I completed my 23rd NYC Marathon yesterday. I like that it’s 2023 – seems like good symmetry. I guess if I keep running every year that will continue.
To be honest, it wasn’t my best day. In fact, it was my slowest finish of 23 (by 3 seconds). I’ve been dealing with a strained hamstring and if you saw my Chicago Marathon recap, I fell at the start of that one and re-tweaked it. In the four weeks since Chicago, my hamstring is almost back to 100% but I think I lost some confidence. I also decided to run with Sue and Lauren for the first 10K to catch up and their paces were too fast for where I’m at right now [I do this most years because that hour+ spent with Sue is worth a little pain and regret – lol]. The second half was very slow. I didn’t have a lot of oomph in my legs but no pain, so that was good.
With that being said I had a ton of fun. The crowd was FANTASTIC – one of the biggest and loudest that I can remember. I also had a lot of friends and The Husband out cheering for me which is always awesome. I got to see and support so many running friends, too. And my friends who I shared my tips and strategies with all did so well! That always makes me SO happy.
Pre-Race
The Husband and I flew to NYC on Thursday night and stayed with Kathy and David and the (not so little Ds). We caught up at dinner and got ready for a busy weekend. Friday morning, I did a short run in Central Park and was excited to see the flags and tons of international folks out.
I met Sue and Kelly for the Expo. I love this annual tradition. We got our numbers and saw our friend Adria volunteering, met up with Sue’s friend Brett and ran into Chicago friend Gayle on the way out. I tried to get some NYC Goodrs but they were out. [I did snag some online before they sold out.] I also met Erica Sara in real life and checked out her NY Marathon collection.
We went up to the 15+ and Streakers party in Central Park. It’s a fun tradition and always great to catch up with long time friends and former teammates. Scott and I game planned for our Sunday morning travels and Sue and I met up with The Husband for a quick drink. Then we met up with our college friends for dinner.
Saturday was also super busy. I went to the New Balance and Believe in the Run shake out. It was massive so I bailed on it. I did meet Melanie from Chicago by telling her that I recognized her from the ‘gram. She’s a Beer Mile champion and as nice as can be! I also connected with Sean from New Balance for some potential running tours. I ran down to meet Lauren and Nicole at the Expo to say hello.
In the afternoon, we met my brother and Dan for brunch, went for coffee with a former colleague and visited friends. We decided to order in instead of eating out after all of the busyness of the day. I’m glad we did. I was able to get everything ready and go to bed pretty early – especially considering Daylight Savings time. I set my alarm for 4:45 AM.
Race Day
Scott and I met on the 1 train at 5:37 AM like clockwork. We met a nice woman from Ohio who was doing her first New York so we told her to come with us. It turns out her name is Erica, too. She joined us on the ferry where we met Frank from Texas and gave them all of the tips. We were a bit worried about the buses at the ferry after last year. It could not have been a better or more pleasant experience. It was SO organized and with so many volunteers. It went flawlessly. Before we knew it, we were in Staten Island.
We went to the 15+ area and met up with Kristy. I went over to find Sue and Marie at Local Competitive and coordinated to meet Lauren. Before we knew it, we were all in the corrals and almost ready to go! We chatted and soon walked on the bridge. We took photos and chatted with other runners. Spirits were high.
It took us 3 minutes to cross the line. Sue, Lauren and I all remarked on how tough the first mile is and how fast the second mile is. Our first 5K was too fast and we got into a better rhythm. There was a lot of energy, music and high-fiving. The second 5K was a better pace, but I knew it was too fast for me on tired legs and coming off of an injury. I told Sue that I’d run with her until 10K but we stayed together until 8.5 or so.
The energy on Lafayette Street was amazing. I tried not to surge and just took in the energy. My favorite mile did not disappoint! I even saw my friend Guillermo from Chicago with the Run 312 crew. Williamsburg was practically deserted this year. In the past few years, there has been a mix of Hasidic and hipsters. I imagine this was because of the situation in Israel and Palestine, but it was pretty eerie. Just after this, I saw our new friend Erica and she was having a blast (yay!)
At Mile 11, I had to stop for a bathroom break. I lost about 2 – 3 minutes but I felt much better afterwards. I felt like I was running a decent pace, but I know I slowed down a lot. I got to the half way mark just under 1:57 on my watch. Like last year, I decided to stop looking at my watch and tried to smile and take in all of the signs, sounds and sights. Super fan Carolyn and her son Micheal were not able to make it this year. I thought of them as I ran in Queens and enjoyed a ton of music and the great crowds.
I felt OK heading onto the Queensboro Bridge. I haven’t done many any hills this season but I just did my best and tried to relax. I cheered some other people on and a lovely woman saw my 22 finished and counting bib and told me that I was amazing. I appreciated it so much.
Lauren told me to make sure to look for Russ and Cooper and her sister on 72nd Street. They had a big head sign for me. I was so surprised and touched. I yelled out “Oh my God! Is that me?!” I stopped to take some pics with it. It was my first big head sign in all of my 61 marathons!
I saw Eric and then Brett near 85th St. And then Andrea and David and Glenn from Salis on first Ave. I missed The Husband and Kristen M. both by a hair. Before I knew it I was headed into the Bronx. I ran into Molly K (a/k/a MollyRunsNYC) on the bridge. That was awesome as we met up in Chicago, too and last year in NYC. I saw Samantha with the Asian Trail Mix crew in the Bronx. The Bronx is only a mile so I ran over the “Last Damn Bridge” back into Manhattan.
I knew my time was going to be one of my slowest based on my 20 mile split. I tried to enjoy it and do my best. I looked for Cari at Mile 22 and then saw Andrea and David again at Mile 23. I smiled and kept getting awesome support and so many “look at that beautiful smile” comments. 5th Ave is always tough. I kept my eye on the prize and finally turned in to Central Park.
Just over 2 miles to go. I scanned the crowd and saw The Husband and Eric and Brett again. Then our friends Holly and Chad with their daughter Juliette and after the water stop, Kathy. Right after mile 24, my friend Meredith from Chicago came flying by with a grin on her face. I had given her all of the NYC tips. She called out to me and said “I love this race! I’m having the BEST time.” She ran a PR and her first Boston qualifier. I could not have been happier and cheered for her. The race was a success as far as I was concerned!
The crowd was packed for the last 2 miles and I enjoyed the cheers. I tried to keep up with the people passing me and to smile and enjoy the experience.
Before I knew it, I was running toward the finish line. Robin and Jeff yelled out from the grandstands and then I crossed the line.
NYC Marathon #23 was complete. My time was just over 4:11.00 – 6 minutes slower than last year and my slowest of 23 by 3 seconds. And you know what? It’s all good. After 6 weeks of dealing with a janky hamstring, I was lucky to be able to run and all things considered. It’s not a bad time – especially if you don’t look at the splits – lol.
I ran into Meredith after the finish and we chatted and took photos. Then I took the long walk up to meet Sue (she finished almost 30 minutes ahead of me). Our husbands and friends were there and we had a fun afternoon celebrating.
As always, a million thanks to all who cheered, texted, DM’d and commented on Instagram, Facebooked, called and supported me. I’m so grateful and humbled by all of the love and support year after year. Congrats to friends, old and new, who impress me year after year.
Marathon #61 and NY Marathon #23 is in the books. Not many people can say that – right?
I took my medal out for a quick recovery run on Monday (run streak day 1357). It was a great morning for running and took some #medalmonday pics.
That’s a wrap – see you next year NYC Marathon!