07?04 Spoke to my friend Salim today who is in San Fran over from Kenya. No doubt eating breakfast from a frying pan! Rule #1 is don't eat from a frying pan, all that fat just coats your arteries, and clogs them too. Mind you speaking foods I am eating buckets full here - still up at Tony's house. Last night we watched the Pink Panther 2 in his garden on the massive projector with a blow up screen. His wife, Jeanine who is the person behind STILA cosmetics and a business brain is here too so we are talking next steps S4A.
Talking of which Ronaldo's big day is on Monday when he is introduced as the new Real Madrid star. Also the S4A T shirt has been invented, oops I mean designed by the Rodarte sisters, I saw it on an iphone!
07/03 Still up in CT. Last night, by 10 o'clock, everyone had gone to bed! Is this country living? Even Steve who had claimed tonight was party night. I went for a run with Sarah this morning followed by two hours of trampolining - nothing better for working up an appetite; maybe that is what country air is about.I was checking out Firstgiving today, the charity web system allowing you to put up a page to collect $$ donations. THEY take a whopping 7.5% fee for an online transaction. That is criminal. I hear that Richard Branson is setting up a much cheaper one, good for him! That is such a con.More than that - why do we still have passports as books? Why don't they store more info on a smaller credit card? Some antiquated, I can't believe they still exist.
07/01 So I am up in the sticks. I was walking round the kitchen, eating cold cereal, reading the back of the packet, oops some washing up liquid went in my coffee, did not notice till three gluggs later... I am up at Tony's summer house (1720/40 Mansion in CT complete with 20-acres, dams, rivers, swimming pools, pottery, a barn that looks like a church...) Anyway he was sick today so I was looking after the two kids Wallace & Polly - I taught them tricks like how you can cram all food types, cheese, raspberry jam, honey nut cheerios, honey into a pot of fat free yogurt to spice up the yogurt, we had a food fight whilst I was showing them that raspberry jam can also be used as fake blood should they ever get an acting part on a hospital drama, we had to stop that as I got all butter down my leg after I covered a lemon in butter to throw as a surprise missile. We tried to slice cheese with every single utensil to see which could multi-task, and more. Then after Wallace broke the butter dish lid we decided to go outside. Things did not get better there; I tried to tire them out with two hours of trampolining but it seemed only to give them more energy, so we went rowing and I tried to capsize the boat, did not work, so we went ashore and had such a mud fight that we had to return to the dam on rafts to get, less muddy, so to speak.. that was great till we all fell off the rafts. So then we came back and played in the heated pool as the dam was freezing and then tried to crash into each other on the swings (after they refused to go on the solitary tree swing as they claimed I was trying to push them into the tree... ah life in the country! Funny, Wally did not believe I would throw a glass of water in her face, after she asked me... hm, so I am even teaching the kids something too! A tutor no less.
06/30 Wow, what a weekend... I have never heard Trisha Meili (The Central Park Jogger) talk publically. I mean as a friend many times, and in meetings, but as a public speaker, until at the Union League Club on 37th ST. What a powerful speech... "I was raped, beaten, and left for dead in Central Park (it was a little more graphic than that) then explaining about the four months in hospital, lying there, reflecting, feeling that life as you know it is over. Then after four months there was an Achilles program in the hospital and then she joined the group and went for a run ("Although it was a shuffle just to move"), and then she explained for the Very first time since the attack she felt Hope, and thought about what was possible...
Fast forward twenty years a little girl in a wheelchair completing her first five miler. She gets to the last hill, she can't get up the hill, she ushes away help, tries again, doesn't manage, she gets out of the chair, and with a prosthetic leg she hops up the hill to cross the line.
Amazing fast running as Ethiopians swept the first male and female (my friend Meskerem winning the females), and Richard Whitehead a double ABOVE the knee amputee running 28:36!!
Kenya: 10,000m: 1. Sammy Kitwara (Police) 27.44.46, 2. Gideon Ngatuny (Police) 27:44.77, 3. Bernard Kipyego (Police) 27:44.80, 4. Moses Masai (Police) 27:44.88, - what an awesome POLICE team!! Truly the flying Squad.PS: Thanks to Lee Tergesen, Mr G., Cara Buono (Sopranos), and Anthony Edwards for "TV" power at the Achilles EVENT.
06/26
Please come & join us on Sunday in Central Park - beginning at 8:00-am, sign up at the Road Runners, or from 7-8 on race day. Tavern on the Green.
Yesterday I was at Blaggards for lunch, salad for starter, god knows what I just ordered, "I'd like a salad" anyway regardless it was nice. Main course Salmon, Broccs, Mash, and I ordered French Fries as a side, two pints of Guinness, and no dessert! Well considering I had eaten three slices of cheesecake for breakfast, then four oatmeal cookies for mid-morning coffee I really felt I should stay away.
In the evening I went to the South Bronx, an area of NYC that I don't venture to much, shown by the fact I got lost and ended up walking for about 30-minutes in the wrong direction... Well I did come to where I was going, which was a small school giving out a graduation certificate award night to a group of women of the South Bronx who have typically left school without a high school diploma then decided to go back and study, then get that certificate. Part of the GRACE OUTREACH program. And what fantastic work they do, how inspiring to sit in the audience with a group of relatives watching their grown up kids go up on stage for graduation. A very special night, and it really is thanks to these small foundations who look for these niches that make these special things happen.
06/25 COMING THIS SUNDAY - to Central Park, a fast 5-mile race, free kids race, raffles, food (munchkins, harvest bars Tao, and more) and the best reason to attend? Support NYC's best organization for helping the disabled runners, not just locally, but globally - chapters all over the world, all free, and all for those, who for a twist of fortune, have a disability.
NYC (WORLD) LEGEND MICHAEL OLIJADE
Yesterday I went to Bergdorf G's for Jennifer Creel's launch of MODO sunglasses. So I go with Mary and I ask her, "What is the dress code?" to which she replies, "Oh, very casual, go as you are." (ho ho from someone who knows me)... So anyway I meet Mary and she is dressed to the 9's and looking great, meanwhile I am in white jeans (albeit Cavalli's), so I say to Mary, "Er??" And she replies, "Oh, I've got something after..." We walk in the place and everyone, dressed up, is looking at Mary thinking 'wow, what is she dragging behind her?'Going back to Michael Olijade, what a nice guy! And a truly great teacher too, I was asking him what does it feel like being hit by people like The Hitman Hearns, he said, "There are people who hit you and it hurts, then there are the greats who hit you and it goes beyond." I am paraphrasing here a bit, as I am trying to explain that what he was saying was the pain is not necessarily more hurt/pain, but a greater sense of you losing power from being hit. it is wonderful to hear him talk from within the world champs ropes and to be a middleweight in the world's greatest golden 'middleweight' era (Hagler, Sugar Ray, etc)... funnily enough I saw his world title fight back in the 90's, I was a big Hagler fan and when Michael lost I was immediately "Aiy he was robbed, like Hagler..." I hate it when sports end up with a judge's decision. Anyway, like I started, this man is a legend, and if you ever want a great birthday gift you should pay for a friend to have a session with him, one on one! And if you live in the Meat Packing district get to his AeroSpace gym for one helluva tough workout that will condition your body beyond what anyone else can offer; world championship style!Talking to Tony today, he drove 300-miles, I bet he's really glad he upgraded the Environmentally friendly VW to The Mercedes...If you want a great running program look NO further than going to Runner's World Online and using the program that Amby Burfoot's son developed, their Smart Coach. Free, Fab, and it works great.Another plug; if you DON'T want online coaching, but want hands on and live near CENTRAL PARK then try the park legend, Alem Kahsay - he trained alongside Haile Gebrselassie and all the 80's/90's greats of ETHIOPIA and can help you with their technique and methods; the Ethiopian Way will help runners of ANY level. I wish I had met Alem when I was a runner - call him 1-646-345-4370 as he does One-on-one's OR to put you in a group. This guy is a diamond.06/24 Thanks, to all the people who have signed up and are going to run the Hope & Possibility! I was coaching on Tuesday night and people kept on running by "I've registered, I'm Running, I'll be there!" Unbelievable, I was at a random spot too - so nice how people come out and support a good cause!YOU can still register, by coming to 9 EAST 89th ST, or turning up on the day.
Catherine The Great Ndereba.
Thanks to Cotton Lloyd, brought me bagels in the park! What a gent!
06/23 Thanks to everyone who has registered for this Sunday's Hope n Possibility 5 mile race. It looks like it is going to be a great success. Still looking at some last minute editions, and singing the national anthem it looks like...
"Country star Chely Wright is best known for hits such as "Single White Female" and "Shut Up and Drive," but is also a top notch songwriter in her own right. Through her songs, Chely feels the freedom to write and record songs that mean something to her and is willing to fully share with us what she is about. Wright wrote eight of the 12 songs on her new CD, her sixth album, The Metropolitan Hotel, including the emotionally moving single, "The Bumper of My S.U.V." The song spent nine weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard magazine Country Singles Sales chart. "Chely's music has garnered many accolades and awards from both the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music. She received the Academy of Country Music's Award for Best new Female Artist in 1995 and she has been featured in People magazine's "50 Most Beautiful People" in 2001.You can still sign up today Online Thanks so much for supporting the Achilles!Last night I went to the New York Athletic Club Tap Room for dinner, on the second floor. I talked so much I did not get to finish either my salad (house) or the main dish (Salmon), or the dessert (Cheesecake)! Aiyah, this is a first. I know, you are thinking poor people at the table! I did finish my Stella's though.
06/19
Sign up for the Hope & Possibility, come and support the Achilles! A great Org - here's a pic from last year's free kids race. So if you have a kid bring them along!
06/18 Coming from Kenya, "I hope you are fine, yesterday the Shoe 4 Africa girls soccer team played their
matches at Undugu ground. The girls managed to raise two teams and they played
five aside.The first match was Shoe 4 Africa A against Barcelona of Silanga and
the won the match 3-1,Scorers were 2 Lucy,1 Achieng. The second team was Shoe 4
Africa B against Soweto women team, they won their match 3-2 Scorers were 2 Susan aluoch and 1 Alice Nyaboke. It was an entertaining matches where it pulled a crowd of more than hundred spectators who were cheering for the teams." Cool to read! Meanwhile in NYC we continue in our Icelandic Summer! I was filming with Global on the Brooklyn Bridge and I could not even use my fingers they were frozen. Things got better after a few bagels...
In the evening I went with Mary to George & Shay Hirsch's Summer Solstice - great to see Amby Burfoot again, one of my inspirations, also Chris & Mark Bilsky, who were the first contributers for S4A (way way before we were a 501 c3), met some great magazine, illustrator people and the more.... and had a great late chat with George & Shay of course!
I continue to push on ideas for reaching 1.5 million people.. today I wondered about people texting in pledges during the marathon, and also the idea of trying to get either Holland or Iceland involved as a country drive... with the people!
Other news, the Hope and Possibility race... and Ashanti might come, apparently it is now down to her mom, who calls herself the Momanager....
06/17
One of the World's brightest stars of the 800m, David Rudisha; The Flying Masai
I cycled twice round Manhattan yesterday doing jobs till my legs nearly fell off. I met Suzanne and whilst she was telling me she might be pregnant I was trying to balance a bottle of water on my head, I nearly managed too. Stopping here, zipping there...
I heard Chubbs has relocated, apparently for the Early Bird Buffet diner at the foot of his new building. Talking of which a plug for the world's best coffee; Zoegas, the green packet stuff, and with the apple cranberry tea bread from Kyomi's Agata on First at 79th, speaking of which, Good luck to her as she is going to do Grandma's on Saturday. So odd, we are nearly past half a year and the weather feels like October. R2 was telling me that Obama's new Carbon reduction plan falls short by 36% of the absolute must. We are all dead, that is for sure.
I saw RLX last night up on the Dog Track with Warren St and I was pleased to see Vinyl Jim doing intervals! I myself was coaching (fat chance I'd do any intervals) the Flyer's who were being rebellious as always.Speaking of which, my marathon training program starts in August, it is free for all people who are running for Shoe4Africa in the marathon, and free for all unemployed people who are running the marathon. I will be doing weekly speed work, co-ordinating long runs, giving mini-lectures after the training on Marathon subjects (should the weather be better), sending a weekly schedule with tips blah blah and a weekly rant... coming soon!H&P coming soon, please sign up and come and run against GOVERNOR PATERSON!!!!
06/16
Today's picture was taken in 1995, on a military base, and it is of The Simba. Lornah Kiplagat. She won this race, and the following year ran in the World Champs for Kenya. It is a testament to her that today she is still at the top of her game and feared when she comes to the starting line on any surface.
Superb 10,000m running: 1. Meselech Melkamu ETHIOPIA 29:53,80 PR
2. Florence Kiplagat KENYA 30:11,53 PR and
4. Sylvia Sleepy Kibet KENYA 30:47,20 PR and
6. Hilda Airlines Kibet NETHERLANDS 30:51,92 PR
with the men: 1. Ali Abdosh ETHIOPIA 27:09,40
2. Mathew Kisorio KENYA 27:15,44 & 7. Joseph Marco TANZANIA 27:42,75
A fantastic race at Utrecht where they also collected 1700 EUROS for Shoe4Africa! Thanks! Marco is a Shoe4Africa runner!!
If you a local please sign up to run the HOPE & POSSIBILITY 5-miler... CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP My fave story why? there is a girl who in her own words would be in an institution and bed rest 24hrs per day if it was not for the Achilles. On the day she was brought by the club to a practice she could not walk from one lamppost to another. Today she has completed over twenty marathons, travels around the world for sporting competitions, and was fencing for the USA at the paraOlympics....I drunk La Rossa Birra Moretti for breakfast today, along with half a cheesecake, whilst sticking the laptop out of the window as the free Internet signal was low... it felt like the beginning of one of those days...
Rita Jeptoo, the Boston winner from 2006, was it, is expecting a child this August.
Email from Tegla, she wants George Clooney to run the NYC marathon. Can George run? We think a not.
06/15
A great weekend to be sure. If I die I will never say I did not die trying... All my days now are centered trying, even if I am crawling along. The latest concept is how to get 1.5 million people to support THE team.
By the team I mean the Marathon team.. click on shoe4africa for more. But I need to think viral because the big players are not playing. What did I learn when I was 13-years old and playing a banjo at Christmas on the streets? Don't go to the rich neighborhoods for money, go to the people, 'Our' people... they are the ones that give. I was reminded of this when I was in Kenya and people were giving all they had, all, yet their worldly possessions were as slender as a gazelle's legs. So why, against all grains, am I changing plans?
I was discussing as much with Tecks as we went for an eight mile run (AND she agreed to run on the Shoe4Africa Marathon team!!) when a guy who we passed tried to keep up with us. We slowed and began chatting. He told us about running, how he came from Delaware, and how he run the NYC Marathon. After his stories he asked, "Have you run the NYC marathon?" So I replied, "This woman has won the NYC marathon, twice." He nearly had a heart attack, the sadness was the running enthusiast of the family - his wife, was having this day off. He said to me, "You must be a fast runner too..." I said, No, I am Tecks bodyguard which gave her a laugh.
After the run I went to see Jim Paps with Tony about the S4A song idea. Jim did the Obama campaign music and we have our campaign. Kindly Tony brought sushi for us to chomp.
Then I went for lunch at Sarabeth's with Tecks where we chatted about what has happened over the last 15-yrs.
Talking lunch/brunch I had a delightful time with a Dutch friend on Saturday at Cafe Sol, on 104 & Broadway, Diederik -- I know he will play a big part in S4A things, we have so many energies. Anything less is impossible.
Talking about Impossible; Thank you to Sarah Jones for also being on the Shoe4Africa Team. I ran with her on Sunday with Ros and know she will fly to the finish line. We are going to have so much fun.
ARE YOUR running around 3:45 pace? Please join us!
And of course the weekend would not be complete without eating bagels with Global in the East Village, sitting on a rooftop, and seeing the city... The cityah!
Tegla 'tecks' Loroupe, in 1989.
06/12 Yesterday I had the pleasure of a three hour brunch with Tegla Loroupe. Great to see her again.In the evening I went to the Art Show of Lyle, see pic, who has done some great photography of the Samburu tribe. There were some women at the show who must have been wearing five inch heels. Yikes. I bet they did not arrive on their bike like I did.From the Man U site. *Manchester United have received a world-record, unconditional offer of '80million for Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid. At the request of Cristiano - who has again expressed his desire to leave - and after discussion the the player's representatives, United have agreed to give Real Madrid permission to talk to the player. Matters are expected to be concluded by 30 June. The club will not comment until further notice.* Long in the pipeline.
We hear from StuGlue - he set his records! Congrats to him, he tells us "Don't even bother lookign at the lap counter when you are running 30k on the track."
06/11
Amos Biwott started the ball rolling back in 1968 and since then Kenya has never lost an Olympic Steeplechase event at the Games they attended. Biwott was at a Shoe4Africa event, and also at that event was Matthew Birir who won in 1992 and Ezekiel Kemboi champion of 2004. We have other steeplechasers as great ambassadors like Julius Korir Gold medal, Moses Kiptanui silver medal, Ben Jipcho Silver medal, William Mutwol bronze medal, Benjamin Kogo Silver medal.
$406,515.17 for the wall of fame. Tremendous amount of dollars. Today, at Via Quadranno, we had a meeting with zappos. I had regular coffee (nice) a croissant with chocolate inside 9very croissantie what can one say?) and the fruit bowl, nice but small sized. Being 10am it was not too noisy either as that place gets packed at lunch time.
I went out to the Corporate Challenge in the evening and it was really nice to see a ton of people I have not seen in many years. Literally since 2001 or 2002. Loads of positive energy in the air and nice people out there. It was like a high school reunion (or how I would imagine a reunion to be). The Chase corporate challenge has turned out to be such a tremendous event, and with definitely the nicest most supportive volunteers you can find in the park. Cheering and shouting from the water stations like absolute crazy, cheering way past the finish line and beyond like it was a game seven. They were so energetic and full of energy.
06/10 We have had a super-dooper response to the Shoe4Africa Marathon team and I think we are full with our numbers. The concept is can we get 1.5-million people to donate ten dollars each. Where is Oprah Winfrey when she is needed? I need a power like Oprah to give it a shove. We are so close, but yet so far.I ate a kilo of chocolate at one sitting, I was typing away listening to my fave sound tracks, trying to stay awake, chomping through the rows... I am sure you know how it goes. So I added a mile the next day as penance. My running mileage is at an all time low; six times a week I run for 40-minutes. Typically the same loop in Central Park, I think it is five miles. And although I have no watch I am guessing I run around the same time. I love running these days, I do not miss the competitions at all. These last two years of just easy-running are so much more enjoyable (running wise) than in the days when I used to jump into every race I could. The only time I get competitive is when The Chubby Macaroon makes me a bet and Shoe4Africa benefits.I watched the Sarah Jones TED video today; wow, she has the Jewish character down so well, she ages in two seconds... SO HAPPY that she is running with us for the marathon this year... speaking of which thx so much to Chris who told me tonight she'll run for the team!
06/09 A nice story on Shoe4Africa on WWD.Last night I went to the Paul Newman charity thing. Well in actual fact it was a tribute to Paul Newman more than a usual annual party; the first since his death, so it was a tribute more to him. Sitting there in the audience were people like Regis (forgot his first name). Wow, what a line up. I got to hear Art Garfunkel (one week after getting to hear Paul Simon sing) stand up and sing Bright Eyes with such a power and passion, then Jerry Seinfeld came up to perform, Harry Connick Jr who gave the best speech and then played some awesome music. Yo-Yo Ma came and played three amazing cello songs. Oh did I mention Robert Redford came out and opened the evening and the co host was Julia Roberts. Take 6 came and sung really beautiful harmonies. Joshua Bell did more on the violin than was allowed for a boy of his age. And a little woman, Kristin Chenoweth belted out a huge song. The surprise guest of the night turned out to be Bill Clinton who mentioned he used to be an impoverished Governor. And James Taylor came out to close the night with some songs. Wow what a line up.
Good luck to StuGlu Calderwood who goes for some American track records tonight in the 50+ division out on Randall's island. You can not believe how many laps he has to run, but it is way beyond double digits. I recall the first time I ran a 10km on the track. You do one lap and there is a sign saying 24-to go. Then you try and fall asleep whilst running with a wake me up with five laps to go. That is typically when the action starts. However in my first race (that was the Stockholm area Championships and one of only two quality track 10km race in Sweden with the other being the national champs) I led from the gun right till the last 300 meters to go when someone called Lars came flying by. I quickly chased him down as I was half laughing about his pre race offer to share the pace making duties yet here he was taking the pace for the last three quarters of one of the twenty four laps. I won a pancake batter mixing bowl that was screwed onto a chunk of wood which was the perpetual trophy for the race. Those were the days. I used it as a flowerpot. Thanks to a race in Sweden, on July the 4th we will have our first Shoe4Africa collection at a Swedish race. As they say in Swedish eller svenska. Vi ska sa tusand tack till Mathias Mellgren Organizer of Skärgårdsloppet. Loppet bli pa fjarde juli nasta manad!Restaurant review. Girasole again but this is a sign that this is the go back to place. The waiter even brought over a complimentary dessert wine bottle. Tony had to drink it as I was not going to. I hate dessert wine. The only dessert I like is fruit cake or cheesecake. As I had half a full cheesecake for breakfast. But we had something different with beans (the only pasta dish with beans) and it was awesome. Speakign of which the day before we went down to B&H to buy a projector (very nice of Tony to buy one) and after everyone in the store plus the dog had recognized him and asked him for a photograph or a signature (and I always oblige as the stand in photographer) we went Thai and had Shrimp Pad Thai, Singha beers, seaweed salad (superb) and a roll of that thing that is fish wrapped in cucumber which was sublime.
06/06 SARAH JONES, tony winner, joins the Shoe4Africa Marathon team!
06/08 For the first time in about 100-yrs I missed the mini. It was down to the missing of a cup of coffee. Funny because Tegla emailed me to meet and I knew she was not coming for the mini and of course the phone number she gave me did not have a voicemail set up...
Anyway, really funny that Rose Kosgei won because I can tell you a hundred stories on Rose, and what happened to her back to the 1990's. but... Of course the event really missed the Simba-Power.
I had a party that evening and the focus was more on doing this event - Tony and I went to Girasole for lunch to plan it, sat out, drank out... blah blah... The night before we went to see Star Trek with his Son. This was the first ever time I have seen anything involved with Startrek having never seen the TV or the film stuff - and I was really really impressed, a great MUST see film!!
The Shoe4Africa info gathering evening was superb - imagine, never in my dreams could I imagine something like that this little charity, Shoe4Africa, has a party and then walking through the door is Billie Jean King, then there is a sublime heart rendering performance by Morley, and a knockout Actress like Sarah Jones who has so much talent coming and being more than involved... and of course Tony, one of America's best loved actors... sometimes I just so thankful for the swing of life for this cause!
Running wise at the MINI #2 was Serena who used to run for Shoe4Africa!!!! Number 2 is brill & congrats too to her superb coach Isaya - super skinny Kenyan coach!
06/05 Meanwhile no one has contributed to my poor drive at collecting soccer boots for the team over in Kenya. I now have got 20-pairs myself and it looks like I might end up equipping the whole team at this rate... Hm, this might not be the best time to announce at the MARTIN LEL secondary school which we are trying to build there are scholarship ops to sponsor a kid at about $200 a year. Think of that, $200 to give food & education for a child in Kenya... from the area that produced Pamela Jelimo, Robert Cheruiyot, Martin Lel, Felix Limo... get the idea? Oh, and if you have a few thou' then welcome to building a classroom - we will name them after you if you so want. What more am I asking for?
I heard very sad news today, Paul Nicholls passed away. Paul had become a good friend to me this past year, he took me out to dinner (in his hospital ward), was convinced he would be walking NYC Marathon this year... in fact we watched Obama's inauguration together. I was going to help coach his charity runners for him, and we were working that when he sold the concept of the dot (turning cancer into can) made it big we'd persuade his board to support the S4A Oncology ward. He also promised to take me cruising in the jaguar he never used, that he called his present from the British Pension Fund... he got the AVIS we try harder award for his contributions to charitable causes and had been the driving force for the Charities Entries for the NYC marathon starting it off by asking Allan Steinfeld for a group entry like they give in London...
In short Paul Nicholls was a few miles up the road from being a Gentleman, and to those who knew him I am sure they'll be running miles for him - TEAM CONTINUUM.
Speaking NYC and running, I got rejected for the ING NYC Marathon this year, huh! If I had had my wits about me I should have tried to run a 'time' for the half in Brooklyn to get an automatic qualifier, but I have no idea how fast you have to run, and besides... I forgot.
06/04 Brightroom, please do not send me any emails, especially these ones from donotreply@ - I mean, I don't want to get the email in the first place, then to get the do not reply... Aiy!Pushing on with Shoe4Africa, meetings but the funds are coming slow... But, we had a good meeting with Doris Duke Foundation...
Great squad: London, UK - The UK's fastest ever female marathon runners Paula Radcliffe (Bedford & County) and Mara Yamauchi (Harrow AC/Second Wind AC) going to Berlin WC... we hear a top Kenyan female is pregnant & wii miss Berlin but....
06/03 Wow, life gets busy, can't believe it, I seem to be working each day from 6Am till late late, past midnight and beyond. All things converging at once. All things that are supposed to be working not. So many angles and everyone saying can you just do this right now. I think I should paln for a day of tottal breakdown... a relief was good coffee at St Ambroise on Madison & 78t's... A French type place that has a blend of Euro originals and stand ins to give that out of Manhattan Cosmo place that suits all on West End of nowhere. The coffee shop (sic) on 90th & Lex, Aiy! It is called Corrado and has a nice sit down outdoor place but really what they are selling as coffee has to be the upper East Side's absolute worst knat's drivel ever tasted... Whilst I am griping, can the Ess-A-Bagel cafes turn the air conditioning down? It was like sitting in an ice box.
Last night it was back to PT212 for a power meeting of nothing, but the food was sublime as always - 9/10, check it out, on 24th ST.
Talking specifics, Alem Kahsay was an elite EThiopian runner, growing up and learning the methods that today give the top Ethiopian runners all their world records & Olympic medals. He is a good friend to ALL the top Ethiopians. Anyway, he has his running class starting at 6:30pm on JULY 7th in Central Park for ALL runners of any standard - learn from the absolute top. Scroll down for his telephone number.
I went to buy soccer boots for my team in Kenya the other day. When I was buying them the cashier said, "You are buying these to take to another country, right?" I was like, wow, how did you know, "I can see it in you..." Odd huh, she even guessed Africa as being the delivery place. Not like I look like anything African...
05/28 Yesterday I went to a life celebration of one of New York's upper East Side most amazing men; the late Albert Hamilton Gordon. I was in Kenya when Al died. Although I have been on two Board's with Al I only had the utmost pleasure of meeting with him for a little over a dozen times. However every single time, be it up in Harlem, in a town car perusing around, at his home on Gracie Square, or at a board meeting the stories he told, the advice he gave, the person he was, made those moments priceless. People, mostly family, told stories of Al that all had a common theme; he was a larger than life influence on those he met. [pic Al Gordon in 2006 aged 105-years old] The service was at St. Ignatius, fitting as many years earlier Al had donated three quarters of a million dollars for the best church organ money could buy, on one condition, that his name not be mentioned with the funds. Al ended up giving the needed extra $100,000 too. Fifteen years later he asked the Priest, "Do more people come?" He was wanting to enhance God's word through the love of music. What a selfless touch. Consider today how many people have PR agents, press agents touting their efforts. And then there was Al.
I heard a story he first told me in the town car when I was asking him why he was so philanthropic. A third person had just reeled off a huge list of charities that Al supported and said to me, "Tell him about Shoe4Africa, tell him." Well I had just spent the day with people pestering him for donations, and him pestering people on the street to lose weight and keep moving (I kid you not), and this was obviously a man overburdened with obligations. Luckily the question had fallen upon his dud ear, so I was able to switch the conversation with my question, paraphrasing he continued, "I was coming back from Chicago in the 1930's and in the morning when waking I discovered I had left my wallet behind, so I asked the night porter to loan me $2 promising to pay him back when I returned to New York." Well upon returning Al had the suit cleaned before he remembered his promise, "And I have been paying for that $2 ever since." Well that may have been the trigger but this man was born with goodness in his bones. He reminded me a lot of Sir Roger Bannister, scientific, inquisitive and uber-intelligence, ultra relatable and a people's person. You forgot what age he was, or should I say it did not matter in the slightest as he was ageless. I remember in a board meeting him leaning over and telling me a story about Fred Lebow that captured everything you ever could think about when you thought Fred, in one sentence. I remember also Bernie Cooper opening a NYRR Board Meeting with, "Well it is Al Gordon's birthday, he's 102, and we thought about a celebration cake for him or something but apparently he is out in Montana looking for dinosaur fossils." He was always doing doing doing. "Keep Moving" was his oft heard motto. He would walk everywhere, he told a story of how his father had told him about the invention of the motorcar, and how it was not necessary a healthy thing.
Not only was Al's eyesight eagle sharp past his 100-years but so was his memory. He was a celebrity and people would come up, "Mr. Gordon, my grandfather attended so and so with you in March 1921." And often he would correct them, "That was 1922, and the month was April." Shockingly sharp.
As is well documented he would walk to work past his 100-years, but a delightful story was told by one of the people who worked with him, "Al arrived in the elevator and was walking with the newspaper covering his face, coming in to work at 104-years old," So I said Mr. Gordon what are you doing? To which he responded "I did not want you to see me come to work late." It was 30 minutes past nine a.m. The truth of the matter is if I had had a tape recorder I could have related two hours of the most warming wonderful stories. It was an honor to know this man albeit that I did in such a small short capacity. A man who ran his first marathon aged 82 and an art lover who had the most beautiful paintings on his walls. Like the tiger.
As I left the service and everyone was standing on the steps, pondering, looking, watching, I thought, wow if Al had been here he would have been the only one marching off down the road, no destination too far to go. Born on the 21st like the lucky people, in the seventh month, even luckier, and made 107 - amazing! He deserved 100 more.
05/28 Last night I heard Willie Nelson at the CHF play all his classics on the guitar, the Paul Simon jumped up to sing harmonies on a song... tres cool. I have always wanted to hear Patsy Cline sing Crazy live, but as she is dead the next best thing is the guy who wrote the song, then for him to sing Always on my mind, We're on the Road Again, Georgia, etc. pretty damn cool! Afterwards we went to the Campbell Apartments.
A weak field announced for the Mini next week, sadly the Simba is injured, and surprisingly no Hilda Kibet to defend her title we see a slue of marathon runners in a mostly domestic line up. Too bad we can't see a Dibaba, or even a top Kenyan. Having Catherine Ndereba in the race is a great asset of course, but Catherine will be the first to admit she is certainly no specialist at the 10km distance. We are guessing 32-minutes in cool weather will win it. Hilda won it in around that time last year, but it was a swamp of a day.Barcelona became the Euro Champs. Ronaldo was the highlight of the Man U squad making a few great chances, but team wise Barcelona were easily too strong. Making one wonder, if Cristiano does move to Real Madrid next year who thinks Man U will get to the finals??Lunch yesterday was at the regular place, Girasole. They know the orders now, and the food is always great. Before we went we made banana bread which I am yet to taste! All of which was following a 4-mile run in the park.
05/27
Just got an email from Ivar who was hopping aboard Cristiano Ronaldo's private jet from Porto headed for Rome yesterday - watch the champions league & drink soccerade.
Cristiano Ronaldo, FIFA player of the year. And a director of Soccerade!
Out last night with Tomster; we went to Island on Madison and 92nd. great food - Mesc. salad to start, then the Red Snapper with curried sauce, coconut rice and spinach, fabulous and really tasty (snuck in a side of fries to dream about Java), then the Rhubarb something as the dessert. Everything was great, from A-Z, highly recommended, and the place had that 'alive' feel to it. 9/10.
Was with Alem in the park this morning and a lady comes up and tells him about a sick raccoon. He is like 'what do you expect me to do? I'm a running coach! And a good one too-- he had the fastest local in the Healthy Kidney, running 28-minutes for the 10km.
On that subject great to see Mo Farah getting the British record for the distance too. Alem was talking about Merga, the fastest on the roads this year for the distance. "He comes from West of Addis and he is crazy. You don't hear that about Ethiopians, but this man is crazy. Nobody can train with him!"
Meanwhile R2 was doing intervals and drawing a line in the dirt, I was "Jeez R2 I am using a dress watch to time you!" And it was flippin cold in the park too. It looked warm from the curtains.
The big money race was a great one as LA Marathon jumps back into the headlines with Wesley Korir of Kenya walking away with $188,000; great news for him and a most deserving Run, the run of the day.
On that note all will be run-ING to work next Wednesday, including Deena Kastor and Lornah Kiplagat as the National Runday takes place across America... just in case you did not notice National Bikeday was May 14th I think and if you want to read about a fab charity that is doing absolutely amazing things look up Biketown.
05/26
Salina Kosgei, Boston Marathon Champion 2009
So the latest thing is Starbucks on the next street got blown up! Whatever next? If it is not a crane falling down I have a Starbucks being blown up. It appears to be a dangerous neighborhood.
It was a most uneventful holiday weekend. I worked the whole way through it bar a few dinners out. Lots going on and lots needing doing.
"I look forward to working with Soccerade," Massa said. Fourth in Monaco GP! He is behind in points but coming back fast. In a Ferrari no less.A less than perfect start for Pamela Jelimo proving our ace Iten coach right, William Koila, who pointed out that she was having a slow start to the season. She is not at her racing weight as yet.Sweet Emily's is the latest review. On 51st ST on the West Side. Good food though the portions were a tad small. I did opt for the large plates as well, and have more than one dessert. The Mesculin salad was good, the Honey and red pepper Salmon was also good. The favorite of the desserts was the plumb bread pudding. But I did eat when I got home and straight away.
05/22
Rabat, Morocco. This weekend the woman who set the Nandi Hills on fire sets out on her International campaign having run some low key meets in Kenya. Jelimo is a household name in Kenya large in part to the million dollar moniker and you can read her story in MORE FIRE. In the meantime has anyone an earlier picture of her running than this one?I popped in to see Chubbs today. He was training in the park. Some say he was taking a long time because he was doing megadistance, I tend to believe that is was because he was walking on his route! The double or quite $2000 bet is now coming down to September, the Fitness 4-miler.MASSA signs with Soccerade! Way to go! The sponsor of the Kibera Women's Soccer(ade) team!05/21 So the Summer has finally arrived in NYC, at long last. The humidity will be there tomorrow no doubt.Today for lunch we tried Isabella's but there was a 20-minute wait, and can you believe their outside seating is in the shade. So then we zipped down to a great Indian on 72nd & Columbus called Earthen Oven. I used to go there quite a bit a couple of years ago. The food is tremendous even if the piano 1970's hollywood music wasn't the tops.
The service is really good there too, a nice place.
If you are thinking about running the marathon do so soon; the date for entries closing is coming up June 1st. And this year is the 40th anniversary of the marathon! Not as big as the 50th, but!Super pleased that Sherri Shepherd wants to run the Hope & Possibility 5-miler in Central Park -- a big hit for the race, and Cara from the Soprano's is going to have her little group of runners there too -- team Goodface!
05/20
One of the most under-rated marathon runners of all time. She holds the course record at New York & Boston. She lives in Nairobi... and she flew!
Freezing cold in NYC today, I was out in two jackets but there were so many people running today I really thought there was a race on in Central Park!MARATHON training starts in August! If you are training for the marathon and want to raise $$ for Shoe4Africa come and join us each Wednesday. Also if you are in the marathon & are unemployed and want free training; also welcome. Starting up when I get back from Kenya. Speaking of which I was e-talking to Billy Rodgers today about the team. He had some great ideas, one involving him & Joan. An email from W__ asking why the NYRR don't play decent music at their races. Actually it has been so long since I was at a race... well tell a lie, I was watching the Mother's Day health walk and they were playing, what's up with Disco?Baby Faced is coming to NYC; that is an honor for the Reebok Games. Really what Tirunesh has done in her few years is more than a miraculous happening, she was totally overlooked by the IAAF last year, but in the eyes of the sporting world was #1. Maybe the fact that IAAF Vice President Sergey Bubka's girlfriend won the IAAF athlete of the year was overlooked by most journalists... but the World XC champ of 2008, the first woman to wint he Olympic 5 & 10 double, indoor world records, an outdoor 5000 world record... jeez, well what can you say! Tirunesh is the greatest! Great to see she is still with Team Mizuno too!
05/19 A preview of the NEW SHOE4AFRICA website! Yup this took all Sunday!
A productive day yesterday; it was running in the morning, did about 300-emails that I had ignored over the weekend, then went to have a meeting with the person who is making the medals for the finishers of the H&P 5-miler in June. Then I had an Achilles meeting. Then I whipped down-down town to meet Global for lunch to talk about the video 'virtual tv' coaching stuff. Bagels at Ess-a-Bagel next to where Wendy 17 used to live. Then I zipped up to the little Italian Coffee shop on East 73rd to meet Mary and talk about the fund raiser on June the 7th (no cheesecake so I had a bowl of fruit!)
Then it was back to deal with more emails, paperwork etc, more web stuff, neglecting about 20-more impending things (like shopping for food) before going to Geisha for dinner with Shmuel & Anat my friends who spend half the year in Tel Aviv and half the year in NYC. For the last year they have had their whole apartment renovated and the place is stunning. The food at Geisha was great; yellowfin tuna tartare for a starter, the red snapper, and pear bread pudding dessert... followed by a plate of Sashimi with some really excellent Makeral that tasted so fresh you were looking for water. We were actually drinking the cabernet that was good too...
05/18
Pauline Korikwang, junior world xc champion from 2006 & now a Jasari Senior
Kitwara wins the Bay to Breakers challenge; this Marakwet is on fire! Defo the top short distance killah on the roads having beaten Geb, the other guy killing on the roads over in Manchester with a 27:34 10k (although I think that the time of Tola in Central Park�s first sub 28:00 was a topper to that)
Speaking of which Kenya names its World Champs Marathon team, �2009 Boston marathon winner Salina Koskei was named in the team alongside Catherine Ndereba, Helena Kiprop, Martha Komu, Rita Jeproo, Risper Kimaiyo Jemeli, Irene Limika and Edith Masai.
Robert 'Mwafrika' Cheruiyot, who missed out this year's Boston marathon due to injury, will lead compatriots Martin Lel, world champion Like Kibet, Benjamin Kiptoo, Abel Kirui, Emmanuel Mutai and Daniel Rono.�
Great to see, looks like a fab squad.
What about Gebrselassie? Well he is going for the World Record in Berlin, and what that means is that no big names as usual will be lined up (although there may be another James Kwambai type runner of course). Sammy Wanjiru will not be in Berlin, at either venue. Running that is.
So I forgot the restaurant review from Cuccina was called angry pasta and was an Italian word that is too complicated to spell. But it was good with deep rich red tomatoes.Earlier that day I was hanging out talking to Haron Lagat and Boaz. Funny thing Shon Gables, who was herself (played herself as a CBS news anchor which she was) emailed me from the plane as she was talking to Boaz and he was talking about some crazy guy with a Masai knife in the hotel, now who could that be?Hey talking Rwanda, as I was the other day, I went to Tony�s on Saturday and he was making French Toast, and we drunk Rwandan coffee would you not know.
And coffee I needed as for a mind boggling 24 hours I worked near non stop on the new shoe4africa web site. That is coming very soon.
THIS COMING TUESDAY, BIG SALES!!! Wall Street Run
Race Day Sale &
Post- Run Party!
Tuesday May 19th
save 20% off ALL full priced merchandise all Day
Join us at the store immediately after the race to celebrate with
refreshments, raffles and giveaways!
UA Downtown
Steps from the finish line on the Water Front
2 World Financial Center
(next to Southwest NY)
212-267-2247
05/15 OLYMPIC GOLD 100m - Donovan Bailey joins Shoe4Africa as an Ambassador!!! We are honored to have this great man behind our cause!Another Olympic Gold medalist, who is a Shoe4Africa Ambassador, and we have a few, is Julius Korir, Steeplechase Gold 1984. A very successful farmer, neighbor to Pamela Jelimo.
Today was a meeting with a Doctor who has built hospitals in Nepal and India, a great source of knowledge, and another step in the learning process. Again, another total Shoe4Africa day as we had a power meeting in the evening with George Hirsch, Michael Broom, and Jess Hansen moving forward on our fund raiser event etc.
Dining out - Cucina on Lexy Avenue at 87th is it? And I had the honor of meeting one of Rwanda's next power women for coffee earlier.Eyes ahead The Champions match up of Man U vs Barcelona! What a match up, May 27th. Of course we are hoping Cristiano scores a hatrick!
05/14
The first piece of good news; Shoe4Africa Women's team lifted its first trophy in the Packard Finals this past weekend! Winning on a penalty shoot out! I was there when they won the Semi's!
Life in NYC; we went for a run, a loop of the park, then we looked through all the S4A footage of video in an effort to get this zipster clipage we are compiling (I think I was driving Tony nuts as both the director and I want our orders second... long story). That took all morning, then we went to lunch to meet a lady from the Grace Foundation. It was a good job I ate cheesecake for breakfast as these people never eat desserts and I did not want to be the only one at the table. In the afternoon we painted the names of the First Grade on a chest that will be auction for the Steiner school this Friday... then I was sending photos for the clip from my computer which literally took three hours, followed by sending out Save the Date emails... and this is my life! It seems there are not enough hours in the day!
Great news as Cristiano Ronaldo is giving another shirt to one of the kids in Kibera... I already know who it is!Healthy Kidney Elite Field: Patrick Makau, defending Healthy Kidney 10K champion; two-time IAAF World Half-Marathon Championships silver medalist
Marilson Gomes dos Santos, two-time ING New York City Marathon champion
Abdi Abdirahman, three-time Olympian; four-time USA champion at 10,000 meters
Anthony Famiglietti: Two-time Olympian; 2009 USA 15K champion AND our superstar - Haron K. Lagat!
05/13
Good Morning Kenya!
To be a great athlete run a 2:05 marathon, and then there are the marathon runners who run 2:05 and are the greatest of people - Martin Lel. What Martin has done for his community goes beyond the belief. He lives with humility and is the kindness soul you can hope to meet.
Today we went to Begayolou is it called on Third Ave. We were going to another place but it was closed for our very important Business power lunch. We had the Veg platter, grilled shrimps and rice, coffee (better than Girasole) and a Turkish beer (not bad but nothing to shout home about). We were discussing whether Tony should runt he marathon this year to spearhead the Charity team "The hours of pain..."
Speaking of which The Chubbs has double or quits the $1000 bet to a race in September! And that whilst handing me a check for $1150 for an event we had following the race! Another Gentleman of the Sport, Sir Chubbs!
Coaching the Flyers last night, Julie who ran her first race in many many years, came second in NJ! we had some new athletes who seemed rather amused at my prolonged workout - many forced smiles!
Thanks to John Church for buying FOUR copies of More Fire! Continuing to get some really nice comments on that. Thanks also to Jon Rankin for his nice words.
An email from my friend Michelle H. who traveled around the world and dropped into Kenya for a couple of months, "Watching the sports day and the Lel race videos made me wish I'd been there. They invoke a feeling that's hard to describe--all I can think of is humanity coursing through my veins." I know exactly what she means, when I watch it really makes me wish to be back in Kenya, 'being there' and doing something. There is a certain magic about the place that you 'really get' when you spend time with the people of the country... you never want to leave.
05/12 We are thinking of the guaranteed entry ING-NYC Marathon route... just wondering, there are so so many teams these days.Looking for a cool Kenyan song for music for a background song for a video, I spent about two hours on youtube!Lunch at Girasole, hm, was not impressed with the cappuccino. That was the first thing I have tasted there that was not so good. It was way too weak & too-too milky tasting. We had an ace meeting with Michael & Wendy.
Computer, the S4A mascot!
The Healthy Kidney is coming up in NYC this weekend! Always a good race. It is nearly capped, so if you wanna run, get running to sign up.
Half way through May, can't believe it! This year is racing along.
05/11
One Love. One World. One Respect. One Kind.
Fund Raising:We went for lunch at the Morgan Stanley 41st floor dining room, super small, we were only about six but it felt at 90% capacity. They served starbucks coffee which was a blessing but the other food was pretty 41st floor with no views.Back to PT 212 - and the food was as good as ever. Currently looking at a request from Mr G. the weatherman to develop a sort of TV show at Channel 11. The concept is fun, and anyway I ran it past Mr G. the next day at the RU Baby race in Central Park, where it was glorious weather and many people. "Are you nuts?" Hm, we are not seeing eye2eye just yet- Talking TV I saw a great doc on Ethiopian running that showed footage of the runners training by running with galloping horses - really good beautiful shots, the film is called the Great Run and defo worth checking out.Needed; I am trying to collect new (if at all possible) football (soccer) boots for the team. If you want to help by donating a single pair please let me know, and please check out the team here! Currently we are at five pairs and thanks to Will G who has promised to be the first donor with a pair!
The President & Nobel Prize Winner; FW deKlerk, his wife, Tony and I at dinner.
More Fire--"By the way I just finished your book and found it to be fantastic! Years ago I was impressed by a runner who kicked my ass in the Bix 7 and I got his autograph Joseph Nzau. Thank you for writing a book alot of unaccomplished runner's can appreciate and only dream of becoming. I will continue to help in any way I can. ~Larry~"
And from Nicole G, "Toby, I just finished reading More Fire (it took me a while to get finished while still in school!!!) I just wanted to say what a phenomenal read it was. I loved the tone and positivity of it. I looked forward to reading a page or two per night. It gave me exactly the motivation I needed for my workout the next morning. There was also a very uplifting message in this book. I got the sense that what these people have is a very special attitude towards running and life in general. I have had a hard couple of months and this book has really helped me see things from a more healthy perspective. So thank you!!! I hope you'll write another one J Take care, Nicole." What a nice email, thanks!
A great school project of a mural in Colorado, thanks to teacher Mary Powell!
05/07 Last night, in an apartment on Central Park West, in the Eighties, I had dinner with F. W. de Klerk, the nobel peace prize winner. the nice part? He came up and said, "You are Toby right?" What an honor, I remember the whole de Klerk & Mandela goings on very very clearly.More than that it was bagels with Global for lunch, then I got caught in the horrific rains, begging the question; is this the April Showers?I am now getting back into the NYC mode of being body wise, although I still feel like I have one foot still in Africa... or is that wishful thinking?Here is a little film on Shoe4Africa, though with a few mistakes, like the blaring shoesss4Africa... but some good imagery from our files at least.
05/07
At Martin Lel's house. Martin, I and the driver get ready to tour the course.
Lots of Shoe4Africa stuff -- today with Virgin and with Google. Hopefully some synergies coming together. Tony and I worked all day long, from dawn to dusk, only stopping for lunch at Rosa Mexicana's (West side so much better than the East side one) and my first slice of cheesecake in a long while... then sushi in the evening after our last S4A meeting!I am in that bad spot whn you get back from holiday and have so so much to do, the next few days will be total catch up. I woke up and could not even work out what country I was in, then when I did I was not sure if I was staying or had to get up to catch a plane to go somewhere else! mixed up confusion!
SUPPORTING SHOE4AFRICA. THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR!!
In the evening I went to the Art Show of Lyle, see pic, who has done some great photography of the Samburu tribe. There were some women at the show who must have been wearing five inch heels. Yikes. I bet they did not arrive on their bike like I did.
The service was at St. Ignatius, fitting as many years earlier Al had donated three quarters of a million dollars for the best church organ money could buy, on one condition, that his name not be mentioned with the funds. Al ended up giving the needed extra $100,000 too. Fifteen years later he asked the Priest, "Do more people come?" He was wanting to enhance God's word through the love of music. What a selfless touch. Consider today how many people have PR agents, press agents touting their efforts. And then there was Al.
