All that planning and training and just like that, it’s over!!

Last Weekend and Week –

• Saturday – I headed to NYC by train early so I could attend Ali on the Run‘s live show.

I had to check my bag at the station and walk several blocks to Volvo where the show was held.

It was definitely worth it… so entertaining. (Keira D’Amato was Ali’s fun guest.)

It lasted longer than I thought so I had to rush to meet Cari for lunch. The restaurant was near the expo so you can imagine how crowded it was… but that just gave us for more time to chat.

Afterward, she accompanied me to the expo and became my personal photographer.

The expo was close to closing but still crowded.  Luckily I really didn’t need to buy a thing.

Then it was back to the train station to retrieve my bag and take the subway downtown to my hotel.

After I checked in and unpacked, it was time to meet my friends Stan and Sherry (who had deferred but came anyway to cheer) for dinner.

We ate pasta at Eataly and since it was still early we found a bar to hang out at.

Finally back at the hotel to get ready for the big day.

• Sunday – TCS NYC Marathon!

My hotel was just a few blocks from the ferry so I didn’t have to get up early.

After my coffee and oatmeal in my room, I walked over to the ferry.

I bumped into a new bestie, Priscilla, who was running her 1st NYCM and we spent the next 3 hours chatting.

3 hours?  Yes.  The ferry ride was easy peasy but then you had to wait to get on the buses….

Eventually we arrived, went though security and parted.  She had to enter the blue village and I the pink.

No need for throw aways since I was not there long enough.  I grabbed a bagel and they called my corral.

Yikes.  Barely enough time to use the port-a-pottie and get rid of ALL my extra (unnecessary) clothes.

The cannon went off. Frank Sinatra started singing and off we went.  I teared here and many times during this race.

I knew that the race would be hard. But I thought I had trained enough… but it was tougher than I wanted it to be.  I took it slow, walked A LOT and took in all the music, signs, scenery, spectators, etc. (along with 57,000 runners, 7, 000 volunteers and zillions of crazy cheering people).

I was able to catch my local running friends who came to race THREE times.  Their support was invaluable.

And I finished!!

I got my medal, poncho, food, and dragged myself many blocks to meet up with my friends and squeeze into the subway to get back to the hotel.

After I took a LONG shower, we had drinks at the hotel and then all went out to dinner to celebrate…

• Monday – Oy! So sore!!

I decided to skip attending the Kelly Clarkson Show and go for a walk while waiting for the friends to get up.

We checked out of our hotel and headed uptown and then left our bags at the train station.

Sherry & I decided to try out those Normatec boots at the Recovery zone in Central Park.

Then we had a delicious brunch followed by Levain cookies

We still had time so we took the subway to Hudson Yards.  With your Marathon bib, you got free entrance to The Edge (tallest outdoor view in Northern Hemisphere).  Very cool.

Stan’s son works nearby so we got to see his office.  Wow, his view was just as amazing as from The Edge.

Finally it was time to get our bags and sit on the train for a few hours (yes, my feet were aching.)

• Tuesday –  Election Day!

I had to return to NYC to work the next day. But I took a later than usual train since I had just returned the night before.

So I had time to head to the gym (my membership doesn’t expire until Nov 15.)

When I arrived in Manhattan, I checked into my hotel and then went for a walk before I nervously awaited the results of the election.

Miraculously my legs and feet felt fine!!

I decided to continue taking advantage of my Marathon freebies and visited The Vessel (saved $10) and then went again to The Edge (saved $44)) and ended with a walk along the High Line.

• Wednesday – Work this time was in the Financial District (instead of Jamaica Queens).

I checked out of my hotel and took a subway there. I arrived early so I walked around the area.

A very strange day, to say the least.

After work, I took the subway back to my hotel, retrieved my bag and took the train home.

Long Day!! A “SAD” day.

• Thursday – Hooray- WFH, time for laundry and attempting my first run after the marathon.

• Friday – Had to go to the office today..

and after, I stopped off to see my granddaughter before dinner and mah jongg.

• Saturday – Long Run and Brunch. Is 6 miles considered “long?”

I was happy to  connect with my local running friends and chat over a long brunch (longer than the run. LOL)

When I got home, a friend suggested that we go wine tasting… why not?

• Sunday – Today I plan to hit the gym and in the afternoon, I have plans with tennis friends have a late lunch and then see Troy Glow.

This Coming Week on the Run – 

• Monday – DAY OFF – Holiday, run with STEM
• Tuesday – walk
• Wednesday – run
• Thursday – run
• Friday- mah jongg
• Saturday – Long Run (and Brunch)
• Sunday – walk/hike

This Coming Week on the Blog – 

• Tuesday – TCS NYC Marathon Race Recap
• Friday –  5 Thanksgiving Menu Favorites

Happy Running! Training for any big or small races this winter? Are the temps cooling down where you live? Getting ready to run a Turkey Trot? Please share.

 

 

 

 

 

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