March 08, 2007

Karen and I went to the Team Gate pre-race pasta dinner tonight at the River Club. We sat down at one of the tables and the guy next to me asked if I was one of the invited runners. Heh! I guess I should be happy that I could be mistaken for an elite.

John Gaughan from Channel 4 said that there are 3 weather patterns they are looking at. One is dry, one has a few sprinkles, and the third has 2 inches of rain. Thankfully, John and George Winterling are leaning towards the drier model. He said it should be around 58 degrees at race start and be in the mid-60s by 10 am. Another incentive to finish quickly.

Meb Keflezighi was the keynote speaker. He talked about the River Run and how important it has been in his career. He mentioned that his success in the River Run figured in to his decision to run the Olympic marathon. He finished second in that race, and then finished second in the New York City Marathon 70 days later. Talk about showing the world that American running is on the rise! After dinner, for good luck in the race on Saturday, he let me touch the silver medal. That was the first Olympic medal I think I've ever seen in person and it was gorgeous. I wished him a good race and he told me good luck in my race as well. And then he said "I really mean it, I hope you have a great race." Look out Liger!