Why is this night different than other nights?

In honor of the last Crossroads run before the marathon, I present to you the 4 questions of Thursday night runs at Crossroads.

Why is it that on all other nights during training we eat either healthy or semi-healthy but on this night we eat pizza? Our benefactor and friend, JJ provides all who run (and even those who don't) with free pizza to replenish our bodies after a run of the hills, river, or the good old out and back. On other nights we must provide ourselves with nourishment, and do so knowing that we will feel guilty if we indulge ourselves too much. But on this night we know that it is only normal and beneficial to not insult our gracious host and eat/maul the pizza that is set before us.

Why is it that on all other nights we drink all sorts of alcohol, but on this night we drink beer? On other nights, you may say I wish to drink a martini or whiskey sour. On this night, however, it seems only fitting to order and a IPA, or Bud, or Stella. After a run, a calorie-less drink is no good to anyone. We must find energy from some source, and we must do so as we wait for the pizza to arrive.

Why is it that on all other nights we stand around clean and without perspiration, but on this night we drink and eat in sweat? On other nights you may wish to wipe the sweat from your brow and pits and even shower before presenting yourself to the world. On this night we delight in the ability to forget such worries and enjoy the company of others in the same condition.

Why is it on all other nights we schlep on a train and run the many hills of Newton? On other nights you may run where you live, but on this night we all come together to experience what many claim to be the hardest part of the Boston marathon so that we all know the hills that much better as to make them a little more bearable when we come upon them not at mile 1 as we do on this night, but at mile 15 when your body is tired and your mind flagging. To experience the hills on this night is truly a mitzvah to your body.

Happy Pesach and Easter to all! Only 10 days away...

All Good Things Come to an End

...or do they?

Last night was the last official track workout before the marathon. Instead of running at Tufts as we usually do, we ran at Belmont High School. A couple of notes about this:

1. Weather.com is never accurate. It was not 50 degrees when I got to the track and in fact, I'm not sure how much it got above 40.
2. Baseball talent just isn't the same in Boston. I got to the track a little early and watched the last half-inning of a high school baseball game. I don't want to sound arrogant, but simply put, there's a huge difference in how the game is played here as opposed to Arizona. I guess having an actual winter will do that.
3. Public transportation will get you everywhere. All I did was go to MBTA.com and found the bus that took me right there. Having no car=no problem.
4. I can only imagine Tuesday night workouts after the marathon. Some of the runners continue to get together over the summer for TNT (Tuesday Night Track), and judging from the stories that I pieced together from the inside jokes and comments, it seems like it will be a good time.
5. Having GPS on my iPhone is the best thing ever. Ever! Not sure if we would've found the bar afterwards without it.
   

Anyway, the workout was light, which I was very thankful for as I'm still recovering from 22 miles on Saturday. I have to say, however, that one of the main reasons I feel confident about running the marathon is because of these track workouts. Before starting them, I had been dealing with injuries to both IT bands and my achilles' tendon. These workouts somehow helped me get healthy as I now feel better than ever before, running-wise that is. Also, I think the dramatic change in my ability (I ran the 22 miles in 3 hours and 31 minutes; I ran 20 miles two weeks before in 3 hours and 27 minutes) is because of these workouts.

So thanks to the DFMC coach, Jack Fultz; thanks to all the runners; thanks to Tufts for use of their track; and of course thanks to all of you who have supported me over the last 6 months. It's been long and arduous, but the payoff is right around the corner. There's always the chance that this is the end of my running career...

but, then again, probably not. Sometimes, good things shouldn't come to an end.