Not that kind of streaker, people! Where is your mind? Yesterday, I completed my 15th NYC Marathon and now I am guaranteed entry for life. They have changed the rules but now anyone who can complete the 15 by 2015 is guaranteed for life. Here is my recap:
Short recaps:
- Windiest. Race. Ever.
- In for Life
- My friends and husband rock!
- A day I will never forget!
- Proud of my persistence (but not of my splits!)
The full story is a bit more complicated. I had a ton of fun in NYC and NJ before the marathon. I spent a few days with my brother and Dan at By Pond Farm (a/k/a “my happy place.”) I also visited with many friends in NJ and in NYC. I got an amazing number of texts, emails and calls. I was overwhelmed with the love. I also anxiously watched the forecast for 20-25 mile an hour winds with gusts even higher! I was hoping that they were just wrong. [They were not.]
I came to the city on Friday and went to Javitz Center with Jen to get our numbers. Brian warned us that there was a huge line. We got hugs from Alayna, my gal at CEP, and gloves for the Chicago ladies. Aside from the line, pretty easy! Saturday, I did my shake out in Central Park with Finds’ fave nutritionist, Lauren A. and we met Kelly after she ran a kick-ass, post baby 5K in the RAIN. I was happy that it was not race day!
The race logistics for NYC are complicated and fairly cumbersome. Scott kept me on track with last year’s times and meeting places. We met (clad in our finest throw aways – looking rather vagrant) in the 1 train and met Jen and Erin and headed off on the 6:15 ferry. It was so windy the boat was rocking. We made it over to the race site by 7:15 and went in search of Dunkin Donut hats (free and perfect for keeping warm until race time! I wore mine until mile 6 or 7 I think!) and snacks. We saw that bags were due by 8:15 and corrals opened at 8:55 for the 9:40 start. We all went to our respective villages. I was in the “local competitive” if anyone was wondering how my number was so low. I am still affiliated with my NYC team and I qualified in the NYC Half Marathon. I waited with my friends Marie, Sue, Patrice and Dave and we met some nice folks, too.
Then, we shed some of our throwaways and went onto the bridge. Standing before the start was fine, but the mile and 1/2 across the Verrazano were terrifying! The wind was CRAZY strong. All of the runners looked drunk – very few people running straight and the sound of the wind was so loud. I was running with Sue and Dave and we went way too fast. It was my fault, but I just really needed to get off the bridge. They took the mile signs off the bridge due to wind. We got off the bridge and pretty much flew to the 5K and then tried to slow down.
We still were going too fast as we got to 4th Ave in Brooklyn and headed straight back into the wind! You are on 4th ave for ~4 miles. It was difficult. We saw April and then I was SO excited to see Seth, Emily, Lola and Roxie toward the end. While we were looking for them, I high fived as many kids as possible. I was so happy to see that the crowds were out despite the tough conditions!
We kept on and ran my FAVE mile on Lafayette Street. I throttled back a bit and let Sue and Dave go ahead. I caught up to them and then lost them again. At that point, I tried to focus on running my own race and keeping up a good pace. I love Brooklyn. Just before the bridge to Queens, I took a porta-potty break. Had to do it. It helped me regroup a bit but I lost ~1:30 (I did not rush – I needed to get more centered again).
I still got to the 1/2 way point a bit fast despite the stop. I saw Carolyn just past the 1/2 in her usual spot and loved her awesome smile and cheers! I then headed through Queens. They had AWESOME music and a great crowd throughout. I smiled A LOT. And, it was not as windy which was totally awesome. I really felt the toll of running into the wind already. Not a good sign as I was bracing for a windy 4 miles straight north on 1st Ave.
I got to the Queensboro Bridge and enjoyed the quiet and relative calm air. It is a big hill. We don’t have any of those in Chicago. I did my best and waited for the awesome downhill and roar that is 59th St/1st Ave. The wind was pretty bad but not as bad as I expected it would be. So that is something! The crowd was awesome as usual on 59th. I saw Lauren at 72nd and headed up to find the husband and Jeff, Kelly, Natalie and Andrea. I saw Jen unexpectedly. Yay. No husband and Jeff, so I kept moving and saw Kelly and Andrea. That was a great lift. The wind did not let up and through mile 20 it was relentless. I felt like I had run a few extra miles by then.
When we were in the Bronx, I was not super clear on the direction, but the wind kept up. There was some great music (no jumbotron this year because of the wind) and I tried to go with a pace group for a while. My spirits were still high all things considered. I took a water stop walk break at mile 21. I also started drinking more Gatorade as I was thirsty and feeling dehydrated. I tried to remember that 5 miles is not so far. (Right?) I also stopped looking at the clocks. I decided to do my best and smile at everyone for the rest of the way. I ran down up 5th Ave (damn hill) and focused on getting to Central Park. This is always a tough stretch for me.
I turned into Central Park grinning and looking for the husband, Jeff and Kathy and the boys. I always “see” my roommate Lisa and my mom and dad and Joel there, too. They stood there many times and I smile when I think of them as I run in. No husband and Jeff AGAIN (luckily they saw Jen both times so that was good!) Just past mile 24, I saw Kathy and the boys and waved like an insane lady. Two point two to go. Doable. I had friends at 25, too, and there is a nice downhill which I can honestly not recall! I saw Holly, Chad and Juliet at around 40K and realized I was “almost there.”
I made my way down 57th (not fast but I was trying) and back to Central Park. I ran the best I could up the hill to the finish. I was delighted to see that my final time was 3:38.44 (8:21/mile). By mile 20, I was not sure I would get under 3:40. This was two minutes and forty seconds slower than last year, but given the conditions, I was psyched. And then, “just like that,” I became a streaker. Now, I am guaranteed entry for life in the NYC Marathon. Several friends told me that the elites were way off their times especially as a percentage of total time, so I was even more proud and pleased. This race was a true test of stick-to-it-iveness, but I am so glad that I did. After the race was over, you have to walk a mile (cruel) to get the ponchos for the “no baggage” option. I made some friends and was delighted to have NYC teammate Adria wrap me up and give me an awesome hug!
I met some friends to celebrate after the race and enjoyed a low key evening. Just like that, it is over! Thank you to all of my friends and family members who supported me throughout the training and the pursuit of this goal. And to Kathy and family who put us up and graciously host our friends when they are busier than busy can be. I am so very grateful.
So now, back to life, back to reality and in search of new goals! Anyone have any ideas?!