WC 8

Friday dinner - Gaye Davis and Dennis Halpin in back - Sally Smith, Barri Mallen, Marlene Cimons and Daniel Wellner

I settled on the lot after our dinner and Susan and I stopped at several markets on our walk back to the Bellclaire. If you like ethnic foods we learned New York markets had it all.

The half marathon group met at 6:30 for the walk to the start. We knew the general direction to the start, but it was very helpful to have Tim Smith with us. He quickly got us to the start where we quickly got lost in the crowd of 6000 runners looking for bushes as the porta potties had not arrived by start time. I saw Mike Sheldon and Jane Fraytet a few minutes before 7:30 and lined up with them. I ran with Mike for the first mile or so before he pulled ahead on the first hill. Kevin Smith gave us a yell, "Go dead runner," as he took video or still pictures of everyone and everything at the conference.

I knew I would not have a good race so I enjoyed the scenery of the park. The road was level in just a few places. While the hills were not bad it

After the finish

seemed I was always running up or down. Pete Aloe came along side me and we ran a few miles together. I picked up the pace, or the effort anyway, during the second loop and felt good as I finished. Susan had run just one loop and found me soon after I finished. I saw Neil, Tony Bell, Ken Cotton, and Dennis Halpin soon after I finished. Someone took an instant picture of us, we ate a few bananas and a few quarts of water. We then walked along the course back to the 12 mile mark, which was also the start area. We saw Gaye Davis, Robin Cain, Barrie, Toni Braun, Judie Cotton and perhaps others along the way. I don’t think I cheer as many runners in local races I run.

We walked back to the hotel for a shower before the brunch. It was getting warm, we were tired; it was a long walk. We walked to Dan Freedman’s apartment, which, like everything else at the conference, was near the hotel. We saw the Boston area deads Bill Cohen, Connie Chan, John McNerney, Donna Erikson, Tom Finan, and Val Burgos along with others who either ran the half or were just getting up after partying till 3 or so. I heard that was Scott Larcher’s influenece. – I also met Beth and Adam who were friends of Kathy Carolyn’s from Florida and knew a member of my local running club who lives half the year in Florida and the other half in New Hampshire. Small World.

Herb Geller, John McNerney, Tim Smith

My legs were beat, but when Matt suggested a trip to the Staten Island Ferry, I said sure. Susan and I, along with Matt, Lou Nunez, Kathy and Jeff Marker, Ken Myers, and Ted Glenn took the subway and headed towards lower Manhattan. The NY subways are very efficient, but the powers to be do not like to ventilate the stations. I thought I would pass out from the heat. The ride the ferry was cool; we saw Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty and parts of the NYC Marathon course. After the ride we walked around lower Manhattan seeing historical sites and the financial district. Matt is a walking encyclopedia – he knows everything. By the time we got back to dinner I was limping, however. Too much time on my feet for a day.

The Saturday dinner was ever bit as good as Friday’s with the added bonus of cheesecake desserts made by May Ann Knight. Connie demonstrated the hula to anyone who wanted to learn. Neil brought Sweet Julie so those of us who had never met her had actual proof that Neil was indeed married. J We learned that Neil became a grandfather that day too.

Stretch the hamstrings

Susan got up Sunday morning for the running tour down Broadway to lower Manhattan and then into Brooklyn. I slept in; my leg was still sore. However, I did walk in the neighborhood of the hotel. I bought some excellent bagels for breakfast and went to a flea market. No one was home at the hospitality suite (the Stevens Tech 5k was taking place) so I read a newspaper while sitting by one of the many NYC cows.

The wedding came next. We arrived at 12:50 with Jane Fraytet but still had plenty of time. I saw so many deads dressed up for the first and perhaps only time. The food, band, and atmosphere were great in the Essex house. Waiters would appear with trays all afternoon – "Would you like some more caviar sir?" Best wishes for Karl and Kathy.

We walked some more – back to the hotel to change and then to Times Square, Rockefeller Center, St. Patrick’s, and Trump Plaza with Dennis Halpin, Gaye Davis, Dave and Toni Braun, and Mary Ann Knight. We left them at a restaurant and explored small markets along Broadway. If I had a stove available I would have

bought a pound of ravioli. Then we hung around the hospitality suite for a while. People were moving slowly: we weren’t the only ones beat. When we saw Bill Cohen fall asleep in a chair we knew it was time for us to get some needed rest.

We packed Monday morning and met a group in the lobby. Dennis helped us get our baggage downstairs while he waited for a cab. After a last trip to the bagel shop I headed to the parking lot to pick up our car. By the time I got back to the Bellclaire the subway crew had left for Coney Island. I am still wondering how Susan and I left the hotel 20 minutes after the subway crew and way after Dave and Toni - yet arrived a half hour before the subway people got there. We even got lost along the way. I finally asked directions on 4th Avenue and drove several miles along the NYC marathon course. And who knows what happened to the Brauns. They never showed up.

Coney Island Cuties

We had fun in the sun walking in the boardwalk, swimming in the warm ocean water, trying to hit a Spaulding ball with a stick, and riding the Cyclone. Sally said I won the stickball hitting contest but I just got one lucky swing. It sure was easier as a kid. Anyone for a Nathan’s hot dog? I am looking forward to seeing all the group photos. Whenever someone started to take a photo, he or she was immediately handed 6 or 7 other cameras.

Ken Meyers was the first to leave. He had to report for duty by midnight. Others who were staying one more day took the subway back to Manhattan. I think we were the last to leave the beach area at 2:45. We got to Arlington, Virginia, without incident, following the excellent directions given to me by Jim Adams and Jeff Reed.

World Conference VIII, 2000, NYC