This past November I ran in the NYC Marathon. It was a lovely day and I achieved some milestones. I did not run as fast as I had planned, but I got through a couple hitches—which to me was a fine consolation. We try to get something out of a big challenge and sometimes those things are not clear or the same as the things we have in mind when beginning the preparation.

Here is what I will remember:

1. Before the race, the staging area is a zoo. Since I was part of Team for Kids, I thought it would be easy to navigate, but the volunteers were not organized, and gave incomplete and conflicting info. As a result, I almost missed my start—I was scheduled to be part of the first of 3 waves. The security guard of my corral said “Closed.” And would not budge. So I did a classic “Look over there..” and then ducked under him, broke free from his late grab,  and into the lineup. Ha!

2. I had developed Achilles tendonitis the week leading to the race. This was new to me, and I didn’t really know how to react, other than to rest as much as I could…  The day before the run, I decided I would go ahead and compete b/c the threat of a RUPTURE was low. Still, it was a chore just walking the 10 blocks to the bus that would bring us to the start. I was able to run with the pace maker for the first half, but then the pain became much greater on the Queensboro Bridge (where the defending champ QUIT!). My pace fell…. but I kept the spirits up, and then finished strong in Central Park. As with a lot of foolish endeavors, a guy’s gotta find that right balance between Craziness and Prudence. For more on that, read that book about Mt. Everest.