2009 nyc half marathon: packet pick-up

this afternoon i picked up my nyc half marathon bib, tech shirt, and goodie bag at the new york road runners club. it was a different experience from last summer, when the pick-up was held at niketown and had the feel of a small race expo staged in a large atrium. today felt like a pick-up at any other nyrr race (except for the package of paul newman's popcorn stashed in the drawstring goodie bag).

this is my third nyc half marathon (having skipped the second year a reason that now escapes me). like last year, i'm running on behalf of the world lung foundation team (which, last year, raised more than $45,000 to fight childhood asthma in africa). like the first year of the nyc half, i'll be joined by don and emmy!

i have no particular time goal in mind (aside from finishing in under 2 hours). i'm looking forward to the social aspects of this event more than the competitive ones. some of the runners on the wlf team will run their very first half marathon this weekend! a few are using this race as part of their training for the nyc marathon this fall.

aside from my old (and new) friends, i hope to catch sight of ryan hall, paula radcliffe (a very last minute addition to the already impressive elite field), and deena kastor!!

if you're at the nyc half this weekend be sure to say hi!