Category: Motivation

I Did It Again! Another 20-Miler.

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Today I am announcing that I am officially ready for the NYC Marathon.

The race is in three weeks.

This morning I did my last long (long, long) run. I banged out another 20-miler.

Two weeks ago I did my first 20-miler. I wanted one more under my belt before race day.

It’s now under my belt.

***

The best part is that I feel great and felt great throughout the run.

I was a little concerned about this one.

I have been busy really 24/7. The demands on my time from so many different areas have been legion. I have always kept myself busy, but the demands right now have been relentless. I headed into the weekend exhausted. I woke up yesterday still exhausted. I didn’t know if I could pull off a 20-miler today.

But I did… and I was even much fast than two weeks ago.

To boot:

On October 2, I ran 20 miles in 3:43:12. That was 11:09 mile pace.

Today I did the 20 in 3:31:23. That was 10:34 mile pace.

Yeah baby! I KILLED IT!

On October 2, I ran only two of the miles in under 10-minute mile pace.

Today, I ran seven of them that fast.

My fastest mile on October 2 was 9:58.

Today it was 9:17.

My slowest mile on October 2 was 13:03

Today it was 12:32.

I had ten miles on October 2 that were over 11:00 mile pace.

Today I had only seven.

***

As I have recovered from Achilles surgery, I never lost the hope and belief that I would run well and far again, but as I struggled and toiled in my recovery and training, many doubts came deep inside my head.

These last few weeks have shattered those doubts.

I’m not fast like I once was.

But I am strong again.

I feel ten years younger.

I feel great.

***

The marathon is in three weeks.

I cannot wait!

If I Can, So Can You!

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I was never a gifted athlete.

I was often picked last for the sports teams on the playgrounds and even in gym class.

I never played varsity baseball (my favorite sport.)

I got cut from the freshman soccer team.

The only skill I really have is the ability to focus on a task, stay committed, and get the job done.

Continue reading “If I Can, So Can You!” →

23,753

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Twenty three thousand, seven hundred fifty three.

That’s the number, for all intents and purposes, give or take a few…

23,753.

It seems kind of silly.

But that’s what it is.

***

Continue reading “23,753” →

SWEET 15.85 (Not Quite 16)

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I always feel the need to preface these posts with, “I wasn’t fast.”

And, it wasn’t fast, but today I ran great and good and far and wonderfully.

With my oldest son, and his wonderful wife, we set out from our beach house to do one of my favorite long runs – to the Point Pleasant Inlet and back – a solid 16(+) miler.

This is one of my favorite long runs. When I can do this run, I know I am (just about) marathon ready.

Continue reading “SWEET 15.85 (Not Quite 16)” →

My Field of Dreams (Cooperstown, NY)

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(I also published this story on my Yankees site: Start Spreading the News as part of the series “One Last Shot” as I document my return to playing baseball after 34 years away from the game as a player.)

***

How often have I dreamed of playing baseball professionally?

I don’t know… it probably hasn’t been every day of my life, but it’s been most days and probably multiple times on most days.

Oh, who am I kidding. It’s ALL I think about!

As of the writing of this post, I have been alive about 19,400 days.

That’s a lot of dreaming.

***

Before August 11, 2021, I had never played baseball on a field other than a recreation or high school field.

I never played in a real ballpark or in a stadium.

But, on August 11, the dream, came true, at least a little.

On August 11, I arrived in Cooperstown, New York.

On August 11, I pitched, in a tournament game, on Doubleday Field, in Cooperstown, New York.

As the Yankees prepared to play on the Field of Dreams in Iowa, I played on a field of dreams of my own in baseball’s most special village.

Continue reading “My Field of Dreams (Cooperstown, NY)” →

Running “With” Meb (Keep Moving Forward)

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August 3, 2021

I knew this would happen.

I was being very smart, and have been smart, but I had a feeling that I’d have a set back or two along the way to the NYC Marathon this November.

After my first 30-mile week, things started to go south a bit.

Continue reading “Running “With” Meb (Keep Moving Forward)” →

30-Mile Week

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The 2021 NYC Marathon is 17 weeks, plus one day away.

This week, two weeks before my real “training” begins (aren’t we, as runners, always in training?), I took a GIANT leap forward.

Continue reading “30-Mile Week” →

Marathon Training Update, 2021

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It will be three years since my last marathon when I step up to the (crowded) start in Staten Island for the 50th running of the New York City Marathon in November.

Three years and an Achilles surgery.

This will be, for me, Marathon Number 22 in all. It’ll be my eighth New York.

I love New York. And I love this race.

Continue reading “Marathon Training Update, 2021” →

I AM IN!

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I will be a part of it.

New York, New York.

If I can run it there, I can run anywhere.

***

I haven’t run NYC since 2018.

I’ll finally be back in my favorite race.

I am thrilled beyond measure!!!

One Last Shot – Season 3, Post 2: My Spring Training

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(Note: This article can also be found on Start Spreading The News.)

***

Opening Day is a month, a week, and a day away. That’s my Opening Day. The day my baseball season begins.

In 2019, after not pitching in any competitive baseball game for over 34 years, I made a comeback as the old guy, a 50+-year-old pitcher, in a highly competitive wood bat 35-year-old + baseball league. I pitched again last year.

The upcoming 2021 season will be my third.

After proving to myself that I can hold my own on the mound, and even pitch complete nine inning games, I am no longer content with just being able to do that.

Now I want to win.

Continue reading “One Last Shot – Season 3, Post 2: My Spring Training” →