Knickerbocker 60K --11/21/09

yesterday was perfect weather for the Central Park Knickerbocker 60K...
Rob, Frank and I planned to run it and it was with trepidation that i approached this ultra because I was really out of ultra shape..but I figured it was cheap and cheerful,
and just a run in the park. Frank and I drove in and met Rob, who took the train.
When we were getting our bibs we saw Ritchie, Barbara ? from Millrose, Siri, and other B.U.S. people like Nick and Frank D. Plus, lots of other friends. I was still chatting at the back of the pack when the gun went off. We had to run a 2 mile out and back, and I went very slowly (well, a 9 min pace)--Eliot was right behind me. Then we went thru the finish line where they had set up a timing area and station and where cheering crowds were waiting...we then had to run 9 loops of the hilly 4 mile middle central park section. I settled into a 9:00 pace, with a guy from NJ named Johnny and Eric and Lynn. Frank and Rob too off like a shot, never to be seen or the rest of the race except when Frank lapped me as he was finishing.
Wayne kept saying 'we are going way too fast' and he dropped back and Johnny and I pretty much leap-frogged each other for most of the loops, or I ran alone. The volunteers were great, because this is a funny race --since it is loops, you do feel at times that you are all alone...Phil at a certain point, and the other leaders, lapped me...it was just a gorgeous day and I tried to concentrate on keeping a steady pace and on a normal footfall for my left foot --and I did get a blister!! The last couple loops were the best as I knew I would finish,and that my foot would hold up in the Mizuno trail shoes --Frank did catch up to me and Johnny as we were finishing the 8th lap, and seeing him finish and knowing Rob was ahead of me made me want to push the pace...I did, but still couldn't break 6 hours (finished in 6:01:30?) --still,
this was only 7 min off my time from 3 years ago. And as I was older, out of ultra shape, and cautious was pleased just to finish...afterward, Phil (who won), Rob, Frank and I went to have beer and burgers --then as an added treat we took Phil home to Inwood Park -got to talk to him and see the night views of the Hudson river!
See Frank's blog for report and photos!!

DAHLIA WATERCOLORS --fall dahlia colors

new york city marathon 2009

at the finish --taking a break from the baggage walk

Below; left-A 'spooky' house at Fort Wadsworth




the VN bridge at the start

me calling Kate to find out how she finished.


Below, after getting our bags with Rob




well, my 20th NYCM is over and I had an awesome experience, mainly because my toe insert hurt but my foot held up. and I finished in even 8 minute pace for 3:31 --the last few miles were not easy, as I am out of endurance shape and quads were hurting. But since it was my 20th NYC marathon, I was happy that I was at least able to finish, and that all my friends finished well...I took the bus in from white plains high school, and went into Fort Wadsworth late as or bus got stuck in traffic. I walked in with Frank, and we immediately went to the dunkin donuts booth where we got coffee and a hat! Then we bumped into Alicia and Nick in the achilles area --that was fun!! I then left Frank and went int the local elite coral where I saw susan warren,beth moras, and the taconic runners!! I also saw Yuki putting on her costume. We were led onto the bridge @9:20 and I have to say, some of the men we lined up with did smell, and it was nerve wracking as they were all so fast, and I feared getting trampled -haha!!! ugh--the start used to be all women in one area --no peeing on the bridge this time, ither, with the men around!!! At 9:42 we were off -perfect running weather -- I was so tentative to start because my foot had been a bit sore just walking around trick or treating-lol...but it felt OK!! I had a toe pad in the front of the left foot which after mile 10 started to kill me but clicked off steady 8 min miles with the goal of just finishing in under 4 hours ---suddenly, at mile 5? Frank came up with Shannon M. and I was SO happy to see them!!! I then ran with Shannon for awhile until she took off, and then I saw Frank go in a port-o-john, and I waited for him to catch up but he didn't and finished right behind me. Right on the bridge, I looked down and saw a 20 dollar bill in a puddle--I stopped and picked it up and stuck it in my shorts to buy post race beer and coffee later!! Appropriate bill, as it was my 20th NYCM...and I had just lost a $20 the other day --weird.
The Queensboro bridge was slow going but I looked forward to seeing the Taconic people and to the crowds on first --missed the taconics, so my next target was to find Rob at 116th street --the concrete was pretty jarring but the crowds were amazing.
Hard to believe that in 1982 at the age of 24 I pounded these same streets in my first marathon!! which then was the third weekend in Oct. and 'only' had 10,000 people...so it did mean alot to me to finish this one and although my feet hurt I was not in pain!! Anyway, i did see Rob and handed him a hat that I had stuck in my shorts for him! Then mile 20 over the bridge was clogged with people and I lost a full minute!!! 2:41 was my 20 mile split...I then worked to keep up the 8 min pace which was not easy with the wet roads and crowds and that hill at mile 22 I think I had a 9 min mile) --last 2 miles were 8 minutes, and as I went down 59th street tried to appreciate the crowds but my quads were in pain and I just wanted it to b over -finally, the finish!! and who should I see but Luis. we then waited for Frank, who
finished a few minutes later (apparently he made it on TV)...we then began the long walk to baggage and hooked up with Rob. It was not a 100 or 50 miler, but felt like an ultra to me all the same!! Can't wait for next year, I think! Oh, we got a nice 40th anniversary medal....see Frank's blog for report and more photos