Running New York
I am the first to admit that running 26.2 miles is a daunting task. It's daunting every time I toe up to the line. It's formidable because as any distance runner will tell you--anything can happen in 26.2 miles.
However, for this, my 3rd NYC marathon, I am venturing into the unknown.
CLICK TO SEE PICTURES: HEIDI TRAINS FOR NYC MARATHON
One month ago to the day of this Sunday's race, I ran the Chicago Marathon with my brother, Deskin--his first marathon. Yep, 'the' Chicago Marathon. I say that because this year's Chicago--which is in the top 5 best marathons in the world- went down in the history books. Why? Halfway through the race, it was canceled due to the extreme heat of the day. One man died while running and countless others collapsed and were sick. In a race like Chicago, you usually have a 90% finish rate of the racers. This year out of 45,000 registered, a little over 28,000 finished which was only 65% of the entries. In fact, 10,000 didn't even show up race day.
I tell you this because as my trainer, Jimmy Lynch, would attest to, running two marathons in the span of one month is crazy. On top of that, running Chicago turned out to do more damage than it should have. The reasons for that are that everyone ran slower, which meant more time on our feet, and more muscle fiber tears. That all translates to a longer recovery. (normal marathon recovery is 3 weeks)
This is now where we turn our attention to my training for NYC. The first week after Chicago, I did not run. The next two weeks, I ran 30 minutes every other day and swam on the off days. This week, is actually the first day I have felt like normal again. Which means, my last long training run was October 7th in Chicago! On Tuesday, Jimmy took me to Central Park and we ran two up-tempo loops on the bridle path (1.8mi. per loop). He said we need to remind my legs they still had speed. I laughed and tried to tell Jimmy that I had been doing that to no avail for the last three weeks. But, I guess they don't respond to voice commands.
Jimmy says my muscle memory will carry me through the race on Sunday! I hope he is right. This is the first time I have ever run two marathons back to back. I have a feeling it will be my last attempt at two marathons in 30 days.
But, in the end, whatever happens it will have been worth it because I ran with my brother in his first marathon, which is an experience I will never forget. I am so proud of anyone who runs a marathon, but I am especially proud of my brother as the odds were against him finishing--as many did not. His accomplishment brought tears to my eyes when we finished the marathon together. He'll hate that I wrote that, but it was a strong performance by him, and I'll never forget it.
Sunday will be different, however. I am running in my opinion, the greatest marathon in this country--with the best spectators in the world!
I'll let you know how I fare!
And to all those who have trained and will run with me on Sunday--Good Luck!
See you at the finish on Tavern on the Green!
Heidi Jones
