40th ING New York City Marathon is an inspiration to motivate you to better health

Today, November 1th 2009,  is the day of the 40th ING New York City Marathon, 26.2 miles of heaven for some and hell for others. I often wonder how people do this. I myself am a highly trained competitive athlete and I still wonder how it’s done. I have won championships and have set many personal records in the things I train for. I find motivation for my own training and help with the motivation of my clients.

Today I have seen things that will inspire me anytime I want to take it easy because of any excuse I may come up with. I was cheering on a few friends when I saw more than one person with physical disabilities pass by. The disabilities were many and varied everything from missing limbs to being blind. The one thing they had in common was a look of motivation and happiness for the event they chose today. There was no pity or sadness.

The next time I think about health and fitness I’ll think about those people and their faces and attack it with motivation and happiness. I will never feel sorry for myself or have self pity. The only thing I’ll think about is how I’m failing myself and the people I love by failing to be healthy and fit. I will be motivated. I will find time to train. I will make healthy choices for my diet. I will not fail myself and the people I love. Through health and fitness I will become a more productive person making a better life for myself and the people I love.

The 5 borough 26.2 mile course begun at the base of the Verrazano Bridge in Staten Island. The he runners of the 40th ING New York City Marathon passed through the Williamsburg section of the borough of Brooklyn, covering about 13 miles before heading into Queens on a short trek to the Queensboro Bridge crossing over into Manhattan at about the 16 mile point on 1st Avenue. Runners continued north on 1st Ave., entering the Bronx around mile 20, returning back in Manhattan a mile later and the homestretch along 5th Ave. Runners entered Central Park around mile 24 for the final 2.2 miles to the finish line.

Dane Pilon of and Helene Hines, top men's and women's wheelchair winners

Meb Keflezighi, who won New York City Marathon, was the first American champion to do so since 1982 in the time 2:09.15. More than 40,000 people participated in the event.