Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Running with Hurricane Sandy


*Above is a picture of Tobay Beach. The beach I knew since I was a child; it is no more*
On Sunday, October 28 I got up early and went for a run. I was already in the hurricane preparation mode. I knew that I was not going to to be running for a day or so.  It was a nice 4.5 run. It geared me up for a few volunteer hours helping to set up a hurricane shelter for the Red Cross. Monday, October 29th, a day that will now be historical for this tri-state area, arrived we my knowing that school would be closed for the day.  Crazy as it sounds I got up very early and took a very short 2 mile run because the news was getting even more dicey by the hour regarding the impending hurricane. I could tell the storm was approaching; the wind was definitely an issue while running. I had a strong head wind on the way out and the I felt like I was getting pushed all the way home!  Once again, I was off to the Red Cross hurricane shelter to help out.  It was already getting started! Many had already started to arrive and hunker down for the hurricane. I spent about 4 hours registering people and lending a hand along with the Red Cross club I advise. It was awesome to see my students turn out with plans to stay overnight throughout the hurricane and work at the shelter! By the time I left at 3pm the wind was unbelievable and the rain was starting.  I was getting a bit nervous just walking to my car in the open parking area of the college! I was glad to see a security car just in case I started to lift off! 

The next 16 days are kind of a blur. We were without full power, heat or hot water for all but 2 of those days. The last 2 were only partial power consisting of a few outlets, the microwave and 2 lights.  But our inconvenience was nothing compared to the thousands of people whose homes were lost and the devastation of our island. Beaches that I have know from childhood no longer existed. Boardwalks crushed like King Kong was there....and people's lives out on the curb for trash because their homes were flooded. Where I live, not by the ocean, still received its fare of mother nature's wrath. Trees and sidewalks were torn up and toppled; overhead wires pulled down like string.  I have never seen such awful devastation of a place I have always known as home.  But Long Island will be resilient and will work toward its recovery.  Perhaps a even more wary of the sea and mother nature.

But throughout this all my running continued. I planned my running around where and when I could take a procure hot water for washing. I had no plan. At first there was barely any phone and no internet, so theretofore not much contact with my coach. All though life was upended my running stayed in place as best as it could.  I ran when I could and ran what I felt like. One day 2 miles the next two none and then a 3.5 mile run. It was very haphazard. This 'running with out a plan' gave me a better appreciation of how beneficial it is to have a coach!   

So 3 weeks have passed and this week I have began my training anew. Perhaps it will give me a new perspective about my running.  I'm not sure exactly when my next race will be. My last race left me on a very high note. And even though I do not feel prepared to race that same PR or even close, I am looking forward to the next time I put on my bib number and wait for the starting gun...and  race! But, I really hope it doesn't snow!  Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!