OK – this is the last NYC Marathon post for the year. I PROMISE! As you may have seen, this was my sixteenth NYC Marathon. The forecast went from perfect to slightly warm, but I was not too worried about it. I was super excited to see how it would go and happy that I would not get PTSD from the wind like last year. You may have seen that I had a great weekend and enjoyed my many NYC Marathon homecoming traditions.
This Marathon Sunday started as usual with a 4:30 alarm. I got ready and headed out to meet Scott for our annual trek to the race. This year, it was subway, shuttle bus, ferry, bus and walk. We got to the race and found some food, coffee and Dunkin Donuts hats. We took pics and headed out to find a place to sit.
I met up with my Athena teammates for our final jaunt through Central Park as Athenas. We had our usual rag tag throw away clothes and these lovely ladies looked more like lovely bag ladies. It was nice to catch up with everyone and make some race plans. Sue and I planned to run together again this year. Before we knew it, it was time to head to the bridge.
The start this year was about a million times better than last year. I ran mile 2 fast and chatted with Carly (downhill!!) Then Sue and I reigned it in and let Carly and Andrea go. We chatted and caught up and shed clothes fast. It was warm from pretty much the start. We were a bit ahead of 8 min mile pace and kept talking about slowing down. We got to a steady pace and ran through Brooklyn. The crowds were amazing as always and there were all kinds of things I wanted to tell you about… which are escaping me. There was an awesome gospel choir. I can not for the life of me remember what they were singing but I gave them a wave and a thank you and loved all of it. The bands in Brooklyn were the best of the whole race, too! I remember Born to Run for sure.
We had a few “fans” in Brooklyn. We saw the Grangers near the 10K mark which was awesome. Monica also saw us at mile 6 and said we were all smiles. We then headed for Larry and Dan at Atlantic and Lafayette. Sadly the tracker lied to them and they missed me 🙁 A for effort! They did send photographic proof that they were there. Just no pics of me!
We cruised through my fave mile (Lafayette) and headed for Queens. I had to go to the bathroom, but decided to try to hang on until mile 13 to run half way with Sue. That is what I did and we parted ways after catching up on life and enjoying the company. When I came out of the porta-potty, I spotted Patrice and Olga in the race but I could not catch them and lost them in the crowd. Such a bummer. I made it up the hill and across half the half way mark slightly fast, but not too crazy (for me). I was excited to see Alex and Alexis at mile 14 where Carolyn B. usually is! That was an awesome surprise and boost.
I ran through Queens and got psyched up for the quiet run up the Queensboro. It was not my fastest, but it was a very strong run up mentally and physically. I reminded myself that this was “my kind of race” and used the time to get centered. I felt good. My shoe was a bit tight so I was thinking of stopping to fix it but I decided to keep on keeping on. I got a blister but it was not too bad. I figured the damage was already done.
The crowd on 59th and then First Ave was awesome as usual. I took in some energy and ran on the right to see Lauren and her mom. Check. Then faded left to see Eric F. Check. Then, I caught Kimberly at the Powel Gel area (thank you for volunteering!) Next up were Joanne and Natalie. Everyone was about one mile apart so it was perfect. I clipped off the miles and felt the same as on the bridge. Again, this was not my fastest year but I felt strong and confident.
I headed into the Bronx where I had no people and just focused on the MC and crowd. I got a few cheers by name (on my bib) and the heart felt support of a few individuals went a long way! Thank you, kind strangers. Running over the last bridge felt great and I only had 5 miles to go.
The awesome thing in Manhattan was that I had friends every mile from 21 to the finish. I decided to focus on running from friend to friend. Mile 21, I missed Kristy, but saw Amy a bit further on. Rasko and Tricia were at mile 22 and gave me some great encouragement. I ran down 5th Ave to find Kelly, John and Dean. 5th Ave was a death march for me the last two years. I still felt good and tried to keep a good pace. All the cheers helped. I made it to Central Park and saw Kathy and (Little) David. Then it was a mile to see Holly, Chad and Juliet. I tried to pick it up for the last 1.2.
I had a surprise cheering section at mile 26. Abby’s brother Zach caught me at Mile 26 when I was cheered on by friends from Chicago. He got some great photos and I clearly enjoyed the cheers.
Throughout the run, I was thinking before I know it this will be over. Alas, it was. I finished in 3:38.39 – 5 seconds faster than last year. I was hoping for faster, but this is always a tough course and I did my best. I was very happy with my composure and the fact that I picked it up at the end. I felt much stronger and happier than last year.
I walked through the finishers area, got my medal, tons of texts (thank you friends!) and food and headed for my poncho. I saw Adria there and she reported that all of my friends from the start had done great. I went to the meet up spot and chatted with some very nice runners along the way.
Sweet sixteen is in the books and I will be back next year for the 20th anniversary of my first running in 1996. A million thanks to all who cheered, texted, Facebooked, called and supported me. I am so grateful and humbled by all of the love and support. My friends pretty much crushed it this year, too. Congrats to friends, old and new, who impress me year after year. A few friends had a tough go due to injury or illness. They all finished. It is an even greater accomplishment to stay in the game when the going gets tough.
That’s a wrap! See you next year, NYC!