RESILIENCY

We runners appreciate the power of Mother Nature better than most people. A workout can be marred by a biting wind, stifling heat, or a driving rainstorm. That marathon you've prepared for turns into a training run when the temperature gets too high or when the wind smacks you in the face throughout most of the race.

Most of us have mastered the technique of running into the wind on those sub-zero winter days, so we can take advantage of a warmer tailwind on the way home.

Thunder and lightning are deadly, so we know it is best to delay or scrap a workout under those conditions.

It was a year ago that the east coast, particularly along the New Jersey coastline and New York City, was devastated by Superstorm Sandy. Lives were lost, homes and businesses were destroyed, causing billions of dollars of property damage. Along the route of the New York City Marathon course, and throughout the surrounding area, there were power outages, and utter destruction. Painfully, but wisely, the New York City Marathon officials were forced to cancel the world-class event.

In May I conducted seminars at the New Jersey Marathon, located in north Jersey. I witnessed some of the destruction, but I was moved by the way folks had, despite so many setbacks, rebuilt their homes, displaying incredible resiliency, and indomitable American spirit. Public Service Announcements, which began in May, proclaimed that, "The Jersey Shore is open for business."

Many runners were crushed by the cancellation of the New York City Marathon. Few people, other than runners, understand the months of training and sacrifice that go into training for a marathon. Most runners I spoke with were compassionate for those affected by the storm, but were disappointed because they were denied to opportunity to run one of the world's premiere races.

From here, it looks like many of those who were unable to race last year will have a cool, crisp marathon Sunday this year.

To the folks of the New York/New Jersey area, we runners salute your courage and legendary grit in conducting a remarkable recovery from one of the worst storms on record.

To the runners who will experience the thrill of the Big Apple on Sunday, enjoy the journey through the Five Boroughs. New Yorkers will embrace you. You will have an exhilarating experience, from the Verrazano Bridge, to canyon of First Avenue, to Central Park. My four New York City races rank as some of my favorite marathon events.

Strong and resilient. New York City and marathon runners.

                                  My Dad, near Columbus Circle at the 1987 NYC Marathon