New York City Marathon's Cutest Moment

sent in by Anthony!

Did I say I have no future marathon plans?

Well, I just got back from the Team Reeve's NYC Marathon send-off lunch, and I just think I want to do it again :) It really is a race like no other, and the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation is a foundation like no other. It was a very inspiring afternoon, and I'm so glad to see the press coverage Matthew Reeve and Team Reeve are getting this year:

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5th Time's a Charm

Ok, now that the Series is tied, here's the Marine Corps Marathon scoop:

My chip didn't get read at the start! Luis and I started together and there was a 4:02 difference in his chip time. So I'm taking my clock time, 3:59:58 (still under 4 hours :-D), subtracting 4:02, and going with 3:55:56.... That's my story and I'm sticking to it! I have emailed the Marines to see if they'll go with it too.

So now that that's cleared up: HOLY CRAP! So much to report, so little ability to organize my thoughts. So in random order:

• 3:55:56!!!!! I broke 4 hours, took 10 minutes off my previous time, and negative splitted (ran 2nd half faster than 1st half). Coach Danny really knows what he's doing!


• Running faster is definitely harder. I am way much more sore than I was after NYC last year.


• I fell! All the way down, rolled, popped back up, and kept going. The course was very crowded all the way through the first half of the race, and I was caught up in the 4 hour pace group. Someone came up from behind, clipped my heel, and down I went. No pictures this time.


• My mom and my aunt were excellent cheerleaders. They made it to all their appointed places on time, had their sign ready, and jumped up and down and screamed like pro's. It was awesome.


• The Marines were so. freaking. cool. They cheered for us; they let us know what was up ahead; they told which tables had water, which had Powerade; they rocked.


• I squatted for the first time in a race situation. I was well shielded from any possible onlookers. It wasn't so bad. Paula Radcliffe did it, so why can't I?


• We broke $4,000 for our fundraising, and that makes a grand total of over $20,000 over the past 3 years! THANK YOU!!!!


• I passed Luis for the 3rd year in a row. But he keeps reminding me that he holds the family record at 3:54. Is he trying to stoke my competitive fire?!


• Blue Powerade = nasty


• I may never eat pasta again. Enough already.


• The pictures are really not flattering. I was so focused, I didn't see any of the cameras, and I just look like I'm in pain in all of the pictures.


• I also missed the Lincoln Memorial, the White House, and the Capitol...That's the trade-off for PR-ing.


• I'm pretty sure I could actually run faster. The most challenging part for me was managing my anxiety. I had never run 8:50 - 9:00's so early in a marathon, and I was so worried about crashing. It never happened :)


• I truly have no future marathon plans at this point...I'm sure I'll do it again though!


• Right now, I'm looking forward to cheering on lots of friends who are running NYC on Sunday, including fellow Team Reeve-mates and TNT-ers, sleeping late, and continuing to eat everything in sight (except pasta).

P.S.

We're still awaiting some last minute donations, but our Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation fundraising total will most certainly top $4,000 this time around. THANK YOU, EVERYONE for your generous support! None of this - not the training, not the racing, not the fundraising- would be possible without you.

I'd also like to point out that this brings the grand total to more than $20,000 over the past 3 years. Impressive. Impressive that we have such a fabulous network of supporters who believe in us and who believe in the mission of the Reeve Foundation. As Christopher Reeve once said, “I think a hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles. They are the real heroes, and so are the families and friends who have stood by them."

P.P.S. There's still time to make your donation!

Bring. It. On.

Obsessed

Come on COLD...You can do it...Just for Sunday...

That, and...

I think it looks worse than it actually is. Better to get the hills over with in the beginning anyway. I have heard that little incline at the very end is "like climbing a flight of stairs." The last thing you want to do after running 26 miles.

My final pre-marathon obsession:

My customizable pace band from MyMarathonPace.com We're not sure if the elevation info is exactly right, but it's close enough. A pretty neat website. Offers a free 5-day trial, or $6 for 6 months of access to the marathon info, customizable spreadsheet, and wristbands for your race of choice. I thought it was worth it.

Ok, lets get this show on the road!

Matthew Reeve is running the New York City Marathon!

So exciting!!! It'll be Matthew's first marathon, and I think he's up for the challenge. But, of course it's the year I decide to do Marine Corps. Oh well, at least I'll get to cheer him on, and we all know that's much more fun than running! Check out Matthew's blog, Greta Van Susteren's blog, an article from People, and the Reeve Foundation's official press release for more information.

Biggest Loser Marathon Recap

It's really great that The Biggest Loser contestants have achieved amazing weight loss and fitness goals. But I'm not sure what to make of the marathon...The Biggest Loser portrayed a very glossed over, rosy picture of what it takes to run a marathon. A few weeks of training and a little determination would seem to be all it takes if you just watched last week's episode.

One woman finished under 5 hours, another under 6. The other two had to walk the distance and finished in 9 and 13 hours. What was glossed over was the training, nutrition, and pain involved in running a marathon. All that was said about training was that they had just a few weeks to do it. Obviously, they must have had a base level of running fitness because most of those 26 days they had would be spent tapering. There was no mention of Gatorade, energy gels, water, salt or any of those marathon nutrition necessities. And aside from the guy with the bad knees, these guys looked really fresh and pain-free throughout the race. This appeared to be a tough course with serious hills, AND the race finished on soft sand! What?! Who really can sail across the finish line. running on a soft, sandy beach looking as fresh as when they started?! I just don't know... Again, I applaud the contestants accomplishments. I just don't think this show painted a very realistic, responsible portrait of marathoning. That's all. But if you want to read more, lots of people have been giving their opinions here.

The marathon makes primetime

Tonight, the final four contestants on The Biggest Loser are running a marathon. 8 pm NBC. More to come.

Yes, I'm still running...

After a few weeks off, I'm easing back into training mode. It's time to start getting ready for...The Brooklyn Half Marathon. I still have nightmares about last year's race, but the timing's right. It's good base-building before I start training for Marine Corps so I'm sucking it up and trying again. This year, I'm doing a little private training with Coach Danny of Jack Rabbit fame.

Yes, I said Marine Corps! As in the Marine Corp Marathon in Washington DC. Luis and I will be fundraising and running with Team Reeve this year, and I pretty much can't wait! The race isn't until October, so that's a lot of waiting, but the fundraising ball is already rolling! In lieu of wedding gifts, Luis and I have asked friends and family to consider making a donation to The Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation! Be sure to indicate that your donation is "In Honor Dawn and Luis Manzo tying the knot" or something on those lines!

And just in case you watch The Hills and are worried about whether a Mexico marriage is legal or not, Luis and I made our union official at my parent's house in Yardley, Pa. None other than the Mayor of Yardley (and my childhood dentist!) performed the ceremony, which was simple, perfect, and most definitely legal!

NYC Marathon Pics

Courtesy of Brightroom:

MYC MARATHON!!!

Ok, I give up on the official photos. I ordered the download, and I don't what's taking so long. You can view them here.

Now, let's get started. Overall, on a scale of 1 - 10, I'd give Marathon Day a 22! SO FUN! SO EXCITING! SO INSPIRING! Here is a little video documentation of it all:



Of course you'll want to watch the whole video, but in case want to skip around a little, you'll find me at 1:22, 1:55, and 3:44 (you'll also see me running my mouth in the background while someone else is being interviewed at 3:35).

Together, we raised over $8,200 for the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation (slightly short of my goal, but with this economy, what can ya do?)! Amazing. I knew whatever happened on race day, I'd be wearing my Team Reeve shirt with my head held high and my heart full of gratitude for all your help and encouragement.

The running part was pretty much the icing on the cake - and faster than I expected! I had been using a pace band for 4:14, but I threw it out at mile 20, turned it up, and finished in 4:06. An 8 minute PR!!! My first ever marathon PR (aside from my first ever marathon). The only downside is that the course is so fun and so filled with energy that the thought did cross my mind to slow down and make it all last longer. And I would like to point out that Brooklyn is, by far, the best borough. Lafayette Avenue in Fort Greene was so full of energy and love, it brought me to tears!

There were so many other moments and such that I want to write about, but I'm having trouble organizing it all. So here is a random list:

• My mom came to see me run! She was an excellent cheerer, especially on 4th Ave. I sent her to mile 25.5 on Central Park South too, but she was kickin back on some bleachers when I ran by. Hehe.
• Someone came up to me on 4th Ave, and told me he was running for his friend who is quadriplegic. We wished each other luck. I hope that guy had a good race!
• Christina G., Cathy, Luis and I met up with Margaret at the start. It was really freakin cold. I was also really freakin good to see Margaret (who moved to Minneapolis recently).
• Christina G. and I did a little minute loosen up run the day before the race. We also took pre-race portraits with Sister (I haven't seen them yet though!!)
• Speaking of Christina G. - you should read her blog post. Much more organized and detailed!
• Robert also has a good race recap!
• Running over the lower level of the Verrazano isn't as scenic as the upper level, but it's ok. I had my turn for the upper level last year.
• Luis had a tough race - major knee difficulty. I tried to convince him that a couple advil will not kill him!
• I beat Luis by 2 minutes. Not that we keep track of such things.
• I was stuck behind a guy dressed like Borat in a nasty banana thong for about 5 miles. His whole butt was showing, and it was not a good look.
• Deb, Jinny, and Melka totally surprised me and jumped in and carried me through some of the toughest parts of the course. Those guys rock!
• The ladies of Team Awesome make awesome cheerleaders!
• I got my goody bag this year (last year I walked right past it)! The Powerbar recovery bar hit the spot.
• I spilled Gatorade all over my shirt and the iron-on's ran. Not cute.

I'm not done marathoning. It's just too fun. And my legs still work and my dad's still don't. There is still work to be done. Marine Corps Marathon 2009, perhaps?

Stairs are hard

after a marathon. Going downstairs is the worst. I like this guy's technique:


from cute overload

Patiently waiting...

I know you're all just dying to know all the gory details of last Sunday's NYC Marathon, but I'm waiting for the pictures to come in! So just hold your horses.

Can I just say...

The whole color-coding of the NYC Marathon start area really gets on my nerves. The race has 3 different colored routes (green, blue, orange), and each route is divided into 5 lettered corrals. Then they throw in 3 different wave starts this year and really mix us all up. As you can see:

So I and others have emailed New York Road Runners (NYRR) asking if there is any way we can change colored routes. Each time the response is, "you may move to slower wave or a slower corral." No mention of colored route. Clearly, NYRR does not care about running partners we may have trained with for the last 6 months. Hmph.

Well I do!!! So here's to you Christina G. (on the right)!! And Cathy (on the left)!!

We ran countless miles together - from those cheery first runs in May, through the stifling humidity of summer, to these final crisp fall days. Christina G. has been able to motivate me to get up for 6:30 am runs every Thursday for the past 2 months!!! You may remember it was awful in the beginning, but we stuck it out and have been going strong all this time. Even when it started staying dark in the morning.

We talked about our lives, gossiped, and even played 20 questions. We laughed and cried and almost pooped our pants (let's be real - it happens to runners all the time). Not even NYRR, with all its color-coding, alphabetizing and corralling, can break those bonds. We may not be physically together on Sunday, but we will be together in spirit, cheering each other on with every step.

It's Team Reeve time!

Some memories from last year, as I prepare for this year:



I can't tell you how nervous I got as soon as they turned on the camera (and I needed a little make-up and to remember to smile when I talk), but it was such an exciting, inspiring, emotional day for me, and I'm glad we've got this video to document some of it.

Ok guys, keep your eyes open - I'm planning to set up my Team Reeve fundraising page this weekend....

San Diego Bound

I know this blog has been a little sucky lately. And it's about to get suckier. I'm off to San Diego for a week.

But before we hit the beach, we have some business to take care of.

Tomorrow is my cousin's big day!!! Melissa runs her first marathon!!! So Luis and I have some serious cheering to do. My favorite, FAVORITE thing to do. Much more favorite than running. Go Melissa!

Good Luck also to Amanda, Margaret, Melka, Tif, and all you other BK (and NYC, I suppose) folks. See you on the course!

Be back next Saturday, with all the details of course.

Just get me to the boardwalk!

Finally, the big day is tomorrow! It's really nerve-racking to have an actual time goal. I swear the more times I do this, the more nervous I get. Still, I know it will be a blast no matter what! Good luck to everyone running in BK and Jersey this weekend!!!!



*and note the similarities between the two

Summer Plans

If you need to reach me anytime between May and November, you'll most likely find me running in the park.

I'm all signed up to mentor for Team in Training for the Nike Women's Half-Marathon in San Francisco, and I just applied to run the New York City Marathon again with Team Reeve. I don't have official confirmation about Team Reeve yet, but I think they'll take me back again this year. I know, I know, I'm a two-timing good cause whore...

Team in Training has a special place in my life, because they are the ones who got me into this long-distance running thing. And because I've met some of the best people in the world through this program. I won't be fundraising this year, but I'll be volunteering as a mentor for new participants.

Team Reeve, however, is my heart. Because it's for my dad. He was in a car accident in '94 that left him C-4 quadriplegic. The Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation has been such a ray of hope in our lives, and I'm honored beyond words to run in support of such a wonderful foundation and in honor of my pa. I have a personal goal of raising $10,000 for them!

Looks like the lazy days of summer won't be so lazy this year, but it's all good...

Stuff White People Like

LOVE the whole blog. Especially #27: Marathons