Team in Training Pre-Marathon Long Run

Eight days before the 1999 New York City Marathon, runners in the Leukemia Society's Team In Training gathered together for the final long training run.  This was a 10 mile over the last part of the New York City Marathon, beginning at 59th Street and First Avenue.

• Photo 01: The head honcho in charge is Mindy Solkin, usually known as Coach Mindy.  For identification purposes, she has to wear a shirt with the words 'Head Coach'.  This is not the easiest job in the world, as the coach has to field all sorts of questions (like, "Where can I leave the bag that I was told not to bring?" and "Where is the bathroom?")
• Photo 02: The runners are divided into different pace groups, with each group being led by a designated leader.  Leading the 7:00-7:30 minute/mile group is Raphael Devalle, who says that this is going to be tough for him.  Not because our 800m/mile runner has to extend himself at a longer distance, as Raphael has a 2:54 marathon to his credit.  The real problem is that it was too early in the morning.  He said, "I don't usually run until at least eleven o'clock in the morning."
• Photo 03: Here is Raphael Devalle with someone who would rather not be photographed and who would rather not be named (and her name is not Farrah). 
• Photo 04: Coach Mindy is hollering to be heard.  Remember this is not inside Central Park, but on First Avenue, and she has to yell over the din of the trailer-trucks roaring down the avenue.
• Photo 05: The leader for the 7:00-7:30 group was just publicly identified.  Raphael Devalle says, "Who?  Me?"
• Photo 06: And now it is onto the road with Coach Mindy.  When asked if she will run the whole 10 miles, she says, "No, I'm stopping at five and I'll get a taxicab there."  But that is only because she needs to reach the finish line and make sure that everything (water, Powerbar, etc) is in place.  P.S.  As it turned out, Mindy ran all ten miles!