Hi all! I am very happy to be back in the world of blogging - I have largely been absent for the past few weeks due to a sudden (and unexplained) illness. With that resolved, I am glad to be back blogging and trying to dig out from my review backlog!
Marathon Sunday
Autumn is marathon season - many major cities have their marathons in the fall. The 2010 ING NYC Marathon took place today and what a beautiful day for running! It was clear, sunny and crisp -perfect for running and spectating! There were some great stories out on the course today from American Shalane Flanagan running the marathon distance for the first time and placing 2nd to Chilean miner Edison Pena running the marathon after spending 69 days trapped underground. In between these headliners, there are more than 45,000 runners with a personal triumph story from the marathon today!
All in the Family . . .
I have had the honor of running the NYC Marathon 3 times (the last time was more than 5 years ago) and I still love to go out and watch the runners wage their own personal wars against the streets of NY through 5 boroughs, over 4 bridges and through the many diverse neighborhoods along the route. You can often see that struggle on their faces - they are obviously summoning every bit of strength to put one foot in front of the other. You dig deeper than you think possible to get through especially that last 6 miles. I remember how important the crowds were to me each time I ran the marathon - they truly carried me through and I like to give that back as I go out to cheer each year.
My days of cheering started young - my Dad ran marathons when I was young and my Mom, brother and I would go out and watch for him and cut up oranges to pass out to all that runners that passed. Unfortunately, by the time I ran my first marathon, a knee injury had ended my Dad's marathon days but he came out and cheered for me as I had done for him many years earlier. I have been inspired by the race today - so here is my declaration - in 2011, I will run the NYC Marathon! I am logging on tomorrow when entries open to stake my claim to a spot for 2011 - I have A LOT of work to do to be ready in 12 months (hell, I don't run at all right now - not even for a bus) but I think this goal is just what I need.
Books
With my recent absence, I have quite the backlog to work through for reviews. Here is a peek at what is coming up on the blog in the next few weeks . . .
Enjoy what is left of the weekend!
Welcome back! I'm glad you're feeling better. Very exciting to train for a marathon again - will you post about your progress? I'll also look forward to the reviews coming up. I've read a few of those and am curious to see what you think.
ReplyDeleteLots of books to review, but I'm sure you will catch up. Good luck with the marathon. I love setting challenging goals.
ReplyDeletehttps://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AieeeIeKCZzHdE02Wm45RVZybkp3ekZydDBIaW1ydHc&authkey=CJi81twN&hl=en&pli=1#gid=0
Oh dear. Of course that is not my Sunday Salon, but a list of all the children's books I am trying to read! I apologize.
ReplyDeleteMy post is here:
www.readerbuzz.blogspot.com
Glad you're feeling better! What a great goal for the coming year. Good luck getting ready for it.
ReplyDeleteGood luck tomorrow! Running a marathon is on my bucket list. I started running again about 3 years ago and have ran in several races. Everyone said I would get the "marathon itch" and I thought they were insane. But sometime this year, I felt it. REALLY felt it. I think I need several longer races to get me there. To be honest, the training for a marathon SCARES me!
ReplyDeleteglad to see you're back and well!
ReplyDeletegood luck with the training and preparation for the marathon! i hope you'll keep us updated on your progress. :)
WOW!! 3 marathons! And maybe one next year? I ran a 5K about a year and a half ago and almost passed out at the end LOL!!! I do wish I was one of those people who enjoyed running.
ReplyDeleteAs for the books, I look forward to what you thought about Digging to America... I really enjoyed that one.
Welcome back--I was thrilled to read about the Chilean miner/runner myself! Looking forward to hearing how you like(d) the Guernsey book.
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward to a bunch of the books coming up for review!
ReplyDeleteWelcome back - I love the marathon pictures you shared :)
ReplyDeleteWelcome back! I’m so sorry to hear that you were ill. You must be feeling better if you’re signing up for a marathon. I’m impressed that you ran a marathon 3 times. Good luck with your training! I’ve heard that training buddies help.
ReplyDeleteSometimes I feel like writing a novel is like training for a marathon as it takes at least a year. I even have a writing partner, Jane Green. We buddied up to cheer each other on, even though I can’t really keep pace with her. My knees keep me from real running. I have switched to swimming laps and brisk walking.
My brother ran the NYC marathon at age 16 – he looked green in the photos. They have since raised the minimum age. I do recall the excitement of watching the runners when I was growing up in NYC. It was fun being part of a supportive crowd.
As for your reading list, I loved The Potato book even is I can never remember the whole title. I gave it to my mother and mother in law and they loved it too. I’ve enjoyed several novels by Anne Tyler but haven’t read her latest works. I’m looking forward to your reviews.
Thanks for your kind words about my dog. I haven't been online much the past month myself.
the ny marathon is such fun! my old company underwrote it a bunch of years ago and we the employees stood near the finish line in central park cheering the runners on. it was so much fun!
ReplyDeleteas for your upcoming books--i'm also reviewing lost lustre this month and LOVE the cover of i know i am, but what are you. so cute! hope it's a good read.
The thought of running makes me want to puke (sorry, but it's true). I'm more of a walker. But good luck with the training!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed The Corrections...a lot more than his recent book, Freedom. And I always love Anne Tyler.
ReplyDeleteHere's MY WEEKLY SUNDAY/MONDAY UPDATES