East Meadow Residents Prepare for NYC Marathon

For East Meadow residents Todd Weinstein, Lori Polansky and Patti Adelman, training for the New York City Marathon has been a team experience.

The running group is in their fifth week of an 18-week training program that will prepare them for the Nov. 4 marathon, which is 26.2 miles with 47,000 other runners in New York City.

Weinstein secured his spot by pledging $3,500 to Tuesday’s Children, which benefits families of the victims of Sept. 11. Weinstein will fundraise, but whatever is left over will come out of his pocket.

“Not only is this a personal endeavor, the fact that you’re doing something for a good cause sticks in the back of your mind as you’re doing the trainings,” Weinstein said.

Weekly workouts range from long runs to elliptical exercising. The group meets up five days a week.

“You never really run the full marathon before the marathon,” Weinstein added.

To check out Weinstein's page for Tuesday's children, click here.

Polansky had to overcome adversity to get back into running shape, as she fractures her fibula on Memorial Day weekend.

“I’m back up to running three miles, but I have some catching up to do to be ready for the marathon,” she said.

Polansky has applied for the lottery to be selected for the marathon for 12 straight years. Those who are not selected three years in a row get an automatic entry, which was Polansky’s case in 2004 and 2008.

In 2008, Polansky ran in memory of her father, who died just a few months before, and she said that the emotions run wild as the run concludes.

“To me, the hardest part is getting to the start,” Polansky said. “Crossing that line is so emotional, overwhelming and exciting. It’s the most amazing satisfaction to know that you did it.”

Despite having less than a 10 percent chance of being selected in the lottery, Patti Adelman secured a golden ticket. She was offered a chance to be a part of a running team with the North Shore LIJ health system, but she declined.

But then things changed.

Three weeks after she decided to run solo, Adelman’s son was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes and admitted to Cohen’s Children’s Hospital. That’s when she decided to run with the North Shore LIJ group.

Her son is doing better, she added, and he will be in New York City to greet her when the marathon ends.

“I’m excited to complete my first New York City Marathon,” Adelman said. “What’s even better is that my family will be there to enjoy it with me.”

Do you know someone who is participating in the New York City Marathon? Tell us in the comments.