Live from Long Branch...!

In less than 40 hours, I'll be running the New Jersey Marathon!  My aches and pains have gone and all that's left is the nervous energy that comes with two days of important rest while the big race quickly approaches.  To add to the excitement, Tim Norris and I will be blogging live from the event. 

Starting tomorrow, after I pick up my race packet (bib numbers, t-shirts and other goodies provided by the race directors), I'll put you in my Sauconys and let you know what it's like to be a runner in the largest NJ Marathon yet (more than 8,000 people).  Will it be well-organized?  Is the rain going to dampen everyone's spirits or even keep people away?  What will the vibe be on Sunday morning at the starting line?  I'll be the first to tell you.

Then, during the race, Tim Norris, who knows a thing or two about marathons (he's completed 25 of them) will offer commentary and perspective from the soggy sidelines.

As soon as I hit the finish line, I'll gather my wits and tell you about my experience.  I'll offer my tales of triumphs, trials, tribulations and torrential rain, and hopefully some good news about qualifying for Boston.

Finally, Monday, pick up a copy of the Herald News or - if you live outside of Passaic County - go to www.myheraldnews.com to read my in-depth account of the marathon, what it meant not just to me but to other New Jersey runners.  We may be competing, but we're also all in it together.  What other sport offers that kind of friendly competition?  I'll talk about the physical and mental strains of running a marathon and ponder that age-old question: What is it that makes us want to run 26.2 miles?

So stay tuned...it's going to be an exciting weekend!