We had our team breakfast this morning at the finish line. The weather is gorgeous today. They're talking about course records being set tomorrow because the weather is so awesome. I felt emotional at our breakfast. Team for Kids is a stellar organization. They've made me feel important and cared for. If anyone has even the flicker of this thought: "maybe I could run a marathon?"-join Team for Kids. They will get you across the finish line and you'll feel good about the kids you've helped.
We heard from Grete Waitz's husband, Jack, this morning (um, yeah...had no idea who he was and I asked him if this was his first marathon. duh.) and from some of the kids. It was very inspiring.
Coach Asteria giving last minute tips with her usual passion and grace. It was great fun to walk in the Opening Ceremony Parade of Nations with her last night. Incredible to see all the folks who have flown from all over the world to run this race, the fireworks, and the elites like last year's champ Gebre Gebremariam and the Kenyan Mutai's run through the crowd (and to be on the race course in the middle of it all). This all feels once in a lifetime for me in terms of it's magnitude, even though I hope to do it again next year.
Fred Lebow's statue has been moved from the 90th Street entrance of the park to the finish. He started the New York Road Runners and the NYC marathon.
Well, I've tried on my duds for tomorrow, pinned my bib on my singlet and am heading to bed for nap. Tonight I'll set my clock back and ready my bag and then I'll be up and out the door at 5:30 in the morning. The Team for Kids buses will head to Staten Island at 6:30 and then I'll wait until my corral starts at 10:40. A long wait in the cold morning. It'll be fun.
See you at the finish line! And a very sincere heartfelt thanks for your support. As my friend Frances says: Live Large!
No comments:
Post a Comment