Pretty sure nothing will ever compete with this story for the title of hardest I’ve ever worked on a piece. In 2015, I joined CC Sabathia’s PitCCh In Foundation NYC Marathon team, fundraising for the charity and running the 26.2 miles with CC’s image on my shirt.
I can certainly say that I’ve never inserted myself so much into my story. I’ve written plenty in the first person, but never have I gone to lengths like I did in reporting on how the charity works, how it builds its team, where the money goes, and what it means to the runners, the family members, and to the people the foundation helps.
I hated running this year, and I can safely say that my second marathon will be my last. But this is probably the most fulfilling reporting assignment of my life. It was really incredible to work so closely with CC’s family on this project, and to get to see it from so many sides.
Also, I really loved the work I got to do with Tiki Barber in my reporting. He was totally open about his whole experience, and in the three conversations that we had, I really was able to find so many things that we share in common, despite his being a Pro Bowl running back, and me being … decidedly not. When I interviewed Meb Keflezighi, he told me that despite his place at the front of the pack, and mine damn near close to the back, “It takes the same effort, just some are faster. But the duration, the pain, the agony that goes through it, it is the same.” I really took that message to heart.
