More Turkey Trot Domination! And Horace!!

Grand, Exalted IT Czar Jeff Sanden brings us news of the New Cumberland Turkey Trot, totally pwned by PSU Track Alumni Golfers.

The Fuller Brothers, you all know I can never keep them straight, placed 1st, 2nd and 4th at the race of several thousand Turkey Day morning runners.

Brian Fuller,  15:36

Mark Fuller,  16:08

Kevin Fuller, 16:42

New Cumberland never even saw it coming!

And here's legends Tom Fleming and Horace Ashenfelter III at the Ashenfelter 8K in Glen Ridge NJ. It looks like Horace could win his age group to me.

Records, Diamonds and Singlets, Oh My!

The Turkey Day Runs around the Country seemingly went well.  Tyler McCandless set a record in his run in Colorado.  The Fosters both snagged diamonds. And my family joined 5,000 others in a race in York.  (Hard to believe...   5,000 runners in York?)

Ryan and Kara Foster show off Berwick Diamoinds.  Kara won and Ryan was 5th.

Tyler McCandless broke the 4mile record by more than 30 seconds!

Mark Hawkins was somehow cold in Florida?

Ryan Foster sported an Alumni Singlet!

Kara Foster was too fast for even the photog!

I did a spirited 5K on the Treadmill getting ready for this weekend's attempt at 5 miles a day!

Happy Thanksgiving

As I awake today, alone,  because everyone else is off to "run" the local Turkey Trot, I amThankful for a few extra hours of sleep.  I do run nearly every day, but can't quite make myself "race" anymore.  What's the point?  Run as hard as I can, risk injury, ridicule and shame, all to end up "running" twice as slow as I too easily remember.  I'll just await results and photos from everyone else.

There are a few Alums running for the diamonds today in Berwick.  There are a few running Boalsburg's version.  There are some running Horace Ashenfelter's Annual race in up-state New Jersey.  York's version has more than 5,000 entered! Tyler McCandless is gunning for his Coach's record in Colorado.  And speaking of Tyler, he apparently is having a Turducken* for dinner!

A Turducken has to be better than Howard Wolowitz's mom's Turbriskifil**



*Of course, a mostly deboned turkey wrapped around a deboned chicken wrapped around a deboned duck wrapped around stuffing.

**A deboned turkey wrapped around a beef brisket wrapped around a gefilte fish. "It's not as good as it sounds."

Happy Thanksgiving everyone and don't forget to send me some Turkey Trot stories and photos.

Just in Time For Thanksgiving Dinner

“Here come pieces of… MY GOD!”

I once attended a Podiatry Conference where Dave Barry was the Keynote Speaker.  And as he would often say, "I'm not making that up!"  He told many stories, enlightened the crowd like no other Podiatric lecturer ever could, and I even got 2 CME credits.  It was a bargain that can never be repeated again. I mean, the authorities won't allow it anymore...

One of the stories he told was the classic exploding whale story from 1970  told in his syndicated column in the days when he still needed money (1990).

The Farside Comes to Oregon

Fair Warning: This could ruin your Turkey Day meal.  

But it's also good to know that anytime a whale dies and ends up on the beach, it's not a good idea to poke the thing with anything sharp.  The build up of gases tends to make them quite explosive without adding any dynamite. This is a recent example.

Fair Warning: This one is worse.  Not for the squeamish.

Turkey Trot Exploits Wanted!

This is the time of year for some silly "Turkey Trots" as well as some competitive "Runs" for diamonds and other such baubles.

I once won a turkey at a Turkey Trot in Millersville PA running 51:11 for 10 miles and coming within a whisker of my best all-time run (according to the IAAF standards).  My best ever run by 3 measly IAAF points was my 10K on PSU's track in 1980, although I was lapped by Greg Fredericks twice!  Pitiful, I know...  But I did enjoy that turkey.

We want photos and stories from this year's Turkey Day exploits.  Particularly if they involve Alumni Singlets or costumes of any sort.  And Diamonds!  Don't forget Diamonds!

The Frozen Fifteen

I think it was 1978, but I could be wrong.  For my first 3 years at PSU, we had a "race" of sorts at the beginning of December which happened to be the "Airport Loop".

My log is quite sparse, but my memories aren't:

• December 10, 1977 - Airport Loop  1:36.
• December 4, 1978 - Airport Loop  1:36.
• December 2, 1979 - Airport Loop  1:34.

The Airport Loop was more than 15 miles.  Fifteen miles of desolate, unending, unshielded, monotonous miles.  Sure, maybe it would have been scenic in the early hours of a cool summer day.  But it was never scenic in early December.  Especially when the temperature reached single digits and the wind speeds were double digits.

Like I said, I think it was the 1978 one that stands out in my mind.  That's the day I saw gray skin on the Wolfe twins after the finish.  At the time, I could tell the difference between Al and Jeff Wolfe by the body part that turned gray in cold weather runs.  I can't remember which was which now, but the nose and ear alerted me at the time.  "Hi Al, how's the ear feeling?"  I'd say.  Or maybe it was Jeff.

When I reached the Creamery, with less than a half mile to go, my parents were standing in front of the Creamery cheerily saying "hello" as I desperately tried to hold it together, with icicles precariously hanging from my nose and ears.*   "I'M IN A RACE!" I garbled through frozen lips before limping home to Rec Hall and the impending semblance of warmth.

And then I heard it.  A wail.  An isolated, animalistic wail, coming from the back of the building.  A desperate, blood-curdling child-like cry.  It was Dave Felice, who had finished far ahead of me, and had been wearing those new kinds of shorts made with spandex or some such horrible material and had a built-in liner.  Scant protection for certain body parts other than the lips, nose and ears.  Frostbite and The Airport Loop are forever linked in my mind.

*In town for a Sports Weekend.

The Secret to Running Success Revealed!

Well, maybe not to running, but certainly recovery!  It's compression combined with ice.  Heck, if I had the miracle that is compression garments 30 years ago, I might still be competing today.*

110%

The Equivalent of the Fountain of Youth?

With my wife running The Dopey this year at Walt Disney World's Marathon weekend, we went looking for a way to keep her upright and walking the Parks each day after each of the 4 runs.

1. Thursday - 10K -  Followed by a tour of Epcot, culminating in a Kung Pao meal at the Nine Dragons Restaurant in China.
2. Friday - 5K - followed by a leisurely stroll of the Animal Kingdom, culminating in another Asian meal at the base of Mt. Everest.
3. Saturday - Half Marathon - Followed by rambling about at Disney Hollywood Studios, culminating with dinner at Herbie's Drive In.
4. Sunday - Marathon - With the triumphant limp around the Magic Kingdom with all 6 medals earned.  Not sure about dinner plans.

The best place to pick up your ticket to perpetual movement is The Inside Track in the Harrisburg/Hershey area, conveniently located on Rt. 322!  There are also stores in Lancaster, Mechanicsburg and a new one in Lewisburg at Bucknell University.

Manager Henry Klugh displaying the 1977 District 3 gold Medal he won in the Mile after I was disqualified for tripping him.  Thanks to him, I went on to run the 2-Mile at States instead, for which I'm ever thankful.

* We all know that I made that up.  But let's all pretend anyway!

I Can't Believe XC is Over!

Matt Fischer was 78th in 31:06 at the NCAA Championships in a muddy, chilly Indiana.

The lone Lion stays warm before the start.

Not sure if these are shoes or not?

The Women placed 25th as a team.

Cushioning is Back!

The minimalist running shoe fad has, surprise surprise, led to injuries. Well looks like the injured have turned to trainers with a plethora of cushioning to stay healthy. The minimalist fad never made much sense to me as every half decent runner I know trains in normal (cushioned or stability) running shoes. Of course you can find an article or research to support your opinion on just about anything so what do I know.

We all know Dave's opinion on barefoot running (here and here). Go figure a podiatrist would have some knowledge regarding proper footwear. "A little heel height never hurt anyone."

A Steeplechasing Zombie!

There's no hope of getting away from this zombie.  She isn't the classical "slow" type of zombie, for sure!  And even if you run away over barriers and jump water hazards, she'll still catch you.  Your grandparents probably already told you that life isn't fair.

Bridget Franek for, I assume, Halloween!

Thanks to W and M's Brian Mount for the link!

To Stretch or Not to Stretch. That is the Question

The most inflexible runner ever wins again!

The last time I actually stretched was in 1980.  And by no means do I figure I'm better off or recommend it to anyone.  I just despise stretching and always have.  When I used to watch Alberto Salazar beating all the flexible runners in every race, I figured something was amiss. And scientific literature has been accumulating over the years that stretching:

1. Provides no benefit in the prevention of injuries.
2. Provides no benefit in the performance of athletes.

There has actually been strong scientific proof that weightlifters lose 5% of their strength if they stretch prior to lifting.  This applies to other strength activities like starting from starting blocks or suddenly accelerating in a race. Rather than cite the actual scientific literature on the subject, Ill just post a pro and con fluffy article from the recent common man literature.

Stretching Is Essential For Runners

Better Runners Are... Inflexible?

This loss of flexibility is a natural adaptation to training that makes you more economical. It may seem like a negative effect, but it’s actually a positive one, and you don’t want to interfere with it by doing too much stretching.

Sometimes, a Diamond First Appears to be Just a Rock

"We pass over the silly remarks of the President. For the credit of the nation  we are willing that the veil of oblivion shall be dropped over them and that they shall be no more repeated or thought of." 

                                           -Editorial in the Harrisburg Patriot and Union, 1863. (rectified by an editorial in the Harrisburg Patriot News in 2013.)

The same can be said for many people and things we come across every day.  I am reminded about how many diamonds I happened to run with at PSU back in the day.  At the time, most seemed to just be a bunch of rocks.  Only looking back with the wisdom of a few years and the open-mind that time seems to provide, do I realize just how much of a diamond mine we had among our group in Happy Valley. I really do appreciate things so much better now.

When President Lincoln delivered his address in rural Pennsylvania in 1863, he was mostly ignored by those in charge.  A mere formality hastened his invitation and appearance and just a few minutes of time on the podium at the end of a long ceremony.  The main speaker spoke for hours.  Lincoln spoke for just 2 minutes or so.

Abraham Lincoln, at Gettysburg.

"Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.
Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.
But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow -- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."              

                                                                    -Abraham Lincoln, 11/19/1863.

Sometimes it takes just two minutes to change the world.  And sometimes it takes 150 years to realize the world has been changed. 

Player/Coach Sam Masters Helps PSU XC Club Team to Third at Nationals

Penn State Track Alumni Golfer Sam Masters helps coach the PSU XC/Track Club team which took home 3rd place at the NIRCA National Championships at Hershey over the weekend.  Indiana took home the title. The Women's team came in second to Virginia at the same meet!

Sam Masters, still looking sharp!

Joey Walls, Samuel Masters, Erich Leiden, Douglas Jordan, Timothy Appman, Matt Doutt and Dan Craighead

8K Seems to be the New 10K

There has been a popularization of the 8K distance lately, not only on the XC course.  We used to know it as the 5 Miler, but somehow the Metric System finally seems to have taken hold.

I ran my first 5-Miler in 1976 or so.  The Red Rose 5-Miler started with a cannon blasting out all the windows in downtown Lancaster.  I came in 5th with a 24:41 (24:32 8K!) which is the best I ever did at any of the iterations of the Imperial or Metric equivalents.  The winner that day was a young Sydney Maree, straight from his native South Africa.  Jumbo Elliot soon had him matriculated at Villanova University.

The Fuller Brothers ran a 8K in Richmond yesterday: No word yet on Alumni Singlet status. Remember guys, USATF status for the Penn State Track/XC Alumni Club is available!

Brian Fuller        25:35

Mark Fuller        25:59

Kevin Fuller       26:58

Still another 8K was part of the Rothman Institute Philadelphia Marathon weekend. Kyle Dawson also ran the distance, placing 6th in 23:17!  His brother Owen Dawson placed 8th in 23:40!

Fischer Fourth at Mid-Atlantic Pre-Nats: Lady Lions Also Third

Matt Fischer again led the race for a significant portion and finished fourth for the Nittany Lions.  The Men finished fifth overall with 3 Freshman chipping in.

The ladies (am I allowed to say that?) finished third and are projected to make the Nationals, although the official announcement won't come until 3:00PM today.

All-Region Finishers and Coach Gondak and Coach Sullivan.

PSU Lady Lions in the lead early.

The race was also the last XC race for Senior Nick Scarpello, who was third for the Men. He sums it up quite well.

Thanks everyone, to my mom and dad, and to Steve and bill and Ian for coming to my last race, and all my other friends and family and teammates who helped me through these last six cross country seasons. It went by way too fast and I will miss it a ton- I'll especially miss the nerves of the start line and that fire in the legs with 1000 meters to go. XC is the best season- a sport that made me feel overwhelmingly weak and yet immensely powerful all in the same moment, battling through the grass, dirt and mud with teammates. Feel so blessed to have ended it on a high note. Kicked it home with all I had. Thanks to those who supported me through it. Best of luck to Fischer, Leigha, and Marta (and the rest of the ladies if they qualify) at nationals. Kick a**, State!

I hated to tell him that things actually start to accelerate after college!  But I think he can handle it.

Connor Quinn and Nick Scarpello. Photo by Sally Smith Pondel.

Wade Endress, Nick Scarpello, Austin Pondel and Connor Quinn. Photo from Sally Smith Pondel.

It Isn't Too Early to Prepare For Golf!

Dave Matson demonstrates skills valuable for the Coach Groves Golf Tourney.

The Universe of PSU Track and Field Alumni never ceases to amaze me.  As I've taken the job of herding cats to come to the Reunion and Coach Groves Golf Tourney every year, I have been constantly amazed at the variety of talents we possess as a group.

Art is something I know almost nothing about.  Despite appearances, I do know a lot about many, many things.  Trivia and general knowledge are among my interests.  But Art is not among those things.

Former Lion and current President of Nike Inc. Mark Parker is an avid collector.  Some of his collection adorn his office in Beaverton.  Here's an article featuring a day in his life in the Wall Street Journal. But my ignorance of Art makes me unable to discern the differences between his collection and those of Mr. Ed's Elephant Museum on Route 30 between Gettysburg and Chambersburg.

Mr. Ed's Elephant Museum.

Mark Parker in his office.

I have attempted to herd Mark and Kathy to our event many times.  I can certainly understand their inability to attend.  I have even promised to be possibly the only person on Earth to not ask them for money when I see them.  Everyone who has attended one of our events knows that everyone is an equal in our group.  I promise to treat each and every person just as shabbily as the next person!*

*I actually make that promise often.  People are treated quite well, however.  Only 2 people have told me they didn't enjoy themselves, and one of those returned again anyway.

I Can't Believe It Has Been 30 Years!

"All I want to do is drink beer and train like an animal."

I'll use that quote for the second time this week on the blog with it all.  But it really has been 30 years since Rod Dixon caught Geoff Smith at the 26 mile mark and used his Olympic 1,500 speed to win the 1983 New York City Marathon.

30 years!  Where has the time gone? Was anyone there?

A Reason to Train. And Don't Forget Fritz!

Some of us Over-The -Hill types (or am I the only one?) sometimes need motivation and a reason to "train".  This bloke from Jolly Ole provides one such reason.  He ran down a shoplifter and made him return his stolen goods.*

"We can do this all day."  

And don't forget about Fritz Spence's fight against leukemia.  There are multiple ways to help.  Fit for Fritz  and the Fritz Spence Project 

It looks like Fritz will have a bone-marrow transplant soon.  Prayers and good wishes also will help. You can also be the answer for someone else in the future.  Learn how to become a bone-marrow donor. And as always, I must point out that Fritz is a much better golfer than I.

*Hat-tip to Lindsay Pino for the link!

You Can Have One With The Other.

The long standing belief is "no alcohol when in training". Well a recent study has found that consuming small amounts of alcohol after exercise did not adversely affect recovery. I have long joked that a meal with a beer or two after a workout is the best (and cheapest) recovery drink on the market. Don't waste $50 at your local GNC for the latest synthetic recovery formula.

All kidding aside if it is not helping at least it is not hurting. Like a wise man once said to me "everything in moderation, including moderation".

1. “All I want to do is drink beer and train like an animal." ~Rod Dixon”

(Note: For you kids small amount equals 1-2 beers not 8-10 which would most certainly have a negative affect on recovery).

Both the Kenyans and the Deer Are Gone

A few years ago Valley Forge National Park had hundreds of deer and nearly as many Kenyans. The deer were so out of control that many ended up being hit on the PA Turnpike nearby.  So a special professional "culling" was organized and the professionals moved in to reduce the numbers by 70% or so.  By professional, I suppose they meant those with a gun and less than a six-pack of beer under their belt!  They say they were professional sharpshooters from the Department of Agriculture, the same organization that is in charge of school lunches and the food stamp program.   And no matter how many times they tell you how good deer meat is, don't listen, even the jerky is awful.

Now I'm pretty sure that these sharpshooters were only after deer, but it must be noted that there aren't any Kenyans left in Valley Forge anymore. At one point there were many, who loved the Park for its varied running surfaces and safety.  Either they have left for better training venues or are now working as black-jack dealers in the nearby casino.  I was unable to get to the bottom of it in my 3 days there.

But I did take these pictures of the Super Fund site within a hundred yards of the main parking lot and visitor's center.  The Dow Chemical Company subsidiary Rohm and Haas used the area to dump asbestos with impunity. It's scary just to run by there, but of course I do.

Thoughts and Diversions

1. Is the NCAA an agent of good or an agent of evil?  Certainly anyone associated with PSU already has a skeptical opinion of the autocratic organization.  But just about every decision they make is riddled with contradiction and sometimes worse.  How can this ruling stand, I'll never know.
2. It can happen.  Although I don't have the cash for it to happen yet, I'm doing my best to make sure that if someone else does, it will.
3. We may need one of these.  
4. Or maybe these???  http://under-tec.com/

Pride is a Deadly Sin, But What the Heck

 

My daughter's Senior Year XC season ended yesterday with the awards banquet.  Her team ended 5th at the PIAA meet, the same as last year.  Martha again earned The Most Improved Award for her progress during the seaon. I couldn't be more proud...

Actually, I could!

Martha accepted her first choice in colleges last week and will be matriculating at Penn State/Mont Alto next Fall.  This will allow her to be close (very close!) to her beloved Appalachian Trail.  It also allows her to become a member of their brand new XC team, which will be coached by a Pennsylvania Legend quite familiar to many of us PSU Track/XC Alums.  Eight-time PIAA Champion Coach Bill Preston of Council Rock HS and Richard Stockton College will be ushering in a new program with his patented high-mileage format.  Council Rock produced Bob Hamer and a few other Nittany Lions.  And anyone who is friends with Coach Groves is already a friend of mine.  Can't wait to see the progress she can make under Coach Preston. It was only yesterday that I held the 2 lb. newborn in the palm of my rather small hand...

I hope to hear from Bob and a few others about running for Coach Preston, and maybe even Coach Preston himself.  I'm not going to interfere with the Coach/Athlete relationship at all, but I'll do everything I can to make it successful. We have celebrated the PSU Club team several times, and now I'll learn about the PSU Branch Campus XC/Track scene.  Remember, everyone can be a member of our Group. Coach Preston will soon have a golden ticket to the next Coach Harry Groves Golf Tournament.

Now Our USATF Club Has Muscle

President Heckel.

My pleas for help have been heard and the wonderful people of our group have stepped up to help me run the USATF Club we have just started.  Former Hammer Thrower and Tuba-playing Nittany Lion Mark Heckel has stepped forward and volunteered to be our very first President.  That relegates me to the title of Secretary, a job more fitting for a low-IQ Herder of Cats! It's always good to have Muscle at the top of your organization's hierarchy.  Mark gives us experience in USATF AND the gravitas of a "community leader" like in Boardwalk Empire, only with better teeth and eyes.

Artist's Conception of First Officer's Meeting.

So even you out-of-shape ex-Lions out there need to support our cause.  Sign up for membership in the USATF and designate  Penn State Track/XC Alumni in the Mid-Atlantic Region as your Club.  (I'm not sure if you can belong to several clubs or not? Does anyone know?) If you are as out-of-shape as I am, despite running nearly every day for 7 years (yeah, I've missed 3), you can still sign up as a coach or an official instead of an athlete (or pick any combination of the 3!).

I am hoping that this Club can field teams for all sorts of competitions and we are recognized in all aspects of USATF's purview; Track, Field, Master, XC, Trail, Ultra...  Everything except Youth activities, until a Sheldon Cooper-type graduates from PSU at 15.  Seeing Sheldon's running prowess on BBT makes me think that it is a long-shot.

She Really Doesn't Like to Run

When given the number '666' on her bib for the Sectional qualifier for the State XC Meet, a female runner appealed the "number of the beast" to race organizers, who promptly ignored her.  So she decided to not race, rather than go against her religious beliefs. Now there will be a big brouhaha, lawsuits, mud-slinging and general mayhem, all for nothing.

She could have turned it upside-down and run as number '999'! Do I have to do all of the thinking around here?

Artist's Conception. Beelzebub now messing with XC!

Is It Better to Celebrate Her Life or Mourn Her Death

Joy Johnson was the oldest woman finisher of the NYC Marathon for the past 3 years.  This year she fell and hit her head at the 20 mile mark and refused to go to the hospital.  She finished in 8 hours or so and went about her life afterward.  The next day she took a nap and didn't wake up.

From everything I've experienced in this life, she just about got it perfect!  (sic) RIP Joy.

Despite appearances, Al Roker played no role in her death.

I'm an Idiot Most of the Time

With Matt Fischer's 3rd place finish at the Big Ten XC Championsips, it was again pointed out how much of an idiot I can be.

Rusty Boots.

The finest ever performance by a PSU Mens team member at the championships was presaged by an article published by the PSU Program several weeks ago.  Tyler Ferguson's article pointed out that Matt was continuing the "Rusty Boots" tradition that dates back to the earliest days of Coach Groves' tenure (and even before!).

I must point out that the article was in the queue for linkage on the blog until other things came up and I let it slip.  Thus pointing out my idiocy again.  Thanks to Bob Hudson for reminding me of the article. Thanks for looking out for me.  I'll take Bob's advice to change the name of the blog to "Rusty Boots" under advisement.  Maybe I'll make it an sub-headline???

And remember, there are a few "Rusty Boots" items available in the Group Store!

B1G XC Championships

The Women finished 4th as a team.  The Mens team finished 9th, but Matt Fischer thrilled all Lions everywhere when he led the race through 7K and finished 3rd overall.  Congrats to Matt and "the girls".

Matt Fischer with Coach Sullivan. Photo from Nick Scarpello.

Matt leading the race. Photo from Nick Scarpello.

Hershey Crawling With Penn State Track Alumni Golfers

It has been a few year's since I attended the PIAA State Cross Country Championships.  It certainly has become a much bigger affair over the years.

Some highlights:

• My daughter's York Suburban team ended in 5th place in the AA Girls event (and 9th in the AA Boys event.)
• Rebecca Donaghue's and Artie Gilkes State College High AAA Girls team finished in 13th place.  Dave Felice's Boys team placed 4th.
• Mark Haywood's (Asst. Coach) Camp Hill team finished in 15th place in A Boys.
• Bill Kvashay's Lake Lehman runner Dom Hockenberry (Bill coaches him in track) finished 2nd in the AA Boys race.
• Coach Gondak reports that the Girl's AA winner (Elizabeth Chikotas, Saucon Valley) and AAA winner (Tessa Barrett, Abington Heights) will both become future PSU Track/XC Alumni Golfers! (And he wasn't done working yet!)

Rebecca Donaghue (center) and Artie Gilkes (right)

Jeff Sanden almost never misses the PIAA Championships.

Assistant Coach Mark Haywood (left) and Chris Herr.

Dave Felice.

NYC Marathon on ESPN

To my knowledge there will be no Penn State Track/XC Alums competing in the ING New York City Marathon this weekend (let me know if I am wrong, it wouldn't be the first time).

However that doesn't mean you shouldn't tune in to ESPN2 Sunday morning as the race through the five boroughs will be broadcast live for the first time nearly 20 years. Sunday morning pancakes and a marathon, thats how America does it!