Philadelphia & Me - Random Stories Before Race Day

Mental Strength

I generally begin my big psyche-up job a few days before a marathon. I started sooner, with my wariness and weariness much higher before this race than in past ones. Of course, calling it a race may be a stretch, with my marathon plan of starting slow and backing off the rest of the way. And, although excited about my race, oops, I am just as nervous about the day before.

First, my psyche job begins with visualization and seeing myself on the streets of Philadelphia. I pray I am not too bruised and battered, as Bruce Springsteen's song says, in the Tom Hanks Philadelphia movie. Instead, I picture myself rising the Rocky Steps and celebrating with Elton John’s song Philadelphia Freedom – “Shine on Me.” Yes, how cool is it that the race begins and ends at the famous Philadelphia Museum of Art – AKA Rocky Steps? I know I’m “Gonna Fly Now.”

“Stupid is as Stupid Does”

Everyone knows that movie line from that Hanks guy again as Forrest Gump, one of the all-time greatest distance runners. Then there is me, a wannabe. Here is how my last training run went down.

After 17 years of training for twenty-six point two miles, you would think I knew better. After many treks of up to twenty miles, the last few weeks are taper time, with the last significant run being eight miles. No big deal, right? Well, failing to drink anything besides coffee beforehand, the dreaded dehydration grabbed me and tossed me around. Stupid indeed, and as happens often in sports, I wonder, “What was I thinking?” Live and learn.

Moving forward, I plan to channel my inner Forrest Gump Sunday and run with conviction, and when over, I will say, “I’m pretty tired. I think I’ll go home now.” What an appropriate line. Thanks, Forrest!

Two nerve-racking days?

There is little doubt I will have some performance anxiety come race time; it goes with the territory. The nerves help, and I will undoubtedly employ my game face. However, Saturday is the half-marathon where my daughter is running her first. As you all know, self-anxiety before competing is not fun, but watching our kids play is twice the tension level. Like me, she has put in the work, so we have already won. Trite but true – “It’s the journey,” but the thought of her or me not finishing is nightmarish.

Go, Jackie! As the late, great Tom Petty sang – “Running Down a Dream” is what it is all about, and the Beetles sang – “Free as a Bird,” is the way to run.

Glory Days, Indeed

I only have a few vague connections to the city of Philadelphia. Of course, my first thought is hearsay. I’ve read that Philadelphia fans do not always abide by the literal meaning of the word Philadelphia, which is the City of Brotherly Love. (You learn something every day.)

Unsurprisingly, my first thoughts of Philadelphia are about baseball, although a stretch. One of my favorite baseball players in my early years was the Philadelphia Phillies' great Johnny Callison. I cherished his baseball card without knowing why I liked him so much. Perhaps it was his catchy name or that he batted left-handed. Maybe he had something to do with why I grew up a left-handed batter.

Another unforgettable player was Phillies great Dick Allen. Although it was with the Chicago White Sox that I loved to watch him, I picture him in the tumultuous days as a Phillies’ first baseman. Later in my career, he was one of my professional baseball hitting coaches, and I was fortunate to get to know him.

I also will never forget another player who left us too early. Tug McGraw. It feels like yesterday picturing him throwing up his arms after clinching the 1980 World Series. Unfortunately, I did not get to play in Veteran’s Stadium, with most of my years spent in the American League. And in case you are still determining who won the following World Series, I have a trophy at home to let you know. Ha, true Glory Days!

It’s Not About Me 

Finally, Dr. Madelyn Espinosa-Cotton was an early career researcher working on a rare and fatal form of sarcoma. She dedicated her life to this work because she lost a best friend the day before high school graduation to the disease. People like us fund her work, and it is only possible because of that support. She would have had to abandon her research if not for her grant from AACR…research that she is determined will save children’s and young adults' lives. Please Consider my cause by helping AACR – Click Here.