Cruel mistress. The marathon. Sixteen to twenty weeks dedicated to a single race, the Good Mother puts the smack down on the best laid plans. New York City in a nutshell.
Thrill of yesterday’s race, at the Bar None at any rate: Zach Hine parlaying his 1:04:48 Freedom Half Marathon win into a ballsy effort on the streets of the Big Apple. Running second Overall at around mile 11, we were plenty jazzed you can bet. Ended up as 6th American, not shabby on the most difficult of days.
Network host for yesterday’s broadcast Hannah Storm and I go waaay back. She got her start in media as an overnight DJ on a local radio station back in Houston. I worked the night shift, would call in requests almost nightly. Was also a frequent winner of the free tickets used to promote upcoming acts. Would go down to the station in the morning to collect, her smile hasn’t changed since 1977.
New York Road Runner CEO Mary Wittenberg and I go way back too. I’ve been a dinner guest. And returned the favor.
Desi Linden of the Hansons and I go back to the 2004 Women’s Olympic Trials Marathon in St. Louis.
Meb Keflezhigi and Linda and I enjoyed a celebratory hot tub after he won the USA Half Marathon Championships in Houston back in 2009. Took thirty minutes the next day to give my dear sweet Allison a motivational speech that still sits with her. I first worked with him at BIX in 2002. Old buddy.
Men’s race announcer Toni Reavis and I go back too. Some of my favorite USATF annual meeting memories include Toni and Larry Rawson‘s stories of tramping across the globe covering our sport. They’ve truly been everywhere and seen it all in running.
Deena Kastor served on the WLDR Executive Committee with me for many years.
The further I am removed from those heady days the more I’ve come to appreciate the friends I made and places I’ve seen.
Slightly eidted comment from the fastest Nebraskan most of you kiddos have never heard of, Tim Dooling: “the girl named sara was my all time favorite when it comes to female runners. she did all the work in the middle of the race while the africans just sat back and took it easy, she still finished 3rd, just 40 seconds back. all time fav female so far.”
Yeah, Sara Moriera of Portugal showed how to make your 26.2 debut. Its called confidence in your preparation. And balls.
Women’s winner Mary Keitany is 5′ 3″ and weighs 88 pounds. But she has muscles.
Men’s winner Wilson Kipsang collected a cool $600,000. $100K for the win and another $500K for winning the World Marathon Majors title. That’s a lot of goats.
Locally our Mike Wasson ran 3rd overall at Beer and Bagel. Three of the top 4 finishers are well into their masters careers. 1792 finishers, 1039 women, 752 men.
El Jefe‘s race report from Mountain Masochist 50: “Got it done today, it slept with my girlfriend, gave me a wedgie, kicked me in the balls then stole my lunch money but I’m the dumb ass that signed up for it. Thanks for the support and big thanks to Jon Clouston for crewing!”
And the sandwich boy scratched his head, doo doo doo doo doo, duh duh duh duh duh.
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