Preparation H

Today is the longest run before the marathon. Route will be nearly the same as last week. I’ll go over the Brooklyn Bridge and touch the park at the Manhattan side. Then I’ll head to Prospect Park, do one and a quarter loop and head home. After this, I begin the “taper.” That just means that the mileage decreases to 75% this week, 50% next week and 25% on the week before the marathon.

Sunday – 20 miles planned

Up at 6:00 today. Full house this weekend. Among our guests is the incorrigible Stella B. It’s her first visit to New York, and it’s been a busy one. Manhattan zoo, a stroll through Central Park, then over to Peter Lugar’s for steak and cigars. It’s hard to keep up with her, but you must. If you don’t she becomes ill-tempered, dare I say violent – throwing things and talking gibberish. As you can see, she’s an all around miserable person.

I’m about three blocks away from the house when I realize I haven’t brought any money to buy more water. I decide not to bother. I’ll fill my bottle when I get to the park. I hate drinking out of water fountains. Remember what we used to do to water fountains when we were kids? Between spitting in them and packing them full of dog shit, there’s the whole idea of pigeons taking baths in them. Uuuuughh… pigeons.

North up 3rd avenue, with the BQE overhead. This area is called Sunset Park. The name brings to mind images of meadows and crisp fall evenings, doesn’t it? Ironically, you’ll find neither in Sunset Park. Nor would you want to spend your sunset years here. Come to think of it, you wouldn’t want to hang out here after sunset. Although if you did, you’d find plenty of entertainment. There is at least one 24 hour adult video/novelty store on every block. What exactly goes on at 5:00 am in one of these stores? Chris?

During the mid-week runs, I had trouble with pain in my left knee. So much so that each time, I needed to stop and stretch for a few minutes. Luckily that seemed to do the trick and I was off again. If you’ve been reading this blog for any length of time (and God help you if you have), you’ll know that I’ve never had any kind of knee problems. In fact my knee problem never started until after Sept. 13, when gobo33 posted in the comments section to “watch yo knees, hodgey.” As my Grandmother used to say, “Thanks a pant-load, Dan.”

It’s not warm, so I’m not drinking very much, but I am aware of needing to conserve the water. I won’t hit the park until about 9 miles in, so no refill until then. And btw, has anyone ever tried salt tablets? I’m hesitant to try anything new at this point, but I gotta be honest, I’ve had to pee since about mile 4. That’s really annoying. I’m trying to time it before I run, but I just can’t seem to nail it down. The salt is mostly to prevent hyponatremia, but I’m wondering if it would help cut down on needing to go?

At the base of the bridge on the Manhattan side and turning around. Wow. The incline is a lot longer than it seemed from Brooklyn. I assume it’s the same distance. My left ankle is starting to hurt now. Seems to only start barking when I’m going up hill. Unfortunately it’s all up hill to the park.

It’s Sunday in Prospect Park and there’s no bike race? Fear not, stroller moms. The races return next weekend. Make a half loop and make my way to… (gulp)… the water fountain. (I think my wife calls it a “bubbler.” What century are you from? Can you see my bloomers under my running shorts?)

I can’t fill the bottle all the way because the water is not coming out high enough. Mostly likely due to being clogged with dog shit. I’m only able to fill it half way. For those keeping track, that’s 6 oz of water for the next 12 miles. Can Kev do it? Can he?

Make my loop around and exit the park for the last 4.25 miles home. Things start to get interesting here. My stomach starts to hurt a little, as though it’s empty. I swig a little fecal-water and down a Gu. I’m fine for the next 15 minutes or so but then it’s back to feeling the same way. At mile 18 my legs really start to get tight. They feel like a day after a long run and I haven’t stretched them out fully. Weird. It feels like I should stop and stretch out for a while. I’m so close, I decide to keep going.

So that’s 20.5 miles. Another first. Despite Dan’s best try, I’m not injured (much). Now we’re off to meet a bunch of friends for brunch. Why? Cause Stella wants us to. And I can’t say no.

I’ve given Dan a lot of crap this week, but he’s made great progress in his own challenge. Stay strong, bro. Don’t be tempted.