Fw: [Fredslist] Scott Bloom's Marathon Story
Fred Klein
fklein at kleinzelman.com
Tue Nov 13 10:59:36 EST 2007
Great story Scott, now you are a true Marathoner. Just one thing, how
about running just one more under my training and then you can run for two
Fred's Teams!
__________________________________
Fred C. Klein
Klein Zelman Rothermel LLP
485 Madison Avenue, 15th Floor
New York, NY 10022
(212) 935-6020
fklein at legal.org
http://www.kleinzelman.com
http://www.gothamnetworking.com
----- Forwarded by Fred Klein/KZRD on 11/13/2007 10:58 AM -----
"Scott Bloom"
<Sbloom at bloomreg.
com> To
Sent by: <fklein at kzrd.com>
fredslist-bounces cc
@gothamnetworking fredslist at gothamnetworking.com
.com Subject
[Fredslist] Scott Bloom's Marathon
Story
11/13/2007 07:26
AM
In 2006 (when I realized that I was about to be 40 years old) I said to
myself "if I don't run the NYC Marathon now, then when?".
After winning a spot through the lottery, I took different notice of
Jeffrey Kamberg's FRED'S Team emails. Hey-how could I not (as any Gothamite
might) support Fred (Klein) while running?
It was After joining Fred's Team that I found out Fred is Fred Lebow
(deceased president of NY Road Runners Club and cofounder of NYC Marathon)
and the funds raised go to pediatric cancer research at Memorial Sloan
Kettering. Am proud that my supporters have donated over $28,842 and
donations still arrive daily.
Last year's 'race' was simple - just finish.
I had never run more than 5K in my life (3.1 miles) and that was the only
'training' for my 2006 Marathon other than a test run over the 59th street
bridge. Furthermore, both of these were in June of 2006.
November 5th 2006 I then ran (and walked) a 5:36:48 Marathon of 26.2 miles
with my Blackberry in one hand (except while typing emails!) And camera in
the other (except when taking pictures or videos).
After completing Marathon #1, I was often asked whether I would run it
every year, or never again.
It was Thanksgiving day (while holding my 2nd glass of Johnny Walker Blue)
that I knew the answer: 'Once more". The goals were now 5 hours, and
$20,000 for MSKCC.
January 2007 added a wrinkle: Achilles tendon tear and surgery (basketball
injury).
It was not until August that I was cleared to run, and this year's
'training' was a total of about 2 miles with lunch break in between. This
was early October, and after the first three blocks, I felt 'ready as I was
going to be'.
As significant as the running test, was the NO BLACKBERRY test :)
This run was my longest time awake without my Blackberry (or mobile phone)
in years, and was how I planned to experience Marathon Sunday. Just me.
As an 'experienced' Marathon runner I knew to bring throw away clothes,
something waterproof to sit on in Staten Island during the hours waiting
for the start, etc.
The hard part for me was the race against time, especially when a blister
formed under my right foot. Stop at medical tent? Would I even be able to
continue? Hey-how about following Gothamite Dr. Dan Schaeffer's advice
about refocusing?
Water and Gatorade at every mile. Energy gel every 4. My shirt and hat both
said "4:59:59 or Bust!" And many runners told me how I would easily make it
(as they whizzed by me).
Every mile is also a clock showing time elapsed. I knew I had about a 6 or
7 minute cushion of time to break 5 hours for a while, but after about 13
or 14 miles, I was hurting.
Brooklyn (although I was going faster than last year) seemed to never end.
Back and legs now sniping at me for doing this crazy Marathon thing again.
Am so glad to see 59th street bridge (I walked up and emailed Fredslist
last year) and am determined to run it this time. FYI-these bridges are SO
not flat! Look uphill to center of bridge next time you go over it.
1st Avenue is special for every Marathoner. Some say its Manhattan, or
their friends, or the most lively crowd (its also mostly uphill), but for
Fred's Team runners it is where way stay to the right at mile 17 to see
'The Kids'. The MSKCC kids out to cheer us. They know what we raise money
for. They have lives or better lives because of it. It is the first time I
cried that day.
Up 1st Avenue. Crowds cheering you. Seeing friends smile and wave. Kissing
my 6 year old son, Brandon, who waited for me at 97th street before his
baseball game down the block.
He didn't know that I already knew I wouldn't be able to break 5 hours. I
didn't even really know if I would make it to see him before his game.
Maybe I pushed to hard too soon (my half marathon time was 2:23:30, and
through 18 miles was still on pace to break 5 hours.
Last year "the wall" for me was the Willis avenue bridge. It was the first
time I considered stopping. Could hardly move legs forward. This year I was
determined to run it, but mile 19 started walking. Couldn't get knees high
enough to call it running, but wanted to keep moving forward. Maybe I can
still beat last year's 5:36:48.
So cold now that I am walking. Stop at medical station to get foil heat
wrap. Now as I walk, some people are congratulating me (as though its the
wrap they give at finish line). I say its such perfect Marathon weather,
why not go around twice ;+)
I do run Willis Ave bridge and last bridge back to Manhattan (so good to be
'home' and only 4 miles to finish.
Meet friends at 127th/5th and run to Central Park.
Then comes the steep hill approaching 72nd street. Ouch. Must walk some
more.
This next part of Central Park is disorienting. Some cheers are
"congratulations, you did it!" while there is no finish line in sight. Many
'runners' are now walking. After I pass "1 mile to go" sign and see Grand
Army Plaza, I decide to run through the finish line.
As I exit park and turn onto Central Park South I realize that I am again
passing other runners (even those running) and the cheers are concise "keep
going!" "Almost there!"...
Still seems all uphill towards Columbus Center and tears again come to my
eyes as I pass the Park Lane Hotel. I was married there 10/23/93 and Leona
Helmsley (until recently) lived on top floor.
Life is short (am sure Judge Goldfluss would agree that it's not the years
in your life....it's the life in your years).
So I ignore what turns out to be a half dollar sized blood blister and run
even faster to Columbus Circle. As I make final turn into Central Park I
give my heat wrap to spectator and pass another 40 runners.
Am pleased and proud and have no plans to do it again.
Like many runners, ASAP was the best burger and beer I ever had :+)
**Fred may be the only one of you wanting to know why I don't write the
'whole' story, but you all know how to reach me ;-)
**FYI-Fred's team raised almost $4m and Marathon charities $18.5m
--------------------------
Scott M. Bloom
917-327-2109
sbloom at bloomreg.com
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