A big thanks to all my sponsors

For those of you who have already donated, THANK YOU! You are truly making a difference to someone with cancer, relieving them of the burden of worrying about how they pay for their everyday bills and expenses, and allowing them to concentrate on fighting cancer.

Besides my many friends, family and colleagues, thanks also to a number of companies with whom I do business and are also supporting me. If you ever have a need for their services, you will find nobody better:

• Gogick, Byrne & O'Neill, LLP -  professional liability and construction and design law
• BenStream Consulting, LLC - the single source solution for all your employee health benefit plan needs

If you haven't donated so far, please go to my sponsorship page and give whatever you can. Every dime counts.

Another Sunday, another 13.1

6 months ago, as I prepared to run the NYC Half, I was really unsure as to whether I could do it. I had some achilles problems and had never run over 10 miles. It wasn't getting easier and I was sure race day would be tough.

Six months on, and I have run 13.1 miles on back to back weekends!

There were many differences between this week and last. Last week, with NYRR, was in the park, with a group to drag you along, no need to worry about hydration etc. This week, I ran alone on a completely different course and carrying all my own drinks. And it was in the low 70's compared to low 60's. This week was always going to be harder. Plus, I felt pretty exhausted on Saturday, unsure if I could even get up to do the run. But stubbornness prevailed!

I left home about 6.15am and headed across the park to the Westside - I desperately needed a break from the Central Park Loop! Over to Riverside Drive and onto the Hudson River Greenway. It was serenely quiet!

I continued down the West Side to 45th Street, before heading all the way across town. This was tougher than I thought, as it is gradually uphill. Past my office on 45th & 3rd and over to the East River. I got onto the East River Esplanade at 60th Street, which is nice and flat - until 10 miles in you have to climb stairs at 82nd St!!! After that was good though (despite a bit of hip pain, and the bridge over the FDR at 120th). I went across to 5th Ave, following the marathon route, down to 94th St. Everyone says this is a tough part of the race, 22 miles in and slightly uphill. It definitely it, so I am pleased I have run it, to get a feel for it, though I am hoping the sight of my family at 94th St will drive me up there!

Overall, I finished in about 2hr 1 min, 9:10 or so pace. Not bad, for the second in 2 weeks and not feeling 100% etc.

Anyway, an 'easy' recovery week this week. I had to miss my cross training (again) today but will do 3m Wed/7m Thurs/4m Fri and 10m Sunday. A stroll in the park as they say!

Marathon No Baggage Policy - A few thoughts

Well, nothing gets the NYRR members going like.....well, pretty much anything NYRR does. But today's announcement of a no baggage policy at the Marathon has met with almost universal condemnation.

The first thing I would say is that in almost all cases, NYRR tries to act for the best. Their biggest problem is a failure to communicate in a timely manner and insufficient consultation with the people most affected - the runners. It would appear the City, the Police, UPS and everyone else has a say. Well, today the runners spoke and they weren't happy.

I am one of the least affected people. In fact, this may benefit me. I should get out of the park quicker and I live nearby. There will also be a large number of people with family & friends nearby who can hold a bag for them. Nearly everyone has some throw away clothes they can wear to the start, and most will be able to get all the nutrition they need after the race. And yet I agree that on balance it is probably the wrong decision.

The decision is supposedly based on safety alone. Yet while those with a known medical necessity will be able to get their medication, it is the unknown which is concerning.

According to Accuweather, the average low from past New York City marathons is 47 degrees F, and the average high from past New York City marathons is 62 degrees F. However, the coldest morning low in New York City's Central Park on the morning of the marathon over the past 20 years was 34 degrees on Nov. 5, 1995 and the warmest afternoon high 73 degrees F on Nov. 4, 1990.

For the multitude of people without friends and family who will have to travel back to their hotel, possibly well in excess of an hour after the race, with just a poncho, these extremes could prove problematic, even dangerous. The poncho is only of any use if it is mild, and/or it rains. Even then, people will be in wet, cold clothing.

I think the biggest issue runners are having is that no other marathon has done this, and there are plenty of big ones. It would have helped to know if they have spoken to other organizers and what other options have been considered.

It is not too late for Mary Wittenberg and NYRR to hear their customers, to backtrack on the decision or at least defer until 2013 pending further consultation. I hope they consider this option.

Would love to hear any thoughts, or - as we have heard all the complaints - any constructive alternative options.

NYRR Long Training Run

This was the first time I have done one of these. NYRR provide pace runners at half minute intervals to guide you round the course. It is also a good way of group running and meeting a couple of people (those few without headphones!)

The Central Park course allows up to 20 miles - a 6 mile loop, two 5's and a 4 miler. Obviously you can stop any time and I always planned on running a half marathon. While my training plan called for 12, I thought I'd take advantage of the pacing and group running to go a bit further.

I ran with the 9 minute group. Really would have liked a 9.15 but actually it worked out well. With temps in the low 60's it was comfortable and lots of water stations. I stopped to take my drinks thinking it better than spilling it all or choking! It was a good call.

So as one would expect with the pacing, I ran a 1 hr 57 half and it was quite comfortable. Not sure I could do it for 26 yet but a good start.

Should also say that pacers were great and, as always, so were volunteers and NYRR organization. They are not perfect in the lead-up to events, but on the day, they are always spot on.

A flight to LA was not what I needed afterwards but did manage to squeeze in a massage on arrival so feeling good today!

Back to Reality, 12 weeks to go!!!!

So we arrived back from the UK late Sunday night, and slowly getting back to normal. We had such a great trip. The Olympics was amazing. Such a great atmosphere, top sport and no rain! My kids are enthused and one in particular is focused on the 2024 gymnastics team! Here is a picture of us at the Coca Cola Beat Box, a Mark Ronson inspired musical installation that was pretty cool - and the torch photo was FREE!!!

As for running, it was a pretty good week. OK, I was slack on Cross Training and Strength, but I guess I did lots of walking at the Olympic Park (and Westfield Shopping Center!) on top of the runs. It was a recovery week, so just 7 miles on Sunday. The good news is it really did feel like 'just' 7 miles.

This week will ramp up again. 3 tomorrow, 6 on Thurs, 3 on Friday. Then Sunday is supposed to be 12 miles, but I am signed up for the NYRR Long Training Run #2. They go up to 20 miles, but I will skip out somewhere along the road, as will many people, as don't want to overstretch now....

I have a fever....Olympic Fever!

We arrived in the UK on Thursday and from the minute you land at Heathrow, you know you are in the Olympic city. Even as you drive through the suburbs, the houses are adorned with bunting, the cars with flags.

But Friday, getting the subway (Underground!) to London, you know what is going on. Buckingham Palace, Downing Street, Trafalgar Sq were all on our route, and the atmosphere is amazing. Friendly police & soldiers everywhere, people enjoying one of the greatest cities in the world.

Then Saturday night, a truly amazing day for GB was capped off with 3 track & field medals. Astonishing victories, especially Mo Farah. To think he can easily run 10k at a pace more than twice as quick as me! I may be a US citizen but my loyalties and pride are still in the UK. I can't wait to hit the Olympic Park tomorrow and become a part of this amazing show.

In the meantime, a great evening with friends last night, and bed at 2am, was no planning for a 10m run today:

August 5, 2012, 7.30am
10.77m, 1hr 38.32 (9.09 pace)

As always, a hilly run around Northwood with a respite in Ruislip Lido. Not too bad given the hills & lack of sleep. Now for more Olympics. Bring it on!