Having a bit of a rough time of it. Been going through a full range of emotions since Mayor Bloomberg first decided to continue on with and then consequently to cancel the New York City Marathon, on top of already feeling all ends of the spectrum due to the consequences of the hurricane.
When it was first decided that the race would go on, I was surprised, as I was sure there would be no way for the race to proceed with all of the damage to the city. I went back and forth with my feelings about running: wanting to put all of the hard work I've done to use, celebrating New York City, helping to bring an economic boost that is sorely needed at this time. On the other hand I felt guilty about running through a city where people lost so much and people were still trying to even begin to get back on their feet. Reading peoples' views on Facebook and a runners' forum didn't help: some people really felt that running could be a good thing for the city while many others thought it was in poor taste. Then the threats of physical violence towards the runners if they decided to race started to come out. I was actually scared of what would happen if I ran the race. I was frustrated with the anger directed towards the runners, many of whom had already committed to donating time and money to victims before and after the race during their time in the city, regardless of whether the race happened or not. I was frustrated that people were admittedly spending all day on social media to stop the race from being run--instead of going out and spending their time in more beneficial ways like volunteering.
Then the race was canceled. Yet there is still an outpouring of disrespect towards the racers. They are still called selfish for wanting to run (when many people had already spent hundreds if not thousands of dollars and so much time to run one of the greatest races in the world), and people are acting all shocked when the runners are donating their time, like they can't believe such selfish people would do something so kind: such as the large group from the Netherlands who called up to offer their services to Hoboken after learning of the marathon's cancellation.
The whole situation (along with others that I've seen and heard from during/after the storm) has put a bad taste in my mouth about New York. The thing is, I believe the right call was made canceling the race, although I feel it would have been much more beneficial to do so sooner. But the way the crowds took up this battle cry brought forth by the media and ran with it bothers me. Where are the news reports, Facebook pages, Crowdrise campaigns dedicated to stopping the Giants game that is happening in New Jersey (where they are worse off than many in NYC) at the same time as the marathon should have happened? It takes gas to get all of these people out to the stadium, the players make millions of dollars, consume water and gatorade, probably run generators of some kind for media, and thousands of people will sit around screaming about football while they shove their faces with food and beer--during which people will still be struggling to salvage something of their lives nearby. Where's the outrage over this? Where's the outrage over all of the New Yorkers who have sat in bars or restaurants drinking and eating while people were suffering nearby over these past few days? I'm angry that people look at me, as someone who was going to run a race through the city to celebrate it and then donate my time and money to help when I was finished, as worse than these people drinking in bars or playing/enjoying a football game.
There's this anger, bitterness, entitlement swarming around that have all combined to make me disappointed in this city I live in. Which is sad, knowing that so many people ARE out there giving all they can to make it better. My hope is that part of this is the incredibly selfish disappointment over all of my training going to waste and missing out on one of my favorite days of the year, and that after getting in a good run with friends tomorrow and then volunteering my time next week will help restore my faith and love in this place I call home.
A little comfort food couldn't hurt, either. So I bring you a simple enchilada sauce that will drown tortillas filled with your favorite stuffing in deliciousness and hopefully drown some of your own sorrows as well.
Enchilada Sauce
(good for a 9X9" pan of enchiladas if you like them ridiculously saucy, as I do. Otherwise would be good for a less-saucy version in a 9X13" pan)
2 TB butter
1/2 c. chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, chopped
2 TB flour
1 TB tomato paste
1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
3/4 c. chicken stock or water
1 t. chili powder
1 t. cumin
1/2 t. oregano
1/2 t. chipotle chili flakes (or red chili flakes)
salt and pepper
Melt the butter over medium heat in a medium saucepan. Add the onions and saute until tender and translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add the garlic and saute for another minute or so. Whisk in the flour and stir constantly for about 2 minutes to cook off the raw taste. Stir in the tomato paste and then add the tomato sauce, chicken stock or water, chili powder, cumin, oregano and chili flakes. Bring to a simmer and cook for at least 8-10 minutes. Taste and add salt and pepper as necessary. Now the sauce is ready to use to top your favorite enchilada recipe!
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