NYCM2005 - Bonnie Singleton Race Report

Race Report

New York City Marathon

Sunday, November 6, 2005

Tomorrow AM I am leaving for New Yawk:-)) My bag is pretty much packed with just about everything. If it gets inspected I'm sure someone would deem I was carrying clothes and supplies for hurricane victims:-)) Rather than thinking about the big M I have been obsessing about my throw away clothes dilemma. I bought two very inexpensive tops-$10-but it just so happens I LIKE them! So I went rummaging through my husbands stuff but he caught me-lol-and wondered if I had in mind wearing and throwing away something of his!! I know the clothes go to a worthwhile cause but still--

I have one more chance-a jacket of my daughters that I may take instead, I'll have to get permission though:-))

Ever since I found the penguins in Feb. 1997 and read what a great time everyone had at the Myrtle Beach Marathon and relay, it's been in the
back of my mind that maybe someday----So, just 8 years later I'm as ready as I'll ever be:-)) I just hope I don't spin myself into the ground and show up at the start all worn out:-)) Thanks to all of you who encouraged me and wrote about all your experiences--many a day I logged on for motivation and I always found it. Thanks Karen for all the work you do! And Ron-for having that great site with everything any one would need to know! Congratulations on your MCM finish-and I WON'T be forgetting my chip! Or my sneakers-I think I read Mary D. forgot hers once:-))

For someone who has never even pumped their own gas-this will be quite an accomplishment! Maybe that should be my next goal-learn how to pump my own gas-lol!!

You all must be getting a little sick of New York-but I wasn't finished with my post! The pasta dinner Daniel organized was wonderful and I sat across from "Harriet's Hunk" Lloyd-who was hilarious! After the dinner we took a cab back to the Herald Square Hotel. Later in the evening I went out and sat on a concrete slab next to the hotel where construction was going on and had a lot of fun talking to some of the workers-who were working late
on a Sat. night. We talked baseball-of course-and they were very impressed I was there to do the marathon! I managed some sleep on and off and the next thing I knew Nancy T. and I were on our way! The bathroom situation is challenging and for last call Nancy gave me the hot tip that there wasn't a long line behind the UPS trucks:-))

Shari and I also made use of "Ellen's" ramp:-)) The view on the V-bridge was spectacular! In the next few miles I became a little concerned that as a solitary runner the noise of the spectators and bands might be a lot. But I didn't feel that way for long. In fact I liked having people call my name and I tried to thank as many well wishers and volunteers as I could. I loved the fact that gender, race, age-it didn't matter, everyone cheered everyone on!

During the entire marathon I just felt good-I could have been more organized because my little back pack was so full and hard to unzip and I got all
confused about when I took succeed and gels. I did not care for the yuck-a-port-a- potty at mile 8--but I used it anyway:-) The most amazing thing to me of course is that my 20 mile time was 4:44:07 and my finish 5:45:57---I haven't run a regular 10K that fast in quite a while! I did not feel that emotional exhilaration that one sometimes experiences at the end of the race. I did feel a quiet sense of accomplishment. I think the experience will reveal more to me in the days ahead. For my training I gave up my beloved white wine and learned there is a certain freedom in discipline.

Right above my ankle, to the left, is still swollen and sore--plus my size 2X blister on the inside of my big toe hurts. Instead of complaining though, I will remember what Tiche Nhat Hanh says-sometimes we need to actively thank our littlest toe for it's years of uncomplaining service:-)

It was wonderful to meet Karen and of course, she is just great! After the finish line I saw Daniel, and then Ellen and Ken whom I haven't seen since 98'
Penguin Camp! I met my family and went off to MacDonald's for the bathroom and a quick bite! Monday I was hungry ALL day! It was a phenomenal experience and I wouldn't have missed it for the world!

Bonnie in MA