dear nyrr

Dear NYRR,
 

Yesterday I received an email with the latest news from you in regards to the NYC Marathon. No bag check. Really? I decided to run the Chicago Marathon this year, but I live in NYC and my 2 sisters are running, along with many our friends and their families. Most live here, but some are traveling down to NYC to run the largest marathon in the world. How do you think the bag check will affect them? Well I will tell you.

 

I ran the NYCM in 2009 and 2010. Below you’ll see my list of items that I brought with me. I try not to bring a lot since I don’t want to carry it, but there are items you just need after running 26.2 miles.

 

In no particular order:

• Keys: To get back into my apartment later
• Metrocard: To get to Staten Island and back home later
• License: A form of ID just in case I need it, oh and to get into the bar later that day to celebrate
• Insurance card: Because my doctor friends tell me I should have it in case something happens
• Phone: To get into contact with family and friends post-race. Also to tell the Facebook and Twitter world how my race went.
• Camera: To document the momentous day that took months of training to accomplish
• Change of clothes: Because I sweat (a lot) and its cold in November
• Face wipes: To try to get some of the sweat off of my face post-race
• Food and drink: Yes, this will most likely get consumed pre-race, but I may want a snack later on or a drink (water bottle, Gatorade)
• Cash: In case of emergency  
• Credit card: To celebrate, and buy lunch and  beer post-race
• Misc items: Chap-stick, extra hair tie, ect

This isn’t even including any medication that some people require, like an inhaler.  I’m now fortunate to live close to the NYCM finish line. But I used to live in Queens. Which is far from the Tavern on the Green finish line. I didn’t have the luxury of popping over to my apt to shower and get personal items post-race. Honestly, if I had, I probably would have passed out and not moved until Monday morning. But after months of training, all you want to do is celebrate with your family and friends who supported you all those months and cheered you on during the race.

I know that not too long ago, ok 15 years ago, people didn’t have cell phones. They survived. I get it. But the NYCM wasn’t the size it is today. You tout you are the largest marathon in the world; well you need to accommodate your 45,000+ runners. In 2009, I ran the NYCM hoping to Boston Qualify (I had a great race the previous year and thought it could be possible). Well that didn’t happen. Not sure what I did wrong, but I was slightly faintish after I finished. I called my sisters and dad to locate them on CPW. I was slightly out of it and couldn’t comprehend where they were. I finally found them, and I had a phone to communicate with. What if there’s nothing to communicate with? Should we use smoke signals? Oh wait, where would we put our matches? Oh and I’m pretty sure the NYPD wouldn’t be pleased with their no fire policy in Central Park.

I’m about to run my 6th marathon. I’ve run marathons in Alaska, DC, NYC, and Amsterdam, and am about to head to Chicago. I understand what it takes to travel locally and long-distance for a race. Although, going to Staten Island seems like traveling long-distance. If you are lucky, you have friends that could meet you at the end. But, what are you going to give your friend all your stuff the night before? So yeah, let’s run around NYC to coordinate the night before a big race. And if you are visiting? You may not have anyone to help you out. So you are stuck. Unless you find a random Good Samaritan. But I doubt it. 

I was contemplating on running the NYCM again next year. It’s a great race and it’s not like any other. However, I will now stop contemplating. I had planned on getting my 9+1 just in case. So far this year, I’ve run 4 races with NYRR. Five toward the 9+1 if you count the cancelled Manhattan ½. What has stopped me from signing up for other races? Well increased fees number one. Apparently members don’t get as much as a discount like they used to. I’ve been running with NYRR since 2007 and it’s sad that prices have gone up this much. Also, there are now shorter deadlines for the race fee increase. For example, if I wanted to run the Fitness Games 4-miler on September  15^th, in order to benefit from the lower race fee, I would have had to sign up prior to May 28^th. That’s over 3 months in advance. Really, 3 months for a 4-miler? I didn’t know what I would be doing in September back in May. I know plenty of people who have had unexpected travel plans come up or they get injured. My friend signed up for a ton of races this year and hasn’t been able to participate in most due to injury. So not only did she waste her money, but now that’s one less spot for another runner. But there’s such a demand, that runners sign up so far in advance and now races now sell out much quicker than they should.

So the price difference doesn’t seem like much when delaying your registration—only $5. But that adds up over time. In 2008, I ran 18 races. If I had signed up late, that would have resulted in an extra $90. I’d rather spend that on a new running jacket. The price of the marathon is now over $200. Outrageous. For a non-elite runner, who doesn’t qualify with time, this is what I would pay to run the NYCM in 2013.

• $40 for NYRR membership
• $216 for the marathon fee
• 9+1 races on average of $30/race 

This totals $526. To run one race? No more. Last year, I paid 59 euros to run Amsterdam, which was equivalent to $85. I’m running Chicago and paid $150. Yeah, still pricey, but didn’t have to pay for all these other races like I hav,e and would have to for NYC.

So NYRR, you are just getting too big for your britches. I’ve been supporting you since I actively started participating in races back in 2007. Not anymore. I really wanted to run the 5^th Avenue mile in September, but $30 to run a mile? And now it’s $40 to run one of the 5 borough ½ marathons. All races used to be $17, and now they range from $20-$40. It’s just too much. You don’t even get a good technical t-shirt for most of these races.  I spend enough on running, I can’t validate spending more.

 

I do really love the NYC Marathon, but I can’t support it any longer. I know that people will continue to pay these outrageous fees and accept these ridiculous race day demands, so this may never improve. I will go out there and support those running, but I no longer support you. Maybe in 10 years or so when you change your policy, I’ll reconsider.

For now, it’s time to support other local running organizations.

Sincerely,
Shawnessy

rhode island

Del's Lemondade

This past weekend I checked off another state off my list—Rhode Island (#24). Months ago I decided to run the Providence Rock 'n Roll 1/2 Marathon. I figured it was a new race and a new state—all in one.

I have been to RI. Just only to the bus station and driving through. So I don't count it. I have to do something there and I figured running 13.1 miles in the state would totally count. Although since the state is so small, I was wondering whether I'd actually run into another state, but luckily Providence is far enough away from the borders of CT and MA.

I didn't sleep in RI, since I stayed with my friend in Boston (only 45 minutes away). On Saturday I had to get my race stuff, so this was my opportunity to get a sneak peak. We resisted shopping in Providence Place but it looked like it deserved a return visit. We had to have Del's Lemonade, which RI is known for. And it was delish. Pretty much a lemonade slushie. Perfect on a rainy, summer day. Or not. But this girl eats ice cream in December, so it worked out totally fine.

It was time to head back to Bean-town to stay out of the rain, get some pre-race food (which included peanut butter cup ice cream at Quincy Creamery), and get some rest.


As most of you know, I'm training for Chicago and am following a semi-intense plan. Per usual, I like to run a 1/2 to assess how my training was going. My 1/2 PR is from RnR Philly 2010, which was too long  agoto use as a guide for this year's marathon. So I was hoping to PR or at least pretty close to it in this race.



Providence

Very early Sunday morning, we flew down the deserted highway and crossed the state border. At 7am, in 60-degree weather and the sun shining down, I crossed the starting line to get my 13.1 mile tour of the city (which included too many hills for my liking). Providence was actually pretty nice. I guess there are some not-so-nice parts, but they decided to keep us runners away from those areas.


We ran through the city, up to some residential areas with folks cheering from their porches, down to the river and back through downtown. It was relatively quiet on the course but did get to see my friend Sue cheering for me a couple of times towards the end (when I needed her).

Running along.


Overall I felt good. I finished with a 1:43:20 time (5 seconds slower than my PR). The hills were slightly rough, the 1:45 pacing group passed me at the beginning (even though I was at a 7:45 pace), and I felt slight remnants of last week's 19 miler, but it was good. Now I'm wondering if I could have pushed myself a bit more if I had remembered my PR time. Or if there wasn't a hill at the end. Either way, I felt good when I finished and was extremely happy with how I did. I'm sure to PR on a flatter course at some point. I feel more confident about Chicago and will definitely continue with my current training plan to ensure optimal results.

To celebrate, I had a beer and listened to Karmin at the post-race concert. Oh and had a lobstah roll back in Bawston. Yummy.

I've now visited my 3 new states for 2012. I do have one more lined up though for good measure. Which will take me to the halfway point.



Post-race concert: Karmin

more notes

So I totally slacked on writing notes each month. I wrote one in January and then one in February. Then I stopped. I had a reminder in my phone, but I got busy with stuff and would totally forget about it. And then I started to get anxious once I found myself so behind. Who was I going to send them to? What was I going say? I want to keep it short and sweet, but somewhat meaningful. Somewhat.

I finally just sat down yesterday and started to compose a few of them to some people in my life; some old friends, some new. And I knocked out 4 of them! I was starting to get a roll, but then figured I'd save a few for next month.

july book update

I'm a little late on my post. I try to do my monthly book post on the 1st of the month. But I was a bit busy hanging out at the beach on my vacation. Oh well. I squeezed in a few short books in July and started a really long one that I haven't quite finished.

Abandoned by Amanda Stevens
This was a free Kindle book. Not the best writing, but definitely a quick read. It was combination thriller and paranormal. Apparently there’s a whole series, which makes me think it must be for the younger target. I won't be reading the series.  

A Flight Delayed by KC Lemmer

This was another free book on the kindle. It sounded interesting when I downloaded it. This Scottish woman has to deliver her great aunt’s ashes to Africa. Well her flight is delayed at her stopover in Zimbabwe and Amanda goes through a period of self-reflection during the weeks she’s stuck there. It was a decent read, but way too religious in my opinion. Although my desire to go to other parts of Africa has increased.

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

Time for another classic. I’m going to try to read one a month. We’ll see how long that lasts. This was pretty good. Dorian Gray, a young, very good-looking man makes a wish to keep his youthfulness after his friend Basil paints his portrait. Over the course of many years Dorian commits various sins, while his portrait bears the repercussions. He remains ever youthful until eventually his indiscretions catch up to him.

Overall I liked this book, although I glossed over a portion of the middle. We don’t get into too much that Dorian does over the years of his life and there’s a whole part dedicated to descriptions of materials things that didn’t interest me too much. It was relatively quick to read and would recommend it.

The Diary of Darcy J. Rhone by Emily Giffin

This was a free download and I wasn’t a huge fan. I enjoyed previous Emily Giffin books, and since this was Darcy’s diary from high school, I thought it may be somewhat interesting. However, it just shows how Darcy has been a selfish person since she was a child. It was a pretty short read, so luckily didn’t waste too much time with it.

Betty and Veronica by Elena Aitken

This was another free short story download. Way better than the previous one. It was actually quite sad as it's about a pair of best friends, with one getting breast cancer. I read it in a day and it actually had a bit of substance to it.

I was going to wait and start reading the next book club, but got impatient and decided to begin The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas. I’m going to miss book club anyway, so will read it at a later point. I'm still working my way through The Three Musketeers. I also have a number of books that are on my list to read in August and September.
 

25/30 books in 2012.