Virtual New York City Marathon

 I once again ran the Virtual New York City Marathon this weekend. I did this last year when things were more locked down, This year, I able to land an automatic live entry for 2022, provided I complete a virtual 26.2 this year, within a two week window. I completed my run yesterday, in somewhere between five and six lonely hours.

Yesterday was not ideal.  Last weekend would've been better, but family matters come first. Also, a week after running the Snohomish River Marathon, I stepped in a puddle-hidden pothole on a run, and rolled and sprained my right ankle. This is the ankle that rolls so much that I'm not running as many trails as I used to. The cycle is somewhat predictable -- roll the ankle, do some stretches and take it easy--and get back at it in a couple weeks. However, that didn't work this time around, because my Circumpolar Run Around the World team was pushing out the miles to reach a goal this past week (finish Europe). 

The virtual NYC race gives you a two weekend to run, and in the northwest this time of year, it'd be ideal to miss out on rain and cold, which comes and goes. I ran out of time, and had to run yesterday.  The forecast was driving rain and 45 mph winds. Not a problem for a short run, but running alone with no support in bad conditions is a drag.

I got up early and got out the door at 5:20 AM.  It looked like the weather would turn worse mid-morning, and that's what happened. The first hour and half was in the dark, on flat country roads, but not too much rain, and not too cold. My course from home was the same as last year--Mount Vernon to Conway, a half circle around the outer perimeter of Fir Island, and then return via the backroads from the Rex. Three bridges over the Skagit.  Great route.  

The rain was sporadic, but came on hard towards the end. My ankle was not cooperative, which meant I favored my other leg throughout, making it a much harder run than it should've been. I also got to the Rex before it opened at 9 AM, and so wasn't able to re-stock up on water. I ran with a hydration pack, but hydration was nil for the final 8 miles.

The snowbirds are here, again. I'm reminded of T.S. Eliot's line, about measuring life in coffee spoons. It brings a smile to see these big birds fly in pairs over the house each fall, and then see them out in the fields on my runs and drives. Windy days are special, with some of the raptors soaring. The flocks of snow geese are more like hoards- a bit scary, if assigned ill intentions. Beautiful and National Geographic worthy, in truth.

The app is terrific. Great to get some encouragement at key points of the race--"crossing the Queensboro Bridge!" "Welcome to Central Park!" etc.  The battery in my phone held up, which was a concern for this not-so-Strava guy. 

Glad to get it done. Now I can think about returning to NYC for the run the five boroughs again. 

And then, I got up early this morning to watch the actual running of the marathon. ESPN2 had it on, and I was disappointed in the coverage, but enjoyed all the sights and history. They watered down the race coverage by doing features all the time, and missed some of the key developments. The announcer kept referring to Molly Seidel as Molly Huddle, an absolutely unconscionable error. But then Bernard Lagat's sister Viola Cheptoo came in second in a Central Park sprint to the finish, and Molly Seidel beat the American record, and all was good. Really enjoy getting up and watching this event.