It’s Friday, so I am linking up with Courtney at Eat, Pray, Run DC, Cynthia at You Signed Up for What and Mar at Mar on the Run for their weekly linkup. Each Friday, they host a link up — a “Friday Five.” This week is a free week which means we can dish on whatever we feel like. Well… you may have noticed that it is my fave week – MARATHON WEEK. Just like people in NYC say “city” when they mean New York City, they say “the marathon” and mean NYC Marathon. You may know that I am a “15+” guaranteed entrant in NYC. I ran 15 times between 1996 and 2014. This rule ends this year so I just squeaked in. I have A LOT of tips. It will be tough to narrow down, but here are my “Top 5 NYC Marathon Tips.” OK, I cheated. I have 5 sections of tips.
1. Pre-Race – Sleep in the City that Never Sleeps…
- Chill Out. The city never sleeps, but you should. It is SO tempting to walk all over, see everything, eat everything, check out the course… you get the picture. Just relax. The city is a concrete jungle and there are lots of slight hills/inclines. If you walk all over, your legs won’t be fresh.
- Forget to bring anything? You can get it at the expo (or hopefully near your hotel). Pick up or bring a trash bag or old blanket to sit on and/or wear and don’t forget your throw away clothes.
- Need some extra cheers? Write your name on some masking tape and put on your shirt or bib (if you haven’t gotten a fancier version made).
- The wait IS long, pack a magazine or newspaper. Some toilet paper and tissues will also come in handy.
- Know where your friends and family will be – what mile/corner/side of the street. Memorize your fan locations – gives you something to look forward to!
- Lay out your clothes and shoes and bib and chip and everything you need. You don’t want to be looking all over for things in the morning.
2. Race Morning. Be Like a Scout – Be Prepared, Alert and Friendly…
- Set an alarm and a back up! It is daylight savings time again this year, but don’t risk it.
- Don’t try anything new!
- Have a plan for getting to the ferry or bus. If you are not familiar with it, practice it beforehand.
- Find a buddy. If you are at the race alone, make a friend to talk to on the bus or ferry. It will be easy. Runners are nice and everyone is jazzed up.
- Go early but not too early. For the first wave, I typically take the 6:15 or 6:30 ferry.
- Pay attention to signs and find your start area, porta potties and find a place to sit/relax. Ask Erin about listening for announcements 😉 – when they say to get to the corral – go to the corral even though it seems too early!
3. The Course. Know Before You Go and Watch Out For Common Pitfalls.
- The first mile will be slow (up hill) and the second mile will be fast (down hill) – don’t worry about it. Then from mile two on watch your pace. It is easy to get excited and go too fast and that is a bummer later on!
- It is very easy to get pulled in the beginning and feel like you are slowing down with people passing you. Pay attention. This will matter in the second half. Ask me how I know.
- Mile 8 after the merge is the BEST! Enjoy my favorite mile!
- There are no spectators on the Queensboro Bridge. It is quiet and stoic. Take a moment to feel centered. Take some deep breaths. Work on a steady pace. Use your arms. Channel your training. Passing instead of getting passed on the bridge always make me feel amazing.
- Watch your pace on miles 16-19. When you come into Manhattan, the crowd is amazing and it is easy to race up 1st ave, BUT it is slightly uphill and easy to bonk if you overdo it, so just cruise and take in all of the energy. I sometimes run in the middle of the road if I get too overwhelmed on 1st Ave!
- The course is always crowded and the roads are not always well paved so watch your footing.
4. The Head Game. Don’t Forget “Whether You Think You Can, Or You Think You Can’t, You’re Right…”
- Have a mantra. Mine is “My kind of race. My kind of day.”
- Check out the tone and tenor of the crowd. It is different by borough. You will see some cool stuff. Brooklyn is really a melting pot!
- If you get discouraged, talk to someone in the race, look around, remind yourself of why you are there and just keep going!
- Smile! When things feel really tough (and they will – Hello! The bridges…) smile. There is scientific evidence that smiling makes the perception of exertion lower. Try it! It works!
- Most important advice. HAVE FUN!! You paid for this. They did not pay you.
5. Post Race. Savor Your Success…
- You have to walk really far. You will be grateful for it the next day. I promise. Just.Keep.Moving.
- Pick a meet up spot. It is great to pick a bar or coffee shop so spectators can stay warm and you can get warm (and get a celebratory drink or treat.)
- Congratulate other runners and enjoy the love of New Yorkers. It is the best day in the city.
- Celebrate! You did it! NYC is not an easy course. It may be your best, your worst or somewhere in between. Right now is the time to celebrate your accomplishment. You can do the post-mortem later.
- Get ready for next year!
Good luck to all of the runners and thank you to all of the spectators and supporters along the way! Please add any tips or encouragement in the comments!