) --I put my finish line drop bags in the van -it was a surreal experience watching the runners n the dark, with frozen breath, walking to the main street.

The start--We 3 huddled together and then when we started the slow climb up the hill, it was also an amazing sight to see the front runners way up the mountain!!! Jen and Susan took off and I was on my own. I settled into a slow jog as we hit the A.T. ---Had forgotten how tough that first climb was. 2 miles straight up. At least we warmed up. The sun was coming out and it was actually beautiful up on the ridge. I started to pay attention to how my body felt --quads tired but OK. No achilles pain. Hamstrings tight from car --left calf tight...but I can do this!! No, I can't do this! My mental state wasn't great.
Abruptly, we hit a paved path --a huge climb, again -had forgotton this too. After the climb, we went into the A.Trail again, and then came out to the first aid station --my water bottle had frozen, and I was thirsty so had some slushy gatorade...brrr. My diet throughout the day consisted of m and ms, potato chips, pretzels , coke and S-Caps (which were on the aid station tables) and Advil.
Everyone was complaining that all the liquids had frozen, including their Camelbaks. this time really had to pay attention -tons of rocks, roots, pilings, and runners in front and behind me. Stressful and difficult!! This section seemed like forever plus we had a nasty wind!! Finally we came to Weaverton cliffs switchbacks (mile 15?) -in one mile the AT would be over ---yeah!!!!! I actually like the switchback trail. I took my time going down and took some photos. It was uplifting to run through the line of people cheering at the bottom. But no Glen! I had taken off 2 layers and wanted to give them to him...

We then wound our way around some single track trails to the C and O Canal towpath...the wind whipped up and I felt the fatigue. Got some fluids and PB and J and walked...it seemed like a million people passed me and they all seemed fresh. I was dead tired and couldn't move -how would I run 32 miles more??? This was when I questioned my sanity. Why was I doing this? I had just run a 50 mile race 2 weeks ago and it was tough but completely rewarding, and I was with friends. I did not need to do this. My watch said 3:20...last year, I had caught up with Frank and we had walked-run the entire towpath together, while talking to other people! That was what kept me going and I was alone this year. I slowly picked up the pace and caught up with a group wearing the same 'HAT Run 50K' long-sleeved neon yellow top that i was wearing. It was the 2 race directors from the HAT run, plus their 'babes' ---so, they entertained me for 10 miles, and were actually so happy that i was wearing their top that they offered me (and Frank) a free entry next year --both of us entered but never ran, and out friend Tim had sent us our shirts and hats...'What else would we be doing today?', said one of the guys..'cleaning our cabinets??' We all laughed. They eventually pulled ahead of me and I fell into a depression again. Finally, we only had 6 miles to go on the towpath -horray!!! Each mile is marked and we got off at mile 84. I was at mile 78. I picked up the pace and counted down the miles --I was running a 10 minute pace, and passing slower (5 a.m. start) runners left and right. I looked for my friend Tammy. How could these people be outside for 14 hours? How could they start at 5 a.m.?? Amazing determination. At mile 36, I saw Susan. She was walking .
How do you feel? I said..she said she was running for 8 minutes and walking for 2, and felt good. We stayed together until mile 42 when THANK GOD the tow path portion was over --5 hours of sing the same muscle groups --5 hours of 26 miles along a river...it was 3:20 p.m., and we were given reflective vests to wear on the 8 mile rolling last part of the race -horray!!
I got on the undulating roads and felt so good!! We had 1:40 to break 10 hurs. I remember that last year I felt good on this part, while Frank was beat up and he an worked together to run a 12 minute pace. So I thought that i could do a 12 minute pace this year. I clicked off the first few miles, downhill miles, in 9 minutes --both into the wind...OK --if I could just keep this pace. It was getting colder and darker, and I passed 20 people as I ckicked off the miles. With 4 to go, we went into a little village and there was Glen! 'Susan's right behind me', I said. With that, I pushed on, excited to be so close. But --the wind picked up as we went through the farmland. Finally I hit mile 49 -the best mile of the race! I passed about 5 people -even passed a woman who said 'good job' as was going up the hill to the finish..9:42:03! I got my medal. Gave the finish line person my vest and bottom bib portion and found Glen. We waited for Susan. It was so emotional to see her coming up the hill --finishing her first 50 miler!! In the cold and wind, and on a tough course (Jen, BTW, blazed through in 9:20).
We immediately went into the gym for a hot shower and coffee. Susan had fallen hard on the tow path (ironically -not the AT) ---she went to get bandaged up and then she nd Glen drove me to Boonsboro HS the finish is at Williamsport HS)--I was never so happy to get into a warm car. Will I do this race again? Not sure. The entry fee is $135, and it may go up next year!!! But what an experience --to be part of the largest and must historic ultra...I actually enjoyed knowing the course and the routine from last year but wouldn't do it again alone!! Dinner in the car on the ride home consisted of Hostess Twinkies, 2 cups of coffee and some chocolate expresso beans --that's some diet -who said Ultrarunning was healthy?.

JFK 50 Miler --11/22/08 -photos!

A sign points JFK runners down the Weaverton Cliffs...only 34 miles to go.

Getting reflective vests at mile 42 --off the towpath; Thank Goodness!!
What a long, cold day yesterday --I finished the JFK 50 miler in 9:41 and then drove home - felt good in car but my hamstrings wee killing me. (glen and susan drove me from finish to my car at start-Jen finished in9:20 and Susan finished her first 50 miler in 9:55) The race itself is tough --3 races in one, with the hily, rocky A.T. portion, the 26 miles of towpath, and the rolling terrain of the last 8 miles (and we had a headwind also). I was so pleased to break 10 hours 2 weeks after Stone Cat. With snow on the A.T. as well-ugh.
Race report coming but in the meantime -photos --I played tourist until mile 42!

Me, Susan, Glen and Jen in the gym at the start --chaos!!! Where's my handheld?

Susan, me and Jen at the start --we had walked over from the gym to Boonsboro Main Street at 6:45 a.m. -brrrr -what will the long day bring???

The long 3 mile climb at the start to the App. trail --a way to get warmed up, in the the 20 degree weather....I pretty much jogged up it (stupid-yes-would pay later.

Either I have a short memory or forgot about this insane climb at mile 6!!

Coming down the trail into gatherton Gap -mile 9.3 (where's Susan?? Gone ahead!).

Me at the turn to Weaverton cliffs --the A.T. portion of the race almost done, if one doesn't kil themselves going downhill.

Runners coming off the Weaverton cliffs part of the A.T. (mile 15??)

Slogging along the 26 miles of windy, cold towpath

Me and the 'HAT 50K' run race directors (I tried to get a free entry).

The '38 Special' aid station --12 miles to go!

me at finish --glad I pushed on as wanted to quit at mile 30.

Susan and Glen at finish line -done! Will she have the energy to run he friend in at Philly on Sunday?

Finished!!! I crossed the line in 9:41 and Susan finished in 9:55 -awesome for her first 50 miler!!..21 degrees and darkness closing in (5 p.m. -we had been running since 7 am.)

Random photos

Hey --no fair taking up all the space on my computer chair--2 cats is too many!

My college Freshman son home for a 2 week Thanksgiving break, complete with dirty clothes ---so much for his clean room:(

Tarzan decides to sleep in my gym bag --darn -guess I can't go to the gym!

Friends Lynn and Christine admire the Kiku flowers

Japanese Kiku show at NY Botanical garden

NYRRC Race to Deliver 4 miler -11/16

Susan finishing the 4 miler..


Art and I at finish of 4 miler --two old people:)
I woke up on Saturday a.m. to pouring rain. I had to get my 14 year old son down to the scout house for a 2 day hike, and the weather forecast for Sat-sun was horrendous -rain, fog, and then cold. Sat was the Knickerbocker 60K, which I opted out of since I have to 'run' JFK 50 miler this Saturday (last ultra til March!!!??-well, maybe a fatass in Jan). I turns out that both Frank and Rob, who were entered in the 60K, skipped the race due to heavy rain and to work -so as I stayed home all day Sat, I wondered about the 60K runners,the javelina 100 runners (Anthony, Chris and Susan from GAC and Bob G), an of course my son on his hike!!! Sunday a.m. dawned cold and blustery and on a whim, decided to run the central Park 4 miler . The 50 miler -as it was slow an on trails --did not beat me up as much as NYC. And all the boys were gone Sunday (my teenager came home and was in NYC) so decided to go in --I had a good race,breaking 27 minutes (just)...I think in part by the fact that i ran little this week, and because it was so crowded, started slowly , and then chased Susan!--however, I was overheated -I had tights and long sleeves, and she had shorts and singlet!!! She pulled way ahead and ran bautifully for age 51:) Saw Art and Susan and Frank took photos -he came in but decided not to pay the $25 but wait til the afternoon and run the Hastings-on-Hudson 10K (which he did with Rob and both came in 3rd in their age groups!). I ran the 10K as a cool-down-workout and it was one of the tougher 10Ks I have run (Pam,. this is YOUR kind of course). Now, rest this week before the 50 miler on Saturday -arghh ---need to get mentally prepared for drive down, the cold and maybe the snow, the AT and slippery switchback, the 2 mile uphill at start...
and the long drive home. Frank says to only focus on getting through the AT portion in one piece, no matter how slow...

Stone Cat Trail races -Nov. 8, 2008 -short report

When I entered the Stone Cat Trail 50 miler knowing that it was 6 days after the marathon, wasn't sure how much of it I'd complete...but did finish! Ran the full 50 miles in 10:23 (fairly even splits of 2:24;2:35;2:50, and 2:30 for 4 12.5 loops).
It was definately a team effort --I got by with help from Carrie, Barbara, Frank, Hiro, Nick, Christine, Kim and Wayne! Frank ran the marathon in 4:04 --an hour faster than last year!! He came in 24th overall. The race director told us at the start that the loops were really .5 or so long, so the marathon was 27-plus miles, and 50 miler 52-plus miles.
We drove up on Friday (Wayne could haver ridden with me but drove up the morning of -insane:))and discussed dropping down to the marathon as we were both tired from New York (in a manner of speaking) -- Frank said he'd be happy to run a faster trail marathon and my unofficial goal was to run at least 3 of the 4 12.5 -13 mile loops, for 37.5 miles. Last year, we quit after the marathon, and this year, if I had spent 4 hours in the car, paid for hotel room, and gotton up at 4:45, I wanted to make the most of the day. On the other hand, would be happy with 27 miles!! We had so many friends running the 50-Yuki, Christine, Kim, carrie, Scott and his friend Mark, Wayne, Barbara and Nick (as all mentioned above)!! We all chitchatted in the gym at 5:45 after getting our number. I planned to do the first loop as slow as possible!! Frank, Wayne and Yuki took off --I ran with Carrie and Kim..the first 4 miles are hilly single track,and the leaves were slick!! But the weather was mild and perfect -60 degrees (it was pouring here) and cloudy. The middle portion of the loop is beautiful double track trail but with huge puddles --we all got soaking wet:( I walked alot. I did feel tight in the quads and hamstrings...but the first loop was suddenly over (3 fun aid stations) and Hiro was waiting to cheer us on. I went out on the second and felt alittle better. Stayed with Barbara, Nick and Carrie and Christine --I probably walked alittle more.
Got back and Frank had finished!! Since we had driven together, I thought he might be mad if I continued, but I wanted to try, and he encouraged me, saying that he was perfectly happy with burgers and beer but for 5 hours??). So, out I went with Carrie ---we stayed together the whole loop, walking up the single track and on the flats alittle --we even ran right through the mud and water. I discussed with Barbara stopping, and she said it was a crime to do the third loop and not the fourth --you have to go try, she said...so with walking, I started to feel better and decided to go for that last 12.5 miles...Carrie was moving really well, so I told her to go ahead. I didn't walk at all, though, just tried to count down the miles. When I got to mile 9 (47), I had passed a bunch of people and it was about 4:15 p.m. and starting to get dark --at mile 10, I put on my headlamp since didn't want to kill myself in the last mile. I finished about 4:50 as darkness was closing in -it was the best feeling to be pushing along the grass field and to be seeing the finish line!! After I went through the finish line and got my jacket, talked to Wayne, Kim and carrie --they had all finished already!!! Frank really was OK and had had a great time! He saw Yuki finish her first 50 miler...we hopped in the car and our reward on way home was a stop to buy coffee and beer for me and my brothers and beer for Frank --Stone cat ale. See Frank's blog for race photos:
More race report tomm...

My NYC marathon history -collected from cyberspace

On left --A call to drink after the 2008 marathon --my 19th NYC...
Just out of curiosity, I checked the New York City marathon archives...I have finished 19 NYCMs ---raced some; jogged some ---in my first race, 1982, my name is misspelled --I will never forget running this on little training on a casual basis and in those days you simply lined up on the bridge -no chips -so it probably took me a few minutes to cross the start line. I remember staying in the night before and eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, as my father told me to stay in, eat bland carbos and not go out partying! Next year, will run my 20th and that will be it for awhile --will volunteer!! Too many other races to run near the marathon. Which was my favorite you ask?? Any of the ones where I felt good. Some I want to forget. Oh, my ultra friend Adamas has run 24!! Good job Adamas!! Will she keep going til 25????????
Minutes
per Mile
1982 ELSA KELLSTRON F24 NYAC NY 7825 608 242 3:47:59 (thanks, Roy, for finding this).
1983 ELSA KELLSTROM F25 D90 85 NY 2976 155 78 3:15:36 7:27
1984 ELSA KELLSTROM F26 F314 NY 2778 185 78 3:37:48 8:18
1986 ELSA KELLSTROM F28 F299 NY 5246 326 117 3:36:52 8:16
1988 ELSA KELLSTROM F30 F326 NY 6110 424 193 3:42:36 8:29
1989 ELSA STOCKER F31 F318 NY 6610 447 194 3:36:17 8:15
1996 ELSA STOCKER F38 F146 TRR CT 2335 142 71 3:21:58 7:42
1998 ELSA STOCKER F40 F369 TRR CT 1833 97 17 3:14:19 7:25

Minutes
per Mile
1991 EMMY STOCKER F33 F348 CT 2863 137 66 3:18:33 7:34
1999 EMMY STOCKER F41 F168 CT 1293 46 9 3:11:05 3:10:52 45:04 1:34:18 2:24:45 7:17
2000 EMMY STOCKER F42 F329 WOLF CT 6150 709 121 3:46:32 3:46:06 54:50 1:52:04 2:52:50 8:37
2001 EMMY STOCKER F43 F628 WOLF CT 6557 1060 186 3:57:18 3:57:01 54:09 1:56:59 3:00:22 9:02
2002 EMMY STOCKER F44 F1610 WOLF CT 5735 808 138 3:46:28 3:46:09 51:58 1:50:23 2:50:19 8:37
2003 EMMY STOCKER F45 F2136 CT 2829 358 15 3:33:36 3:33:22 48:15 1:43:15 2:41:14 8:08
2004 EMMY STOCKER F46 F1355 TRR CT 3058 400 27 3:34:37 3:34:23 48:28 1:43:49 2:41:38 8:10
2005 EMMY STOCKER F47 F718 TRR CT 4542 676 39 3:42:28 3:42:20 46:25 1:41:49 8:29
2006 EMMY STOCKER F48 F943 TRR CT 4987 623 47 3:34:11 3:34:01 0:23:53 0:47:11 1:11:12 1:36:25 1:42:22 2:03:25 2:29:31 2:56:12 3:22:58 8:10
2007 EMMY STOCKER F49 F711 TRR CT United States 5543 855 67 3:38:02 3:37:35 0:24:46 0:49:01 1:15:20 1:41:11 1:46:48 2:07:56 2:34:51 3:00:56 3:27:09 8:18

My friend Susan on New York city marathon

Oh my, these 50 year old women are tough. Pictured above are Susan and I at the NY mini last June. I am proud of my friend Susan for running the new york city marathon (totally untrained for distance, as she put it, and with feet problems that make distance tough). She ran a PR 3:36. She is a speedster, having run last weekend a 33:46 5 miler in the Poland Spring race. She and I ran the Martha's Vineyard 20 miler and she blew away the womens' 50s record with a 7:25 per mile paced race. She will post a guest report (hopefully I will get my act together to write something --God Bless the man who gave me coke at mile 20!!!)-in the meantime, here is her e-mail o me from after the race:

Hi - Congrats on completing a successful marathon. How are you feeling? You must be high up there in the 50s as well if I was 26 out of 1,023 or something. I saw that Sharon came in 2nd and Marie 3rd. Marie whizzed by me on the bridge to 1st ave. I had to do the opposite strategy one is supposed to in order to beat my 3 prior marathon times of 3:49/50 and remembered in MV saying if I had just jogged a slow 10+ paced----10K for 66 minutes after I would still have a better marathon time than previously. My feet give out early on so just went for it and by mile 21 or so was jogging between 9 and 10+ but my 3:36:27 was faster than the others I'd done and 8:16 for me was a pleasant surprise. You'd be horrified with a PR at that time but I am happy- that should give you a laugh. (smile) Had to go to the medic tent and get my toenails and feet worked on. Lisa was a volunteer and saved me literally. My feet were burning so bad I was light headed. Realized no amount of training or pacing early on would have allowed my feet to go much more than 20 miles at anything but a slow pace. Oh the admiration I have for you ultra marathoners!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

and my reply:
Hi ---have been meaning to write --I am so proud of you!!! yesterday was, i think, my worst race in a season of good races --I went through the half very conservatively --1:41:30? --saw you, Marie, Yuki, and Beth M!!!! all whiz by my at the start like I was standing still...Frank caught up with me and God bless him, he ran with me for the first half at even 7:40s but I was just tired!!! I even lost him n the Pulaski bridge as needed to slow down. I had to walk alittle on the Queensboro bridge and wanted to drop out -my foot started hurting and my quad was killing me!! I started to do 7:45s again on first -caught up with Frank, and saw that he was chilled.
Stayed ahead of him but at same pace but then lost it at mile 20 -that was like a 9 min pace..but thankfully a man was handing out COKE. Mile 23 was slow --another 8:50. I then was in pain -my foot and quad hurt.
I think that I need better cushioned shoes -it was the top of my left foot and I was in agony!!
I then decided I was not going to break 3:30 so cranked it in in 8 min pace for 3:30:30??
Now, after those 5K last Sunday I could barely walk my quads hurt so much -so DUH..I made alot of mistakes before this race. After the 100 miler, I felt great --but pushed too hard with racing. I think I wasn't recovered, and went way below my lactic acid level (7 min)...I just was fatigued. excuses.........??
Marie did awesome --was so happy she came in 3rd. Sharon e-mailed me that the wind and cold got to her -also she was undertrained having had that injury...so she ran 1:31 for the first half and slowed considerably -she said her last mile was a 10 min pace....but what a great time. beth ran 3:21!! she turns 50 next week, i think, so she was really 50 (like you and Scarsdale last year)...
I am just so pleased that you set a PR at age 50..3:36 is so great!!!!! I am very proud that you stepped up to the plate and ran so well..
Hope you do alot of swimming this week to recover those feet --

New York, new york -The Marathon

what a long but rewarding day. Congrats to all my friends who finished this course -as I get older and slower, I realize that this course isn't flat like I used to think it was. Will write a race report tommorrow...before the start, we got off the WRR bus and ran into Todd J. -what a coincidence! Saw Hugo, Susan B., and many others...missed Kate, Susan W. and Mike!! but talked to the first 2 on the phone. The start was great with the new 9:40 wave!!! The summary: I was disappointed with my time of 3:30:10??? --on the other hand, it was a good time considering I slowed by 6 minutes the second half with the bridge and hills and fatigue of over-racing:((( ---some would say I do it to myself. Proud of Frank for running 3:38, despite the anemia, and for Kate with her 4:05 --a BIG PR. How did Dawn and Michael do?
I had a good first half --ran with Frank (he started right behind me in the green corral)--we ran steady 7:40s and passed through the 1/2 in 1:42 ---then he pulled ahead and I slowed over the Queensboro bridge (bouyed by the Taconic people cheering though!!!...my left foot and quad were bothering me --amazingly my achilles felt fine! First avenue was cold and windy --caught up with Frank and he was slowing with the wind --never saw my friend Lynn:(((( but the crowds were amazing, just amazing.
My mile 20 split was so slow, it was discouraging...the hardest part of the courseas far I am concerned is mile 23 with the 5th ave. hill --that was slow too. Mile 24 showed 3:13.. I had 17 minutes to break 3:30 and knew it would be close. I crossed the finish just over :30, passing Susan B.(enroute to a PR) ---after the long walk to baggage, the best part of the day was a stop for coffee and a Pumpkin Ale --I soenjoy walking on the West side, and it was a treat to sit at a warm bar. hard to get out into the cold and get to the WRR bus. Well, this was my 19t NYCM -maybe for my 20th could finally rest, taper and break 3:30??? Special ongrats to Kate on shattering her PR with a 4:05.

Trick or treating!

This will probably be my last year out trick or treating....my 10 year old wants to go with his friends. My 14 year old is too old, and doesn't want any candy -or rather he'd rather steal it from his brother. But we did enjoy the 60 degree weather ! and did get to socialize on the streets. My constant trick or treating friend Lynn abandoned me and went to the movies --smart move for next year, or village parade.
But I did walk around the village today after the fact and had so much fun. Just can't focus on the marathon just yet...