I completed my 25th NYC Marathon yesterday. After a disappointing run in Tokyo and Chicago, I almost didn’t participate. I’m so glad that I did! This was my slowest NYC Marathon of 25, but I’m very proud of my effort and attitude. I enjoyed a great few days before the race and spent the morning with dear friends. I started with friends and ran the race with joy. I stopped for a few hugs, encouraged other runners, shared my SaltStick and even took a couple of shots! (Very out of character for me). It was a lovely day, the crowd was amazing and I don’t think there was more than a minute that I didn’t smile in the last 7 or 8 miles.
Pre-Race
After a LONG delay on Thursday, I made it to Kathy and David’s almost at midnight. Friday morning, I headed to the Expo to work with SaltStick and then to meet Kelly and Sue, Nicole B and Gilly and Nicole T and her mom. It was really fun sharing SaltSick and Bonkbreakers with runners from all over the world and meeting up with so many friends.
I stopped up at the Streaker Party to connect with Marie, Amy and Corinna. Then I met up with Kathy and Holly for a nice dinner in Tribeca. Kathy and I enjoyed a mini Halloween parade on the subway home.
Saturday morning, I met up with Nicole and Lauren for a shakeout run and breakfast. I met Cari and Unsal for a coffee and pre-race chat and then relaxed for the rest of the day.
I got my kit together and had a low key dinner at Kathy and David’s. I went to be early for a 4:30 AM wake up.
Race Day
Scott decided not to run this year, but luckily, Andrea was my +1 for the journey to Staten Island. We left a little earlier and everything went smoothly. We met up with a bunch of friends in the Streaker/15+ building and before we knew it, we were headed to the start corral.
Andrea. Kristy, Patrice, Jeff and I stuck together and headed onto the bridge. As we were walking up the bridge, I saw Molly C. – she was working the start and I stopped for a good luck hug. Andrea, Jeff and I ran together for the first 5K but I told them both to go ahead as they were pacing faster than I was planning to go.
At about mile 2.5, I saw Olympian Des Linden jogging with a few people. I screeched like a teenager and asked her for a selfie! She was extremely nice and I was extremely awkward. It was AMAZING!
The beginning of 4th Ave in Brooklyn seemed a bit quiet to me this year but once we hit Prospect Park the crowd was huge. I high-fived a lot of kids and enjoyed the party atmosphere. I looked for friends at the end of 4th Ave and prepared for my favorite mile – Lafayette St. It was awesome as usual.
I was pacing around 9 minute miles for the first 10K and realized I had slowed down to closer to 9:30 pace by 10 miles. Instead of getting discouraged like I did in Chicago, I just tried to keep moving the best I could and taking in the energy of the crowds. I made sure to get water and Gatorade at every station.
After a quiet start in Williamsburg in the Hasidic neighborhood, the crowd was huge until the Pulaski Bridge. Before I knew it, I was crossing half way at around 2:07 (same as Chicago, I think). The section in Queens was really fun and I thought of the many friends who’ve been there for me in years past. I enjoyed the cheer stations and took my first ever marathon Jello shot on a whim.
In Queens, the fastest Wave 2 pace group passed me and I tried to not get trampled. Some were better than others. Before I knew it, I was climbing up the 59th Street Bridge. A lovely woman who was flying by gave me huge props on my 25th running (I had a bib on my back) and another guy told me I was awesome. It was just what I needed. I cheered on other runners and wheelchair athletes. The zen moments were broken a bit by two huge pace groups jostling me to stay together. That was jarring but thankfully, I stayed upright.
As I came down the bridge to the roar of the crowd, the thought of 10 more miles didn’t bother me. I had friends every mile from mile 17 to mile 24 and I just started working my way up enjoying the crowd as I looked for them.
Cari. Sue and Brett were first at 83rd Street. Then, Eric and Ryan a few blocks later and Nimbe and a Chicago crew a a few blocks after that.
Since Andrea was running, I thought of her at the usual spot and ran north to see Glen and his Salis crew. I called out to him and he almost choked on his bagel but then ran next to me and cheered for a few blocks! I knew that I-Hsing would be at Mile 20, so I looked for her as I ran over the Willis Avenue Bridge. I stopped for a quick hug.
I shouted out to my SaltStick crew and someone handed me a Capri Sun pouch and it was AMAZING. Only 10K left to go! I enjoyed the fun atmosphere in the Bronx and had my head on a swivel for Kristen. I didn’t see her but she said she got a photo of my smiling at her. I almost stopped to get a photo with a sign that said “Someday you won’t be able to do this, but today is not that day.” Instead, I just said thank you to the person holding it.
The crowd was great heading back into Manhattan. I was super excited that Anne – one of my OG cheer squad was planning to be at mile 22 like she used to be in the late 90s and early 2000s. Right before I saw her, there was a group with Fireball shots. Not sure what came over me, but I stopped and had one! (Probably the most I have had to drink in the afternoon in 10 years – LOL). I saw Anne and stopped for a quick hug and headed for 5th Ave.
I usually hate 5th Ave. I focused on moving forward and encouraging people who were walking of struggling. I saw my friend Mary unexpectedly and shared SaltStick with a few people cramping and enjoyed the crowd. I saw Sue and Brett again right before entering the park. I don’t think I stopped smiling from that moment until the finish line.
Central Park was electric and so many people were cheering for me by name. There were huge crowds and they were in full on party mode. I saw Eric, Ryan and Nolan and ran through Mile 24. I found Kathy and Daniel and knew I was almost done.
As I approached Mile 25, I saw a couple running together and caught a marriage proposal. The crowd went crazy. Party mode continued on through the finish. Before I knew it, I had 800 meters to go, then 400 and then I was crossing the line.
I finished in 4:30.04. This was my slowest NYC, but my fastest marathon this year. Instead of feeling disappointed (like I have sometimes even in years when I ran almost an hour faster). I felt so happy and proud of my effort and positive attitude. I was glad that I didn’t bail out on NYC.
I saw Molly B from CEM after the finish and she made me feel like a VIP. I chatted with a few runners as we made our way out of Central Park and headed up to our post run meet up.
As always, I’m so grateful for the love and support of all of my friends who cheered me on from near and far. And for Coach Jen who talked me off of the ledge and encouraged me to set a realistic goal and to enjoy the run.
Congrats to all of my friends who ran great races and THANK YOU to all of the volunteers and spectators for making this experience special year after year. Marathon #69 and NYC Marathon #25 are in the books!
Post-Race
On Monday morning, I met up with some members of my CARA training group for medal Monday pics!
All in all it was a great weekend! Thank you for following along and for your support.