Well hi there everybody. I feel terrible! Somewhere along my journeys I've managed to catch a wicked cold. My throat's sore, my body aches and I can't breathe out of my nose. Blah, blah, blah. I remember reading somewhere that after running a marathon that you're immune system goes into the tank. Over the years I've found this to be pretty damn accurate. I've also got some weird thing going on with my left index finger. It's excruciatingly sore right at the knuckle. I don't remember hitting it on anything or having to go all Rocky at work lately. So, I have no clue where that's from. With my apparent overall collapse I decided that it would be better for me to stay home from work today. I'm doing something today that I NEVER take the time to do, relax and do nothing. Lots of fluids, rest and couch time with a certain little puppy is in order.
Tomorrow is the running of the NYC Marathon. I've had the pleasure of running this race twice. Both times I was honored to run with the NYPD Running Club. It's really hard to put either of the two experiences into words. I love the city, the food, the hustle and bustle. Even the people aren't as bad as they get typically depicted. The race itself is just epic. Each time I ran it the course thoroughly destroyed me. Both times it felt like that all there were was hills and bridges. The city is beautiful and there isn't a better way to see all the boroughs than to run through them. The crowd support is like no other I've experienced. You throw a NYPD Running Club jersey on me and it's like I'm some kind of superstar. At the finish line it's like you just won the Superbowl. It's my home state's race and will always be my favorite.
Today I saw a lot of press being devoted to the NYPD and security for the upcoming race. This of course is due to the tragic bombings at Boston. I hope that nothing happens tomorrow. Each time I ran it seemed like there was a cop every 100 feet or so. I also had the pleasure of meeting a sergeant who works for the NYC Bridge and Tunnel Police at a recent training. Their department has got their stuff together, like crazy together. I know the runners and the city will be in safe hands.
I'm a dichotomy of sorts. I love NYC and Boston. I love the Yankees and the Red Sox. For two cities that are supposed to be sworn adversaries, I think that they're more similar than not. Both have amazing history. Amazing places to visit. Amazing food. Amazing people and runners. Unfortunately, they also now have terrorist attacks in common as well. Many of my friends are going to be there tomorrow and I wish them the best. I wish I was with them! There have been other marathons run since Boston. But, if you were to ask any fellow runner to name the two biggest and best, NYC and Boston stand alone as they only answer. Tomorrow will be a big deal for us marathoners.
So, tomorrow if you have the opportunity to catch some of the race, enjoy it. Watching it on TV doesn't do it justice like being there. But, like I said, tomorrow will be important for us runners. No matter which city you root for, tomorrow NYC and Boston will be sisters. It's important for us as community to race tomorrow regardless of shitty people who decide to do shitty things at marathons. We can't be stopped. We will not fear. We will run tomorrow. Tomorrow, NYC will be Boston Fucking Strong! Shortly after the Boston Bombings Stephen Colbert said it best...
Good luck tomorrow for those of you running NYC. Enjoy the city, the people, the food, the race and enjoy throwing a proverbial gigantic middle finger up to those in the world who would work to spread hatred and fear. Run for your lives my friends. Run BOSTON STRONG...
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