What You Do Not Know Because You Are Not Me!: Glory Deferred... Again.

Monday, October 3, 2016

Glory Deferred... Again.

I was really looking forward to finishing the New York City Marathon this year. Really.

In 2013 I finished my 19th New York City Marathon while being a pace team leader. I really thought I was gonna be running the New York City Marathon once a year for the rest of my life. Then in May 2014 a terrible disease called Guillain-Barré syndrome literally knocked me off my feet. I spent 135 days in the hospital and skipped the 2014 race. In 2015 I had just regained my ability to walk so I skipped the race again. But I got all set to finish in 2016. I was going to get an early start and friends from the Achilles running club will be to walk with me.

In the past two years, four months, and four weeks I've had a lot of hard times. I spent too many hours staring at hospital ceilings, looking at wheelchairs or just not being with my family.Every time I got frustrated I always went to the same place and time. On the day after the first Monday in November I would be able to stand with my teammates and say, "Yea, I also finished the marathon yesterday." But that's not can happen this year, because last week I stepped into a hole and broke one of the little bones in my foot.

For the 2016 New York City Marathon I was registered as an Athlete With a Disability. That meant I was gonna got an early start and a crew of guides to help me get to the finish line. Next year I'm just gonna be a mediocre back of the pack marathoner. That will be totally fine with me

This evening I was asked to be on a panel of people who were experienced with the New York City Marathon. I got to talk about being in the middle of the pack. There's one thing I meant to say that I couldn't bring myself to say........... I wanted to remind everyone that there are at least a few people that are living vicariously through them when they run the New York City Marathon.

6 comments:

UnknownOctober 4, 2016 at 9:47:00 AM EDT
Thank you for sharing your experience with us last night. I am one of those living vicariously through my PPTC teammates when they run the New York City Marathon this year. I will be overseas during the marathon and wearing my PPTC singlet rooting for each and everyone running. 2017 will be my 1st NYC Marathon and I hope to see you there!
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UnknownOctober 4, 2016 at 2:08:00 PM EDT
It's me Sam. I don't know how how to use this thingy and thought I posted as Sam Smullen. Anyway, you can still give me a hug.
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UnknownOctober 15, 2016 at 3:25:00 PM EDT
Thank you for sharing your story, it is very inspiring. This year I am running the NYC Marathon as an Achilles guide and next year will be running my first NYC marathon. Hope to meet and run with you one day.
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You do not have to be nice!

I have probabally found a thoundsand dollars worth of metrocards, this list starts July 27, 2008

3-8-18: I must admit that I've been recalcitrant regarding my responsibilities on updating this column. Since last fall I have probably found about $100 worth of MetroCards mostly drop by runners who were ahead of me in large races like the New York City Marathon. In addition to that, last week my daughter was standing right next to me and picked up a card that had $40 on it. We were in a ballroom on the grounds of City College where a high school science and engineering fair was occurring.
9-14-17 Since the spring I have found about $25 worth of cards. One of them had over $13 on it and I found it on the path along the belt Parkway while running a race there. It was a challenge to bend down and pick it up but I knew it would have value because it was so far from the subway
5-21-16 Found the card at the starting line of the Brooklyn Half. It will work till May 31
12-28-15: found the card on the floor in Sears that will work till January 10
Haven't been in the subway since May and I now pay cash to go on espresso ride
4-20-14: $35
4-11-14: $75
3-25-14: $50
3-2-14: a $35 card and a card that will work till the owner tell the MTA to stop deducting the money from his bank account. Both on the the course of a 5K
3-1-14: $20
2-4-14 $25
1-9-14: $50
12-20-13 $20 and a card that will work till 12-25
12-8-13: $25
12-5-13 $40
10-14-13: $50. (I think they have been cleaning the stations better since the fare went up in the Spring.)
9-16-13: $75 TODAY! mostly on a few recently expired cards.
9-1-13 $20, but I have had to spend $40.
7-17-13" $25 and a card with 6 days left on it.
7-7-13: $50
6-7-63: $15
5-22-13 $65 (one card with $49.05)
5-18-13 $20 (I have just been in the subway less lately)
4-1-13: $50
3-22-13: $30
3-17-13:$25
3-15-13: $30
3-8-13: $25
3-6-13: $35 (and the fact that new card cost an extra $ did not seem to have any effect)
3-1-13: $20 and a card that will last till 3-8
2-22-13: $25
1-27-13: $35 and a card that will work till 2-5 (it only lasted a day)
1-23-13: $40.00
1-14-13: $20
1-3-13: $13.13
12-31-12: $7.00 (It has been a great month)
12-28-12: $30 today!
12-25-12: $21.50 today!
12-24-12: $7.50
12-21-12: $59.00 ($45.25 on one card)
12-19-12: $25 and still riding free.
12-15-12 $50
12-8-12 a card that will work till 12-25
11-28-12: $15
11-26-12: $10.00
11-11-12: $25
10-17-12: $30
10-16-12: $40
10-9-12: $30
10-2-12: $7.50 and an unlimited that will last till 10-20
10-1-12: $25
9-15-12: $25
9-5-12: $25
8-27-12: $35
8-24-12: $40 and a $38 NYC Parking Card.
8-15-12: $25
7-10-12: $20
7-8-12: $50 (and still using unlimiteds)
6-19-12: $25 and I have been using a unlimited monthly since the beginning of June.
5-29-12: $50
5-11-12: $40
5-4-12: $30, and I have been riding free for the past 3 weeks on a monthly that I found
4-20-12: $25
4-5-12: $17 (just today)
4-2-12: $50
3-13-12: $35
2-29-12: $25
2-10-12 $60, been a good few weeks.
2-6-12: A Transit Check card that may work till 5-31 (worked till 2-20)
1-23-12: $40.00 another great day.
1-21-12: $6.00
1-18-12: $40 (today and yesterday!!)
1-16-12: $145. (I lost my cards, found them in the communal laundry room in my apartment building 2 days later.
1-11-12 $50... Yea!
1-2-12 $35 (27.45 on 1 card yesterday)
12-20-11: $45 (been lucky)
12-12-11: $15.00
12-2-11: $10.50
12-1-11: $40.00 ($37.45 on one recently expired card. People bring it to the booth, you can get a new one.)
11-28-11: $20.00
11-17-11: $25 ($14.75 on one card)
11-6-11: $16.00 on 2 cards at about the 10 mile mark of the NYC Marathon.
11-1-11: $15.00
10-23-11: $10.00
10-14-11: $50 it has been a good few weeks and I have been riding for free.
9-25-11: $7 and a card that will last till 10-15 at the 7 mile mark of the NYC Marathon Tune Up.
9-20-11: A card that will last till 9-25!
9-19-11 $15 and bought $40, but I found a student card one of my kids can use.
9-5-11: This week I found about $5.00 but I had to BUY $40.00.
I Been finding less because I have been on the subway less often. Not because cards with value are any more scarce. However, now that I gotta start paying for my kids I can see paying for a fare in my future.
8-24-11: $15.00
7-28-11: $20.00
7-8-11: $25.00 (some was salary form NYCRUNS.COM
6-15-11: $20.00
5-31-11: $12.00
5-25-11: $4.00 (The EasyPayXprress card switched to "see agent")
5-24-11: $10 (and still riding free)
5-10-11: $30.00 (and still riding free)
4-26-11: $10.00
4-20-11: For about two weeks I have been riding free on a EasyPayXpress card. Let's see how long that lasts.
4-18-11: $:15.00
4-3-11: $10.00
3-23-11: $25
3-12-11: $12.00
3-1-11: $7.00 and a card that will last till 3-26
2-28-11: $25.00
02-17-11: $7.00
02-11-2011: $22.00
1-31-11: $10.00
1-24-11: $8.00
1-19-11:$ 15.00
1-12-11: $15.00 (the windfall from the fare structure increase is apparent, I have been finding a lot of $1.70 cards.)
1-9-11: $4.00
1-4-11: $20.00
12-22-10: $35 (including $24.50 found on 7 cards in a pile)
12-20-10: $10.50 and a card that will last till 12-30 (Worked till 12-22)
12-17-10: $7.50
12-14-10: $12.50
12-13-10: $14.00
12-6-10: $3.50
12-5-10: $12.00
12-4-10: $60; (it has been a good week!)
11-28-10: $15.00 (and I am still riding for free)
11-17-10: $4.00 and a monthly that will last till 12-4
11-7-10: $16 on 4 different cards on the course of the NYC Marathon.
11-6-10: $22:00
11-5-10: $20.00
10-28-10: $12.50
10-14-10: $8.00
10-13-10: $4.00
10-2-10: $6.00, and now that my kids are big enough to pay their fare I am officially spending more than I am finding.
9-27-10: $15 + a $20 bill
9-10-10: $20.00
9-4-10: $6.00
8-28-10: $7.50
8-9-10: $25.00
7-12-10: $4.50
7-8-10: $30.00
7-2-10: $8.50
6-28-10: $10.00
6-18-10: $50 (I have been off line lately)
6-1-10: $5.00 and an unused 30 day card. (What am I gonna do with that?)
5-26-10: $6.00
5-24-10: $22.00 (a $14.25 on the road in Prospect Park.)
5-15-10: $52.00 ($25 in recently expired cards in one spot!)
5-6-10: $3.50
5-5-10: $21.00
5-3-10: $ 6.00
5-1-10: $21.00 Yea baby!
4-29-10: $33.00 yea!
4-27-10: $3.00 and a card that will last till 5-8
4-23-10: $5.00
4-19-10: $10.50
4-14-10 $25.50 (a good day!)
4-13-10: $5.00
4-10-10: $7.45 (on 5 cards all sitting on top of the tester box, 2 of them would have gotten someone on the train?!)
4-9-10: $10.00
4-8-10: $5.00
4-4-10: $15.00
3-29-10: $8.00
3-25-10: $7.00
3-15-10: $21 (a good day, with another $14 card in the middle of the street)
3-11-10: $14.00 (1 card, under the arch of Grand Army Plaza)
3-10-10: $1.50
3-8-10: $22.50
3-2-10: $20.00
2--19-10: $5.00
2-15-10: $2.25
2-13-10: $21.00
2-8-10: $1.55 and a card that will work till 2-15
2-7-10: $49.50 (On one card! Found on the pedestrian island on Park Ave
2-5-10: $4.00
2-4-10; $2.00
2-2-10: $7.00
1-25-10: $6.00
1-22-10: $ 7.50
1-13-10: 3 big unlimiteds 1 expires 1-31 and 2 that expire 2-4?
1-12-10: $12.50
1-4-10: $5.00
1-3-10: $5.75
12-31-9: $4:50
12-28-8: $6.00
12-22-9: $9.50
12-19-9: $14.32
12-18-9: $3.00
12-16-9: $7.50
12-15-9: $3.00
12-14-9: $17.00
12-13-9: $ 7.50
12-8-9: $5.50
12-7-9: $6.00
12-5-9: $4.25
12-2-9: $4.50
12-1-9: $5.25
11-29-9: $2.25
11-25-9: $3.50
11-24-9: $11.00
11-22-9: $25.00
11-18-9: $2.75
11-17-9: $6.00
11-10-9: $3.00
11-8-9: $7.00
11-2-9: $4.50
11-1-9 Got on the subway for free becasue I had a bib from the NYC Marathon. Couda got a ride home but love the honor.
10-28: $2.00 and a TransitCheck card that will work till July 31, 2010 or when the person who lost it reports it lost. (I hope that is soon) (stoped working 10-30)
10-27-9: A 30 day card good till 11-17 (stoped working 10-30)
10-26-9: $6.50
10-21-9: $10.00
10-19--: $31.50
10-9-9: $5.50
10-5-9: $:6.00
10-4-9: $5.50 and a weekly that will last till 10-10
9-24-9: $5.00
9-23-9: 2.50 and made a contribution to an art project (click this)
9-16-9: $4.25
9-15-9: Today was the first day I can remember that I took a round trip on the Subway and found nothing.
9-14-9: 3.50 mostly in 1 pile of 20 and 25 cent cards
9-12-9: $10.00
9-7-9: $11.00
9-1-9: $5.00
8-28-9: $97. CASH Yes is the what the MTA send me for mailing in the unused unlimmited cards I found that became obsolute under the old rate!
8-22-9: $5.50 and a card that will last till 8-25
8-16-9: $6.50
8-12-9: $7.50
8-6-9: $6.40
8-3-9: $14.45
7-30-9: $4.50
7-27-9: $2.75 and card that will last till 8-11 (worked till 7-30)
7-23-9:$3.00 and another card with 3 days left
7-21-9: $22.50
7-20-9: $7.50
7-15-9: A card with 3 days left.
7-12-9: $10.50
7-8-9: $6.00
6-30-9: $12.00 That was 6 $2 cards on the testing your card here machine. Someone really did not know you can combine them
6-28-9: $1.55
6-28-9: $2.10
6-25-9: $6.55
6-22-9: $6.95
6-19-9: $22.50
6-16-9: $2.00
6-13-9: $1.50
6-11-9: $2.50 and a card that will work till 6-14
6-9-9: $2.50
6-6-9: $9.50 (including a $4.05 card on the Brooklyn Bridge)
5-31-9: $27.45
5-22-9: $6.00 and a card that will work till 6-4
5-17-9: $12.25
5-15-9: $6.00
5-12-9: $3.00
5-10-9: $2.05 and a card that will work till 5-21
5-7-9: $8.00
5-4-9: $4.00
5-1-9: $3.50
4-29-9: $7.00
4-25-9:$ 55.75 (one card had $47)
4-20-9: $6.50
4-17-9: $6.00
4-12-9: $3.50
4-10-9: $12.50
4-2-9: $4.10
4-1-9: $6.00
3-31-9: $5.50
3-28-9: $5.50 and a unlimited that will work till 4-1
3-37-9: $4.95
3-26-9: $4.25
3-25-9: $20.50
3-24-9: $8.25
3-23-9: $4.50
3-18-9: $9.50
3-17-9: $4.00
3-16-9: 45 cents, but I got to ride the first train into the new South Ferry Station!
3-11-9: $3.85
3-8-9: $1.98 and a monthy that will work till 3-17
3-6-9: $3.10
3-5-9: $65.10, yea
3-1-9: $6.50
2-28-9: $18.25
2-25-9: $13.00
2-23-9: $9.25
2-19-9: $4.50
2-17-9: $4.25
2-13-9: $5.90
2-11-9: $6.10
2-10-9: 14.75
2-9-9: $12.00
2-6-9: $4.00
2-5-9: $10.50
2-4-9: $4.10
1-27-9: $1.55
1-26-9: $1.35
1-23-9: $6.50
1-21-9: $5.50
1-20-9: $12.00
1-19-9: $8.00
1-16-9: $1.85
1-15-9: $7.50
1-14-9: $5.30 and a 30 day card that will last till 1-29
1-12-9: $7.30 and a 30 day card that will last till 2-1
1-10-9: $3.35
1-9-9: $20.50
1-8-9: $5.50 and an UNUSED 14 day card
1-6-9: $3.80
1-5-9: $6.45
1-4-9: $4.50
1-1-9: $2.25
12-31-8: $0.05
12-29-8: $5.50
12-25-8: $1.00
12-24-8: $31.45
12-23-8: $9.50
12-22-8: $9.45
12-20-8: $12.80
12-18-8: $31.40 yea
12-16-8: $13.00
12-15-8: $5.50
12-11-8: $3.00
12-9-8: $13.50
12-7-8: $12.00
12-5-8: $3.50
12-4-8: $16.50
12-3-8: $5.50
12-2-8: $9.50
12-1-8: $32.50, a good day
11-26-8: $16.50
11-24-8: 35 cents and a card that will work till 12-19
11-20-8: $14.50
11-19-8: $9.50
11-18-8: $3.50 and a card that will last till 11-23
11-14-8: $17.50
11-12-8: $7.50, the 30 day card stopped working
11-9-8: $2.15
11-7-08: $6.50 and a 30 day card that will go till 11-25
11-2-8: A $1 Bill on the Verazzano Bridge during the NYC Marathon
11-1-8: $5.50 and the 30 day card stopped working
10-29-8: $30, and a 30 day card with 3 weeks left on it!
10-25-8: $15.00
10-16-8: $4.30
10-14-8: $2.50
10-13-8: An $8.00 card in my laundry room (If it is yours tell me!)
10-12-8: $2.00
10-7-8: $9.00
10-6-8: $12.00
10-4-8: a weekly with 4 days left on it on the couse of the Grerta's Gallup race in Central Park
10-2-8: $9.50
9-29-8: $8.50 in AirTrain Metrocards, I made a trip to Howard Beach to put them together
9-28-8: $17.80 on one card at the 15 mile mark of the NYC Marathon Tune Up. Hey, there is a little hole in the card for a reason, pin it your shirt!
9-24-8: $15.10
9-21-8: $2.10
9-19-8: $26.00 on 2 cards!
9-18-8: $13.01 on 25 cards
9-17-8: $6 on about 20 cards
9-12-8: $2.50 on 5 cards
9-11-8 : 3.50 on 10 cards
9-8-8: A $12 card
9-3-8: $7.50 on 10 cards
9-1-8; $4.14 on about 15 different cards.
8-26-8: $2.50 on 6 different cards
8-21-8: About $3 on 10 cards
8-20-8: A card that will expire today, I will need it!
8-19-8: 2 5 cent cards and an unused 7 day card (sittng on top of the scanning box?!?!)
8-17-08: $2.50 on 4 different cards
8-15-08: 45 cents and a card that will work for 2 more days
8-13-8: 5 cents
8-12-8: $22 on 4 different cards
4-28-23 i see it's been many years since I actually updated this column. Things have changed through the pandemic. Even before the pandemic they started charging a dollar if you needed a new card. So they were somewhat less card laying around. But since the pandemic when they stop taking cash or combining cards in the boots there's been plenty of cards to pick up.But since the people in the boots come out of the boots I think the stations have actually been cleaner lately.The cards are laying around and until they stop using cards I would remind everyone to pick them up.
8-11-8: A couple of 5 cent cards.
7-27-8: A $2 card on the course of the NYC Half Marthon, at the half mile mark.

What You Do Not Know Because You Are Not Me!

Monday, October 3, 2016

Glory Deferred... Again.

6 comments:

This is not me

Blog Archive

Monday, October 3, 2016

Glory Deferred... Again.

6 comments:

This is not me

Blog Archive

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