Author: middleageslowrunner

New York Marathon

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I FINISHED!!!!!!!! 

New York Marathon Done!!!!! 

I completed my second New York City Marathon.  

I love Marathon Day in New York City.

  After the race, I hauled a bicycle pedicab taxi ride back to my hotel.

It was nice to be greeted by you Ed Stairman, on the sidewalk next to our hotel. 

That meant a lot to me.  

Love you. 

Why I Love Team for Kids

……Running gave me a purpose, confidence, and identity. I know firsthand the work this charity does. I want all kids to discover running and blossom. 

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MY MARATHON STORY……..

Saturday 

My spouse and I flew to New York on Saturday.

My husband was my marathon supporter this weekend.  

We arrived in New York around noon and headed to the expo to pick up my bib number and some swag. 

We had a nice dinner at Il Mulino, and then it was time for bed.

I am a creature of habit; this has been my go-to restaurant for past marathons.

I am also superstitious when it comes to running a marathon. 

I consider it bad luck to wear my Celebration New York Marathon 2024 Jacket anywhere until I cross the Finish line. 

Also, nothing New on Race Day! 

Marathon

Sunday morning arrived, and I left my hotel around 7:15 in the morning. 

I walked to the private Team for Kids ferry, which took the team to Staten Island.

The ferry even cruised right past the Statue of Liberty on the way.

Once on Staten Island, our team was guided to buses for a 3-mile ride to Fort Wadsworth public park.  

Team for Kids had a tent area, complete with food, drinks, heat, volunteers, and porta-potties.

We also stretched and mentally prepared ourselves to run 26.2 miles.

Around ten thirty, it was time for my corral to line up. 

We lined up for the start of the race on the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge.

The national anthem played, and we were off. 

I got in the “focus zone “and ran.   

Fellow runners have told me I become so hyper-focused that if someone yelled, “Go, Robin,” I probably would not hear them.

I trusted that my body knew what it was supposed to do from all the past training. 

I used the Jeff Galloway run/walk method.  

The weather was also in my favor. 

It ranged from 49-60 degrees. 

I walked through every water station and took walking breaks throughout the miles. The run-walk intervals kept me comfortable without feeling miserable. 

I reached 20 miles, 6 more to go.

The last 6 miles are always the hardest.  

I only had 6.2 miles to go.

I counted my steps…1, 2, 3, 4 and repeated right foot, and left foot several times. Hopefully, no one heard me counting to myself or saying right foot, left foot repeat. 

Also, I waved to all the spectators gathered along the course. 

I high-fived volunteers, thanked the folks at the water stations, talked to fellow runners, and waved to the fans, EMTS, police, and firefighters along the course.

Soon, the finish line appeared.  

I sprinted and crossed the finish line. 

I had a good race. 

New York Marathon in 3 days and a Happy Halloween

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I will be toeing my 2nd New York Marathon this Sunday.

Ed, Thanks for your plan to keep me company this weekend.

My children…This Bubbie ( Grand Ma), at 55, still can do hard things. Many Bubbies don’t run Marathons.

Friends, and acquaintances in my life, The New York Marathon is special.
I will try my hardest to cross the finish line.

The reason … I love to run is that it makes me feel good about myself, it’s my passion and it keeps me healthy.
My gift.

My goal is to finish strong.
Smile and enjoy the day
Finish under 7 hours
I am well-rested, well-fueled, and well-hydrated.
Now it’s all mental strength to get me through the marathon.

Thank You to all those who donated to Team for Kids.

Thank you to all who read my running stories on my Facebook or blog.


New York City Marathon less than 3 weeks TAPER

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I am officially in taper mode. The long runs were not pretty but done.
This proud back-of-the-pack runner expects to finish in around 7 hours.

.
The marathon is a bit less than three weeks away. I have been pushing hard to get those final long runs in.
October 1 …..20 miles
October 8 ….14 miles
October 15….. 22 miles
I am tired. I need a good nap. It is time to heal my muscles and get ready for the big day.
Lots of rest and cutting back on the running

20 miles Training Run NewYork Marathon

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Shana Tovah Happy Jewish New Year 🍏🍎

Tomorrow is the eve of Rosh Hashana. Looking for a New Year’s Resolution? Rosh Hashana resolution? Want to be more charitable this year? Why not start with a donation to Team for Kids.

Don’t celebrate Rosh Hashana, you can still help.

Here How….Read on

On Tuesday, I did my 20-mile training run! My body is ready to go the distance. The New York Marathon will be here in a month!

I am very thankful that my body was able to complete the run. I was very anxious and worried about it because I was dealing with migraines and ragweed allergies days before the run. I took a week off from running and strength training to prepare for the twenty-mile big one.

I was so happy I could do it! It went well.

In the previous months, April, May, June, July, August, and September, I have been strength training via barbell classes, swimming, and slowly building up my running distance, which added to my success.

After my run, I decided to take my four dogs out in our backyard to play ball. They love it. I did not have to move my legs to throw a ball.

I spent the evening watching TV.

Team for Kids is a team of adult runners who raise funds for critical services provided by New York Road Runners Youth Programs. These programs combat childhood obesity and empower youth development via running and character-building programs in low-income schools and community centers throughout New York City.

I have seen personally how terrific Team for Kids is.

My story…… Quick summary

I was never good at academics as a child. My difficulty with academics pushed me towards athletics, and I started running.. Once I started running, I found I had a lot more confidence and this allowed me to develop into my own. Furthermore, running taught me that hard work pays off. Research shows that physical activity has a positive impact on learning.

This is why I love this charity

To donate https://runwithtfk.org/Profile/PublicPage/113172…

Thanks

Boston Athletic Association 10k

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I had a fun time at the Boston Athletic Association 10k.  It downpoured at the start of the race,  which took the humidity away.  There was also no sun.  Good memories of getting soaking wet at the start line with 9, 000  of my running best friends.
I am happy with my finish time and splits.
The downpour right at the start felt good.
 Good times!  Good memories !

 Run to Remember weekend and time to train for the New York Marathon 

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The Run To Remember race has always been an important celebration for me during Memorial Weekend. 

 It takes place in Boston every year. 

 I love this race

 It is one of my favorites.

 Runners have the choice to run a half marathon or the 5-mile race. 

I ran the 5 miles.  

This race is a tribute to the fallen enforcement officers and first responders. 

It was one of the most organized, emotional races I participated in throughout the year.

……………….

Sunday

Ed and I went into Boston to pick up my bid number and running shirt at the expo held at the Seaport Hotel. 

 It was a very well-organized expo with plenty of vendors. 

 They also had a beautiful memorial for the officers who died in the line of duty. 

After the expo, we went to my favorite restaurant PICCO’s  ( Pizza and Ice Cream Company ) located in BackBay Boston, to carbo-load.  

Then we headed home so I could relax, and it was off to bed.  

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Monday 

It was a beautiful running day in Boston.

 It was in the 60’s and overcast at race time.  

The five-miler started at 7:55 am in front of the Seaport Hotel.

  To get to the start, I took the blue line to the aquarium and then walked about a block to Seaport Blvd. 

Once I arrived, I spent about 45 minutes enjoying the atmosphere and hanging out with other runners.  

Then, it was my time to line up in the corrals. 

  At 7:55 am, the National Anthem was sung by an officer and I was sent on my way. 

The amount of Police, Fire, and EMS presence throughout the course was amazing to see. 

Flags were also hanging everywhere near the start and finish line.

 The course was beautiful and started outside the Seaport Hotel and made its way through downtown Boston. 

Some highlights seen along the course are the State House, Government Center, Faneuil Hall, Boston Common, and the Old State House.

It was a very Patriotic race.

  I look forward to running again next year, 

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Saturday Training Run May 25 ….Summer races to train 

5k race ….Hamilton-Wenham Friends of the Arts hosted the 28th Annual Melody Miles

It was hot but I got it done. Slow and easy. Just building a running base

My New York Marathon training season has officially started.

 ……………………………..

Monday and Friday… Barbell Strength Class.  

Robin will run New York Marathon on behalf of Team For Kids

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I am excited to run the New York Marathon for Team for Kids. To read more click🏃💚 and donate. All donation love is appreciated💚 Show me the love.

https://runwithtfk.org/Profile/PublicPage/113172 or just read below

I will run the New York Marathon for Charity ……Team for Kids the first week in November.

Team for Kids offers free running programs for kids throughout the country.

These programs allow kids to run, exercise, and set personal running goals. When these kids achieve their goals, they become more confident, not only in the athletic arena but in the classroom also.

I chose this charity because running has transformed my life in many ways.

Back in 2000, I started running marathons. Running Marathons changed me. It opened my eyes to all the possibilities when I’m willing to believe.

The world of academics and commerce was not in my calling.

I was a slow learner. I could not process information as fast as my peers. My challenges did not sit well with the fast-paced world we live in today. It caused me a lot of anxiety.

You can imagine how difficult work and school were for me. At the age of 25, I decided to leave the workforce and become a housewife, and never looked back.

Why did I choose to run for Team for Kids?

I want to help other kids find inspiration despite academic struggles.

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Written in March 2024

This charity is close to my heart because running has helped

transform my life. As a child, I felt like I was in Charlie Brown in a classroom. Learning to me waa,waaa waaa, wa wa. By the second grade, I was identified as a person with learning “issues”. I struggled with poor reading comprehension and writing.

The world of academics and commerce was not in my calling. I had one failure after another.

I was very blessed that a mentor introduced me to distance running. In the year 2,000, I stepped onto the road of distance running and started training for my first marathon. Every time I stepped onto the track or road, I felt awesome.

I could keep up. Mile after mile I ran and I was succeeding!

The more I ran, the more excited I got.

Running has given me self-esteem and life skills and has taught me I am capable of much more than I ever thought.

Running is not only a physical sport; running coaches also informed me it is a mental game.

When I get to the race start line, I know I will finish.

All I need to do is dig deep when I become tired.

I usually don’t share my story, but it was important for me to do so.

Why again did I choose to run with Team for Kids?

All children should be allowed to have a passion for a sport and live their dreams of becoming amazing athletes or track stars.

All athletes should have the ability to chase their potential.

Since then, I have been a homemaker and raised two beautiful girls, ages 25 and one who will be 29 in May.

I have also been married for 30 years.

I have run 17 Boston Marathons, 5 Disney Marathons, and one New York marathon.

I have no desire to stop.

This charity can not exist without help from others.

Please consider donating.

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Your donation will help provide critical funds for Rising New York Road Runners – NYRR’s free youth program and events platform – designed to help kids of all ages and abilities to build confidence, gain motivation, and develop healthy attitudes toward physical activity that last for life!

Together, we can help 250,000 youth across the country to live healthier, more active lives. To donate, just follow the steps below. You can also click here for more information about Check Donations and Matching Gifts.

Thank you again for joining me in support of this great cause. Our finish line is active kids!