The Marathon Training Blog

I’ve never heard a bad word spoken about the New York City Marathon. It’s one of those days where the outpouring of generosity from strangers is so strong and the positive energy is so apparent, that living in this somewhat nutty city make total sense. I love it.

I’ve watched the NYC marathon every year for the past five. I even host an annual marathon brunch where my friends gather in the warm comfort of my apartment, then bundle up and go watch the runners as they make their way down 5th avenue in Harlem. It’s fascinating and inspiring to see them at this point. The crowd of spectators thins out a bit in Harlem compared to other spots in the city, so your cheers are even more appreciated. The runners are also much more spread out as they approach the last leg of the marathon. Some are bleeding, some walking, some are in the zone, some look kind of delirious. Is it weird that I find that exciting?

I would have loved to have been a part of the NYC marathon this year. Unfortunately, I was not one of the lucky lottery winners for 2006. That’s when I set my sights on Philly. I lived in Philly for 6 years so running there still has special meaning for me. Home of Spanish fries, the amazing Reading Terminal Market, some of the best Ethiopian food I’ve ever had, South Street, ahh, yes, I love that city -- and I miss it. Besides, I’ve heard good things about the course. It’s flat for one. It’s a 2-hour ride from New York and the run ends at my all-time favorite museum in the world -- Philadelphia Museum of Art.

I’m definitely nervous about the idea of having to travel the day before the marathon (albeit only 2 hours), not sleeping in my own bed (I never sleep well in hotels), and not having my own food to eat (you’re not supposed to be experimenting with new foods before the race), and foregoing my habitual morning cup of kick-ass coffee to drink. But I suppose most people who run marathons are coming from out of town and they manage just fine. I’m also nervous about not having a big show of support. I will, over the next couple of months, work to browbeat my friends and co-workers into taking a road trip to hang out with me, but a 2-hour trek to stand in the cold to watch someone run in the middle of November is hardly tempting. I’ll have to bribe them with something.

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