THE NEW YORK WALKER HOLIDAY EDITION DECEMBER 2008 26.2 Miles for CITYMEALS for me in the marathon. My coach, Lon Wilson of the New York Walkers Club, was in the Bronx to meet me and pass along the famous mas- saging stick so I could work on my cramping leg muscles! He also gave me a banana – what a delightful treat after gulping down a ton of Gu gels for the last 6 hours! Miracles, no matter how small It took 7 hours and 38 min- present to cheer on the mara- are dearly appreciated! When I utes to finish the New York thon participants! reach Mile 22, I realized that I City Marathon last November ran out of my sports drink! I In Brooklyn, a couple in 2 which ran from Staten Is- was ready to run into a deli to scrubs, who looked liked they land and passed thru Brook- get a bottle, but lo and be- just finished their shift at a lyn, Queens, Bronx and Man- hold, a table with leftover nearby hospital, cheered me hattan. Gatorade appeared! The New on. York Road Runners hasn't As runners and walkers passed In Queens, my dear friend packed this one yet! What a me by at the start, I had to tell Thea was waiting for me at relief! Even though I was clos- Table of myself that it's ok because I mile 13, carrying a backpack ing to the finish line, I still had Contents want to remain strong and be containing stuff that I might to keep hydrating and con- able to make it to the finish sume energy gels to continue 2008 NYC Marathon C need. line. Because of recent foot to remain focused and main- injuries, I had to let go of In Manhattan, Mile 16, my tain energy. 50 Days of 2 notions of breaking my previ- aching feet were already Marathons ous marathon record time(s). screaming out of their wits Past 110th Street on Fifth _______ As I continued along the and my mind started to play Avenue, there were a few marathon route, re-focusing games with me. folks standing out in the cold my mind and energy to more and cheering us on. I thanked 2008 NYC Marathon Friends Un Jung, Piali, Thea, (CONTINUED) pleasant thoughts, I started to them for coming and standing enjoy the whole experience! Rina and Marc, my out in the cold. Restless in Seattle 3 "Manhattan Crew" were out Bands were playing music by on the course (Mile 18), A lady who was handing out candy said, "...those guys who Coney Island 4 the roadside, crowds were walked with me, replenished finished in 2 hours are wimps! Racewalks cheering, kids were out offer- my supply and was texting ing high fives to the runners Manila on my progress. You guys are the tough bunch Race Results 5 and walkers -- everyone was of the group!" She was clearly having a grand time! I wore a Oh yes, Manila! My sister, referring that we have been Chikie Cruz headed my net- Race Results 6 MARFORI patch on my vest out on the course for over 6- and a PHILIPPINE FLAG work of Prayer Warriors. 1/2 hours and that we were Race Results 7 patch on my cap. It was very Prayer Warriors or prayer still standing and determined entertaining to hear the vari- brigade is a term Filipinos use to complete our task! She was Coaches Corner 8 ous accents cheering “GO referring to a group of family really sweet and kind. Founder’s Message MARFORI!” and “GO PHIL- and friends praying for a IPPINES!” This is New York! friend / love one for a specific Photo Gallery 9 The beauty of every cultures request. In this case, I asked (continued on page 2) my family and friends to pray HOLIDAY EDITION PAGE 2 50 Days and 165.3 Miles 10/12/08 Sun Staten Island Half people, it is possible to do many Marathon 2:19:41 Completion of first marathons in a small time period and Reverse Goofy simultaneously get great times while doing so. 10/19/08 Sun Des Moines Marathon 4:47:34 First negative split and first I'm going to have to continue this type back to back of schedule in September/October for the next six years because many of the 10/26/08 Sun USATF 30K marathons I have chosen for my Championship 3:09:28 6th overall, 5th remaining 32 states occur in US, 3rd master, USA 50-54 Champion September and October, and I 11/02/08 Sun NYC Marathon 4:44:01 continue to want to do NYCM Personal course record because of it's low all-in cost. I'm glad that I seem to be able to withstand I've just finished a grueling 8 Sundays this schedule. I really don't know if I period where I raced 8 long distance got a "lucky" long distance gene or if 09/14/08 Sun Queen's Half Marathon races in order to see how my times it's the 40-50 miles a week that I do. 2:21:05 in high heat and humidity would suffer. Amazingly, they did Or maybe racewalkers just recover not, as all four marathons were under 09/21/08 Sun MAC 25K quickly. Championship 2:40:07 4th overall, 4:50, which is a good time for me, and MAC Male Champion 2 were under 4:45 which is an Now, for a relatively easy two months. excellent time. Furthermore, I felt My next is Seattle in four weeks and 09/28/08 Sun Berlin Marathon incredibly strong during the final 10K Huntsville in six. That plus two of the 4:42:36 Tied for 3/4th fastest personal of the last two marathons and passed Stella 5Ks. Hope to see all of you time many joggers. According to one very during the Saturday morning clinics 10/11/08 Sat Baltimore Marathon controversial marathon training theory more often. Cheers...... which is supported by the 50 states 4:48:37 Alexis Davidson 26.2 Miles for CITYMEALS (continued from page 1) Every part of my body is clearly com- their surprise wondering where I was "A heart pounding dedication" is what's plaining! Lactic build-up has already set- getting the energy boost, but still they written on our official marathon tech in and I was feeling very cold at this managed to shout, shirts. time. But before I could continue this Endurance, determination, perseverance conversation with myself, I saw the Park "You go girl!" And off I go! are all major factors but I add, entrance at 90th Street! I re-entered the Park and after Mile 26, PRAYER to this list. Ad Majorem “Mile 23 is here! Yes! I love this area! it was just the 0.2 distance to go. At this Dei Gloriam (To the greater glory of This is where I meet up with the New point it became very surreal. My gaze God)! York Walkers Club every Saturday was transfixed at the finish line. I could There's a higher power than my own mornings! This is where I have trained! hear the loud music and cheers but which gave me energy all throughout the This is where I have raced! This is my couldn't feel my body anymore. I was route but most especially for the last 8 territory!” flying! miles. I had doubts but trusted God. I I felt an amazing surge of energy. I As I crossed the finish line, I started to give thanks to everyone who made it all started to pick up my pace. As if a cry. They were tears of joy! I received possible to raise over $4200 for City- switch was turned on and the feet my medal and the volunteers started to meals and knowing that this will help started to move faster and my arms cover me with aluminum blankets to provide proper nutrition to the home- started pumping harder! To my surprise, keep me warm. My dear friends were bound elderly New Yorkers. all the aches and pains disappeared! It there to greet me! What a joyous mo- I thank Coach Lon Wilson and the New was such an exhilarating feeling! ment! York Walkers Club for the inspiration to As I passed other walkers, you can sense What does it take to racewalk a mara- keep on racewalking! thon? Cynthia Gordon HOLIDAY EDITION PAGE 3 From the Land of Microsoft, Starbucks and Perennial Mist The course is probably For Half Marathon miles 5 one of the continent’s most beauti- through 7 we savored multi-million ful and varied courses, which helps dollar homes perched atop hills one get through the many chal- overlooking Lake Washington. lenging and unrelenting rolling hills. The race starts right next to the iconic Space Needle, built for the 1962 World’s Fair and Frank Gehry’s colorful and controversial “Experience Music Project build- ing (2000) below, one of the two museums of popular music in the While others were feasting country (the other being the Rock on turkey and stuffing, Alexis and ‘n Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland). Miles 8 through 10 pulled I jetted out of JFK on Thanksgiv- us into the lush and dense Wash- ing Day from the right to the left ington Park Arboretum and Inter- coast of the U.S. to see friends and laken Parks (see below) until we all participate in the 39th Seattle Mara- enjoyed a bird’s eye view high thon on Sunday November 30th.