Tag Archive | nycm

Official NYRR ING New York City Marathon Online Training Program – & the winner is….

Jul8

Wow, thanks for participating… ! Giveaway: customized Official NYRR ING New York City Marathon Online Training Program (or for a half marathon!) So much fun to hear from so many of you who were interested!

and the winner is… 3… 

2…

1…

closing eyes and pressing the random picker!!!

giveaway winner

Email me [email protected] and I will get you set up!

CONGRATS!!!!!!

Do we always need goals?

Jun3

I never wanted to run. I hated all sports equally.
Then, a few years ago, I started running, very very slowly, just to mess up with my cardiologist’s plans.
I liked it.

I never wanted to race. Why would I?
In 2006, I was forced into a half marathon.
I became addicted. That was the day.

I never wanted to race a marathon. Those long runs were scary, and I didn’t want to spend so much time training.
I did the New York City Marathon in 2008, I cursed like a sailor for the first 10 minutes after crossing the finish line.
Two hours later, I was figuring out how many more races I’d to do to qualify for next years’ NYCM.

I never ever thought I’d get to run Boston.
I was very surprised when I qualified, during the 2009 NYCM, injured and all.
I ran my funnest and smartest marathon in Boston that year.

I never thought I’d want to run anything further than 26.2. That sounds just about brutal.
Then the slower pace, the trails, the camaraderie of the all-night runs bug bit me.
So I run my first ultra marathon and a couple more.

Then I wanted to get a bit faster. I thought reaching 70% in age grading would do it.
I did that last year.
I am sure I will be happy with these if I start getting old and slow tomorrow.

Well, what now? Do I even need to have goals?
A part of me feels like I need them. I like structure, goals, objectives, I like achieving them.
Another part is very happy to be running free and content with what I have done so far.

—-Comment happily: you won’t be asked to create an account!

To get the award or not get the award

May31

The Love of Awards!

I have been getting a few of these age group placings lately and I always feel like they made a mistake. I feel really awkward about them. I say Thank You, I smile for the picture, but it all feels weird and fake to me.

They made a mistake!!!!!!!

Or:

Were all the fast women my age doing something more fun I wasn’t invited to?

Should I just leave it there in case it really was a mistake?

I am always afraid they are going to call me on it.

—-Comment happily: you won’t be asked to create an account!

The Marathon That Wasn’t Meant to Be, WAS

Nov10

11/4/2012 9:05 PM CST

I am going to admit it, when I was young, in Buenos Aires, I used to watch telenovelas. Yeah, really, what you call soap-operas. I should be ashamed. But I have no shame in me.
I just remembered that, because, these past 4 days felt like a huge soap-opera… Full of stoopidity and drama and hysteria for no reason. Meh. And there is a reason why I don’t watch soapies anymore. But I am moving on from that, as I said in my last post, because, you know, it is what it is, and it’s over. Saturday was good, got a lot done, and also managed to process and help others process.
 
I wasn’t sure how to start my Sunday, as, hum, I was supposed to do a marathon… My friend Elaine (cheeky.runner!) organized a run of the last 10 miles of the marathon as she had a bunch of international friends she felt responsible for. We had to make sure they had a good day.
But… all sorts of organized runs had started popping up everywhere in the last two days. People were still running their 26.2 in the park and telling everyone to come. And it was gaining some real momentum. I was not going to do 26.2 for no bling, ha, but I’d do my share to support the runners who had traveled for all of this.
I posted it on twitter, in case any runners wanted to join in, and, of course, got the backlash I expected, like “go volunteer instead”. I, never, throughout this bullying campaign, engaged in any of it.  No matter how stooopid or hurtful it was. It wasn’t easy but I would have loved for these people to show me proof that they were also doing their part, all 24 hrs of the day, -seriously, why can’t I run AND volunteer? Can’t people do more than 1 thing in a day? Oh, I guess non-runners don’t?!?! Whatever. Rant over.
 
I even feared some of these “people” would show up to mess with us. Bring it. I am always ready. I heard from a couple of friends who were too scared to go to the park, or guilted into not running, because “they should be ashamed”. I won’t hide. I was wearing my marathon shirt (YES< I WORE THE SHIRT THE DAY OF THE RACE) and PROUD of it. Even though it’s such a running faux-paux!
 
We were gonna meet at 59th St and 1st Ave, so I had to run a mile there, on First. As soon as I set foot out, I couldn’t believe my eyes. Loads of runners on the (non) marathon course, running north on First Avenue. Doing the (non)course. I was already in love back with my city.
 
 
 
I met my friends, everyone sang their national anthem (ugh… well… I can’t sing!) and we took off at a relaxed pace.
 
 
 
 
We run up First Ave, then on the course… and yes, we got some flack. Twice. One … “person”… screamed “selfish” at us and I… you know… I am a combo of south american/newyorker, so I react fast, and I am not shy. I paused my watch, turned around and screamed right back… And you know I like to curse a bit too… Anyway, I think after all I got bullied online these last days, they got away quite unharmed, which is pretty good. Then an old lady was all confused looking at us, and couldn’t come up with anything so all she said was “Bloomberg said not to run”.
 
BUT… the rest… the rest of the people… were SO EFFIN AMAZING!!!!!!! We got many many cars honking at us, people clapping, people cheering, taking pictures and they all smiled. Yes, the run was as healing as it could be for me. Call me selfish, for not volunteering exactly those 3 particular hours or whatever you want to call me, but this is exactly what I needed. It’s not like there has to be a schedule to help out! Pfffft. You do what you want, when you want, live and let live! 
 
 
 
 
 
Then we got to Central Park. Oh, before that, running up Fifth Avenue, George Hirsch is locking up his car and looks at us, and says Go Runners. George. Hirsch. I said, Thank you George. While I almost died of happiness.
 
Then we really got to Central Park.  
 
Central Park.
 
Central Park too my breath away. I don’t even know how to describe this part. I am still crying over that sight. Part of the soap-opera. I cried. And then I cried some more. I went from the runner who was upset, to a big baby. 
 
It was crowded, there was barely any place to walk. Not just runners. Also lots of people cheering. There were people with gallons of water and little cups, with water bottles, with fruit, with whatever they could hand out. I took none, I had only 9 miles in me, and though I was starving cause we started at 11 and ate nothing before, I had a lump in my throat the whole way. Go tell a runner not to run their marathon. Try. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
It was so beautiful. Like, all of a sudden, we were ok. It was ok to be a runner and the city liked us again. We were going to turn left at Engineer Gate and do the last miles of the course, but instead, we turned right, and got to the Finish line the long way, along with the direction of the crowds. I have no words to explain it. It was magical.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
It felt unreal to get to the Finish Line. It was just a made up milestone, but you know… you truck along and you might just get there… All roads always point to some kind of made up finish line, don’t they?
 
 
 
 
The marathon wasn’t mean to be this year. But what happened, was so unexpected and inspiring… and exactly what I needed to see.
People running because they wanted to fundraise, because they were already fundraising and felt they had to do the miles they promised, because we don’t stop at no, or because you can’t ever tear us down, or because we believe that our running transcends our miles and sweat and inspires everyone around us and creates change, because it brings some sense of normalcy, or because we get rid of the bad and because everything we believe is focused on moving forward and doing it together.
 
I am now a different runner. I turned into running to save my heart and my life. As of today, I am a runner because I know I can’t live without it. It makes me who I am, and I will stick with it no matter how much people can hate me for it. And because it makes my heart beat. .
And it makes it beat to the point of explotion at the sight of people who are told they can’t and they still do it, together, happily, to help others and each other cope, rebuild, and move on, always forward. You can all say what you want if you don’t like it. This is who I am, naked, a re-born runner.

The Marathon That Wasn’t Meant to Be, WAS

NOW I AM UPSET

Nov9

11/2/2012 7:21 PM CDT
I am drained. Exhausted. P!ssed. I know in two minutes I will move on and get over it. But maybe I need to put this down now because, well, I am a blogger, and this is NOT right.
 
When I took on then Social Media assignment I never thought it’d turn into this. I am a bit sick of a lot of the stoooopidity we have around.
 
This is what I wrote in my post earlier today (skip if you read it)
 
There is of course, all the people who think the marathon shouldn’t happen. And yes, everyone is entitled to their opinion. I’d love for everyone to have an informed opinion instead of reacting out of …desperation?, but this was the mayor’s decision and he has more information to make this decision than all of us together, so I am going with that. If he had decided not to, I would have respected that decision too.
Then, there are runners saying “it doesn’t feel right to run”, then don’t do it, it is quite simple. We all have to do what seems best for each one of us given our set of mental rules and there is no need to bash everyone else for their decisions. Live and let live. I come from a third world country where these situations where people don’t have power, or food, or a place to live is very common, every day, every single day, so I have been faced with these situations on a daily basis and grew up in similar situations. I am doing the marathon. The mayor decided it’s on. Period. And I do believe he has a good reason to make that decision. 
And yes, I also do believe the marathon will bring a smile, a nice distraction, and a lot of money, to a lot of people who have had a rough rough week.
 
Anyway, I didn’t want to go into that but I guess that just happened. This is a blog about running after all. I plan to run, if the mayor lets me, as always, to celebrate life. That is what my running is always about, moreso in a crappy week like this one.
Growing up I kept being told (when I wanted to go to some party everybody was going to and not me, or when my grades where better), don’t worry about what the others do, just about what you do. Live and let live.
 
Why did I write that? If you were not following things on local tv or twitter, you wouldn’t know…
It was a complete sh!tshow. People attacking every single runner doing the marathon. People attacking elite athletes for participating. I put one tweet up:
 
Julie Culley “the marathon is the best way to bring the city together and move forward” #ingnycm @julieculley
 
And got BLASTED with hate. Every 10 minutes I’d get a tweet calling me and her all kinds of names. It was insane. And, of course, it MADE NO SENSE to me. I can’t care less about their opinions (and I obv have nothing to do with any decision!). It just annoys me that I have to go in there to report and block, a waste of my time. Yes, you’re entitled to your own opinion but this was a full-blown bullying campaign. I swear, they’d send me identical tweets. People who just created the account and that’s all they’ve ever tweeted about. Please… Go volunteer if you care that much. Stop the bs and do something constructive. Anyway, they’re not my problem, they have a family who has to put with them, hopefully one friend, or not.
 
A great friend, and a veteran member of the NYRR Board told me today how before 9-11 it was just like this, but a LOT worse, for two months. People kept telling them how would they dare do a marathon in a devastated city. It was a lot worse. And we all keep hearing how the marathon brought everyone together and helped heal and move forward. I really believed he was right. He just told me, wait until Sunday, you’ll see.

Then, they cancel the race.
I got instantly p!ssed. 
 
As you know, I had nothing riding on this race. I’ve done my Fall marathon, which went way better that I could have hoped for. I wasn’t gonna PR, so I had nothing at stake in this race, other than having a good time. The good time was looking more and more dubious, but if the race was on, I was going to race. I never doubted running or not. Never. I have done the race with broken ribs, a dead arm, on no training because of foot stress fractures, whatever. It might be sheer stooopidity, or a reflex, but I never even thought of backing out. Why? Not my thing.
 
Wednesday, when they weren’t sure, I was ambivalent about it, completely 100% neutral about it. Today, NO. Today, I am p!ssed. Had a good friend get in today and he had a trek, with the storm and all. SO many people flying in, from all over the world, yesterday, today. It’s too late.
 
Decision is ok, Timing is WRONG Mr Mayor.
 
Also, WHY? Because of the bullies?!?!??!?! If the Mayor made the decision 2 days ago and thought it was best for the city, has anything changed or is it because of the bullies? Why do we give into that? I don’t get it. I said in my post earlier, whatever decision he made, I am sure is right as he has more information. I am not sure the decision is based on facts, more so on emotions. Pls. 
 
OKAY, rant over. I get to eat Shake Shack tonight, run a lot whenever this weekend and move on. And I got an osom shiny watch I am excited about. Sorry out-of-towners, I feel for you.

NOW I AM UPSET

Thursday Report, NYCM still on! Jason Hartmann, Nina Kuscsik, Julie Culley, etc

Nov9

11/2/2012 8:13 AM CDT

Lots happened yesterday too, of course. I keep getting home too destroyed to even think about eating. Hard to think I’ll be doing a marathon in two days with all that is happening. I spent a big chunk of the day yesterday at the Media Center. Here are some pics:
 
NYRR On the Run being taped
 
 
 
Sharon Cherop
 
Nina… rockstar. We talked about old times, when Fred started the club, stuff from the Run for Your Life movie… Love her!
 
She got inducted to the NYRR Hall of Fame, article here, hence the Tiffany plate.
 
Jason Hartmann, 4th in Boston. I am ready to make a prediction here…!
 
Julie Culley, who was very emotional about Sandy. Here is her flotrack interview, and somehow I am in the background the whole time..!
 
Finish line being set up.
 
Then I headed to the expo, to see what was happening, pick up on the mood of the athletes, and yeah, get my bib too of course. 
 
You gotta travel with gold right? No trains, no problem! I had been walking around the day before all over the city, miles and miles. I was too tired!
 
I saw everyone at the expo. It wasn’t as crowded as it usually is given that a lot of people haven’t made it into town, but the mood was around a  ”let’s do this thing”. It is a tough week for a lot of people. This guy from Brooklyn said it took him two hours to get there to pick up his bib. People that still have no power but came to the expo because they were sick of being couped up, depressed, and needed to get out of the house. People who needed the marathon to get their heads on something else. You know how it is. Just a bit of running can make you feel better about everything, no matter how messy the situation is. 
 
There is of course, all the people who think the marathon shouldn’t happen. And yes, everyone is entitled to their opinion. I’d love for everyone to have an informed opinion instead of reacting out of …desperation?, but this was the mayor’s decision and he has more information to make this decision than all of us together, so I am going with that. If he had decided not to, I would have respected that decision too.
Then, there are runners saying “it doesn’t feel right to run”, then don’t do it, it is quite simple. We all have to do what seems best for each one of us given our set of mental rules and there is no need to bash everyone else for their decisions. Live and let live. I come from a third world country where these situations where people don’t have power, or food, or a place to live is very common, every day, every single day, so I have been faced with these situations on a daily basis and grew up in similar situations. I am doing the marathon. The mayor decided it’s on. Period. And I do believe he has a good reason to make that decision. 
And yes, I also do believe the marathon will bring a smile, a nice distraction, and a lot of money, to a lot of people who have had a rough rough week.
 
Anyway, I didn’t want to go into that but I guess that just happened. This is a blog about running after all. I plan to run, if the mayor lets me, as always, to celebrate life. That is what my running is always about, moreso in a crappy week like this one.
Growing up I kept being told (when I wanted to go to some party everybody was going to and not me, or when my grades where better), don’t worry about what the others do, just about what you do. Live and let live.
 
 
 

Heartbeats are important, let me just tell you a story about that one day 😉 HA, like you haven’t heard THAT a hundred times!

Thursday Report, NYCM still on! Jason Hartmann, Nina Kuscsik, Julie Culley, etc

About Wednesday, the NYCM is on… (+ KimSmith, MollyPritz, & AmyHastings)

Nov8

11/1/2012 6:38 AM CDT

Yesterday was a really tough day. Today is gonna be super busy so I am gonna get this one out FAST (sorry if there is misspellings!).

Most runners are delayed, the airports just opened yesterday and the last one today. With that, all elites that were scheduled to get into town on Monday/Tuesday etc, got stuck somewhere. Just a handful of the elites got into town, the ones who drove and met them up yesterday for press.

I got to sit for a while with Kim Smith, Molly Pritz, and Amy Hastings.

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Kim recognized me right away, either from the Opening Ceremonies, where we chatted for a while, or from the Dinner with Champions, where… we chatted for a while (ha, and you all know I am CHATTY!). We chatted for a while. Then this weird journalist came over and wanted to talk to her in “private”. We both thought it was rude and weird. whatever.

Amy is deliriously cute. We talked about pacing, strategies, the course, what type of runner she is. She trains with Kim and they’re such different runners. It was fun that I kept talking to them and asking them questions about training and specifics of the course, while most (ALL!) of the other journalists had very general questions, and then their more specific questions were… hmmm, things like “what’s a tempo”. Just kidding, a few of them knew them really well!

Molly Pritz is a RIOT. We chatted about everything (running gets boring after a bit…!). Check out her Halloween hand:

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Carrie Tollefson was there too, she waves at me and screams hello. And I was like, is she drinking this early?!?!?! I go and introduce myself and she knew exactly who I was. That’s a brain people, some memory!

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Then the conference call happened, Meb, Brett Gotcher, etc, were on it (transcript here) and Mary Wittenberg made it. On another note, this was the first day of bus, but no subway yet, so traffic was RIDICULOUS. I attempted the bus, and… it was running 10 blocks per 25 minutes, so got off and walked the 3 miles there, then back. Whatever.

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Seeing Mary… was inspiring as usual. This is why I said it was tough day. We were all worrying a bit about the marathon… with no trains, how do you get 50K people to the start???? plus volunteers, etc… Then, a lot of people started saying the marathon should be cancelled, how would be take city employees (fire dept, police dept, medical personnel, etc. etc.) away from recovery efforts?? Some people are still missing, half the city has no power, lots need evacuation, etc. They were angry and were calling the marathon frivolous. I was upset too.

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Mary said they were in assessment mode. They were going to do their best if the marathon happened but they didn’t know and they were just “in assessment mode”. Basically, the Mayor was going to decide if they could spare the city officials the marathon needed, and all the other efforts and resources needed. She said recovery of the city was a priority and NYRR and the Mayor agreed. It was up to him.

Still, lots of adjustments need to made. Maybe the Opening Ceremonies and the 5K wouldn’t happen. Maybe they’d hand out bibs until late Sat night. Maybe they’d let people defer, etc. etc. I knew she was trying to sound positive but it is a tough position and there is no win. People will be upset whether you do the marathon or whether you don’t. I trust the Mayor and Mary have the most resources to make the best decision. I do.

At 3 pm, Bloomberg said the marathon would go on. The expo opens tomorrow and most exhibitors haven’t made it into town. All is happening in a last-minute basis. But even last minute, this is really good stuff. If the marathon doesn’t happen, we’ll all be ok. But I think, as usual, that the city needs it. It’ll also bring a lot of people to reactivate the economy that slumped for a few days… Tough days ahead. I trust everyone will be in their most cooperative behavior.  We will have to lower our expectations, have patience and adjust; a lot. I’ll be the one trying to help and having a blast over there, thanks.

NYC Marathon Opening Day – The excitement behind the scene!

Jun2

As I posted yesterday, I was going to be part of the NYC Marathon Opening Ceremony, but in case you don’t know what it is, it’s a Kick Off party for the marathon, they bring some elite runners, some celebrities who will be running, there’s interviews, and it is all live. And as soon as it ends, the lottery is picked.

Anyway, the live transmission starts at 12 and I was asked to be there at 11 am. Love that they hold it in Columbus Circle, the .2 of the marathon!

new york city marathon opening day (55)

People were already lining up. If you are in the lottery you might get an email a few days before inviting you to be part of the Opening Ceremony, and the people there have a chance to get their name picked live!

Oh, HELLO.

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new york city marathon opening day (56) CARRIE tollefson

Transmission was all set up for live broadcasting!

Soon enough, all the lottery participants that rsvped and made it there were ready, all dressed in the NYRR shirts and with all fingers crossed…

new york city marathon opening day (9) new york city marathon opening day (9)

And the fun started… The MC was Victoria Brumfeld, an impressive athlete and also someone I work with!! She is one of the organizers of the NYC Tri and NYC Ironman and given that I am the triathlon manager for Team in Training… well, it’s a SMALL world!!! Even when there’s 10 million people in this little island!

new york city marathon opening day victoria blumfield

Ready to go on stage!

Two seconds later, I am, OF COURSE, screaming and jumping, trying to get this people pumped. They always respond! It was a gorgeous day to be there and, having done this marathon so many times, I get excited just thinking about it, even if I already qualified!

Then I talk and talk and tawk!

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Soon, we are down… Phew… I get sometimes nervous because I know I say a lot of stuff I sometimes shouldn’t, or I curse a bit much, and I don’t censor much either. But it went fine. People seemed moved and excited and some stopped me later to talk about the stuff I had said, it was really nice to be able to share and maybe inspire others. That’s always an honor.

We remained, there, by the stage, as we were asked to do little vide interviews soon. We see this guy:

new york city marathon opening day (26) james blake

Is that…?? Is that..?? OMG, yes it IS! How did I not know James Blake would be there AND running the NYCM?!?!?!? How? I love tennis, and mostly I love tennis for the men… hmmm. What is wrong with my life that I wasn’t on top of this?! Priorities, Elizabeth, PRIORITIES!!!!!

He goes up, selects a bib winner…

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okay, wake up, pay attention!!! ffffffffffffffffff.

I really wasn’t paying attention.

So, a few minutes later I have to ask around WHO on earth is that on stage??? I have no clue!

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Who????

Ah, Ridiculously Photogenic Guy!!!! Apparently he IS real!

NYRR KNOWS how to do media…!

Now… head to head… what say you?!?!?!??!

new york city marathon opening day (20) ridiculously photogenic guy Zeddie Watkins

HUH??? who??? just say it!!!!!!!

Best part: Mary Wittenberg goes on stage, and they keep selecting bib winners.

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Meanwhile, I see Kim Smith and she looks bored… We had met before a bunch of times, last time was a month ago at the Dinner with Champions when we spent some time talking about the course. She seemed to remember me (?!?) so we talked about Boston, the 5K and the hot marathon, and a lot of stuff, mostly boys…! hehe. autofoto!

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Meanwhile, in front of the stage, the live transmission is still going… Amani Toomer is being interviewed. No clue who he is. If it’s some kind of sport that is not Track and Field, Tennis or Soccer, I have NO clue.

Kim goes on stage, gets interviewed by Victoria, and selects one more lucky winner.

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Soon enough, too soon maybe, the live broadcast is about to be over and the lottery results are going to be picked… they gather all stars on stage to symbolically shoot a cannon with lottery results into cyberspace…

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Exciting right? Even more so if you got IN. The problem was that… the site seemed to have crashed for a few hours… And I was getting so many text, as if I could do anything about it… Some people found out because their credit cards got charged, some had to wait hours. But when we were there, names were scrolling in the screens… I can’t even imagine what it must be to see your name scroll by… Now, should we start planning?? Who is IN?

NYC Marathon Opening Day – Live Online today at noon EDT: Look for me!!!

Jun1

Who is in for the lottery?? Sign Up is closed. Today is the Opening Ceremony and you can watch it online live at 12 pm EDT inNYRR’s TV.

What is it?? Well… from their website:

ING New York City Marathon Opening Day Presented by ASICS is almost here, so you don’t have to wait much longer to find out if you’ve been accepted to run the 2012 ING New York City Marathon on November 4.

Join us on Marathon Opening Day, April 25, as we draw the names of some entrants live and announce special prizes like two domestic round-trip flights with United Airlines. If you’ve applied to be part of the field, you don’t want to miss it!

Tune in to the live show on tv.nyrr.org, beginning at noon EDT on Wednesday, April, 25, for celebrity guest apperances and exclusive event announcements from Columbus Circle NYC. You may even see your name scrolling across the screen by the time this event ends at 12:30 p.m.!

You can also catch live coverage of this event during your local ABC7 news broadcast, which begins at noon EDT.

 

Let me know if you are watching, and what you thought!!!

NYC Marathon Opening Day – Live Online today at noon EDT: Look for me!!!

NCYM2011: Tiny update

Nov7

Today was fabulous. Car service to the start. VIP Tents. Interviews. Sightings of Bloomberg, Christie Turlington, Mya (?), Mario Lopez, more Carrie Tollefson, some soccer star (?), Ed Norton, Trista (the Bachelorette), etc, etc. Then we had our own start and the RW’s David Willey in our press card… and a bike escort the whole second half! Photo shoots, and interviews post-race…!

But

This was my SLOWEST marathon ever (unofficial 3:59), including my first (3:51) and the worst. I have to tell you why soon. There’s a backstory. I finished 3rd (out of 5) in the Footlocker Five Boro Challenge, but really, I was quite lucky to even finish. But it was a wonderful day with lots of friends who came to cheer and run with me, and a once in a lifetime opportunity

I am having breakfast with Ed Norton tomorrow and I promise I will tell you all soon about… stuff.

Now.. PHILLY mode ON!

NCYM2011: Tiny update

NYCM2011: Who wasn’t at the expo?

Nov5

Before this: NYCM2011: All over the press / NYCM2011: At the NYCM Press Conference / NYCM2011: FootLocker Run – Bart, Ryan, Bobby, Carrie, Steph, well… everyone was there!

Thursday I had an after-work work thing, so I had to go to the expo earlier in the day. Blaise (my training partner) and I met up for the trip, because I knew that as soon as we got there, we’d get separated… This is how you ride to the Expo!

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Cool right? NYC transforms into running mecca for the marathon!! Everywhere you look there’s banners, ads, signs, elite runners, whatever. It’s kinda really too cool. And it’s Fall. There’s no better week to be in this fabulous city!

Mandatory expo shot:

new york city marathon 2011 Footlocker five boro challenge nyrr expo elizabeth maiuolo (6)

As soon as I walk in, even before I get my bib, I walk into one of my best friends and most favorite people in the world!! I met Karen at Team in Training and we shared offices for a month. It’s a small city. Or a small expo!?!? Runners tend to hang out in the same circles… though she was volunteering at the expo.

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Another mandatory expo shot I’ve done 5 years in a row…! Yey for rituals!

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The Asics store is usually the biggest booth and always pretty amazing. Because of that, I looked down and blazes thru it repeating out loud ‘I don’t need anything” like a crazy person.

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Ok, I lied. I didn’t look down. I looked up: their ads are pretty osom!

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At the NYRR’s booth, with Daphne. Fab new logo, Fab Daphne…

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More fabulosity… the love story continues… Laura, watch out!!!!!

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Ah, the TNT booth! Katie looking fabulous in purple, my favorite color. What are the odds?

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And there’s John again, who I talked about yesterday. He was manning the NYRR Training Program booth with another one of NYRR’s osom coaches, Stuart Calderwood. The guy is pretty phenomenal and is about to break all records ever. yeap. Sorry for the blurry pictures, these two are just fast for a regular camera!

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That’s Dari, at the Sparkly Soul booth with fabulous shiny headbands. She’s a TNT coach so in two seconds we were both screaming!

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HA, and Tegla Loroupe was signing pictures. I wished her good luck and she signed a card for me! Uh, my head is enormous. Maybe that’s why those headbands are so tight!?!??!

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I took some pictures of the adidas booth because I love Grete…

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Went back to the RW booth to say goodbye to Barth and Amby was there… We chatted a bit about the Loop and Smart Coach and stuff. I think he’s like Neo in the matrix and he just sees numbers and code…

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It was a fun trip and it always takes forever. I got a few “I know who you are!!!” or, “I read about you!!”, which was weird and cool at the same time. I looked at the medal, which is always fun. That’s all I think about come mile 22… 2 days to go and I am exhausted. I am thinkign about skipping the RW party tonight. It’s sad but I am toast!

After this: NYCM2011: Have you seen a Marathon Morning like this? /  NYCM2011: Get Ready, Set, GO! / NYCM2011: Beyond The Finish Line (finally the last post!) / NYCM2011: Marathon Monday (Ed, the breakfast, Carrie, the press conference, etc.!) /

NYCM2011: FootLocker Run – Bart, Ryan, Bobby, Carrie, Steph, well… everyone was there!

Nov4

Before this: NYCM2011: All over the press / NYCM2011: At the NYCM Press Conference

It turns out, I have a million rituals come race week. Every day I swear I will eat better and go to sleep early. That’s usually a FAIL. Thursday I go to the expo, Saturday I try to keep it quiet (though this year I am going to cheer on the 5K, coach a couple of hours, dinner with a team I coached for the marathon, etc, etc…).

Rituals are good. They give me a sense of stability. When you have a non-stop-crazy life, they really do help.

Race Week Wednesdays, I go to the Footlocker Run with Ryan Hall and Bart Yasso (here is last year’s post, when Steph and I dared chick Ryan!).

As soon as I got there… overload!!! I knew EVERYONE there. Is that why I am Miss Manhattan? Seriously, everyone! So I had to catch up super fast with everyone. Not easy, it’s such a busy week with SO much happening!!!

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You know Steph in the far right (an accidental runner!!!), man I love that girl. And you’ve seen Blaise before too, my training partner. On the left are two team mates: Lisa and Alejandra.

Carrie Tollefson was there too doing some interviews and we chatted for a bit. Somehow, I didn’t take any pictures…

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John is one of NYRR’s coaches and the brain behind all the math and genius put into the NYRR training programs. I got to test them before they launched earlier this year and they were pretty fantastic! He’s also a fabulous runner (and a fun to watch rabbit!), with an 800 meter specialty. Obviously, we can’t run together!

Before I even made it inside, with all the chat, I (and Staten Island) got called in to take picutes with Bobby Curtis, who will be running his first marathon this weeekend! He’s from PA and did his first half this year in Philly, with a 1:01:53. Ridiculous.

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The guy is super sweet. We talked about the course a bit and I asked him to not pass us on Sunday without pacing us for a few miles. Because, why not? I really hope he does well!!

Soon after, Ryan and Bart and Mary made it into the store and there was some talk about a certain marathon…

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Steph… a runner in love…

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This is Janine, who works 24/7 and is SO amazing. She’s been with NYRR for 7 years and you’d think she’s 15! I love her. And she lives very close to me so I’ll be stalking her to come run with me soon after all this is done!

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My Footlocker peeps. Also amazing people. I have to say, out of the whole Footlocker Five Borough Challenge experience, the thing I love the most is the people I have met. Seriously ridiculously inspiring and amazing and fun people. Love you guys!

Ok, enough talk and pictures, running time!

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That’s Ryan Hall right there. Somehow, Steph, Blaise and I were keeping up. How does Ryan do 9 minute miles??? I am sure it hurts. He had said earlier his easy pace is 5:30, pffffffff.

Should I post this picture, should I not??? Steph, sorry, I sent it to you last night so YOU could post it, but I can’t resist. I love these two sooooo much, I HAVE to post it: (SORRY LOVE!)

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I have to mention I kept saying all day, and repeteaded thru the run: I HAVE THE BEST FRIENDS IN THE WORLD. I do.  Speaking of which, back in the store after 3 miles…

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The guys doing their thing… and I was doing mine!

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Ooooops, I was directed to pose in for a pic with all of them!

How on earth did I blink for this????? SOOOO not me!!!!!!! Re-do! Re-do!!!

After this:  NYCM2011: Have you seen a Marathon Morning like this? /  NYCM2011: Get Ready, Set, GO! / NYCM2011: Beyond The Finish Line (finally the last post!) / NYCM2011: Marathon Monday (Ed, the breakfast, Carrie, the press conference, etc.!) /

In a different world…

Sep2

this is what I look like…

Wow, I need someone to retouch all my pictures from now on!! I have lipstick on!!!

Btw, notice the ING NYC marathon colors…? And, if you are curious, here is our page with our stories in the ING NYCM website… There you can see everybody’s stories.

PS: For all of you who participated in john227’s “Contest! Guess Ms.Ritz’s new career!” post, I will compile them and select a winner. But there’s no criteria, I’ll just pick the “best” one in a couple of days in case you still want participate, and you’ll win some piece of running gear!

In a different world…

I am Miss Manhattan!!

Aug22

Remember when I told you about the Five Boro Challenge? Post is here, small recap here:

Every year the Foot Locker Five Borough Challenge brings together five ING New York City Marathon runners, each one representing a New York City borough.  Their goal: be the fastest finisher out of the five and become champion of the Foot Locker Five Borough Challenge! This is your chance to take your 2011 Marathon experience to a higher level and show your pride for your borough.
The Foot Locker Five Borough Challenge team will be treated as VIPs and will be featured on the NBC4 New York live television broadcast on race day. The runner who finishes with the fastest time will become the Foot Locker Five Borough Challenge Champion, and will win a Tiffany & Co. trophy and citywide bragging rights.
Must commit to running the first 13.1 miles of the marathon with the Challenge Team (after that, you’re free to run alone or stay with the group). Must be available at select times during marathon week to participate in a pre-marathon media event.

This is HUGE. We have our own start and we basically run on our own through the Verrazano. Last year I saw the 5 challengers in the papers, on tv, everywhere… so I am sure everyone in NYC is going to be sick of seeing my face 😉 

Photo Shoot and Pretaping with NBC, in a very secret location (Central Park, yeah!) is next week. If there is one person in NYC that doesn’t know me yet, I am coming for them!
😉 SO exciting!!!!!!

I am Miss Manhattan!!

I am a Finalist!

Aug7

Heard of the Foot Locker Five Boro Challenge?!?! 


Every year the Foot Locker Five Borough Challenge brings together five ING New York City Marathon runners, each one representing a New York City borough.

Their goal: be the fastest finisher out of the five and become champion of the Foot Locker Five Borough Challenge! 

Guess who could be representing Manhattan…? Yeap, me!!!!

The requirements:

Be an accepted entrant in the ING New York City Marathon 2011

Currently reside in one of the five New York City boroughs: Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island

Be able to complete the Marathon in 3:30 to 4:00

Done, doing, and I better hope so.

The fun key details:
This is your chance to take your 2011 Marathon experience to a higher level and show your pride for your borough. The Foot Locker Five Borough Challenge team will be treated as VIPs and will be featured on the NBC4 New York live television broadcast on race day.  The runner who finishes with the fastest time will become the Foot Locker Five Borough Challenge Champion, and will win a Tiffany & Co. trophy and citywide bragging rights.Must commit to running the first 13.1 miles of the marathon with the Challenge Team (after that, you’re free to run alone or stay with the group).Must be available at select times during marathon week to participate in a pre-marathon media event.

And they get their own start!!! I can’t even imagine what it is like to run the empty Verrazano with just 4 more people (and a media truck of course), through 4th avenue… and then being passed by Ryan, Meb, Gebre and pretty much everybody else, hahaha!

After I submitted my entry, we emailed back and forth, then we did a conference call interview, and then I went to the Foot Locker Headquarters for another interview. And I just got an email confirming that I am a Finalist and they’ll decide soon.  AAAAHHHH. Super exiciting!

I am a Finalist!