NYCM00 Race Report

RACE DAY:

By 545am Ross and I were headed out the door to walk 6 blocks to catch the buses at the Public Library. 50 degrees, wind speed 20-25 knots. Should be an interesting day.

Ross had wondered why we had to get out so early for a 1050am start. When we arrived at Fort Wadsworth around 630am the sight of all the empty tents proved our planning had been worthwhile. We picked a corner in the very first tent we reached, spread out our tarps, and posted our Pink Penguin Poster up on the canvas so our condo could be spotted as fellow Flappers arrived. Soon we had been joined by Ken and Ellen, Jane Fraytet (from Charlotte – we seem to meet a long ways from home!), David Campbell, RunAbe, Jorge and Silvia, Geri and Moose O'Krepki, and Jonathan Zuckerman. Others came and went and we even shared our space and blankets with unknown condo squatters!

The Penguin Condo - Back Row L to R: Jorge, Silvia, Jane, Ken, RunAbe, Ellen, Ron. Front Row: Ross, David, Geri, Moose

David Campbell - enjoying his electric blanket!

Worship Service at Fort Wadsworth

Green Start crowd just before the gun - Ross is in there somewhere!

We talked, walked around, took our bags to the UPS trucks, attended the worship service, and were entertained by the eclectic assortment of humanity that gather here the morning of every first Sunday in November. Soon enough it was time to move to the start line so Ross and I visited the World’s Longest Urinal one last time and worked our way up toward the front of the Green Start. After about 20 minutes of standing we could hear the National Anthem playing, though we could not see anything as we were waiting just below the crest of the hill at the edge of the expressway. I was concerned about being too far back but those concerns faded quickly for only three minutes after we heard the cannon fire our chips were chirping as we crossed the mats at the start line.

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