there’s no place like NYC…

seriously! as you already know I am a little obsessed with this place and not in a misguided, unhealthy way, but more, how can there be so many fantastic things about one city?!  Last night I had the chance to see Lance Armstrong, Joan Benoit-Samuelson, Grete Waitz and Deena Kastor speak at the Times Talks in Times Center.  It was so great to sit in this cool casual spot and hear some of the greatest athletes of our time shoot the shit about what it’s like running marathons.  Of course, Lance had a particularly interesting point of view because, he assumed as I am sure most of us did that his first attempt to complete the NYC Marathon would be great.  Not so much.  He shared that although he did meet his goal, (like any of us ever thought that ego of his would let him down, shoot it’s kicked cancer and won Tour de France seven times) he did not have a good time.  Due to shin splints he couldn’t complete his training but went ahead and ran the race anyhow, finishing in just under three hours.  The next day he was supposed to speak in Arizona and he could not walk from his hotel room to the location where he had to present.  They literally had to come and pick him up on a luggage cart to transport him there.  Needlesstosay, he soon found out that he had fractures up and down his shins, hence the message his body was telling him pre-race.  Anyways, he was humbled and it was humbling to hear him share the experience.  Although I have admired his accomplishments, I wasn’t much of a fan.  Ironically, it was after reading his first memoir that I came to the conclusion that he was a bit of a jerk.   Last night’s experience was definitely a much more positive one.

Then there is Grete Waitz who has won the NYC Marathon nine times.  NINE TIMES.  How is that possible?  She spoke eloquently about her “gift” of running and it was touching to hear that she and Lance became acquainted after she was diagnosed with cancer.  Although they hadn’t previously met,  he reached out to encourage her when she was down and out and reminded her how important it was to keep moving.  She shared, the email he sent brought her back.  Very cool.

Deena Kastor just recently ran the Chicago Marathon and although she would have loved the win, she finished sixth due a much needed bathroom break.  I ran Chicago last year and I just couldn’t get my hydration right all summer training in the NYC humidity.  Actually, my best training long runs were when I was traveling out of the city.  Anyhow, when I had to stop at mile 17 to go to the bathroom, I remember thinking “rookie maneuver” but even world record holders have to use the porto potty from time to time.

I look forward to watching the finishers come in and always love planting myself at mile 26 just inside Central Park South, near the Columbus Circle 1,2,3 subway stop.  I will be sure to cheer Joan Benoit-Samuelson to the finish.  Although she hasn’t won NYC, she did win the gold medal at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics and is looking for a new record in her age group (50s).

These are the things Manhattan has to offer and it continues to awe and inspire me that I can flip the page in the NYTimes on a Sunday morning and find myself listening in on a conversation with these outstanding athletes only a few days later.  Only in NYC!

j

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