I get to call myself a marathoner again, for a little while.

Well, I'm done. I'm...uh...a little overwhelmed and don't know what to say right now. I'll post a real race report tomorrow. I will say that I put in a very good effort in the last 1.2 miles primarily so I could catch and beat my arch-nemesis: Larry the Lighthouse. Larry the GODDAMN MOTHERFUCKING Lighthouse!! I've written about him before, how he always seems to be magically ahead of me towards the end of these long races and how I often try my damnedest - and fail - to catch him. Beaten by a running lighthouse. Could there be anything more humiliating?

Well, NOT TODAY! For the last five miles, I'd catch up to him, get outpaced, rinse, repeat. But finally, as we made the turn from Columbus Circle to enter the park, I passed Larry. And realized that if I could just hold on and keep jogging to the finish - a mere 500 yards up the hill - that I'd actually beat the fucker, for once. AND I DID. (Of course, I found him after the finish and thanked him for pulling me along.)

Between passing him and finishing, I had only two thoughts, both of which were a little overwhelming: 1) "Wow, this may be just my hometown race, but I'm about to finish the world-famous New York City Marathon!" and 2) I really, really, really, really, really, really, really want a Guinness right now.

And so, after getting home, ice-bath, hot shower, and popping blisters, I am sitting here wrapping up this entry and enjoying my Guinness. And in a few minutes, I'm going to an after-party at Mr. Dennehy's for Team Boomer. Woo-hoo! More Guinness!

2008 ING New York City Marathon Alert Notification

Event Information:
Event:	The ING New York City Marathon
Runner:	Cris Dopher
Latest Results at 04:21:37 PM:
Location Time Pace/mile 5km 0:36:44 11:49 10km 1:17:49 12:31 15km 1:53:39 12:11 20km 2:33:43 12:22 Half-Marathon 2:41:57 12:21 25km 3:16:41 12:39 Mile 16 3:24:03 12:45 Mile 17 3:35:03 12:39 Mile 18 3:48:23 12:41 30km 3:59:10 12:49 Mile 19 4:04:58 12:53 Mile 20 4:22:36 13:07 Mile 21 4:36:57 13:11 35km 4:47:46 13:13 Mile 22 4:50:56 13:13 Mile 23 5:05:42 13:17 Mile 24 5:21:01 13:22 40km 5:32:51 13:23 Mile 25 5:34:53 13:23 Mile 26 5:47:39 13:22 Finish 5:50:12 13:21

All times are unofficial. Times may vary in post race official results.

Please note: This e-mail was sent from the NYRR Automated E-mail Notification System. Please do not reply.

Sincerely,
New York Road Runners

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2008 ING New York City Marathon Alert Notification

Thank you for subscribing to the 2008 INGNYC Marathon Athlete Alert. You
will receive alerts at the start, all 5k splits and from mile 16 to finish.

Have a great race day!

rough 4 miles

Was advised not to do eight miles today, just six. Didn't quite make that. These four miles felt very, very difficult. I hope this is not a preview of race day.

Speaking of which, the stakes have been raised. I can't tell you why just yet, but they have definitely been raised. It is important I finish the marathon and that I do so smiling.

Six more days.

one week to go

Another weekend spent in New Jersey, painting. Didn't run. will run 8 tomorrow after work, just like I ran 10 last week. My hips do hurt, though, and I think it's from all the strange bending and stretching I've done while painting.

I should have a doctor's appointment this week to get a refill of Aztreonam. I certainly hope so. I'd like to do some PFTs and see what my numbers are. I've been having one day "good" and one day "bad" lately, as far as my lungs go. Today was a good day.

One week 'til the marathon. Keeping my fingers crossed.