New York Marathon Race Report

Well last Saturday morning Alicia and I went to the Javits Center for the NYC Marathon Race expo. I wanted to show up right at opening because I've seen what can happen at poorly run race expos (Ahem, Philly, we're looking at you) and wanted to be out of there before dinner time. That was silly of course, because if any marathon has their act together it's NYC. It took about 10 minutes for me to get my bib and enter the expo (read : runner's flea market) area. 

A quick note - the bib, shoe chip, safety pins and quick-ties were all self-sealed into one tiny bag so there could be no losing the tiny pieces, GENIUS! (We're looking at you, Philly....) 

Expos are like crack for runners. All this great gear, shorts, tech-shirts, energy bars, gu's, applications to other races, all for cheap cheap cheap. I made it out with no less than a new parka, mug, gloves, hat and about 15 applications to destination races I could never afford. We stopped by the Team For Kids table (my charity) and started chatting up the volunteers. After a few minutes they assigned me to a later bus (6:30 instead of 5am) and gave Alicia two free passes for seating in the marathon finish grandstands. How awesome is that? 

Did I mention that this was my birthday? After the expo Alicia took me to the museum of natural history (we held hands and laid down under the whale, how perfect for a birthday?) Afterwards we rowed boats in the park and ate sushi with Reed. This was one seriously, seriously awesome birthday. 

Now, that was also Day Light Savings so with the clock change and my new bus I got an extra 2.5 hours of sleep. Feeling tired by pre-race giddy I boarded the Team For Kids bus in midtown and made a friend with my seat-mate Dana. This was her second marathon ever and she just wanted to get it out of her system before trying for a child this winter (best of luck Dana if you're reading this!) She was racing in honor of her sister-in-law who was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer 5 years ago. They gave her 2 years to live and so that she could experience her remaining days to the fullest she took up running. Now, 5 years later, she is both still fighting the illness but also running in her 5th consecutive NY Marathon. How's that for inspiring? 

The buses dropped us off and we made for the TFK tents. This is the bonus of running for a charity, not only do you get guaranteed entry, but they also take good care of you. Our own area, our own bathrooms (either share 1000 portalavs with 50,000 people or share 200 with 500 people.. hmmm) bagels and coffee! Dana and I sat chatting, eating our bagels, applying body glide and Vaseline to our faces. Another thing about runners, we don't mind telling you all about how, when and where we chafe. In a way it's gross, but in another way it's a red rash of courage and accomplishment. Anyway, my baggage stowed, I went to the starting line. 

They interviewed Abdi Abdirahman, one of the more famous american runners, and they questioned him on his nick-name, the Black Cactus. 

Asinine Reporter- "So you're from Arizona, the land of the cactus... And they call you the Black Cactus... why is that?"

Abdi -  "Uhm...Well...I'm from Arizona... land of the cactus... and well, I'm black..."

A.R. - "...Oh..."

And the race was off! The climb up the Verrazano Bridge could have been troublesome, but we were fresh and it was a breeze. Down into Brooklyn and up 4th Avenue all the way to Atlantic Terminal. My calves were tight from the very start due to the the Dublin Marathon only 6 days before. My ankle which had been troubling me since Galway was so far silent and I felt great. Down Lafayette Ave (my old home!) and down Bedford to Williamsberg. I was expecting to meet with Alicia around N.9th Street so I turned Coheed down and starting peeking around. I first saw Chris's shock of red hair and ran over for some highfives. Of course, I forgot to give Alicia my gloves and hat so I had to throw them away in Queens... damn.

The crossing from Queens to Manhattan via the 59th Street Bridge was hellish. It's a dark, mostly enclosed lower level with the ominous echoing for footfalls. I actually passed 3 runners ON THEIR CELLPHONES! WTF?!? Bah, almost an entire mile on that crap. 

Them BAM, we're in Manhattan. There had to be 10,000 people cheering in the 2 block turn around towards 1st Avenue. The course was a straight shot from 59th street to the bronx and there were people just going wild, such great energy! By this point my ankle was really starting to bother me and even me ITB was starting to ache. I learned that walking actually hurt more than jogging so this was motivation enough to keep the pace. Basically, the entire race was run around 7:45, very flat timing for me. I usually start around 7 min/mile and drop to around 10 or 11 average in the last few. 

From mile 21 or so until the end was down 5th avenue, around the Plaza hotel and then around Columbus circle and up to the Tavern on the Green. I saw Chris and Tracie again around the top of the park and what a difference it made! Thank you guys so much. Seeing friends on the race, even for a split second helps draw you out of the agony and introspection of racing and reminds you, hey! This is awesome! I'm running the New York Marathon! 

I finished in 3:29:03, only 5 minutes slower than Dublin. Let me tell you, I have never been in such agony after a race. I felt as if I had been dipped, from the waist down, into boiling water. For the first time in my running history, I was one of the marathoners who needed help walking. Again TFK was awesome. I had not one but 2 volunteers help me walk to the post-race tent. They plopped me in a lawn chair, got me water and when I got scared because they couldn't find my bag it turned out to be because someone had already seen me struggling up the hill and went off to get it for me before being asked. TFK is really a class act. If I ever do the NY Marathon again, it will be with them. Anywho. That's my story! 

Oh, and afterwards my mom took Alicia and I out to a big greasy Belgian breakfast. YUM..I friend eggs with pancetta and two types of cheese. Muahahahaha.