All of us in New Jersey have our Hurricane Sandy story. For the lucky ones, like my family, it was just bearing through those few hours of nature's terror, and then enduring 10 days of darkness, dreariness, and cold.
Others,obviously, weren't as fortunate, losing their cars, businesses or homes, and sometimes, all three.
It's hard to believe if you didn't experience it, but food choices were limited with no power or refrigeration. There was a real shortage of gasoline, and it was nearly impossible to get cash as the banks were closed, and ATM's inoperable.
Exercise helped keep this writer sane and somewhat grounded during this two week interruption in our lives. Unable to run outside due to closed roads, downed power lines and trees, I kept moving in our arctic-like gym, hitting the stationary bike for up to an hour-and-a-half or relying on the self-powered True eliipticals. I also did some "old school" weight workouts, concentrating on multi-joint movements like squats, lunges, bench, or shoulder push presses to keep the body warm. Thankfully, we did have hot water, and I don't think I appreciated the warmth and cleansing effect of a shower as much!
Disaster does bring people closer. I enjoyed playing chess with my 16-year old son under the candle illumination, and there was something peaceful about the quiet in our home with no television, radio, or computer to immerse and distract us. At the gym, people shared survival tips and stories, letting each other know where you can try to get gasoline or a cup of coffee, which roads to drive on, and which to avoid.
The break from running did help my injured achilles, although during the blackout it was throbbing badly from the dank cold. My other 54-year old joints ached more, as well. I almost was in disbelief when the electricity strained to "power up" after 10 days of darkness, in the midst of a freak 6-inch early-November snowstorm!
The lesson I came away with was appreciation for family as we went through the shared misery together (and many thanks to my parents for graciously hosting us for a couple of days). My wife and I drove 25 miles down Route 22 one night to wait 45-minutes to fill up our tank - and I have to say it was a nice time!
I also appreciate how lucky we are to live in America. I spent a lot of time thinking of villagers in Russia and China, who survive even colder climates with no electricity at all - and I know there are even some in this country who live that way, as well...
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Tunnel To Towers Run 2012
The Tunnel To Towers 5-K Run should be experienced by every runner, at least once. It's one of my favorite activities of the year.
Started in 2002, the race re-traces the steps of New York City firefighter Stephen Siller, who, with traffic blocked, ran from Brooklyn to the Twin Towers, while off-duty, only to perish in the building collapse on Sept 11th, 2001.
Tunnel To Towers benefits the Steven Siller Memorial Foundation, which is involved in numerous causes for 9/11 first responders and military veterans.
I do it with my son and brother-in-law. The race is really more of an event than a 5-K - it attracted 30,000 people this year, and when the crowd siphons through the narrow Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel, you can do little more than march in place.
But that's not the point. It's awe-inspiring - New York City at it's finest. Literally thousands of West Point cadets, uniformed FDNY members, and members of every branch of the military, many running in formation. The most touching is the contingent of Wounded Warriors, surrounded by friends and family, as they traverse the distance on artiificial limbs, or in wheeelchairs.
You'll see shirts of fire companies and police department from around the country, and beyond. A large group of people come from the London Fire Department every year!
Exiting the tunnel, the road is lined with FDNY members, in dress uniform, holding portraits of each of their 343 brethren who died that day. There's a sea of American flags all around, and if you look down the river, the Verazzano Bridge and Statue of Liberty are in the distance. I can't think of a day when I feel prouder, and luckier, to be born in this country!
The finish is at Ground Zero, and above on this clear, September morning, was the new Liberty Towers, almost completed, rising above the few, powdery clouds in the sky.
No matter where you are reading this blog, try to run the Tunnel To Towers one year!
Started in 2002, the race re-traces the steps of New York City firefighter Stephen Siller, who, with traffic blocked, ran from Brooklyn to the Twin Towers, while off-duty, only to perish in the building collapse on Sept 11th, 2001.
Tunnel To Towers benefits the Steven Siller Memorial Foundation, which is involved in numerous causes for 9/11 first responders and military veterans.
I do it with my son and brother-in-law. The race is really more of an event than a 5-K - it attracted 30,000 people this year, and when the crowd siphons through the narrow Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel, you can do little more than march in place.
But that's not the point. It's awe-inspiring - New York City at it's finest. Literally thousands of West Point cadets, uniformed FDNY members, and members of every branch of the military, many running in formation. The most touching is the contingent of Wounded Warriors, surrounded by friends and family, as they traverse the distance on artiificial limbs, or in wheeelchairs.
You'll see shirts of fire companies and police department from around the country, and beyond. A large group of people come from the London Fire Department every year!
Exiting the tunnel, the road is lined with FDNY members, in dress uniform, holding portraits of each of their 343 brethren who died that day. There's a sea of American flags all around, and if you look down the river, the Verazzano Bridge and Statue of Liberty are in the distance. I can't think of a day when I feel prouder, and luckier, to be born in this country!
The finish is at Ground Zero, and above on this clear, September morning, was the new Liberty Towers, almost completed, rising above the few, powdery clouds in the sky.
No matter where you are reading this blog, try to run the Tunnel To Towers one year!
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