Running in Packs

On Sunday PL and I went to see a yearly NYC custom that very much resembles an ancient canine pastime - running in packs. The pack in this case was a formidable 37,000 strong, the event better known as the Marathon. We had a special reason to be there cheering on the runners as Maisie's Mom Heidi was out there running her first Marathon. We positioned ourselves first at 110th st and 5th Ave. The runners were a delight to watch as they hit the uppermost corner of Central Park, their faces lifting visibly as they recognized the last stretch .

We got a call from Maisie's dad tipping us off that her shoe tracker had indicated that she would be at 125th st in 20 mins. We made our way North-past live rap bands, African Drummers, Loud Speakers, a sea of crushed paper cups and most of all New Yorkers in force urging the runners on. Go Brian, Go Tom, Go Sarah....they shouted reading the names of strangers written across the runner's chests...it was just one gigantic NYC pack.

Sadly we missed Heidi, she was running faster than her predicted time and had zipped by before we got there- and then went on to finish her first Marathon in 4 hrs and 12 Minutes -Awesome.