I woke at 4m and quietly got dressed and grabbed all of my
passes, identification, bankcard and phone after I finished eating my
breakfast. I barely slept last night but didn’t think I would anyway. I sat in
silence on the couch for about fifteen minutes staring at the clock and trying
to calm my nerves, too afraid to move in case I lost my breakfast. I could see
my son sleeping just across the room, I wouldn’t see him again until I crossed
the finish line and the thought started to make me feel emotional on top of
anxious. I walked over and kissed his face softly hoping he wouldn’t wake and
carefully grabbed the spare set of keys making sure they didn’t jingle.
I stepped out onto East 72nd street and hailed a
cab at the corner to take me to my bus that will take me to Staten Island. I
don’t think I ever remember seeing the streets of New York so quiet and
empty…it was almost eerie.
I got out on the street lined with buses and hundreds of
people wearing the same jersey as myself. I felt proud to raise money for the
youth of the city I love. I walked over to the crowd around the man standing on
the steps and using a megaphone to direct everyone. My nerves started to settle
as I talked to the people around me and learned that I wasn’t the least
prepared person that showed up.
I was standing next to a young woman running for the first
time as well and just so happened to be on my bus…it was relieving to have
someone to at the very least walk to the gate with before running our own
races…
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