I dodged a big bullet before Sunday's race.  I felt like a hammer hit the top of my left foot last Friday, October 24.  Therefore, I passed on running the 5 mile Poland Spring Run with Kal, Kathleen, and Linda a couple of days later.

The pain persisted and I went to physical therapy on Monday, October 27.  One of my Deep Water Running buddies diagnosed it as a stress fracture and another diagnosed it as plantar fasciitis.  I was about to cry as my whole year of training including Everest Base Camp was in jeopardy.  However, I got another opinion on Tuesday.  Dr. Dan diagnosed it as tibialis muscle starting below the knee and it goes along the shin and becomes a tendon near the foot.  Basically, it's "only" tendonitis and I was medically cleared to run thank God!

I asked Dr. Dan to give me the arnica painkiller shots on marathon morning.  (Arnica is a non-steroidal pain killer.)  I also took 6 Advils before and during the first half of the race to get me through.  Since this is my fifth and final NYC Marathon, I'm going down swinging.

That said, I almost slipped near the start.  I liked the rolling start in waves but couldn't find my 4 hour 15 minute pace group.  I only saw the 3:50 and 4:30 pace groups.  I thankfully paced myself pretty well through the first half at 1 hour 58 minutes. 

The painkillers and Advil kicked in and I couldn't feel my legs on the 59th Street Bridge.  Wait, this feels like the road to Pengboche except for Steve telling me to stop at the top of the hill but the hill just kept going and so did I.

Speaking of Steve, it was great seeing Steve, Kathleen, and Linda on First Avenue!  Thanks for showing up and cheering me on!   

After the race, it was great hanging out at the Fred's Team Party with Karen and her friend Francis, Kal's Party, and Runner's Post Party at the Hammerstein.  After being up for almost 23 straight hours, time to catch up on football games on Sportscenter and get some sleep.

On Monday at Tavern on the Green, I met up with my friend Claire and her Mum Brenda from the UK.  I had never met Brenda before but she recognized me because she was standing right next to Steve, Kathleen, and Linda while they were cheering for me on Sunday.  What are the odds of total strangers meeting someone who just happens to stand next to someone out of 2.5 million spectators and 40,000 runners?  Pretty long, eh?  I guess I should buy a Lottery ticket. 

Anyhoo, Claire and Brenda are both big Paula Radcliffe fans.  Paula was supposed to be at the Boathouse in the morning where Claire and Brenda tried to see her.  However, she ended up going to Tavern on the Green but Claire and Brenda didn't see her there.  Claire and Brenda said why don't we take a chance and back to the Boathouse.  Sure, I said because the Boathouse was on my way to physical therapy at Dr. Dan's office.  We confirmed that Paula was inside.  Before she came out in less than a half hour, Men's Marathon Winner Marilson Gomes dos Santos of Brasil came out and Claire took this photo.



Paula Radcliffe then came out a few moments later and we're pictured below.  



Bottom Line: Since I ran the first half at 1 hour 58 minutes, I wanted to run a little faster around 4:15 or less.  But, I got a 4:34 PR.  I can still walk and grateful for that.  The stress fracture/tendonitis was a big scare.  The weekly pain in physical therapy over the past year has been pretty fierce and I'm afraid of long term injuries. 

Moreover, I want to quit while I'm ahead to focus on shorter races and my music career.  My voice has healing powers which can foster world peace.  For instance, if Joe the Plumber can get a country music contract, then my first album should sell at least 10 million copies/downloads.  I have sung karaoke on six out of seven continents (except South America) and word is spreading of my musical talent.  As the founder of Slavic country hip-hop, I have immediate cross over appeal.  I didn't need a DJ to cross me over because the I have two "DJs" in my last name. 

My next and last marathon is the North Pole Marathon with Dr. Dan and Kal is not for a PR.  It is for only to (1) destination before the ice melts, (2) celebrate Admiral Perry's 100th year visit to the North Pole, and (3) raise money for cancer research at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center as a member of Fred's Team.   Mega thanks to those who have already donated!  Due to the economy being in the tank (no pun intended) and North Pole Marathon in April, I asked Fred's Team to keep the fundraising webpage open until May 1, 2009.  So, if you can't donate now, please donate when you can.

https://fredsteam.mskcc.org/fundraising/Controller?action=userHome&user_id=35640&event_%20id=113

I've been through a lots of blood, sweat, and tears over the years but it's been worth it.  After September 11, I had to rebuild my friend base as many of my high, college, and other friends left NYC, got married, or dropped off the map.  I am grateful for the Antarctica trip as one of the key points in my life.  There would be no Steve and The Tank, Everest Base Camp trip, etc. without it.  When you take unique trips, you meet special people and I am blessed to have made many life long friends. 

Posted by a grateful Tank reporting live from the NYC Marathon in the world's greatest city.