Continued on tumblr

Marathon #8 was Cowtown last Feb 2011.

The story continues over on tumblr

Marathon #7 is in the bag

4:25 and change Loved every minute of it until mile 22.

Carbo loading in progress 13 hrs to race start

First 5 miles of tomorrow's marathon

Elvis in da house

Meb @ Vegas Expo

We both ran NYC last year but his winner's medal (far right, next to his Athens Olympic Silver) is much nicer:


It made my day to walk away with an autographed copy of his book, his signature on my race bib, and this little souvenir:

535 miles to Vegas

Burning hot in Texas. Week 2 of marathon training. Viva Las Vegas.

NYC In Pictures - Official Time 4:09:52

The wait on Staten Island

Elite women make their way to the start line - that's half of Paula exiting the frame on right.

Looking down Central Park West after the race.

Bling

I Finished NYC!

Unofficial time 4:09 and change. Not a PR but I'm very happy with it. It's been 22 months since my last marathon (Disney Jan 2008), so that's pretty good for me. I also accomplished a goal of not stopping at all during the run, not even through water stops - an emotional goal but a goal nonetheless. I ran through side stitches and slight cramps. I was smoking through the the first half at below 4:00 pace, but the 2nd half was another story. When will I ever learn?!

Waiting for my flight from Newark now.

The Day Before NYC

9:00 AM

Just got back from an easy final 2-miler to Central Park and back. It was awesome. The city is so alive and vibrant. Central Park was brimming with activity, all hustle and bustle. The streets were wet, it was cool low 60's, and the trees were awash in yellows and reds. The baricades and signs were all up for tomorrow, volunteers were going through their checks, people were running all over the place. It looked busier than some real races I've run. I ran through the finish line, visions of glory and all that ...

1:00 PM

For 37,000+ runners, the Expo was expertly run. Free shuttles from Midtown to the Javits Convention Center. Walk right in - zero wait to pick up your bib. Asics is the main sponsor, good looking LS tech shirt this year. All the major brands were there, as well as Goose:




7:50 PM

I'm carbed up and rested. Settling in for Tex - OK St kickoff in 10 mins. Alarm is set for 5:00 am tomorrow. Have to make the 6:15 Staten Island ferry.