Tagged myself again

I got these questions from here:

http://bestdayoftheyear.blogspot.com/

1. How would you describe your running 10 years ago?

Hmm... 10 years ago would be 1998, eh? I still lived in Manhattan , and when I was running (which I did off and on) I would run uptown 41 blocks from my apartment on 43rd Street, take a short stretch break at my turn-around on 82nd Street and West End Avenue, then run back down. Often I would then climb the stairs to my apartment on the 18th floor. All those flights only took me about 4 minutes total. I ran almost every day, with missed days only when I had schedule conflicts. I ran when it was cold, snowing, pouring rain, icy, sleeting, windy, hot, humid, anything, even when I was sick. Nothing stopped me. I never ran a race. I didn't even realize all those races were out there.

2. What is your best and worst run/race experience?

Best run? That's hard to say, because I have had many enjoyable running experiences. Perhaps my overall best was my 2nd marathon, The Vermont City Marathon in 2004. My sister was my support team, and she held signs for me and took video of me running along the route. It was the world's most perfect weather, after the night prior of cold, pelting, drenching storms. The race course is beautiful! And I took about 20 minutes off the time I had done for my first marathon.

Worst? Maybe the Springburst 8k last year. I had shinsplints but didn't know it yet, and I insisted on finishing the race because it was a grand prix race for a series I was running. I was in a lot of pain, but would not DNF, even though it was a 2-loop course and I could easily have have stopped before beginning the 2nd loop. I was hurting more and more as I continued, and limped my way to the finish. I came in dead last and crying. The year before I had won 1st in my age group. After that run, I finally got myself to a sports doctor. He, a runner himself, told me to stop running until I could heal, or I would end up with stress fractures. I missed months of races and training, including what was to have been my 12th marathon, The Flying Pig.

3. Why do you run?

It's about the only exercise I've found that I enjoy. It's pretty much my only social life, running and volunteering for my clubs. I keep hoping I'll get back my stamina, lose some weight, and begin to enjoy it again. I would like to be able to train and run more marathons.

4. What is the best or worst piece of advice you've been given about running?

Best - stay hydrated
Worst - ?

5. Tell us something surprising about yourself that not many people would know.

I performed in a play called EQUUS when I was a young NYC actor, and I actually had a nude scene. Yup. I've stipped to nuttin' in front of audiences. I was younger then. MUCH younger. lol