Change of Pace

When I retitled this blog last fall, it was with an eye towards far-in-the-future events that are now suddenly imminent...my official departure from New York City. My life is about to undergo a wholesale renovation. After spending a full third of my life working in this manic megalopolis for one major media company, I'm leaving to become a married (or at least betrothed to start with) midwestern graduate student and after that, hopefully, a professional photographer and possibly a parent (and definitely a step-parent). I'm apparently in a very alliterative mood today.

Anyway, as of tomorrow I'll be at T-minus nine weeks and there's an awful lot to do between now and then. I have an apartment to sublet or sell and either way, there's a lot of clutter that's accumulated in it that has to go, so most of my free time is being spent deciding whether to keep, pitch or give away various items. Some things leave me feeling physically depleted when I decide to let them go - others make me wonder why I thought it was important to keep them in the first place.

A typical episode is the bag full of shopping bags that I found yesterday. I came across it and thought, fabulous, an obvious, easy "pitch" item. And then I realized that the bags were all marathon baggage bags from various races over the last 10+ years. I had to stop and remind myself that I have medals and photos and certificates and t-shirts and newspaper results listings and maps and a host of other tchotchkes and I need to just let the baggage bags go. So into the trash they went, but this routine has been repeating itself over and over again with bridesmaids dresses and old letters and race shirts that I never wear. Purging is an emotionally challenging experience.

Another "pitch" item I came across was an envelope full of old Runner's Worlds that a neighbor had loaned to me a couple of years ago and I'd forgotten to ever return. At this point, I'm guessing that I'm doing her a favor by not returning her clutter to her, so into the recycling bin they went. (Though I hope she didn't see them there) Before doing that though, I quickly skimmed the table of contents to see if there was anything useful to rip out and read. And what do you know....a 9-week half marathon training plan. It just so happens that the New York City half marathon is nine weeks away tomorrow, the day before I pack up the truck and leave.

When they first introduced this race I griped that it was too expensive and too gimmicky and too crowded and not worth the hype. I still think it's too expensive, but from what I've heard, it's very well organized and a fast course and a kick to get to race through Times Square. So what better way to bid farewell to my fair city than to race the length of the island? I signed myself up and will start the official training plan on Monday. Or Tuesday, since the first day of the plan is oddly a rest day. Actually, I'll probably just do the "Tuesday" workout on Monday because...well, why not just get started?

It'll be an interesting experience to see how I respond to these workouts. Over the last few years I've come to the conclusion that I see the greatest results from a program of long, moderate distance and a lot of it. This particular plan involves a lot of interval work on the track and relatively low mileage. If I start to feel a lot of aches and pains after the first few weeks I'll probably fall back to what I'm comfortable with, but since I'm going to be pressed for time getting ready for the move, I figure I might as well try something that will use up a few less hours of my day.