This past Saturday I joined a throng of runners to race the Brooklyn Half-Marathon, a 13.1 mile course that goes from the Brooklyn Museum out to Coney Island. I enjoyed the race and was especially thrilled to round the corner at the end and run the last 1/4 mile on the Coney Island boardwalk.
Some places almost feel like celebrities, and this is one of them.
So many people turned out to cheer us on as we ran, holding all kinds of signs. One woman stood at the bottom of a hill with a sign that said “Shortcut this way” with a big arrow. Another held a sign saying “13.1 miles means you’re only HALF crazy.” But my favorite of the day was this one: “You’re running better than the Government!” Ha.
The race started super early which was good, because the temperature began to climb as the sun got higher in the sky. Fortunately I didn’t feel the heat until about mile 10 or 11, and I was in the home stretch by then.
Very sadly, I read that a young man collapsed at the finish line and did not make it. Wishing sincere condolences to his family and friends. What a terrible way to end a happy occasion.
And what a reminder to all of us to make the most of each day we have.
