The Day Before the Marathon

The final day is here... (I can hear the idiotic Europe song... The final Countdown.. Ok, cheezy, I know, but what do you expect from me?)


There are so many things running through my head that have nothing to do with the actual race that I should get off my chest. So the blog entry will be divided into three sections: Logistics, Race details and the marathon.

Logistics:

1.) Fundraising- I have not said it enough... THANK YOU for all your financial support! I was able to raise the incredible amount of $3,221. Thank you to all for your amazing and generous contributions. I am speechless not only by friends here in NY that were able to come out to the happy hour and donate their time and effort to this cause, but also to friends from afar.

I have not spoken to or seen many of you in a while. I wanted to say an extra special thank you. Receiving a random email from a friend of the past can easily be discarded and ignored. However, you chose to support me in this cause. Whatever the reason of us drifting apart, you found a reason to support me on this quest. I hope, this email and this race is the catalyst for our paths to cross once again. I look forward to hearing from all of you the updates on your own quests and journeys.

Thank you, Gracias, Euxaristw, shoukran, Merci, Tesekkurler, Hvala, Dank u, Zikomo, Salamat, Bareka..

2.) Race Details

Tomorrow, I will be running through the 5 boroughs of New York City in hopefully under 4 hours. I will begin at the footsteps of the Verezzano Bridge in Staten Island, into Brooklyn, over to Queens, Manhattan, the Bronx and end up in Central Park. I cannot wait to see the sea of humanity at the top of Verezzano bridge, to hear the Rocky theme song at Mile 7 from a Brooklyn High school (they have been playing the same song for 4 hours straight during the marathon since 1978), the Greek tribe in Long Island City (Peter go easy on the sign), the roar of 1 million people on 1st avenue, the pimp in the Bronx threatening runners with his cane in a very angry way that he will not tolerate quitters, central park and the finish line...I will soak it all in, effectively making NYC, my city... (I'll get back to you on what I see, and hopefully, next year, we can see it together.)

3.) Marathon

So here is what I realized.. This marathon business, and deciding to run a marathon business, isn't just about setting a goal and following through with determination and conviction, its about awareness. Let me explain.

By definition, this is a selfish sport. All the training hours is a constant push of your personal boundaries. Running can only be understood and appreciated by those that love the ultimate test of competition, the competition with ones self. The mere act of "going for a run" be it a 2 mile run or a 20 mile run, is a battle to exceed your previous time or distance. And in order to exceed ones self, you must be willing to endure pain, self inflicted pain. Sounds crazy, I know, but this burning pain in your legs, knees and chest is the reason people run. Only when you are in pain do you realize that you are surpassing your previous boundaries and reaching new levels of fitness. Pain is the only signal that you are winning the battle with your body that is screaming to remain at status quo. And as you push your body to new levels, inadvertently, you are pushing your mind and whole life as well, demanding more from yourself.

Running becomes an act of self-awareness through pain. I have become aware that much like in running, there are no substitutes for the pain of hard work and sacrifice. I have learned that any changes that I want to make in my life, must come gradually, patiently, making sure that I don't go out too fast at the beginning as I might never finish the race. I have learned to be meticulous and well prepared by studying the course before I embark on it, double knot my shoelaces so I won't trip before I begin, and pumping my arms for extra leverage up a hill. I have learned to embrace growing pains as its signaling to me that improvements are being made and soon I will see the fruits of my hard work.

I am now aware that its NOT OK to be content, (as so many people tell me it is) because If I was, I would not experience the pain of positive change and face the painful truth of my wrong decisions.

I also became aware that the pain of change does not have to be an orphan. The runners around me are also enduring pain and are willing to share the pain with me, making my pain that much sweeter and tolerable. The enduring changes that have been created within each of us, will always be an inseparable bond that only we can understand.

Regarding the 2009 ING NYC marathon, that's merely a race... I am sure you all realize what the marathon means by now...

But the question still remains...how much pain are you willing to feel Sunday?

NYC Half Marathon Videos

My friend John took some videos from the NY half... Thanks for all the cheering Gabby and John... Your great! Enjoy!

Track and Field Videos on Flotrack

Track and Field Videos on Flotrack

Thank You

A quick thank you for all the heartfelt messages that I have been getting from friends... Thanks for all your support in my endeavor... Special shout out for friends in Madrid and Athens that I know would have loved to be on 1st avenue to cheer me on but can't make the trip... Thanks guys!!! (The photo of me is on the West Side Highway right before I finished the NYC half.)

An old NYC Marathon Commercial

NYC 1/2 Marathon August 16, 2009

Here is the evidence for all the non-believers! I promise, this whole Team for Kids isn't a scam and I do run!!! (I still can't believe it myself!) On the day of my 31st birtday, I ran the NYC 1/2 marathon and this is my experience.

5a.m:

Didn't get much sleep the night before as I was anxious for the race. I fell asleep around 12am and woke up 5 hours later. I left my apartment on 80st and 2nd and started the walk to the team for kids meeting spot on 90st and 5th avenue. Walking out of my building, it was still dark. as I walked to the corner bagel store, I passed a group of drunk people that were having trouble communicating through their slurs, and a couple in a car that couldn't wait until they got home to show their affection for one another... It was somewhat of a surreal experience as only some months ago I was the one coming back home in the wee hours of the morning and trying to understand why anyone would wake up on a Sunday morning to exercise. After some strange looks from waiters cleaning up the bars on 2nd avenue, I slipped into the bagel store and ordered a sesame bagel with peanut butter, a plain bagel and a cup of coffee. I ate both bagels and had the coffee while I walked up 3rd avenue. I made a left on 86th street, and woke up the guy at the fruit stand that was sleeping on the footstep of a building to buy a couple of bannanas that I ate as well.

I don't know what got into me, but I ate a lot, and I was stuffed... big mistake! I should have not eaten so much right before the race. I think my nerves got the better of me and I needed to keep myself occupied...

I was under the impression that the entire city was snoring like the guy at the fruit stand until I heard the roar of 10,000 anxious runners in the central park. I couldn't believe it. Here I was, in the darkness of a Sunday morning with another 10,000 crazy runners ready to run through the streets of NY.
We did some light stretches, received some last minute advice from our coaches, and we were off to our starting corrals.

Miles 1-7
At the sound of the starting gun, we were off. The excitement was palpable. The first 7 miles was a loop around central park; familiar training ground for the TFK team as we have done this 100 times before. However, I never ran with another 5,000 people ahead of me. I had started with a slower pace group so I began passing hundreds of other runners throughout the park. I realized I had come along way in my training since I started back in January as I was hardly feeling the strain after 5-6 miles compared to the other runners around me that were working way to hard. I picked up the pace in the last two miles in park as I found more room to run with runners dropping behind.

Miles 7-9

We exited the park on to 7th avenue shooting straight down for Times Square on 42st. This was probably the best part of the race. Here I was running through the skyscrapers of New York with thousands of people screaming on either side of the road. I can still picture the the traffic lights that were aligned down the avenue, changing from red to green and back again for no one but the runners. I realized that I had transformed myself from a couch-potatoe to an athlete once again running a 1/2 marathon through the streets of New York. Within 10 months, on the day of my birthday, I once again felt like I was that 18 year old kid that went to volleyball practice 4 times a week.

At the SE corner of 42st, one of the children organizations that TFK sponsors was waiting to cheer on all the TFK florescent green singlets as they passed... It really put things into perspective on who we were raising funds for.

Friends and family- this is who your generous contributions are assisting. Through our running as a TFK team, we are attempting to inspire these children to inspire themselves, much like we have by setting the goal to complete the marathon. With a little luck, hard work and determination, they can realize that the natural stimulation of running or any other sport, far exceeds any drug and video game.

Miles 9-11.

Once we made a right on 42st and headed for the West Side Highway, at the intersection of 42st and WSH, there was a stage set up with Brazilian Samba dancers in full costume. They must have already been dancing for an hour, but when they saw us, they seem to have picked it up a notch. My food binge at the beginning of the race was starting to get to me as I began imagining that the two bagels were more like dun-bells at the pit of my stomach. However, I still felt very strong and continued to pick up the pace. Unlike the Brooklyn 1/2 that I did back in May, I still felt strong and relaxed at Miles 10-11.


Miles 11-13.2

The last two miles I established a pretty stable pace, but I was definitely feeling the mental strain of running for 1 hr and 30 minutes. In long distance running, there is always a point in a race (or any long distance training run!) that you experience a mental dialogue between the signals of pain that your receiving from your body and your rational mind. I knew I was well trained for this race, and knew that I could make it to the finish line without a problem, but I was trying to convince my body that I could, and here is where the allure of long distance running lies that humbles even the world-class athlete.

Finding the energy to force one foot in front of the other while feeling the pain tingle in every muscle of your body, empowers you for a life time. The power of your mind and belief in yourself will get you to the finish line, not your tired body.

I happened to let my body get the best of my as I sprinted the last 800ft. I crossed the finish line feeling like I still had alot left in my tank, even though my body screamed that I didn't. I was very happy with my time 1:45:23, but disappointed that I didn't leave everything I could on the circuit.

I am still exhilarated with my accomplishment and recommend to anyone to attempt a half marathon for themselves, with one word of advice: when you cross the finish line, you better have leaft everything you have on the road behind you; the experience will be that more for filling.

After the race we took a couple of team pictures and went to brunch where my running team treated me to a slice of cheesecake for my birthday. All said and done, this is one of the most memorable birthdays I have ever had, so a big thank you to all my TFK teammates, my friends and family that embrased this marathon goal along with me and marathon endeavor itself, that has already given me so much more than fitness.

THANK YOU

A big thank you to all that showed up to the Happy Hour/Fund raiser and all those that contributed to Team for Kids. I was successful in raising $640 from the Happy Hour which surpassed my $500 goal.




I can't thank you all enough for your financial and emotional support.



(I realized that we should all go out drinking more often...that was fun!)





On the training front:



1.) I am still in constant pain with my shins though I am attempting to train through the pain. I have understood that with a lot of ice, any amount of pain is bearable.



2.) The mileage has been quite manageable up to this point, as with the Team for Kids training program we haven't broken into the double digit mileage runs. Starting this week, our Saturday long runs will all be over 10miles.



Long Runs:



I consider anything above 10miles (16km) a long run. Why such a long distance and why is not a 5mile run a long run? Here is my answer and I am sure long distance runners and sprinters alike will agree with me.


At short distances, your body has enough food, energy and water to sustain itself. Your pretty sure that nothing will happen to you if you don't drink water or eat if your run for 5miles. But anything over 10miles, its a different story. One's body has interesting ways to retaliate or make its self heard when it needs to be nurtured.



Water- You MUST drink 8oz of water every 20 min. Dehydration symptoms stink: especially being lightheaded. Overheating is miserable.


Food- If its your first time at food(fight) club, you must eat! Gels, granola bars and anything with protein helps. Not eating will create incredible pain in your stomach that is difficult to describe.



Managing when you eat/drink is a VERY important part of this sport, that is if you manage to keep yourself injury free for the entire training period.



Wish me luck, this is where it gets difficult.


On another note, I visited a friend in Boston this weekend. Though I do not share the same sentiment as a lot of new yorkers, I happen to have fallen in love with the city.




I think we had one of the top 3 runs of all time as we did a 9mile loop around the Charles river. Absolutely incredible view.. and so was the company!

I will be in Greece for the next two weeks and will attempt to take some pictures and update this blog.

Thanks guys. See you in a couple of weeks.

Elgin Marbles

Again, nothing to do about running, but here is a story that is very dear to all Greek's hearts: The Elgin Marbles. Considering the recent opening of the new Acropolis Musuem, the case for the return of the Elgin Marbles, or rather the Parthenon Marbles, to the symbol of Western Civilization, the Parthenon, gains traction.

Under Ottoman rule, Lord Elgin looted the Parthenon of significant sculptures and friezes to bring them to London. He produced considerable damage to the marbles where he was forced to saw statues to prepare them for transport . For many years, the British Museum has claimed that if the marbles were to have never been stolen, they would have suffered considerable degradation and damage as they would have been exposed to the Athens smog, while the Greeks had no way of taking care of these pieces properly.

The Parthenon Marbles belong where they were meant to be seen, within the context that Pericles commissioned and Iktinos and Phidias intended. Much like a painting would not be complete if it revealed white spots on the canvas, so too the Parthenon is not complete without the Elgin Marbles.

The Parthenon is to be enjoyed by humanity in its natural state. The Elgin marbles are not mere artifacts to be viewed in a national museum for the Western world, rather they are a symbol of stolen Greek identity, history and civilization.

Museum Opening Ceremony. Projections and music. Needs volume.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWy1UzF8JVI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFlW9gd9REI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_oR7EmFnsQ&feature=related






Melina Merkouri, a famous Greek actress and Minster of Culture was the first to begin an aggressive campaign for the return of the marbles to their origin.




Melina Merkouri- Je Suis Grecque


Melina Merkouri and Anthony Perkins in Phaedra. While filming the movie, a scene was shot in the British Museum and the Parthenon wing, where Melina first got the idea for the reunification of the marbles.

Why I am running the Marathon

I have embarked on an insane goal which for many years seemed unattainable/unthinkable... To run the 2009 ING NY Marathon. (It seems odd just seeing it in writing.) Why, may you ask, (a perfectly valid question for all those that know me.)

The short answer: To see if it can be done.

The long answer:

I hate running. I hate the pain that it gives my body. I hate the pain in my bones that I feel, the muscle aches and shortness of breath. I hate waking up at 6am on Thursdays, 8am on Saturdays (and not going out drinking Friday night) and running on Sundays. I hate the way it makes me feel while I run, but nothing in the world can describe the feeling of accomplishment when you cross that finish line.

Our entire life is a marathon. We spend ample energy and time sacrificing ourselves for a better tomorrow: school, work, financial Independence, finding ms./mr.. perfect, creating a family etc. Every time we reach one goal, we never stop to look back and realize our accomplishment, because we are already on to the next thing. Never do we stop to appreciate the current moment of time we find ourselves in. We are in a constant rat race with ourselves that seems to never end.

I am running the marathon because for the first time in my life I'm living in the moment, where every strike of my heel gets me one step closer to my impossible goal.

I am running the marathon because never in my life, have I found something as pure as running where the effort you exert, is directly proportional to your performance.

I am running the marathon because the distance of 26.2m (42.2km) allows for nothing less than to be disciplined and focused.

I am running the marathon for my parents, because in their entire lives they have ran 1,000 marathons for my sister and I.

I am running the marathon for loved ones that are no longer with us though I carry them with me no matter where I go.

I am running the marathon for all the people that I have met in my life that couldn't as they are too sick or too poor to even care about such useless endeavors.
I am running the marathon for Team for Kids, to inspire children to play outside rather than siting in front of a tv.

I am running the marathon for myself, to prove that I can.