Monday, October 27, 2008

6 Days Before the New York City Marathon

Greetings,

Can you believe it, there's less than six days until the New York City Marathon!  I am extremely excited and really nervous about Race Day.  What is helping me stay focused to cross that finish line, having one of those volunteers drape my medal around my neck, and all the support and encouragement that everyone has given me.  Thank you so much!

Being cooped up for 10 days to mend my ankle was a lot tougher that I thought it would be.  To keep me from getting too lazy and to maintain my endurance, I did some exercises in a pool and spin cycling.  The swimming action felt like a light massage for the ankle.  I also continued my training sessions where they avoided putting any strain on the injured appendage.

On Monday, the ankle looked better, and felt about 95% normal.  So, I finally took a short run on Monday for a mile around the block, at 9:30 at night.  Yes, at night again!  The little 3 led headlamp that I bought did an awesome job shining through the darkness of my neighborhood.  That $25.00 investment saved my ankles and my dreams of finishing the marathon twice, as the surprisingly powerful light revealed a couple of potholes along the way.
It's amazing how chilly it has gotten in just 10 days.  The cold air caught my asthma by surprise, and my lungs weezed as I made my rounds around the block.  Thoughts of taking a couple of puffs of my inhaler seemed very inviting as I climbed the second hill.  All throughout my training never did I think about that inhaler once until Monday night.

Before training for the race, if for some reason I ran for a 1/4 mile I would have said, "I've had enough" and walk the rest.  Most of the time I would say, "It's too hot, let's stay in the A/C and not sweat".  Now with this injury, I mumble in my agravated voice, "I better not run anymore, because if you sprain your ankle again, your Marathon days for 2008 are over".  I can't beleive that I am tell myself to be patient, slow down, and cut my run short.  I missed my final long run, and it concerns me that I had such a reduction in my training in preparation for 26.2 miles will make it really tough for me.  Mentally I am ready to deal with the rigors and physically it hasn't been spelled out yet.  I am sure the endorphins will be pumping through the veins and I probably won't feel a thing until I stop running!  At that time, my brain would have caught up to my body and say, "You're ready to feel the pain now".

I ran 2 miles on Wednesday Night and 3.8 miles on Friday Night, and the ankle did not concern me, until I woke up the next day and it felt sore, but no pain.  Especially on Friday Night, I wanted to run a lot more, but I reminded myself to take it easy.  Actually, on the 3 runs this week, have been faster on average.  I guess resting really does help your split times.

I look forward to seeing you along the route. My Start Time will be at 10am which will be the Second Wave.  I will be wearing a CWI Medical Logo Hat, Florescent Yellow/Green Singlet for Team for Kids, probably Blue Shorts, and my bib color is Orange.  Yes, I have no fashion sense.

My Bib Race Number is 30088.  It's a great number.  In Chinese, numbers with curves in it is good luck.  For those who did not know, my wife and I had our wedding reception at the 888.  One of the phone numbers at the office is 866-588-3888.

Here is a link to the Race Map. http://www.ingnycmarathon.org/about/coursemap.pdf

Also, let me know if you want to be added to my Athlete Alert, which can email or text you an alert to your phone to update your on my split times at every 5K mark along the course as well as at the start, half-marathon mark (13.1 miles/21.1K), miles 16 through 26, and the finish.  Just send me your the email address if you want the alert sent to your email or your cell phone # and carrier to receive a text.

The race will be broadcast live exclusively on WNBC 4 New York for five hours. The WNBC 4 New York broadcast will begin at 9:00 a.m. with the pre-race warm-up and will follow the race through the five boroughs, across the bridges, and over the finish line until 2:00 p.m.   I am sure someone will see me live on TV in the sea of people.

More updates to come on Thursday, after I attend the Marathon Expo.

Best regards,

Noah