I always think it's a brilliant idea to run a half marathon until I'm actually running it. We trekked out to Brooklyn yesterday to run twice around Prospect Park -- which, it turns out, is basically one giant hill -- then out Ocean Parkway to Coney Island.
It was warm and humid and very sunny, a perfect day for lazing in the park or on the beach, but less so for running, especially since they were short on volunteers and many of the fluid stations ended up being self-serve. I guess I'm spoiled, but I'm not a fan of being elbowed by hundreds of sweaty runners and having to leap over the table to dunk my own cup into a trash can of water just to prevent death by dehydration. Of course, I was grateful that it was about ten degrees cooler than the More Half Marathon last month, during which I nearly burst into flames before we even crossed the starting line. In any event, it appears I perform better when it's 14 degrees out than when it's a balmy 75. Good to know.
The crowning moment of the race was just after I turned onto the Coney Island boardwalk, a few hundred meters from the finish. As I headed toward the blessed, blessed end of the hot, hilly ordeal, I thought to myself, "I should be careful; these boards don't seem entirely ev-- OOOOOHHHHHH, SHHIIIIIIIIIIIIT!"
I must have stumbled for about 20 paces, trying mightily to prevent the inevitable and screaming the entire time, and then I skidded for a while on my knees until I came to a halt, stunned and sweating and unable to look at my legs in case there might be splinters and blood and skin hanging off in unusual configurations. As I'd fallen -- it happened in slow motion, as it always does -- I had heard the spectators gasp collectively, unable to intervene, and saw in my peripheral vision a few runners trying to get out of my path of self-destruction. When I came to a stop, a few women runners asked if I was ok and helped me up, and then I sort of staggered/jogged to the end, trying not to cry or hyperventilate.
It turned out my scrapes weren't terribly bloody or splintery, so it wasn't as bad as it could have been, but OH, the humiliation. At least I have a better excuse for having a slower time other than my lack of training.
Meanwhile, it was the dog's birthday this week; he's six. As it turns out, we are Those People who buy their dog a "Pup-Pie" and sing Happy Birthday to him. To the dog. And then we give him a special chew toy and take him to the park and reminisce about our years together.
They really have been great years, and I'll spare you the mush-fest about how much contentment this small canine brings to our days, except to sum up thusly: he loves his long walks in the park; he says goodbye to me every morning by coming over and putting his paw on my knee while I crouch down and scratch his back; he cuddles up with us on the couch for movie night; he sits on my lap when I'm working at the desk; he lays his head next to mine on my pillow at night.
Here he is today in the park (his nose and face are going white, but that's typical for his breed even at an early age -- they're supposed to live to fifteen, which means I expect him to live to at least forty):
His first day home, back in August 2003:
First outing to Central Park:
Happy times with our pup:
What a good boy.
But you finished! Hooray and triple arm pump, you finished! And finishing after falling is way better than just finishing. A lesser woman would have limped to the sidelines and called it a day. Enjoy your success. I hope, at some point in time, it outweighs the fall in your memories of today!
Posted by: Linda | May 31, 2009 at 06:57 PM
My Peanut just turned 5. We have never bought her pup pie (we are cheap) but we do sing happy bday to her :) It feels like just yest that we met her. We love our Peanut so much!!!!! Aren't doggies the best?
Posted by: Mer | May 31, 2009 at 08:22 PM
miles was an adorable pup.
you must have such a great sense of accomplishment after running the marathons. (whole or half, it's a marathon for crying out loud!)
Posted by: beyond | May 31, 2009 at 08:24 PM
How stinkin' cute is he??? And despite the spectacular crash (hey, if you're going to crash... do it well!!!), congrats on the 1/2 marathon!
Posted by: Dianna | May 31, 2009 at 10:06 PM
We used to always celebrate our dog's birthday when I was growing up. I still remember it - June 14th, Flag Day.
Anyway, your dog is so cute! I love those photos.
Congrats on finishing your run, despite the painful setback.
Posted by: -R- | May 31, 2009 at 11:56 PM
The picture with the ear flipping around is adorable. And I'm not a dog person, so he must be pretty darn cute!
Posted by: Carolyn J. | June 01, 2009 at 12:47 AM
WTG on finishing the race!! sorry to hear about the fall. Ouch!! Happy belated bday to Miles!!
Posted by: glenna | June 01, 2009 at 07:20 AM
He's a great dog! We sang to Nea too. And she got a nice big steak bone!
Posted by: kathy | June 01, 2009 at 10:52 AM
You did something awesome. FYI-Here's a little deflection technique I've picked up since I decided to become a sporty girl in my dotage.
I use this little saying when I do something especially klutz-worthy. Of course, I guess I draw even more attention to the trip, stumble or tumble off my bike. (Very genius when you miss your clips completely and crash onto the bar of your bike SOBBBBBBBBBBBBB) I get up, dust myself off, and say to no one in particular, "Have a nice trip?--see you in the fall."...........Someone usually appreciates my pratfall and deadpan delivery, so it almost makes my humiliation/pain worthwhile.
Posted by: nodakotagirl | June 01, 2009 at 11:05 AM
Wow, I ran the Brooklyn Half this weekend too (I can't believe I failed to see you in the . . . uh, 10,000 person madhouse). We lucked out with such a gorgeous day, huh? Though rarely have I been so very very happy to see a finish line. Glad the fall was not of the injury-causing sort, but I feel your pain -- and those boards WERE uneven. A woman in front of me fell down too, so I suspect you were not alone.
ps. your pup is so absurdly cute it makes me want to do something rash like introduce a little grayhound into our home -- to the horror of The Cat.
Posted by: Nancy | June 01, 2009 at 11:32 AM
Ugh, that sounds painful. I fell myself this weekend, but wasn't doing anything as grueling as a marathon. I was stepping onto the curb at the grocery store. Sad.
Hee, Miles is so adorable!! Cute cute cute.
Posted by: nonsoccermom | June 01, 2009 at 01:37 PM
AW, he's really cute! What breed is he?
Posted by: Laura | June 01, 2009 at 01:58 PM
Nancy, you were fast, my dear! You finished about 10 minutes ahead of me (of course, I blame the fall...). I wish I'd seen you; a happy, familiar face is always welcome. Also, I totally think you should add an IG to your home -- our cat has learned to live with the dog and they coexist mostly peacefully...
Laura, Miles is an Italian greyhound. If you have any questions about the breed, feel free to email me!
Posted by: Lawyerish | June 01, 2009 at 02:50 PM
Happy Birthday, Miles! What a cutie-patootie. (I save all ridiculous, embarassing names for pets, of course)
I am running a half-marathon in August. If I make it through the training, that is. I'm not dead yet. We'll see. Congrats on the finish!
Posted by: Jamie | June 01, 2009 at 08:29 PM
That picture of your two boys snoozing together is adorable.
Posted by: lizgwiz | June 02, 2009 at 12:02 PM
OUCH OUCH! My knees are stinging just thinking about it, and ohhh, the slllloooooowwwwwww-moooooootionnnnnnn. That is so humiliating. I'm glad you weren't badly hurt.
Also? happy birthday Miles! I hope he lives to 40 for you. I am missing my old man dog TERRIBLY, and he's been gone 5 months.
Posted by: danielle | June 18, 2009 at 11:29 PM