The Joe Nation 2007 NYC Marathon Log

Well, back when I first was zoomed about running, there was more time between marathons (as I remember, don't trust me.) In the intervening years, some maniacs have done zillions. Or very many.

I can easily zip to having that be all now of life, but you know better. Still, it's important. But, er, what has she been giving up with you doing all this?

Not to camfloogle your run, but eventually there need be balance. (Or not, your business, geez these damned ads.)

Probably not just the right rah rah message, but I do mean rah rah. Finish sanely, eh? whatever the hell time.

Actually, Mrs. Nation is my biggest fan. (There is no one like her in the world, not even close.) That above was a poor attempt at humor. I think the only thing L has had to give up since I started running is listening to my deeply sonorous snore.

Joe(ZZZiiick,uh,uh,ZZthhhZZ,SniKKKKK, ,,,,, Sniiiick,uh,uh)Nation

One Man's Meet can be a Good Woman's Challenge.

will you become less obsessive about running when this whole thing is over? Or are you just gonna start right in for next year?

She must have a twin who lives in Oz and is married to me.

Obsessive???? Who have you been talking to?
Has someone told you that I wear my running shorts to bed and sleep with my jersey under my pillow? ( I would wear my shoes as well but certain people have made objections.) But that's not obsessive, that's just having a primed sense of being prepared. Or as a friend of mine says "Being pre-prepared."

Or did someone report that I asked at the hotel desk for a copy of the running course map and when presented with one which showed a four and half mile circle through the campus of Fairleigh Dickinson College said "What? That's it?" (Yes, we went to a three day wedding. Yes, I ran every day of it and then met George for a run on the Monday morning after....) but that not obsessive, that enthusiastic.

I suppose some people have spouted off about what I pack in my suitcase when we are going to Florida. I pack the non-essential stuff, underwear, dress shirt and summer weight suit, shaving gear, cameras, regular shorts and tee-shirts. In my carry-on I carry my shoes and running shorts, sunglasses, sunscreen and jersey. That way when they lose my luggage I can still have a run down the beach at sunrise. But that's not obsessive, that shows a reasonable response to a likely future scenario. I like to fly wearing jeans, a long sleeved shirt and loafers (for the frigging security checks.) What am I supposed to do when they lose the bag? Run in my jeans and loafers?


Okay, so maybe that one time, when I didn't really NEED to run in the airport to catch a plane or anything, I did spend about a hour jogging up and down the long corridor, but that was just practice in case I ever DO need to run to Gate 84. (It's about a quarter of a mile and my best interval was a 1:48. I could have done better but the frigging baby buggies and kids were everywhere..AND I was wearing jeans and loafers. But that's not obsessive, that's uh, good use of available time for practice.

And now that I do not have to get up every morning at four I am enjoying sleeping in, thank you very much. I still wake up, but now I roll over and dream that I am running in the early morning fog.
....
A lone biker zips me past in the nearly perfect silence, only the sound of my feet and breathing, the murmurs of the waking morning breeze in the leaves and the singular call of a distant bird create this small universe. The thoughts in my head are cast aside as my eyes drift upward to gaze at the streetlights at the top of the long hill. At the crest a long shadow of a runner appears in front of me, striding out before me down the other side. It takes me a moment to recognize the shape and the rhythm of the form.

Joe(Holy Cow.. is that me?)Nation

Sweet dreams, Joe.

I am reminded of Ching The Wonder Dog, who slept on the floor beside my bed. She dreamed a lot, I am convinced, about running. Her ears and nose would twitch; her paws would shake and sometimes, quite often actually, she would let out yelps that she would only make when awake while chasing, futilely, a rabbit. God, that dog loved to run. I would see her on the ridge line way over there to the right and five minutes later she would be way over to the left.

When I got home from work we would play a game. She would run, at full speed, figure eights. 50' long by 20' wide. Full speed. I would stand in the middle and dive at her as she came past. Usually she was too quick but sometimes I would nail her and knock her down. But she would bounce right back up and resume the game until I eventually tired.

That's the story. Is there a lesson in this? Probably not.

Keep up the running and the writing. This is awesome.

I am having the most vivid dreams.], johnboy. And isn't it wonderful that dogs understand games?


You should always live your dreams, says Henny Youngman, except that one where you are naked at work.

Joe(zzzzzzz)Nation

Ching The Wonder Dog understood games, but she could also tell time. But that's another story.
I hope the weather holds up for you in this final countdown.

Raining this morning, but as I said to L last night, they don't cancel this thing because of a little water.

Joe(Off I go)Nation

If you'd race in it, train in it.
Have a good run.
I'll be doing a short, soggy run today.

A couple of weeks ago, my run took me through Melrose,
long-time home of Clarence DeMar, who won the Boston
Marathon seven times.

Well, I said I was going to run this morning come hell or high water.


I got both.
Plenty water in face, in shoes, in shorts. Has any science been done examining just at what point you are so wet that you cannot be any wetter? It wasn't raining when I got off at 59th Street, but by the time I got about 1/4 mile up the hill the shower faucets opened wide. (Why is rain always so cold? Even in the summer, on the hottest day, rain is the coldest water, anyone describing a warm rain is describing it from the comfort of a porch swing.) I turned around and ran down the hill and around the south end to the Fifth Ave exit then over to 3rd Avenue, all the way the driving rain pushing fistfuls of water down my shirt.

I had the forethought to bring a ziplock bag for my phone. Can you run a marathon in a ziplock bag?

Anyway, my right leg is still hurting. Not bad, I know I can still run the race, but I am seriously thinking about just soaking in a warm tub tomorrow. The Five Mile Marathon Warm Up is Sunday. I want to trot around the park that day.

Joe(pass the Advil)Nation

I'm glad that's all - if I woke up early enough to post I'd advise against it.

Who the hell do I think I am? No one at all, but I don't think a run in slushy shoes is all so great as the near warm up, re foot mishuganas, however you spell it. Enough to do it on the day.

Going to trot over to the NYRR headquarters to get my number and shirt for Sunday's race this afternoon. It's going to be raining hard. (I'm so tough.) The leg feels almost well.


Joe(oh...not going until 1pm EST)Nation

The clouds may well be gone by Sunday.

After soaking in a tub and taking another nap I watched the rain come down and read my book.

I will pick up my number on Sunday for the Five Mile at the race.

Joe(The leg feels great today.)Nation

weve had over 3" rain in the last 2 days and more on the way. You dont run in that kind of crap do you?.

Now Your beginning to scare me.

Fm : the forecast for the 4th of November is showers 60%.

Joe(This ain't billiards)Nation

well, you should wear your galoshes. Does anyone even have galoshes? do they even make galoshes anymore?

Well, I'm gonna do a race too.
It's only 11K, though.

Keep on keepin on.