Running Zaidy

I recently posted this to one of the NYC Marathon Facebook Groups. Have a look at one of the responses.  This is one of the things that make the marathon so special. Let's share medal stories. I'll start. I had a great experience with my medal last year. When I crossed the border on my way back to Montreal the border guard asked me if I had anything to declare. I said yes I do, and showed her my medal. She said "Wow, can I hold it?". I gave it to her and we had a nice running conversation. After giving it back to me she asked if I had anything else to declare. I said "Yes, I have some groceries, a couple of bottles of wine, and a bottle of scotch". She smiled and said "Oh, you deserve that". Here is one of the comments.

Here is something I wrote after completing my first marathon on June 3,2018. Power walked for over 20 years. Never intended to run a marathon. Couldn't run to the end of the block. Wanted to mix a little running with my power walking. Started. Running 1K without stopping was the goal. That little voice inside my head said no you can't. Took a while but I did it. Then it was 2K and then 3K. I never intended to run a marathon. Kept adding a little bit more each week. Weeks turned to months, I reached 5K. Wonder if I can do 10K. The little voice said no you can't. Did 6, 7, 8, 9, and then 10K. I was happy with that. I never intended to run a marathon. Did 8 miles and then 10. Decided to try a half. The little voice said no you can't. Did it. Did lots more half's. Most with 1300 foot climbs. One Sunday I decided to try a 16 miler. Let's see what happens, I said to myself. The little voice said no you can't. Did it. One day I saw a runner with 42.2 on his jersey....

Inspiration comes in all kinds of different ways. I've written about three runners who inspire me and hopefully will inspire you. Today I want to talk about inspiration from the spectators at a marathon. They provide us with much needed inspiration during the race. Be it the signs, the cheering, or the calling out of our names they are a big part of what gets us to the finish line. Let me give you a personal example. Towards the end of the race just outside Central Park with about 1/2 mile to the finish line I was completely out of gas; not even fumes. I was running (if you can call it that) on an injured ankle and it was killing me.  There was a group of spectators cheering me on. Somehow they gave me a shot of adrenaline and I was able to sprint past while high fiving them. To this day I don't know how I did it! But let me tell you about Emily Litman. The NYC marathon crosses five bridges. The start is the Verrazano. Then there are: The Pulaski, Queensborough, Willis Avenue, ...

Here is something I wrote a while ago and posted to a bunch of Facebook Running groups. I got a very good response. A few people told me that they downloaded, enlarged, printed, and hung it on their wall at home!

As I was finishing my run a few weeks ago I saw a runner wearing a NYC Marathon tee shirt. I approached him and said "I have one of those too!". We talked and took selfies. His name is Ron Friedman and is from Brooklyn. I then had the honor and privilege of running with him and had a nice conversation as we ran together. Ron ran the NYC marathon last November. He is 76! That's what I call inspiration! If he can do it you can spend 30-40 minutes of exercise 3-4 times per week. After the race Ron was interviewed by a local TV station in New York. You can see it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24MnjUKchEQ He talks about his health challenges and why he decided to run the marathon. Well worth the watch!

When I posted my request about Bill Bucklew on the running group I had no idea what the response would be. Many people commented and one of them was  Kamal Julka. Kamal has Epilepsy and Parkinson's.  She posted a picture. She is standing on the Verrazano bridge wearing a cape. On it is written "I have Parkinsons & Epilepsy, if I can you can".  In the August/September 2022 issue of Woman's Day magazine there is an article called Against the Odds. It features 6 extraordinary women who have done extraordinary things. Here is the piece about Kamal. That's inspiration!!

In the next 3 posts I will highlight a runner who has and continues to inspire me. I'm hoping that they will inspire you also. Each of them embodies the expression "There is no such thing as I can't" Many people have told me that I am an inspiration. I usually answer "From my inspiration to your perspiration!" My only hope is that they move past the compliment and start living healthy. At the NYC Marathon last November I met a very special person. His name is Bill Bucklew .  Here is what happened. The marathon starts on Staten Island at the foot of the Verrazano Bridge. We cross into Brooklyn and run north on 4'th avenue. At some point at about mile 6 I noticed a runner  wearing a jersey that said that he was running for Parkinson's research . There were a few other runners with the same jersey. The difference was that his was blue and the others were white. Figuring that he was the head of the group I ran up beside him and thanked him for his...