My "Superbowl" Sunday

Somebody forgot to tell Bridget about daylight savings, so she woke up around 6:30am on Sunday morning and didn't want to go back to sleep. I took her downstairs to play for a little bit then put her back to sleep. I have to admit I wasn't very put out about getting up because she is always so happy in the morning. That day in particular I was excited about getting up because it was marathon Sunday and I wanted to watch the pre-race coverage on the local news.

I had already gotten into the marathon spirit by volunteering at a race on Saturday in Central Park handing out cinnamon-raisin bagels for 45 minutes to ~7000 runners as they crossed what would be the marathon finish line. This run was a marathon warm-up run that took runners from the UN to Central Park. Most of the runners had come from other countries to run the marathon, with lots of runners from France, Germany, Japan, and the Netherlands. The park was buzzing with runners and people setting up for the marathon.

Runners on 1st ave

Although we hadn't planned on going to watch the marathon, I realized that next year at this time I'll be out on Staten Island waiting to start to run myself and will problably never see the marathon in person. Neither of us wanted to miss this opportunity so we rushed to get ready and out the door just as the first wave of men crossed the starting line.
Blockng the wind from Bridget's face


We didn't wait around to see if the rest of the band was behind him

The trains were filled with people going to cheer on the runners. It was fun to hear everyone on the trains talk about running so openly and the best place to watch and seeing the signs they'd made.

Our first stop was 1st ave at about the 18 mile mark but we missed the frontrunners. We then walked over closer to the finish line, stopping on 5th ave and actually saw some of the same people that ran past us on 1st ave. Random people were handing out bananas and licorice to any runner that wanted some. There was constant noise, cheering, and bells/horns.

There is just something so exciting about marathons that every time I watch one I forget about all the training needed and can't wait to run one. Knowing that I'll be running this one next year made this even more exciting. Next year I won't just be watching "the Superbowl of running", I'll be in it.

Home again

Kate and Bridget are back from their trip to Edmonton for Canadian Thanksgiving. Most people (meaning everyone besides Kate and Bridget) don't know that the true way to celebrate Canadian Thanksgiving is with 2+ Thanksgiving dinners, and maybe a Thanksgiving lunch if you can sneak it in, followed by a 2 and a half week vacation. I was in complete support of giving Bridget the true Thanksgiving experience. While there Bridget met lots of new people and family members for the first time.

Bridget and her cousin Preston

Bonding with Auntie Lissa. (She's the one with all the fun toys Bridget)

Kate's side of the family all together for an elusive family picture

This last weekend we decided to go out leafing. We drove just into New York state to Bear Mountain State Park. It was really nice to get out of the city and see some Fall colours. It was the first time Bridget was out in the cold for a long time and she held up pretty well. We need to make sure she's fully Canadianized before our trip home at Christmas.

Look at those beautiful trees!

(Brace yourself for the onslaught of family pictures)

This background looks like one of those that they pull down at Sears or at school picture day. I really wanted the bookcase or the laser background.

Where's the lasers?

I finished my last run to complete the nine needed to qualify for next year's marathon. All I have left to do is to do my volunteering and I'm doing it this next weekend. Registration is now open for anyone who wants to join me next year!