Old Men With Spindly Legs

Back in the day when I was a runner, I would often run into guys who can best be described as "old men with spindly legs". These guys were hard core, often doing a few marathons a year and other races almost every weekend. They looked like they were in their sixties and up and all of them had skinny, Olive Oyl legs.

While doing a spin class this morning, I looked in the mirror and I realized that I have become an old man with spindly legs. I've always had Olive Oyl arms, but my legs never used to look like toothpicks.

Sheesh.

Never Say Never Again: Marathon Version

Back around 1982, I worked on the financing for a James Bond film called Never Say Never Again. The title was an "in joke" since the movie starred Sean Connery as Agent 007, this after he had sworn never to do another Bond film.

The reason I bring this up is that I just committed to run the 2009 New York Marathon on behalf of Ohel. In 1995, upon finishing the New York Marathon and realizing how stupid it was to do a second marathon, I promised MHW that I would never do one again. I wonder if I have to do hatoras nedarim?

After finishing my fifth Alyn Ride and knowing that I wouldn't be going back next year, I decided that I didn't want to give up the approximately $25,000 that I've been able to raise each year for tzedakah. I figured that I could raise a like amount of money if I did the marathon and made the mistake of expressing that thought to the hanhalah at Ohel. The next thing you know, I'm in.

Since I still prefer riding my bike to running and have no intention of giving it up, I will be training in a wholly unconventional way. My plan is to run during the week and do very long rides on weekends. I will, of course, throw in an occasional half-marathon to train for the full marathon but I have no plans to do the kind of long runs that one is supposed to do before a marathon. I believe that if I can ride hard for seven hours, I can run at a 9 mile pace for four.

Anyway, that's my position and I'm sticking to it.

"Hurts My Motor To Go So Slow"

Having compleed my 5th (and last) Alyn Hospital bike ride, I am now turning to ther pursuits.

I've gotten back into running for the first time in five years. More about that below. I am hoping to combine my biking and running by doing a number of duathalons, generally two three-mile runs sandwiched around bike rides of 12 to 20 miles.

I also have a hava aminah to run the 2009 New York City Marathon. I know this is insane but I am what I am and that's what's going through my mind. The last time I did it was in 1995, when I turned 40. The first thing I need to do is figure out how to get in. I am thinking of asking Ohel if they can get me a slot in which case I would raise money for them. The second thing I have to do is figure out how to do it withou giving up my biking. I have no intention of focusing exclusively on running. Way too boring and painful.

The interesting thing is that I find myself a much stronger runner today than I was then. I am thinner and much smarter about training and nutrition. Although I just started running again, I am running at about the same pace as I did back then even though I'm 13 years older. (Don't get me wrong; I'm not exactly breaking records. I am ruunning five miles a pop at an 8 minute pace). The frustrating part is that I am capable of running considerably faster but as soon as I start pushing it to a 7.5 minute mile pace or faster, my ankles and knees start to hurt. So, at least for now, I have to hold back.

"...Time I get home my supper be cold."