It was a crazy week in New York City. I never thought I would say this, but it is way easier to run than to work at these events. One of my days consisted of a 4:00 am wake-up call only to return to our hotel at 10:30 that night. Long days.  Now that a good night’s sleep (11 hours) is behind me, I can say it was a blast. I was able to be on air with Al Roker for his morning weather report, help raise money for New York Road Runners Youth Programs, run with various magazine editors whom my husband is coaching and be the keynote speaker at the New York Athletic Club dinner.

The day before the race I signed autographs at the ASICS store and Paragon Sports (with hurdle star Lolo Jones). Later, I went to the race expo to do a question and answer session with running expert Toni Reavis as well as signed autographs at the ASICS booth and the ING booth. I went through about 400 posters that day.

Race morning called for an early start as I was helping NBC with elite athlete interviews. All the athletes were gracious to give me some of their precious time before and after the race.

After our obligations were met, Andrew and I sat in a window seat of my favorite NYC café. We sipped on hot soup, ate sandwiches and watched through the window as runners passed in their silver post-race blankets. Their salt-encrusted faces wore smiles despite the fact that they were walking with an uncomfortable hitch in their step. It reminded me of one of my decisions to reward myself by shoe-shopping after the Olympic Trials in Boston in 2008. I went to my favorite shoe store on Newbury Street and bought a pair of brown leather flats, sure to go with everything in my wardrobe. Well, I got to wear those shoes for two days until the swelling went down in my feet and the shoes immediately became too big for me!  So, to all you female runners out there, DO NOT reward yourself with shoes right after a great race! It is fun at the time, but a waste of hard-earned money and sweat! Try some of my other rewards like indulging in high-quality face cream, buying new bamboo bed sheets or consuming the ever-so-satisfying toasted coconut almond fudge gelato!

Andrew and I sat in that window seat long enough to order a post-lunch pastry and hot cocoa because we were having so much fun watching the racers limp past us. This was a rare occasion that my racing shoes were left at home so many miles away, but the spirit of the marathon gives me a “runner’s high” no matter how I’m involved. What a weekend.