“Va yehi boker, va yehi runners, Yom Rishon … always the first Sunday of Eastern Standard Time.”
Martin Bodek shared with The Jewish Link that the inspiration for his running career came from a documentary about Terry Fox, the Canadian runner who competed with a prosthetic leg resulting from metastasized osteosarcoma. “In my early 20s, I saw a poster on a bus, ‘You too can run the NYC Marathon.’ I thought to myself, ‘Yes, I can run the marathon!’”
So he applied, was accepted, and hasn’t stopped since. “It was just such a thrill. Coupled with the fact that I have a well-focused/addictive personality is what keeps me coming back every year. It’s a goal and I like knocking down goals. It’s simply become what I do the first Sunday every November. That sounds simplistic and humdrum, but I assure you it’s not, because I’ve got to train for months to get to that first Sunday.
“Day one of four months of training is July 1, though I run regularly throughout the year. Every Sunday is a long run, and three to four days per week are short and middle-distance runs. I max out at 18-20 miles with about a month to go before race day.”
Residents of Bergen County will recognize and appreciate these routes by their distance: The longest run is either to the New York border in Northvale, New Jersey or a loop from Teaneck to and around MetLife Stadium, which is near the American Dream Mall (as a landmark for those not familiar with the area). After that, he tapers to freshen up his legs for race day.
The night before the race, Naomi, Bodek’s wife, supports the last-minute preparations by making the one pasta dish he can stomach: breadcrumb covered elbow macaroni. “Also, I won’t shake anyone’s hand over Shabbat, nor will we invite any guests. I behave like COVID is everywhere.”
As some folks are aware, there is also an unofficially official “Marathon Minyan” that Bodek attends every year. He said that hundreds of runners show up. “I wouldn’t be surprised if once the roster sheet is tallied, we’ll have broken all attendance records. What an inspiring way to start a marathon run!”
An essential component of most runners’ success is having their fan base positioned at various and planned locations along the race course. “My family turns out for me every year, and I’m so grateful for it. I have four family stops, two co-worker stops, variable friend stops, and ‘random encounters with people I didn’t expect to see stops.’ It’s highly energizing and is a great way for me to say hi to so many in my life in a single day. It’s a ‘This Is Your Life’ of sorts, and it’s wonderful. If I didn’t have it, I’d be lonely. Since I have it, I’m filled and fulfilled.”
In summarizing the experience, Bodek said, “New York City Marathon #24 is in the books. Marathon #39; marathon or longer #52; race #261. Time shaved off from my last marathon: more than a half hour. I cannot believe I went sub-seven hours! Weather was ideal; energy was high; prep and nutrition were perfect. Family and friends were everywhere. An awesome day!”
