…the Bronx & Staten Island, too…

Posted by joanne on Oct 11, 2010 in other cool stuff, News | 0 comments

Another Sunday ~ Another Anthem!

The Staten Island Half Marathon!

The Lady in the Harbor from the SI Ferry

And what a GORGEOUS day for it!!

Indian Summer in New York is heavenly, which made waking up at 5AM to get to the Staten Island Ferry and the starting line by 8:30am well worth the effort.  So many runners crowding onto the Ferry, I thought the commuters would go a little insane… but the image of Lady Liberty and the great NYC skyline floating by is enough to calm even the antsiest of passengers.  I never understood the power of our national anthem until I started singing it before crowds of anxious athletes;  those words “by the dawn’s early light” as the sun rises over New York Harbor?  I get goose bumps just thinking of it!

I’m in awe of the thousands of people running… ALL ages and sizes, just getting out there and making it look easy.  Not me… I’m not ready for 13.1 miles, not by a long shot… but as I left the gate to start my commute back home, I could hear the runners cheering from along the course!  It’s exhilarating!  I particularly love the feeling that we’re all sharing a kind of pre-dawn secret…  Once again, thanks to race announcer Ed Kalegi…

You can hear my next National Anthem performance at the first NYRR 5!!  A 5-miler at 8am on Friday, November 5, 2010, this race is for the family and friends of marathoners to kick off the big NYC Marathon Weekend!  Not only will I sing, but I’m planning to race as well!!  My first competition in 3 years – not since the Great Gridiron Injury Incident of 2007.  Don’t ask… my toes may never be the same, but I’m back and better than ever!  I may not win, but I plan to cross the finish line and collect my medal!!  I’ll be looking for you…

Speaking of pre-dawn races, the 6th Annual KlezKanada Loyf Tsunoyf 5K Run/Walk was particularly satisfying!

We raised over $1700 for the KlezKanada Scholarship Fund, and every participant received amazing prizes that were donated by the Jewish Women’s Archive.

Racers and generous donors also received a souvenir KlezKanada Travel Mug – which helped in the effort to make KlezKanada a ‘greener’ place by eliminating the need for styrofoam hot cups.

On your marks... get set... LOYF!!!

But for all the hoopla leading up to the race, nothing beats the sight of the fog hovering over the lake as the sun rises over camp.  It’s an image all the participants share as we wipe the sleep from our eyes and prepare for the 5K awaiting us.  I wish I could summon up the words, but I think these kinds of miracles must be experienced, not read about.  You’ll have to join in to really know what I’m talking about!

See you on November 5th in Central Park!