We’re heading back to New York tomorrow morning, so today’s activities include (in addition to more diligent relaxing) a bit of tidying up: laundry, tucking away the final pieces of unused plasticware, changing sheets and that sort of weekend wind-down stuff. This tidying up has carried over to Pigtails Flying, as I’ve got some un-ellipses links for you, and some election results for you.
Today, during lunch, I ran a Pocono Loop x 2 again today, my last one until we return to the house next weekend. I was glad there were very scattered snowflakes falling, it added a bit of cheer to the otherwise cold gray sky. I ran 4.64 miles in 45:20, for an average pace of 9:46, with my fastest split at 8:35 and my slowest at 10:20.
Ryan Hall is running the Boston Marathon in 2009. Previously, the Flora London marathon was his Spring marathon, which was part of what inspired me to run London in 2009 in the first place–the idea that I’d be tracking his footsteps through the course, the same way I tracked Paula, Magda, Kara and Catherine this year in New York. I think it’s a brilliant and gutsy move for him to advance on to Boston, a much more challenging course which speaks to one of his strengths–running hills (funny how I mentioned this just yesterday). There is the slight chance I may go to Boston to cheer Ryan on in Boston this year–Boston is Monday, April 20th, and London is Sunday the 26th. The prospect of seeing him run in the flesh again is enticing; watching Ryan run at the Trials was so inspiring, it had a lot to do with why I started taking my own performance at the distance much more seriously.
The USATF announced their 2008 Hall of Fame Inductees(Johnny Gray, Don Bowden, Bill Carr, Bernie Wefers and Jimmy Carnes), and I realize something I knew but have forgotten: the Track & Field Hall of Fame is practically in my backyard, at the Armory (169th Street and Fort Washington Avenue). Anyone up for a field trip? Then there’s the National Distance Running Hall of Fame, in Utica, NY — they announce their inductees as part of the Boston Marathon Weekend — but what kind of dork factor would I dial up if I were to make a dedicated drive to Utica to visit this Hall?
A month ago, The New York Times published a column by Mac Montandon called “Faces in the Crowd,” about how Mac imagines stories and lives for each of the regulars he passes in Prospect Park during his daily jogs. Husband passed to to me with a murmured, “You’ve got competition,” and I wasn’t sure if he meant as someone writing about running, or simply as a runner. Mac writes:
It’s an unusual experience to so frequently see the same strangers with whom I’ve exchanged plenty of painfully commiserating glances but not a single word.
Although I don’t sketch vivid storyboards for them, I too pass many of the same diligent runners along the 59th Street Bridge, especially during the week–the Saturday/Sunday crowd is too full of interlopers & weekend warriors for me to pick out my silent partners. I especially like the slight Hispanic gentleman who regularly trains in his team singlet (plus other clothing depending on the weather) and always greets me with a huge smile and a big wave. Without fail, I run faster for having encountered him. (I also recognize many people during my commute to work on the Q32 bus, although so far none of them have yet shown themselves to be bridge runners as well.)
And lastly and finally, thank you to all thirteen of you who voted on which t-shirt I should keep out of the two assortments I put to your unflinching judgement. Dear readers, you’ve asked me to keep my Pride Run 2007 tank, and my Emerald Nuts Midnight Run 2006-2007 long sleeve tee. Consider it done, the others are being shipped off to the local Salvation Army clothing bank. (In fact, I already got rid of the 2007 Joe Kleinerman 10K, it was so fugly I wore it as a part of my throwaway wardrobe for the New York City Marathon. The Girl Scouts have it now.)
Pigtails Flying 
I’ve got to disagree with you about Hall and Boston. Don’t know the rest of the field, but I expect he’s doing it for the PR value. London is easily the best marathon, especially with its 2009 men’s field. New York is becoming the No. 2 (over Chicago) except for people who are looking for fast times. Tough course, no pacers.
I too once thought of running London, but I gave up on running a spring marathon. One-a-year is enough for me.
Oh, and I too love my Healthy Kidney shirt.
If by “PR” you mean public relations and not personal record, I won’t argue with you–but isn’t every marathon in which he competes at this stage a move to elevate his name?
Why is London “easily the best marathon?” From what point of view are you speaking–from that of an elite athlete, from that of a speedy amateur, from that of a fan of the sport? It’s not abundantly clear to me. I’m assuming you’ve run them all, however, including Berlin and look forward to your further comments, since I hope to run all the marathon majors courses myself.
Great to hear from you, Joe!
Yes, “PR” is public relations.
When I say London is “easily the best,” I mean as an elite race. Here’s the 2009 field:[quote]Martin Lel KEN 2:05:15
Sammy Wanjiru KEN 2:05:24
Abderrahim Goumri MAR 2:05:30
Khalid Khannouchi USA 2:05:36
Felix Limo KEN 2:06:14
Emmanuel Mutai KEN 2:06:15
Tsegaye Kebede ETH 2:06:40
Hendrick Ramaala RSA 2:06:55
Jaouad Gharib MAR 2:07:02
Viktor Röthlin SUI 2:07:23
Yonas Kifle ERI 2:07:34
Tessema Abshiro ETH 2:08:26
Dathan Ritzenhein USA 2:11:06
Zersenay Tadese ERI Debut
Hicham Bellani MAR Debut[/endquote]Eleven under 2:08. The last 2 races have been outstanding as races, with a good-sized lead pack running along the Embankment and into St. James’s Park. (The wonders of internet streamcasting.)
Boston does not have the depth of field and that probably because of the money London can throw as appearance fees and the fact that you’re not going to get a fast time in Boston because of the terrain.
Berlin is just a time trial without a deep field; Geb and not much else.
And New York and Chicago compete for the fall, and I’m glad to see New York, notwithstanding its lack of pacers and slower times, is moving ahead, in part thanks to NYRR and Mary Wittenberg.
Me? I’ve only done New York. 1983 and 2006. I have no desire to do Boston — I’m not so good on downhills. I would rather do New York over Chicago. But, as you know, New York is a tough one. The only other one I’d consider is London, but I’ve gone to one-a-year and I feel there are a few minutes I lost by bad race-day running in New York in 2006 and my plan to get them back this year collapsed when I broke my arm.
Yes, wow, the field in London is spectacular for the men’s race, many of my favorites including Martin, Sammy, Khalid, Abderrahim and Dathan.
Yes again, London has recently been great spectating.
But there’s something to be said for the history of the Boston course, and even though the elites will never throw down their best times there, there is a certain mystique to it that I find irresistible. Perhaps I’m not being cynical enough but I’d like to think Ryan understands it, too.
I guess there are certain runners out there who don’t dream of BQing, but this chick isn’t one of them.
Chicago has had bad weather & bad PR (there’re those pesky letters again) for the past two years–New York wins that duke match hands down in my book. And, Mary W deserves all the praise she gets, I think she’s tops.
When’s your next marathon, Joe?
London, NY, Chicago…I bet Yonkers (NY) is one of the TOUGHEST marathons. More punishing hills than SF, CA
rD
Hi TK,
First off, great blog. I have been checking-in on Pigtails Flying over the last few weeks and thought now may be a good time to reach out. You are doing an excellent job of creating community and interest with your writing.
[…] posted on the Pigtails Flying blog about marathons from the fan’s perspective, commenting on Ryan Hall’s decision to […]
I was going to note that I kind of answered your question on my blog, but it seems to have automatically done that.
Hi Chica,
Love the new photo. Sounds like you guys are enjoying the poconos a lot this season!! Happy Belated Turkey!
Does the NYT encourage its columnists to split infinitives? Also, what do the Girl Scouts want with old running T-shirts?
London has not forgotten some fast ladies:
iaaf release.
Also, Wikipedia on Split Infinitives.