Somebody sent me this picture earlier today and it really hit home, the 2007 NYC Marathon is here.

I think this will be the final post before the big day and the Dukes of Flatbush hit the streets of New York City for 26.2 miles of pure enjoyment, so there is a lot to say today, and hopefully more good news to follow.

It has been a long year in training for the team as we pushed towards this date. We started out the year in January with just three of us running the Manhattan Half Marathon in 17 degree weather (sorry Preyer) and from that experience started to build momentum. We slowly pulled our friends into this insane sport of running and the Dukes of Flatbush became a real team. Some got on the road for the first time in their lives (John 9) and some got back on the road after years of injuries (GJ). This team building concept peaked in Shelter Island when the Dukes of Flatbush took over the Shelter Island 10K and ruled the streets with 10 of us out there menacing folks with our black shirts. It was a site to behold!!!

For some readers it may be hard to comprehend but this team used to see 6am as a time when the night was about winding down, not time to wake up for the day and run 10 miles. That is not to say we are not ready for a good party here and there, but we have evolved. OK, maybe not evolved, how about progressed?

Now that the big day is here, we are ready to get out there to Fort Wadsworth, Staten Island and run already. We also encourage you to go out there as well and cheer us on. For the runners there is no greater feeling then the millions, yes millions of people that come out to the streets of NYC to cheer us on. I know it may sound old and tired, but the fans really do get you energized and keep you going. For those of you who want to cheer with the DOFB fan club head out to mile 8.5 to the corner of Adelphi and Green in Brooklyn for some good times.

Check out the NYRR Web site for a full map on where you can go to watch and cheer.

Before you do go out to cheer I do have one request and that is to visit Birch’s fundraising page and make a donation. For the past 3 years one of the members of the Dukes of Flatbush has run the NYC Marathon for a charitable cause, raising $10,000 in the process. This year the honor goes to Birch who is running for Fred’s Team – Fred’s Team is raising money for the Aubrey Fund for Pediatric Cancer Research which specializes in treating a number of types of cancer in children, especially cancers of the blood and lymph system like acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Here is the link one more time and thank you for supporting our cause.

Now it is time to rest up, eat pasta, watch movies and freak out for the next 40 hours. My only distraction will be helping planning the Taste of Fall / Lamb Jamb, post marathon celebration discussed here earlier. If anyone has a good recipe for lamb eyeballs or possibly the gallbladder please pass them along in the comments. We are not going to leave leave one bit of this lamb untouched. Good times are heading our way.

Did you forget we care about BBQ as much as running???????

See you Sunday – and remember, never go with a hippie to a second location

DOFB