The final one!

Hi Folks
This one might be a bit longer as it is the last one in this 12 months journey!
Friday we explored downtown Manhatten, Wall Street, the Museum of the Native American Indian and Ground Zero. This was finished off by a lovely dinner in Little Italy.Yesterday we tried to do things here in NY that did not invole too much walking as I did not want to stand at the start line with sore legs :-)
We found this crazy toystore where we sorted presents for the kids, had a very little walk in Central Park - which is georgeous - and used the subway a lot to get places. After a little Nana-nap in the afternoon, we decided to go up the Empire State building. Big queues and twice 22Dollars worth of tickets we managed to get up there in time to see the incredible view and wait for sunset!
And then the big ONE: I was very nervous and did not get much sleep last night. We had to get up at 5am, get our gear together and catch a bus at 6am to Staten Island, where the start is. Then the long waiting began. I was amazed at the logistics with the masses of people (around 46 000). There were three starting villages where we had to wait for 4 hours for our start. For the start we were put in corrals and then the whole thing began...
The first part over the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge was a teaming mass of people. The sight was quite unbelievable. I thought that along the way the crowd would thin but it never happened so running was actually quite hard as you had to weave around people all the time. As soon as we got off the bridge the noise of spectators and music started and it too never finished untill the end. Bands were playing along the side of the roads, people were screaming random names of runners, it was mayhem. I felt really good for the first 16 Miles then stared to feel a bit sore in my legs and knees. Brooklyn was never ending and so was Queens. I felt as if I was freeze-frozen in a mass of running people but not really getting anywhere. Back on Manhatten Island and then on to Harlem and the Bronx, where I thought the music was the best! The final 6 miles were hard as Central Park just wouldn't come near. But I managed to run it all with gritted teeth (although just tired not injured as such) and just walked at the drink stations so I wouldn't get the water down the wrong pipe. The worst was after the finish, I was so happy I cried and almost chocked up with it. We had to walk about another 2 kilometers in a shuffling caterpillar of people to get to our bags before they let us out on the streets. It had gotten cold again and it took me forever to make my way back to the hotel.
And that's it really! A huge journey has come to an end and I have proven that even a "fat" chick can run a Marathon!!!
So long folks
ciao
pia

New York, New York

Hi folks
Finally in New York! Sooo exciting and terrifying at the same time. We arrived late last night after a reasonably good flight and a very long time in a shuttle from the airport. We were the last drop off and so got a city bus tour at the same time :-)
Today went to the Marathon Expo to register and get our bib numbers and timing chips. One word: amazing! So many exhibitors and cool running gear for sale. Waiting in long lines to register - first time of feeling really scared and a bit like a fraud. A pretend runner amongst runners??? Thats what it felt like for a while, especially as everyone seems to ask you what time you are expecting to do. And mine is definitely at the tail end of the spectrum :-)
Already put a lot of weight on the credit card - bought myself some Vibram 5 fingers! Wanted them for a while and they had a sale. Whats a girl to do? The city is definitely abuzz with the approaching Marathon.
Blogging again soon.

ciao
pia

The Countdown started

Hi folks

Exactly a week from now not counting the time difference. Today was the first time I had some nerves about the marathon! I went down to Mission Bay to support my friend Ann who was running the Auckland Marathon. It was very hot and Ann appreciated our support. My mum and I ran about 4km with her and then of course had to run back to the car. I have been tapering back the running considerably and it feels like I have not been training for weeks. That is probably the reason why I am feeling a bit nervous. Lots of work still to do before flying out - I am still teaching on Wednesday morning! Oh and by the way I was on the front page of the local Newspaper on Tuesday!!!!

Pia runs for CatWalk | Stuff.co.nz

www.stuff.co.nz
It might still be on this page. I didn't quite expect to land on the frontpage though :-)
I will keep you posted in the next days and weeks. keep your fingers crossed for me.

Ciao
pia

Quick update

Hi folks
I did a 31.5km run yesterday! It was hot and long and painful, but my legs held!!!
Thank you soo much to my family who did the on road support. Tobi ran some 10km with me and Fiona accompanied the last 5km on her bike. You guys are the bomb!
Feeling only slightly stiff today, which is a good sign. Only a few more weeks to go. Stay with me - we're almost done :-)
ciao
pia

A few more to go

Hi folks
There will be only a few more blogs to go, as NY is coming closer at warp speed. Last Sunday I did a 3 hour run - really good for my confidence - and the knee held. I have since gotten the result from the scan and I have a tear in one of the tendons in my left foot :-(
The specialist has never seen it before and since I can't damage it more, I decided to just ignore it.
This coming Sunday I will have to do another long run and that might be the last long one before the event. I have to say I am over these runs. Who goes out on a Sunday for more than 2 or 3 hours and calls it fun?
But I am really looking forward to New York. It will be amazing!
So, keep your fingers crossed for me, as I need just a wee bit more determination and strength.
Thank you for being with me all the way

love
Pia

Time is ticking

Hi folks
I am back! Did a good 2 hours last Sunday and again today and that seems to be OK. My knee and foot are no different ie not better, but with taping and ignoring, I seem to be getting by. Tomorrow I have to go in for Xrays and Ultrasound but to be honest I don't expect much in terms of outcome. I have just made a training plan as it is only 6 weeks from today!!! Yikes!
I will increase the runs again to reach 32-34km in three or so weeks, but this time round I will keep the overall weekly kms low. Keep your fingers crossed, that my leg holds out...
Time has really flown and I can't believe that it is only 6 weeks to the marathon. I started training almost 1 year ago and this has taken up so much time that I can't wait to have my life back :-)
Bring it on!

ciao
pia

moving again

Hi folks
It has been some time since my injury and I am happy to report that I have started running again. On the downside, my knee and foot are still the same as three weeks ago and only time will tell, how much more they will be able to take. I am keeping the waterwalking and cycling for the moment and am trying to find out, how much running to put my poor leg through in order to still train, but not break down completely. This is the point where athletes have got experienced doctors and personal trainers to help them through an injury. As I am no athlete I have none of the above and will have to get through this by myself. I can asure you that I am determined to go to NY and do this event no matter what. I might just have to forget about time and just focus on getting through in one piece! Anyway I did an hour of running yesterday and that went well - I am in a bit of pain today however.
I will keep you posted

ciao
pia