Post-Sandy and NYC Marathon Cancel: Things I Learned, Always Knew and am Clueless About

Things I learned this past week:

• I have NEVER in my life been more proud to be from the Jersey Shore. We all know what Hurricane Sandy devastated many areas, especially the Jersey Shore, my hometown of Point Pleasant included. I have always cherished where I grew up. A majority of my memories from childhood through high school involved the beach and the boardwalk. I went home on Wednesday this week and walked along the beach and took in the sights. Sandy destroyed everything. It will be rebuilt but it will never be the same. Although an understatement, I am grateful that my family and friends are safe. Everyone who escaped with minimal or no damage is coming together to help friends and family and perfect strangers that are in need. #JerseyStrong
• I have NEVER in my life been more upset that I do not live closer to home. I feel completely helpless right now. I have donated to the Red Cross and other fundraisers that friends have created and I have gone home a couple of times and helped out where I can. Fizz and I went out tonight and bought supplies to donate (cleaning supplies, blankets, baby formula, diapers, OTC medicine, plastic utensils and paper plates, and fleece blankets)! I feel guilty about sitting on my couch right now with internet and cable and lights and hot water when others have absolutely nothing. I already know I am going to feel guilty about sitting at my desk at work all week when I could be helping a family somewhere.
• I never thought I would care less about running the NYC Marathon. I was so emotionally invested in what was happening in my hometown and surrounding towns (as well as the NYC boroughs hit) that running the race was nowhere near the front of my mind at any point. The 2012 NYCM was a race I have been working toward since January 2011. I spent a lot of money running NYRR races to qualify and I spent a lot of time away from family and friends to train. It was supposed to be a runner’s dream come true, my dream come true. Now, it means nothing in comparison to how I feel about Sandy relief.
• I need to (a) stop posting when I am drunk or (b) start proofreading if I plan on posting while I am drunk. I wrote this post on Tuesday night. When I went to read some comments, I noticed that I wrote the same word in a row about 281 times and my sentences did not make sense. It was edited (while still drunk), so it probably still doesn’t make sense. Sorry.
• Besides being a kick-ass runner, Molly Pritz is hysterical. Becki (from The Middle Miles) interviewed Molly and asked some awesome questions. She honestly made me laugh out loud. You can read the interview here!

Things I always knew:

• I can always trust in Bruce Springsteen. On Friday, a New York and New Jersey born line-up (Christina Aguilera, Billy Joel, Mary J. Blige, Jon Bon Jovi, Aerosmith, Brian Williams, Jimmy Fallon, Jon Stewart, Matt Lauer and of course, Bruce Springsteen), performed for the Hurricane Sandy: Coming Together telethon which raised funds for the Red Cross. Bruce concluded with “God Bless New York, God Bless the Jersey Shore.”
• I love Mizuno Running. Beth and I spent a majority of our time at the Mizuno booth at the expo yesterday. We bought shoes and learned and laughed a lot. We were there when we found out about the marathon being canceled and the reps working were the absolute best.
• I make interesting decisions when I drink tequila. Post zero-reaction/blank stare for an hour NYCM cancelation, I went out and had 24 margaritas and now I am running the Richmond Marathon on Saturday November 10. I’ve been tapering for 4 weeks now. I do not even know if my legs can carry me 26 miles anymore. Good thing about Richmond: It is America’s Friendliest Marathon and I will not be anywhere near alone. The “No-NYCM” has left a lot of runners hungry for a race. So far, #TeamRichmond includes Katie, Meggie, Leticia, Fiona, Jess, Gia, Katie, my friends Laura and Sky and Dori, always. Dorothy is also running so I hope to meet her! I believe there are more too, I just do not know them (yet) but I am positive we will be friends after America’s Friendliest Marathon.

• I love tequila.

Things I am not sure about yet (I’ll get back to you):

• Can I really run two marathons in one week? I am running the Richmond Marathon on November 10 and the Philly Marathon with Melissa on November 18. Laura, please help.
• Can I lose the 10+ pounds I have gained while tapering? This is not a joke. I drank (way) too much /everyday and stopped eating healthy. Shit needs to change.
• Will the NYCM ever be the same? The controversy makes me think it may lose some of its appeal in the future.

OK enough about me. Take a minute and donate to something, somewhere for Sandy relief.

If you want to help a specific family, please consider donating to Jen’s. She is a fellow healthy living blogger and marathoner who lost everything (her house, car and almost her husband) in Staten Island when Sandy came through like a raging bitch. You can donate to her family by clicking here.

If you live near Point Pleasant, go to the Masonic Lodge in Point Pleasant Beach next to Jersey Mike’s Subs on Route 35 South/New Jersey Avenue beginning at 8AM. They will be sending volunteers to homes that need help cleaning up the damage and destruction. It would be helpful if you brought gloves and masks (if you have them).

If you live near any other hard hit area (Breezy Point, Rockaway, Coney Island, Staten Island, Hoboken, cities on Long Island and any others), donate food. Be sure to look up the needs of shelters in the areas before dropping off material donations!

If you want to set up your own fundraising for someone or for a certain charity for Sandy relief, it is simple to create on Crowdrise. (i.e. Lora created a page to support the Mayors Fund and Lora created a page for a virtual run to raise funds for relief efforts).

If you are not local and cannot donate supplies or hard labor (seriously, its messy), make a monetary donation the Red Cross. Text REDCROSS to 90999 and you will have donated $10. It is that simple.

If you love animals: (1) Text HUMANE to 80888 and you will have donated $10 to the Humane Society of the US (or click here for an online donation). (2) Click here to donate to the ASPCA! A lot of animals were displaced because of this storm, please consider this option as well.

Sending thoughts and love to everyone in need ❤