The Joe Nation 2007 NYC Marathon Log

One week to go. The NYRRs sent a msg yesterday urging everyone to take the ferry and then the shuttle to the start instead of taking the bus from Fifth Ave and 42th Street. I don't care. I'm sure other people are bent out of shape by changes..... I am in the flow.

Going to race this morning, sort of. I'm just going to lope around the loop and then go buy some gels at the Running Store.

Good luck on your race, George.

Joe(Is it six days and a wake-up already?)Nation

And you, good yeoman,
Whose limbs were made in NYC, show us here
The mettle of your pasture; let us swear
That you are worth your breeding; which I doubt not;
For there is none of you so fat and unfit,
That hath not noble lustre in your eyes.
I see you stand like a greyhound in the slips,
Straining upon the start. The game's afoot:
Run, Joe Nation, run!

................Let's hear it.
Cry, "God for Watson, Shakespeare and Joe Nation."

McTag also gets a mention, but he doesn't have to sweat--just cogitate.

McTag: such kind words. thanks. JN

So I almost died today, but I didn't.

Uh oh, now I spoiled the story, but only if you aren't paying attention. That could be the case.
Many years ago, I was on a double date with a couple who had just gotten married about a year before. Because one of us, I forget who, had been out of the country and hadn't seen LOVE STORY, we rented it. We watched it over popcorn and pizza and beer. Very sad.

We all go to take the movie back on our way to get some ice cream.

Just as I am sliding the black rectangle down the chute, the new husband says "I can't believe she dies at the end." His lovely, and she was lovely, looks at him for a moment and then says "They tell you she is going to die at the beginning of the movie."
"No, they don't" he said, making that squinched 'what are you, stupid?" look.

I would relate the number of yes, they dos and no,they don'ts here, but it would take hours because that is how long they argued. Even with we, the other two, chiming in with "Yes, it's also the first line in the book. 'What can you say about a girl who dies?... ." Whatever.

Anyway, I had chocolate and coffee on a waffle cone with my companion while they drove back to the movie rental place. They aren't married anymore.

So this morning I got to the race, I got my number, I stretched some and then stretched some more, I watched other stretchers stretch and listened to a great band Better Off Dead a band named for another movie and really, really good, rock out. Even in the cold, (47F) they had us all moving.

OH, and then 6000 or so of us did a lap of the park.

Now hear this: not even trying,-- not even paying attention as it were,-- no kidding, I was just putting my feet down and listening to my right leg, --------I set a new personal record for the five mile: 47:20. AND my right leg made no complaints, none.

Well, okay, a little yelp after the race, but it and me are going to be fine.

After the race all 6000 wet people lined up at three (count'em -- three) lines of tables for water bottles from our sponsor Poland Spring, apples and bagels. I got a piece of dry bagel stuck in the back of my mouth and for a terrifying sixteen seconds, could not get it out.

"Wow, I said, "I could have choked right here and missed the marathon."

But I didn't and I told you that right from the get-go.

Joe(Um... this is a reflection of my state of mind. Go about your lives now.)Nation

I did some editing, you were beginning to sound like Setanata there.

I do go on, don't I?

Joe(and on and on and)Nation

I can tell, youre wired like a span bridge. Youve gotta spend time this weel in some mind calming exercise, otherwise , well, lets say the run is half physical, half mental ,and half determination.

Aum.

NEWSFLASH: The weather service has taken the rain out of the forecast for the 4th. Now predicting 63F for a high and 10% (really none) chance of rain.

Joe(wound tighter than the E string of baby mandolin)Nation

Joe--

I recommend some relaxing diversion. Have you ever painted your toenails?

Wax on, wax off.

Women.

Crazy

Joe(zats all)Nation

Crazy?

How about a round of:

"This little piggy went to market
This little piggy stayed home
This little piggy trained and trained
This little piggy ran in the rain
And this little piggy.....?

I can't be bothered with adorning toenails myself, but I understand having Conventionally Pretty Feet contributes to ones inner balance.

Feet... ssssh, Noddy, JoeN will start with the shoe thing again!


Hoping you are enjoying this week to the max, JN.

(I'm more concerned about the socks - ever since I read about JoeN's socks, I've been positively dreading putting socks on this year - I'm the only one in the office still in flip flops or open sandals - JoeN's to blame)

Ladies--

We want to divert Joe. Right now when he's not scampering up and down steps and ladders, he's jogging in place.

Ripeness is all.

Good luck Joe. I hope you win the whole damn thing. I'll be cheering you on from my spot somewhere near 77th and 1st! (Depending of course on the weather, what time you'll be passing that general vicinity, how hungover I am, etc.)

for some dumass reason, I included a mail update post in my checkmark box of "Never Include" spam filter. Now I have to dial in or else carefully retain a message to click on in my in box.
Im all ferhootzed worrying about Joes upcoming race.

"Send us a letter from Macau Joe"

I'm all ferhootzed too.

I've never heard of the word before, to my knowledge, but I can just tell. Ferhootzed, yep.

Kick: I shall put you on the list to get email alerts. Every time I make a 5K point you get a msg stating my position. Cool huh?


77th and 1st is about 17 miles in, I should be there between 1:00PM and 1:30.

Joe(I'm wearing Orange, a Go Jonathan! banner and painted toenails)Nation

Setanta's orange t-shirt is in the wash.
I've got a flashy orange sequinned tank top.

We'll be dressed to cheer with the best of them, err, you.

~~~

signed,

Ferhootzed, North of the Border