More than 40,000 people, me included, are hoping to get the rain over with early this week. A lot more than 40,000 people.

Your friends and family can’t wait to watch you race, but they’d rather not be standing two-feet deep in a puddle while holding a wet, dripping sign. Our stellar volunteers and staff feel much the same way—they’ll put on ponchos to forge ahead in the rain, but it’s a lot easier to move around and use your arms freely without them.

If it comes down to it, here are some tips if the wet stuff is still pouring down later this week. In my mind, writing these tips will repel the rain—it’s like carrying an umbrella—it won’t dare rain if we’re all prepared for it.

• Avoid running in wet sneakers at all costs. That said, if it’s raining during you’re your final run this week, or even on the big day, ignore this first tip and move on to the next one.
  
  
• You won’t melt in the rain. But a warm long-sleeve technical shirt would be nice when you start feeling the cold aftereffects. Give your star spectator—a friend, family member, or stranger you somehow trust—an extra shirt to hold for you if it’s cold or wet on race day. In all likelihood, you won’t want it during the race. But afterward, it’ll be quite the lifesaver. Ditto for a dry pair of sneakers.
  
  
• New York City and umbrellas don’t mix. Beware of the crazy-eyed person on the street with a ten-gallon umbrella; they may not respond to your pounding feet as you come upon them during your last fun run this week, a throat-clearing ahem, or even a polite excuse me. Be prepared to duck and run around them. Other runners and friendlier New Yorkers will more than make up for their rudeness.
  
  
• No matter what the weather brings, you must make it to the ING New York City Marathon Health and Fitness Expo (to pick up your race materials, shop around, talk to other runners, etc.), the fun events you have planned while in town, and your official (or otherwise--if you’ve planned something else or are running with an ITP or charity) transportation to the start. You’ll get to Fort Wadsworth to race—come rain, sleet, or perhaps, even sunshine.
  
  
• A garbage bag can do wonders. Bring it as a poncho, a seat, or a waterproofing agent when you’re going out in the rain. It’s a handy tool on race morning, and it won’t take up much space in your bag.
  
  
• Look around and enjoy all of your experiences this week. Let the rain make you laugh instead of cry, and you’ll be better off come race day (and every day thereafter, tear tear, sniffle sniffle).

The ING New York City Marathon 2009 in the news:

• Children of the Marathon recall a forgotten time. [NY Times]
• Gary Muhrcke: 40 years ago, the first winner. [Newsday]
• Can Radcliffe "four-peat?" [Examiner]
• Actor Ed Norton lends face, feet to a cause. [USA Today]
• Red Cross training hundreds of volunteers for the race. [AP]
• Nothing brings NYC together like the ING NYC Marathon. [Village Voice]
• Tracking runners on the course. [Gadgetwise, NY Times]
• Action Sports star Sal Masekela "never been more scared" to run. [LA Times]

We checked in today with Stephanie Ross, the Start manager of the ING New York City Marathon (and if you think that's a high-stress job...you're right--but somehow Steph is always calm, cool, and collected, even this week). Steph reports:

We had a great day in Fort Wadsworth. Sun is shining, weather is sweet…..3 great things that came out of today:

· Installed 400 toilets

· Installed 2,000 feet of fencing

· Confirmed City Harvest’s participation in the picking up of leftover runner food and beverages from the start.

A great day, indeed!

I love that the New York Times covers running as much as it does. I also love that we can count on the Times to “be at the center of the debate.”

Let me share New York Road Runners’ side of the debate as to whether “plodders” have a place in the marathon. Our answer begins with this: Both the term “plodders” and the question posed miss the essence of the beauty and power of the marathon.

We at NYRR stress the strenuous, demanding nature of the marathon. We don’t say that it’s for everyone. We conduct over 50 events a year from the mile to the marathon, and clinics and classes that ensure we “have a place for every pace.” We promote the marathon as the Mt. Everest of running. In other words, the ultimate goal. One that takes careful and rigorous preparation. But we specifically don’t say – “you’ve got to be fast to do it.”

To us, it’s about conquering the distance and conquering self doubt. The marathon is about dreaming to achieve and putting in all the work to make that dream reality. That quest, and the runner's ultimate success, routinely changes people’s lives in rich and meaningful ways. Our runners, no matter the pace, typically overcome all kinds of hurdles and challenges to reaching the marathon finish line. It is that ability to persevere that translates to other parts of their lives. Making them stronger and better for the pursuit – well beyond improved physical fitness.

We don’t encourage people to walk the marathon or to take 8 hours to complete it. It is a running event after all. But, it is 26.2 miles – a huge challenge – no matter how fast you are. Ask most marathoners – we’ve all been humbled by the distance at some point. It tends to make us appreciate the efforts of others. Most faster runners I know have a great deal of respect for slower runners (it is tough to be out there longer) and vice versa (it’s “incredible” how fast “they” run).

 The marathon is not easy.  I am a pretty serious runner. Though occasionally tempted, I haven’t run a marathon in 15 years. I know what it takes, and I know what it takes out of you. There is no debate about how hard it is. So it’s okay – you need to walk a little? Then walk a little. Do what it takes to accomplish the goal of finishing, and be smart about it too. In NYC, our roads reopen at a rolling 6½ hour marathon. We score at the finish until 8 hours, because sometimes folks have a really tough day. They don’t plan on 8 hours, but it happens. And, we are pleased to host the largest contingent of disabled athletes of any major marathon, and the extra time helps them too. We are fortunate – with our final miles largely inside Central Park rather than on the streets - that we can offer this possibility.

 On Sunday, November 1, we’ll host 40,000 runners from around the world. We’ll celebrate our superhuman champions who cross the finish line first, stand in awe of all of those that break the coveted 3 hour mark, high five those who qualify for Boston and cheer those that crack the formidable 4 hour barrier. Then you can bet we’ll welcome - with open arms and a hard earned medal - each of our finishers who, despite the challenges, cross our rarified finish line.

 A marathoner is a marathoner regardless of time. Virtually everyone who tries the marathon has put in training over months, and it is that exercise and that commitment, physical and mental, that gives meaning to the medal, not just the day’s effort, be it fast or slow.  It’s all in conquering the challenge. Ask any marathoner you meet in NYC on Monday, November 2.

- Mary R. Wittenberg

Local marathoners told us what they love about training for the ING New York City Marathon:

* "Listening to trashy audiobooks on long training runs (serial killers and swimsuit models)."

* "Freshly made out-of-the-oven foccacia from Salumeria Rosi at 74th and Amsterdam."

...And what they love about race day, whether running or spectating:

* "Lafayette St. (crowd/vibe), coming off the 59th St. Bridge, getting to Central Park."

* "The fact that it is the only day in NY where is it kosher to talk to strangers and openly show your admiration without being a total dork."