My NY Marathon

Today was so cool. It totally slipped from our minds that the Central Park area would be busy because of the NY Marathon and headed straight to the park's west side in mid afternoon. It only reoccurred to us when we crossed paths w/ men and women in running gear and the official cape of the New York City Marathon. (I suppose they give them out to the finishers as souvenirs and to warm them up. New York was naughty and wayyy cooler today than the past few.)

Apparently, the finish line is at the Central Park, close by 72nd street on the west side where we were planning to hang out. Much of the west side area was cordoned off for the special event so we had to walk down to find an entrance to the park that welcomed non-runners, non-organizers, non-media. There were a lot of people and a lot of love. Families and groups of friends waited for a member who joined the race to cross the finish line. Everywhere you look, you could see posters being held up, flowers waiting to be handed out, big hugs ready to be given.

Yesterday, we were advised it'd be better if we stay and sightsee within Long Island to avoid marathon traffic. Thank God we didn't listen. It was the coolest place to be today.

As I have gathered from Wikipedia and earlier, from the cool taxi cab driver (who was in full New York Yankees gear and sporting a World Series fever), the New York Marathon is among the biggest marathons in the world, w/ attendees ranging in the 35000-40000s, and a length of 26 miles+++ running through New York State's 5 boroughs. The race started at 9. When we arrived at the park around 5, there were runners still on the way to the finish, a few of them w/white hair, bent backs, wrinkled hands. Watchers on the side cheered these strangers on. It was truly remarkable.

Naturally, I was inspired to a decision of taking running seriously when I get home.

At the subway, papa heard one runner commenting to another, "I gave up on the 21st mile. I asked myself then, 'What am I doing here?!?'" Well, I even take pride in finishing an hour on the treadmill, which is not even 5 miles. To finish 26 miles, or at least try to get close to it?!? That would be like having gold in my chocolate ice cream!

To all the runners, I salute you. Hope I'll find myself on your side someday.

Race finishers and families meet on Central Park West. This year's winner (an Ethiopian) made it under 3 hours. For many, it took them the whole day.

En route to the Subway from Central Park, we walked along with a runner and her family. A family asked the runner, still heavily breathing, "So, what do you feel like eating?"

Hehe.

I can only imagine what somebody who spent the whole day running would want for dinner.

1) Grandma's love: "Run, Betty, Run!"

2) A ballooned-shaped HEART.

There were a lot of posters and show of support of this kind at the park today.

So much love, indeed.

Do you see the 3 ladies in red running together? In the middle is Seiko, a Japanese runner who looks about 10 years older than my 77-yr-old Mamita. Amazing. The ladies on both her sides ran with her during the whole race.

Barefoot runner.

Another Japanese.