Dunn’s Daily upDates (October)
October 1 - Sunday
200 IN 2000 Day Number: 150 of 200
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Temperature: 63 / 77
Weather Conditions: Perfect.
Running Time: 5:06
Road Finds: 6 cents.....a nickel and a penny.
Comments: 150! I sometimes wondered if I would ever get this far. A pretty good feeling.
I made it through the first day of a totally new course....I've never done the TCM marathon before....without much hassle. Chris Neu, a local marathon runner, was supposed to meet me at the start line and lead me through the first few miles, but a t 6:05 I decided he was a "no show". But then at about 2 1/2, here he came. He hung with me ’til about 6 miles, and was also kind enough to agree to meet me at the finish line and drive me back to my car.
Physically, it was another "first day back" experience.....out of the gate strong, feelin' glad to be back "on the road", but by about 16 or 17 miles the ole bod said...."hey, I've only run 6 miles in the last 12 days, what's happenin' here?" So I did a fair amount of walking in the last 7 or 8 miles, and finished with some mighty sore quads.....but hey, what's new.
My host for the time here in Minneapolis is Dave Khuen, a former 2:27 marathoner. His roommate Paul, is the head cross country and track coach at Hamline College. So even though they think I'm crazy, at least they understand me a little better than the average person does. (And yes, anyone who doesn't run marathons, is average).
So I'm off to a good start. I'm still a little "spooked" about having to run 40 more in the next 48 days, but I'm not going to think much about that, and just do it.
Keep me in your thoughts and prayers and I'll make it to November 19th in Philly, and then I'll only have 10 to go.
gotta rest.....Jerry
***
October 2 - Monday
200 IN 2000 Day Number: 151 of 200
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Temperature: 59 / 69
Weather Conditions: Instant replay of yesterday....beautiful.
Running Time: 5:14
Road Finds: nothing.
Comments: I don't know if it was the Tiger Balm, the Endurox, the rest, the self massage with The Stick, or what, but when awoke this morning my legs felt unbelievably good...relative to how much they hurt last night. So that made the early stages of today's 26.2 go a lot better. It didn't make for a speedier day but the 1st couple of hours weren't miserable like they could have been.
You may recall that I was eager to get back to a course that has traffic....both vehicular and pedestrian, and I'm glad to be here. So many more distractions and diversions. People to greet. People greeting me. Things to "watch out for". Places to get coffee, cinnamon rolls, water, or even a sandwich. And that is good. So I'm glad to be back in the city.
It's just about nap time, and I can barely resist the yawns and the fading fluidity of thought, so bye for now....I'll see ya all later.
***
October 3 - Tuesday
200 IN 2000 Day Number: 152 of 200
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Temperature: 57 / 62
Weather Conditions: Cool all morning. overcast.
Running Time: 5::08
Road Finds: Nothing but the beauty of the trees, lakes and rivers. And maybe that's why I'm not finding any coins.....I'm too busy looking at my surroundings, and not looking at the ground.
Comments: I had running company today. At about mile 3 I said hello to a fellow runner, we chatted briefly, (long enough for me to tell him a brief version of my story, including my web address). When I returned from my daily trek, I found that Brian had visited my site and left me a message. THANKS.
Later, at about 6.5 miles, I met David Buck. We did about a mile together, and this time the conversation was more about him than me....(yeah, it can happen that way sometimes). David is running the TCM (Twin Cities Marathon) on Sunday and would very much like to run a 3:45. We discussed his race "plan" and I gave him a few suggestions which I hope will help him accomplish his goal.
Then at about 19 miles I phoned my host Dave, and he went to the finish line, parked the car and ran toward me. We met at about 23.5 and I used him as my motivation to run more than I walked, for the last 3 miles.
All in all it was a good day. My time was about the same as yesterday, but my comfort level was up about 3 or 4 notches.
What a great year this has been so far. I will be very glad to cross the line of #200, but I will also miss the challenge of this awesome endeavor. Oh well, I guess I'll have to finally write that book I keep sayin' I'm working on.
Later...Jerry
***
October 4 - Wednesday
200 IN 2000 Day Number: 153 of 200
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Temperature: 40 / 55
Weather Conditions: Cooler but, cooler hands, cooler feet....nice day.
Running Time: 5:08
Road Finds: 1 cent.
Comments: Highlight of the day......I met Conrad Carr. A 75 year old man who didn't start running until he was 43. Didn't race until he was in his 50's. Ran 26 marathons....best time was 4:00:35...never quite got under 4 hours.
I met him just about a mile before he finished his run...(he runs 5 days a week)....so I didn't get to spend as much time with him as I would have liked to, but what a cool man. That's what I want to be like when I grow up.
I'm feeling good..... physically and mentally and spiritually. I'm thankful to have made it this far, and I'm praying for a strong finish. A friend of mine offered me an affirmation yesterday that I thought of many times today......"think of every breath as a trumpet of victory". It reminded me of the old native American saying..."consider every footstep a prayer of thanksgiving." With those thoughts in mind, how can I fail.
***
October 5 - Thursday
200 IN 2000 Day Number: 154 of 200
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Temperature: 44 / 53
Weather Conditions: Cloudy all morning, but pleasantly cool.
Running Time: 5:21
Road Finds: 1 cent.
Comments: Today was media day....KARE TV at 8 AM, KSTP at 10:30, and a still photographer shooting from mile 19 to the finish line. And of course I enjoyed every minute of it.
My friend and associate Lisa, from Endurox arrived in town today to set up the booth for the expo. She is running her FIRST marathon on Sunday, and wants a personal tour of the course. So this afternoon I am going to drive her around, in the process, build her confidence, and let her know that unless she runs away from me, I can help her get to the finish line on Sunday.
The media attention was a motivator for today, although I am feeling pretty motivated on my own.
For some reason I'm really tired this afternoon....so I think I'll catch a nap.
Later...Jerry
***
October 6 - Friday
200 IN 2000 Day Number: 155 of 200
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Temperature: 31 / 40
Weather Conditions: Coldest morning so far this year, but I really enjoyed the change.....invigorating.
Running Time: 5:25
Road Finds: nothing
Comments: I really enjoyed the cold temperature. A change of pace you know. (no pun intended...really).
I was little slower today, partly because I stopped and signed a couple of autographs for the ladies at my aid stations......the Super America, and the Burger King.
I also had another massage this afternoon. If you are ever in Minneapolis/St. Paul, and need either massage work, or chiropractic work, call Drassal Chiropractic and Sports Injury Clinic and ask for Ted for massage, or Dan for chiropractic work. Excellent.
After the massage I went to work in the Endurox booth at the expo, and played "celebrity" for a couple of hours.
Retired early....A pretty routine day.
***
October 7 - Saturday
200 IN 2000 Day Number: 156 of 200
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Temperature: 37 / 39
Weather Conditions: Coldest morning so far this year, but I really enjoyed the change.....invigorating.
Running Time: 5:08
Road Finds: nada.
Comments: From mile 15 through 21, I was accompanied by 100's of elementary school kids on their bikes, doing a charity ride for their nonpublic schools. Another cool sight today occured as I was crossing the river on the Franklin St. Bridge.... down below were quite a number of crews, crewing. (You know, 4 or 5 people rowing those skinny boats really fast.)
These things added to the natural beauty of the trees and sky, made for another wonderful day.
This afternoon it's back to the expo for a couple of hours, and then pasta with the "guys" here at the runner's halfway house tonight.
***
October 8 - Sunday
200 IN 2000 Day Number: 157 of 200
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Temperature: 30 / 39
Weather Conditions: COLD!, but sunny.
Running Time: 4:59
Road Finds: 1 cent.
Comments: A great way to wrap up a great week. I guess it could be called a Frigid Finale. The temperature at the start line was 29 or 30 degrees, but given the energy and body heat emanating from almost 8,000 runners, the temperature was not really a factor. The day was also clear and sunny, so the natural beauty of the course that I mentioned more than once already this week, was again a distraction from the cold temps and sore legs.
Plus, in my case, the first 6 miles of the course were seen in a new light.....daylight, which was nice.
Lisa, from Endurox R4, was running her first marathon. She had been motivated by my wife Elaine, back in the Spring, to start training seriously, and do a fall marathon. So after working the Endurox booth both Friday and Saturday, she toed the line to meet the marathon challenge. Her plan was to run 10 minute miles for as long as she could, and I told her I would stay with her for a while, but I would need to "let her go" after 12 or 13 miles. Well, as I was beginning to think about slowing to my more comfortable 11 minute pace.....Lisa began to weary a bit herself. Ultimately we crossed the line at the same time, in 4:59 on the clock, and 4:54 chip time...she was pleased, and I was too.....anytime I can get under 5 hours these days, I've had a good run.
I collected my medal, my "space blanket" and as much food as I could carry, and headed for the showers. Immediately after that I jumped...well, maybe it was more like "lowered" myself into my car and headed for St. Louis, MO. I drove Iowa City, Iowa, and called it a day. Finished the drive this morning and am now ensconced, (spelling error) in yet another motel room....eating, resting and getting psyched for numbers 158 through 163.....NO, WAIT, one day at a time. I'm getting psyched for 158.
I've got newspaper people tomorrow; NBC TV on Wednesday; and who knows what else this week.
Gotta rest.....Jerry
***
October 10 - Tuesday
200 IN 2000 Day Number: 158 of 200
Location: St. Louis, MO
Temperature: 39 / 57
Weather Conditions: Another beautiful day in the neighborhood....a new neighborhood.
Running Time: 5:05
Road Finds: 11 cents.
Comments: It's always/still kind of exciting and challenging to start a new city. Especially challenging when it's an unfamiliar course, in the dark, and all I have is a map to direct me. I only made a couple of mistakes early on, and didn't really lose much time or ground in the process. Shannon, from the Dispatch had called yesterday, and talked me through most of the course, and that helped. So this morning, as I was wandering around in the dark, I decided to call her and ask advice, and, there were enough people going to work at the brewery who I could ask, that it didn't take long to get back on track.
This is a nice course. A mix of downtown business district; the brewery; the Soulard neighborhood; the park, which is includes the Museum and the Zoo; the Clayton neighborhood; back through the park; and a great view of The Arch from about the 24 mile mark into the finish.
Having Monday off was a pleasant change of pace, although it didn't make much difference in how I felt today. It was just nice not to have to run for a day.
My hotel is about a 20 minute drive from downtown, and I wish I were staying a little closer in.....but hey, the Cards are winnin', and everything downtown is booked.
All in all today was good. I'll see what tomorrow brings.
gotta run......Jerry Dunn
***
October 11 - Wednesday
200 IN 2000 Day Number: 159 of 200
Location: St. Louis, MO
Temperature: 39 / 57
Weather Conditions: Picture perfect....again.
Running Time: 5:09
Road Finds: 4 Lincolns.
Comments: Today I was just thankful to able to complete another run. I was really worried about my left shin. It was still hurting this morning when I got up. Bothered me in the early miles, but became much more tolerable as the morning and the miles rolled by. As I sit here now "RICE - ing" myself, I am amazed at what the human body can endure and adapt to. And, I am thankful for being able to keep on truckin'.
One of my friends forwarded on of those warm-fuzzy-feel-good-pass-it-on kind of emails today, and the familiar last line is how I feel today......"I don't expect miracles....I rely on them".
run happy
Jerry
***
October 12 - Thursday
200 IN 2000 Day Number: 160 of 200
Location: St. Louis, MO
Temperature: 56 / 70
Weather Conditions: Better than perfect....absolutely maahhvaless
Running Time: 5:18
Road Finds: 37 cents. 1 quarter; 1 dime; 2 pennies.
Best day in a long time. Those quarter’s do it every time.
Comments: not much to say about today. One of those "just another day at the office" kind of days. That's not a bad thing, just the way it was/is. Tomorrow however, is a different story.....Elaine arrives. I haven't seen her in 2 weeks, and that will help me get through tomorrow's 26.2
adios...Jerry
***
October 13 - Friday
200 IN 2000 Day Number: 161 of 200
Location: St. Louis, MO
Temperature: 57 / 77
Weather Conditions: So, are the weather gods just following me around and making my job easier, or what? Another absolute beauty.
Running Time: 5:10
Road Finds: 25 cents. 2 dimes and 5 pennies. I seldom ever look at my coins, either the ones from the Penny Angel, or when I get change. But one of the pennies I picked up today looks especially shiny, so I looked at the date. It was 2000. That really brought home to me the reality of a lot of things. First of all of course, this IS year 2000; the 21st Century....no 19 anything, ever again. Reading those numbers on that coin also gave reason to pause, as I realized just how long I've been out here progressing toward my goal....AND, how much time I've spent away from home and away from Elaine. But I also became excited as I realized what a "rush" it is to be alive at this particular time in history....alive, aware, relatively mature and thoughtful, and able to enjoy the experience.
Comments: A couple of interesting things happened out on the course today. The first involved getting a bit confused while running through the park, and finding myself running directly in front of the Art Museum, instead of down on the lower road which puts a large pond between me and the museum, in which the museum reflects and makes for quite a lovely site each morning. But the view from above, down onto the lake below was also beautiful.
Next, at about mile 14, on Forsythe Ave., out ran a medium sized black dog with an orange bandana around his neck. Not far behind him came the owner, with the leash and a look of dismay. Fred was darting in and out of traffic; the lady was yelling at him; and I was making every effort to encourage Fred to come to me so I could "nab" him. I decided to stay in the area until he was "captured"....being the chivalrous knight that I am. Both dog and owner disappeared behind some houses and down a hill, and just as my chivalry was about to give way to my marathon mission, here came Fred, showing nary an ounce of contrition, and his owner, just happy to have ended Fred's frenetic freedom for Friday morning.
I have to tell you one other thing that happened very near the end of the run. The course goes by Harrison-Stowe State College, and I've noticed banners on campus saying that Homecoming was from Oct. 11 through the 14th. So today, as I was about a 1/2 mile away from campus, I heard the familiar sounds of bass drums, tubas and trumpets. (The sound was familiar because I played the tuba/sousaphone in my high school marching band). So my first thought was......football game....wrong. As I turned off of Compton onto Market St., and saw that there was no traffic in the streets, I realized there was going to be a parade. The interesting thing about all this is that as I preceded the parade down Market, by about a block, the spectators who had already gathered in preparation for the parade, cheered for me as though I was the lead float or something. A couple of them asked me if I was "winning the race". (I have official race bib numbers 1 through 200, and of course today I was wearing #161, so it was natural for folks to assume I was in a race.) I of course enjoyed the attention and novelty of the whole experience. --Speaking of attention....the lady who owned the dog said to me: "I saw you TV this morning didn't I?" --
So....after this rather eventful morning, I gathered up my article from Men's Fitness Mag., my 2 most recent newspaper articles, one from here and the one from Minneapolis/St. Paul, one of my business cards, and headed for Annheuser -Busch to see if I could get to Mark Wilson, director of Sports Marketing......unannounced. Security phoned upstairs, and reported back to me that he was "unavailable". So I sat in one of the 2 plush visitor areas, in the middle of which is a huge sculpture of the A/B logo....the Eagle, and wrote a note to Mr. Wilson. During the time it took me to write the note, their had been a "changing of the guard" at the security desk, so re-explained my story to the new lady, and when I finished, she said: "you're that guy from the news this morning...Congratulations". I thanked her and left.
I have related all this just to point out once again that for me, it's fun to be recognized, and it's even more heart warming when people recognize me for my message as much as my "mug".
I gotta go get my bride at the airport....LATER.
***
October 14 - Saturday
200 IN 2000 Day Number: 162 of 200
Location: St. Louis, MO
Temperature: 68 /77
Weather Conditions: Mostly cloudy, with a few minutes of sunshine...great day.
Running Time: 5:11
Road Finds: 21 cents. 2 dimes and 11 pennies.
Comments: What a pleasure it is to have Elaine here with me. She and I ran the first few miles together, and then she began "crewing" for me. (One of the things I like most about having Elaine crew for me, ((well, anyone, for that matter,)) is that I don't have to wear my fanny pack. That may not sound like such a big deal, but what a difference it makes to me.) Sometimes in other cities when Elaine has crewed for me, we've had a few tense moments, but today went w/o a hitch.
We had a pleasant morning together; a really exceptional lunch in a "west end" neighborhood restaurant; and now my bride is lying beside me taking a nap while I compose this update.........I think I'll join her.
Later...Jerry
***
October 15 - Sunday
200 IN 2000 Day Number: 163 of 200
Location: St. Louis, MO
Temperature: 60 / 68
Weather Conditions: Cool, cloudy and off and on rain.
Running Time: 5:35
Road Finds: 2 cents. 1st on in the last mile; second on the walk back to the car.
Comments: Raining when we got up at 5. Had the usual conversation about going back to sleep and forgetting about running. Barely sprinkling when we left at 6. Not raining at all when the gun sounded at 7. At about 9 miles I discarded the trash bags that I had tucked under my fanny pack...."just in case". And then at about 10 miles, the "It never fails" syndrome struck.....it began to rain. Didn't last long, didn't rain hard, we survived. (Just after we finished, as we were trying to eat some of our food, and balance the rest as we walked back to the car, it began to rain hard...again, we survived....the potato chips didn't, but we did.
I have a lot to say about course management for this 1st time marathon, but suffice it to say that we observed an auto accident within 5 yards of where we were running. Not good.
I have some positive things to say about the race too, but car wrecks are not supposed to happen on a marathon course...at least not during the race.
Elaine and I enjoyed each other's company...it's been 2 weeks...and we look forward to doing it again next week in Chicago. (Speaking of doing it again next week, we furthered our research on "sex and sport", and will probably add to that basal, I mean base of data next week. (Full results will be in the book).
Now it's on to Chicago to begin again on Tuesday.
Later...Jerry
***
October 17 - Tuesday
200 IN 2000 Day Number: 164 of 200
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Temperature: 55 / 68
Weather Conditions: Gorgeous.
Running Time: 5:05
Road Finds: 34 cents. 3 dimes and 4 pennies....good day.
Comments: As first days go, and have gone in the past 14 cities, this morning’s first circuit of the Chicago marathon course was a breeze. The only difficulty I had was in the very last mile. I think the finish was changed slightly from last year; plus, things somehow appear different when I’m out there alone in the streets, than they do with 1,000’s of other runners; spectators at least 4 deep; orange cones in the streets; police officers directing the runners; no traffic; and of course the ever present luxury of we slower runners — people in front of us so we don’t have to think. Anyway, I knew I was finishing in the right place, because the grandstands were already being assembled for Sunday.
I’m staying with my best friend, and singing partner from high school, Terry Jinks. Terry has lived in Chicago since graduating college, and every time I get the opportunity to visit Chicago, I try to stay with him. It’s been a few years, so this reunion will make my stay here more enjoyable.
As usual, Alan/Taylor Communications in New York is doing an excellent job of generating media interest. As soon as I finish positing this update, I’m scheduled for an interview with the local FOX affiliate. (I always like to get early TV coverage, so then some of the motorists, and people walking down the streets on their way to work recognize me, and that helps keep me going.
I’m looking forward to the rest of this week for a number of reasons: the extended weather forecast predicts great weather all week; I like the course; this is one of those marathon cities that truly embraces it’s race and the people who live here all know about it and are starting to “get in the spirit”, and, I get a 4 day rest after next Sunday before heading off to New York.
Gotta run... Jerry Dunn
***
October 18 - Wednesday
200 IN 2000 Day Number: 165 of 200
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Temperature: 55 / 68
Weather Conditions: Another wonderful day for running.
Running Time: 5:15
Road Finds: 3 cents
Comments: Well, I got my ego-fix today; at mile 3, in the dark, a motorist who was making a left turn in front of me, stopped suddenly and said: “HEY, I saw you on TV last night. Good luck, keep goin!”; Then about mile 15, there were 4 DOT workers sitting in their truck taking a break, and one of them yelled out to me. I stopped for a handshake and high five. He just kept telling his buddies: ”this guy is FIFTY-FOUR, and he’s running 200 marathons this year! ...and he’s 54.” As I ran away from them, I thought to myself: I AM 54, and that’s getting up there. And I realized also that I don’t think of myself as old...or even middle aged, but in reality, I am. Then, as I was walking from the finish line to my car, some guy did a double take, and said: “Did I see you on TV last night?” We had a nice chat over the next 2 blocks. I asked him flat out if my story had motivated him to ‘do something’? He said I had...that’s a good thing.
Then, when Terry and I went out for lunch I met a young man who was doing his first marathon this Sunday. He’s doing it with his dad who is also doing his first. They have chosen to go to the marine corps marathon. We had a nice chat and he left, only to return in about 5 minutes with a camera. He said he was documenting his ‘marathon experience’ and he thought a picture with me would be a cool way to start his ‘photo’ account of the marathon.
I get a massage in a couple of hours, so this has surely been a ME day.
Thanks for your support and interest.
Jerry
***
October 19 - Thursday
200 IN 2000 Day Number: 166 of 200
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Temperature: 59 /71
Weather Conditions: They just keep comin'......one outstanding day after another. I must be blest.
Running Time: 5: 21
Road Finds: Nothing. Either I've found it all, or the street cleaners swept it all up as they have prepared the course for Sunday.
Comments: I am at a loss for words tonight. It seems that if I don't write down my thoughts soon after running, I have a difficult time putting together anything of interest. And today my afternoon was taking up with moving from my friend Terry's house into the Hyatt, and in addition to that I had a business meeting with a sports celebrity placement company, but had the wrong address and spent an hour looking for her office. Then when I arrived at the hotel I had a message waiting that she had canceled the meeting anyway. Oh well, just one of those days. But "those days" wear me out. Therefore, I am just going to say that #166 is now history, and tomorrow will be a better day.
Later
***
October 20 - Friday
200 IN 2000 Day Number: 167 of 200
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Temperature: 53 / 70
Weather Conditions: "The weather is here, I wish you were beautiful." Jimmy Buffett
Running Time: 5:10
Road Finds: 11 cents.....one of each.
Comments: Well, yesterday's excuse for being brief was my tardiness in sitting down at the computer. Today's excuse.....it's now 11:56 AM, which means I have just this minute arrived back at my hotel, and am composing this before even getting in the shower.....but, I have to pull "double duty" at the expo this afternoon, beginning at 1, so I don't have much time. I've committed to an hour and a half in both the Green Foods booth and the Endurox R4 booth.
So suffice it to say.....167 down, and only 33 to go.
Later sports fans.
***
October 21 - Saturday
200 IN 2000 Day Number: 168 of 200
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Temperature: 60 / 71
Weather Conditions: And yet ANOTHER amazingly perfect day for running.
Running Time: 5:22
Road Finds: 29 cents......5 coins.
Comments: Elaine arrived at the airport at 3:30, and at my suggestion, took the Airport Express Shuttle to the hotel....in order to save a few bucks, by not taking a cab or limo. Well, she saved a few bucks, but didn't arrive at the hotel until almost six PM. McCormick Place Hyatt was the last stop on the journey.
We had dinner at the hotel and then went to pick up our race packets, only to find out we weren't registered....oops. I was in charge of getting this done, and I had decided that we could register here, today, at the expo. But there has been a change in procedure.....unlike all the other years that I've run Chicago, and noted that many people were registering on race weekend....not an option this year. So this morning I pulled some strings and was able to get myself registered, but not Elaine.....not good. I haven't given up yet, but it's not looking too good.
This morning's run however, went quite well. No miscommunication; no missed check points; every thing went smoothly. We made one stop at Starbucks for coffee and a scone; I stopped at a "lunch wagon" and got some orange juice for us to share; and I made my usual stop at the fruit and veggie vendor on 18th street, for a couple of bananas. So we ate well this morning.
Every other morning this week I have been able to run the course just as it's laid out...meaning that I was able to run the wrong way on an off-ramp that took me from Lake Shore up to Columbus Blvd. Elaine of course was not able to do that today in the car, so at mile 25.2 I turned around and ran back to mile 24, and called it a day.
Elaine just left to have lunch with one of our running friends and his wife, and some other runner friends of his, while I have stayed behind to shower, "chill" for a few minutes, and go to work at the expo.
Tomorrow's weather is supposed to be just like today, so we're looking forward to a pleasant tour of Chicago as part of a 30,000 person moving mass through the streets of the city.
Our plane leaves shortly after we finish tomorrow, so my "race day daily update" may not appear until Monday.....like you'll lose any sleep over that.
I only have 5 days off before I begin running in New York on the 28th, and I am really looking forward to resting and mowing the lawn and just being HOME for a few days.
Later.
***
October 22 - Sunday
200 IN 2000 Day Number: 169 of 200
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Temperature: 57 / 69
Weather Conditions: What else....another great one!
Running Time: 5:35
Road Finds: I spotted 11 cents, but out of courtesy to the runners behind me, I decided to leave it lay. (To heck with the runners behind me.....I didn't want to get trampled.)
Comments: The announcement at the starting line was that we were a part of the largest marathon field ever assembled.....33,1??. True or not, I don't know, but that is what the announcement was. Whatever the case, 33,000 really doesn't feel much different than 20 or 25,000....it's still a WHOLE lotta runners. It took us only 8 minutes to get to the start line, which wasn't too bad.
Everything about the race was done well. Carey Pinkowski, the race director has done an excellent job in bringing the Chicago Marathon to an equal, if not superior status with any other marathon in the world.
Elaine and I just enjoyed the day, and brought home another medal for the "box".
We caught a 6 PM flight home....a place I've not seen much of this year.....and we were counting "miles" by 10:30.
There was a fatality during the race. A man had a heart attack, and died right on the course. In fact, we passed him just after it had happened. As I ran by him, and saw that CPR was being used to try to save him, I flashed back to the day I watched my father die of a heart attack. And then I was reminded again of one of the reasons I'm doing what I'm doing this year.....to honor the memory of my dad, but even more importantly, to show people that we can live a long and healthy life if we just take care of ourselves. I also said to Elaine a bit later...."that's the way I want to go out, but I hope I can time it a little better, and drop at the finish line."
You can't know how great it is to have a day off today...and tomorrow, and the next day, and the next day. But then on Friday, it's off again, to begin running in Central Park on Saturday.
Gotta rest....Jerry
***
October 28 - Saturday
200 IN 2000 Day Number: 170 of 200
Location: New York, New York
Temperature: 61 / 57
Weather Conditions: Partly sunny / Partly cloudy. Cool.
Running Time: 5:08
Road Finds: I found the road to be familiar. And well it should be. The last time I ran in Central Park it was 28 consecutive days back in '98.
Comments: For the sake of clarification let me say that I will be spending the 1st 8 of my 9 days in New York City running the original NYC Marathon course, which was in Central Park. It's 4 laps around the outermost road inside the park, and then 1 lap around the lower loop which goes from 59th street on the south end of the park to the 72nd street cut across.
I had the park pretty much to myself for the 1 circuit which was completed before dawn, but by the time I was on 4th circuit, the park was full of activity, both on the road and in the interior. Runners, bladers, cyclists, walkers and even a few scooters were among my companions as I ran. I saw Helen Hines doing laps in her hand-crank racing chair. I first met Helen in January of 1993 in MIami at number 5 of my 104 marathon year. Later that year I acted as her "spotter" in the Boston Marathon. In those days Helene was still a bipedal runner, but as her condition has worsened over the years she has been forced to continue competing in a racing hand-crank chair. BUT, she's still out there doin' it.....I admire her. I also ran into Dick Traum, the founder of Achilles Track Club, and he too was using a hand-crank chair. Dick is another marathoner from whom I draw inspiration and motivation. We plan to have lunch sometime next week.
Let's see, I overheard someone talking about the size of Central Park....842 acres...a bit of trivia for you, just in case you get on "Who Wants to be a Millionaire."
The subway ride up and back from my apartment here on the lower West side was a breeze.
And I finished off the day by attending a benefit for ALCASE, which is an organization that promotes research and fund raising efforts for lung Cancer. Kevin Manley, from Cincinnati has formed a group called Run For Lungs, which is based on the Team In Training concept, and he asked me to attend the benefit as one of the cofounders of the group.
So it's been a full day here in the Big Apple and I'm looking forward to good night's rest so I can do 171 in the morning. (I'm excited that after tomorrow's marathon I'll be down in the 20's......only 29 left to do.)
God bless.
***
October 29 - Sunday
200 IN 2000 Day Number: 171 of 200
Location: New York, New York
Temperature: 41 / 38
Weather Conditions: Cold and windy...maybe winter has arrived.
Running Time: 5:23
Road Finds: I found the road to be familiar. And well it should be. The last time I ran in Central Park it was 28 consecutive days back in '98.
Comments: I woke up with a painful left shin. The kind that hurts when I walk, and the kind that brings flashbacks of '91 when I had to take some "down" time in order to heal up and continue running. So that, plus the temperature, gave me pause to pause, and to consider if I needed a day off. But after having my cereal and dressing myself in not one, but 2 long-sleeved, micro-fiber shirts and a Gortex jacket, and tights, and stocking cap, and mittens, and a fleece hood, I forced myself to walk the 2 blocks to the subway station and make my way to Columbus circle. Once there, I walked a couple of blocks to the only deli in that area that is open 24/7, and got my morning Java. On the walk back to the park I decided that I DID need a day off. The leg still hurt and damn was I cold. So I went back down into the warmth of the underground station and paced back and forth sipping my coffee. "You a wimp if you don't run today." "A day off won't hurt you, and besides, you're going to Florida 3 days before you're scheduled to start running, you can make up the day then......in the warmth of the Florida sunshine." "Joanne from PowerBar might be out there running, since she said she would be there yesterday, and wasn't. And you don't want to have to explain to her why you weren't out there, do you?" "Besides, if you blow out your leg today, then you can take the rest of the week off, and just run next Sunday." So after this inane dialogue with myself, I concluded that I would face the cold and wind, and at least walk one loop and see how I was feeling then. Of course once I got out there and turned on my watch, I decided to try running a bit, and of course then I warmed up; my leg loosened up and felt better; and I ended up doing the 1st lap only 5 minutes slower that yesterday's first lap. And by then of course I was committed to doing the whole enchilada. Some mornings are just that way.
I forgot to change my clock/watch last night, so after a little while I realized that I had started at 5 instead of 6.....which only meant that I would get done earlier.
The NYRRC was having their NOT QUITE THE NEW YORK CITY MARATHON run today. It's a 10K, and the primary reason for the race is to check out all the electronic equipment that will be used to time next weeks real marathon. But I mention it because it brought a lot of runners into the park early, and that made a good distraction for me. Plus, all the recreational runners who use the Park on weekends were out there too, so I had 100's of people to greet.
Currently I'm piled in the bed with my laptop, under a big fluffy down comforter, and as soon as I submit this, I'm gonna take a nap.
Later.
***
October 30 - Monday
200 IN 2000 Day Number: 172 of 200
Location: New York, New York
Temperature: 37 / 41
Weather Conditions: Cold, but not as windy as yesterday.
Running Time: 5:15
Road Finds: 1 cent.
Comments: What a great morning. On my first circuit, within the first mile in fact, I recognized, and caught up to Lionel ??. Lionel is a runner that I met 2 years ago when I spent the month of October running around in circles in the park. He was somewhat aghast that I remembered him out of "all the thousands of runners you must have met over the years". We did about 3 miles together and had a wonderful "reunion run".
Then, about a 1/3 of may way through lap 2, I recognized another familiar gait, and pulled up along side Len, the race-walker. Another friend made in 1998. We did about 2 miles together and then he turned off to cut back through the park. Both of these gentlemen are in their 70's, and to see them out there, still "at it", inspires the heck out of me. They both have interesting stories that I don't have time to relate right now, but they will surely get some "ink" in my book. I love old guys that run.
Third lap....Steve. Steve is hired by the NYRRC to man/person the kiosk at the 90th street, east side entrance to the park. His function is to dispense information, both printed and verbal, to any of the pedestrian type people in the park. He is also quick with a smile and a kind word. I was a bit embarrassed by this reunion. My opening line was: "Is it Richard, or Robert?"
He said: "no, it's Steve. Jerry Dunn, right?"
I was flattered that he remembered me.
The remainder of the morning was spent saying hello to runners and walkers that I DIDN'T know, and just enjoying the opportunity to be alive, be well, be running, and be in such a beautiful spot on the planet.
Oh yeah, I almost forgot. Also on that 1st lap, as I was running with Lionel, Joanne Masso, from PowerBar came flashing by, and slowed down enough to say hello and invite me over to her office this afternoon. She is another friend from the "28 in '98" adventure.
All in all a memorable Monday.
Later
***
October 31 - Tuesday
200 IN 2000 Day Number: 173 of 200
Location: New York, New York
Temperature: 47 / 51
Weather Conditions: Cool and sunny....nice day.
Running Time: 5:28
Road Finds: 1 cent.
Comments: Today was one of those mindless, yet enjoyable days. Nothing happened that is of any note worthiness, I just ran. I soaked up the beauty of the park; greeted most all of the oncoming pedestrian traffic; and spent time being thankful for my health and for my happiness.
So goes day 173.
***
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