the first 11 miles were amazing - zigzagging around Brooklyn not leaving a hand un-fived.
running into fans in Williamsburg and my first steps in Manhattan brought me to mile 17 before the pain.
Achilles pains troubled me from miles 17-21 - where at miles 17, 19, and 21 i stopped at the medical tents - who knew that you could get a massage every two miles?
after 21, i picked up the pace and ran through the pain.
these photos are from mile 23.5 where Carly caught me smiling and running backwards even as my lower leg was pounding.
as a number, what does 26.2 mean? i don't know.it meant 5 hours and 20 minutes to me.
next time it will mean 4 hours and 30 minutes.
i ran the NYC marathon as a member of Team Tillman - a group of individuals supporting the Pat Tillman Foundation through raising funds and awareness. we had the opportunity to meet as a team on Saturday before the race and after that meeting take a tour of Ground Zero and Firehouse 10.
in addition to running the marathon this past weekend, i had the opportunity to celebrate Halloween (as an 80's runner with Mandy as Madeliene, Meagan as an aught's runner, and Kara as the Chesire Cat).
and, as always, see some great graffiti. this trip included a stop by a new Os Gemeos mural at Bowery and Houston
and a impromptu interview with Shepard Fairey in Times Square. here is the best recap of that interview:
Me: Shepard, let me introduce you to Lyndsey Anderson. Can we get a photo with you?Shepard: Sure.
Me: (After photos) I did my thesis on graffiti and read a lot about your work and Lyndsey is currently writing her Master's thesis on street art. During my writing, I interviewed a lot of artists and always asked them two questions: 1) Is all graffiti political? and 2) Who is your favorite graffiti artist? So, what are your answers.
Shepard: Sure. Graffiti uses space that is not paid for and the fact that it is taking that space is a political statement. Now, other graffiti has a message...
Me: (interrupting) so the medium is the message. The medium makes it political.
Shepard: Yeah, but it can also have a political message.
Me: This is exactly the point I make in my thesis. So, who's your favorite graffiti artist?
Shepard: Banksy.
Me: Mine's Swoon.
Shepard: Well, of course, I love Swoon. I've known her since...she is great.
Me: But you're right, Banksy is amazing. Well, thanks for taking the time. See you later.
As always, a fun-filled, walking weekend in New York City.
