Begin at the start and run until you come to the end. Then stop.
I was spending the day with my godson for his birthday and part of his special day out in the city turned out to be a real treat for both of us – we took a tram ride. And it was the perfect Fall day to do it. The sun was shining, and there was a nice cool breeze. When I was thinking of some fun things to do with him, I decided on taking him on a ride over the East River. I had no idea that the NYC marathon was taking place that Sunday and that part of the race (at the 16th mile) is the 59th Street Bridge. The tram ziplines alongside that that very bridge, taking people to and fro and so we had the most amazing ride with an aerial view of the thousands of runners below. I casually said to him, at that nice moment, (I think he’ll remember) that maybe I’ll run it next year. Just like that. And so I did.
THESE 236 MILES BELONG TO ME – C. GREENE
Photograph by Viva Violeta Photography
I am a runner, a pretty seasoned athlete, so all I really had to do was to get a number in the lottery, (which miraculously happened) and up my miles a bit – no, quite a bit. That first NYC race that began on a freezing November morning (the sun, naturally came out at the finish,) and the nine that I have run since, one medal is missing from the photo above – (I guess Sandy took it) are some of the most memorable moments of my adult life. Running the New York City Marathon trumps any other race there is – and I’ve run a lot of them. Once, I even flew across the pond and ran the Paris marathon – but truth to tell, (and I adore Paris,) nothing beats NY. Not even close.
I’ve run marathons in the pouring rain, whipping winds, heat-waves and even snow flurries and I never caved because I knew all along that there was going to be an end. And at the end, I would stop.
I love the miles that are clocked in between races too, because of the many the benefits of enjoying a sport that affords so much healthy time outdoors – in any type of weather.
With small tribute to the genius left behind, Letterman’s Top Ten List,
I run because….
#10 I have the time to stop and smell the peonies (my very favorite flower)
#9 I pass Bentleys on the road.
#8 I just do it. Like Nike says.
#7 I feel the earth move under my feet. 36 miles a week.
#6 I get into HeadSpace, a very cool meditation app.
#5 I get to maximize my enormous neon running gear usage.
#4 I keep that dress size to a 00. I mean, J. Crew did go out of their way.
#3 I Map My Run. Well, I don’t but the app does.
#2 I spend quality time living the life of “Ryleigh” with my sweet four legged running partner.
#1 The number one reason why I run is because it’s such a great feeling of accomplishment, especially on one special morning when Ryleigh and I helped to save a seal!
(bonus video below.)
mizuna top | brooks running shorts | asics sneakers | orvis collar |
sabon bracelet | polar watch | nike bras | enell bras | monogrammed necklace
