On Sunday morning I woke up promptly at 4:10am and was out the door by 4:35. The sky was still pitch black and I could see the metal fences for the spectators already set up along 1st Ave as I made my way to the subway. The 6 train was sprinkled with people in running attire and old sweats that they'd later discard at the start (not enough time to run back to the baggage check after warming up, so volunteers collect all the runners' sweats at the starting line, to be given to charity) and we all looked a little nervous for what was ahead of us. While most were headed down to the Staten Island Ferry, I skipped off at Grand Central to head over to Covenant House where they had arranged a bus to take us over to the start. There were about ten of us on the bus, and it was great not to have to be alone in the hours before the race. We passed around bagels and water and us rookies tried to cram into our heads any last minute advice we could glean off of the pros.
We got to the start area pretty early, at 6:30. By 6:45 we were huddled under a tree, on cardboard boxes to protect us from the wet ground. It was raining just slightly, but improving by the minute. We had about 3 hours wait time before the start of the race. I dont know why, but we ended up sitting right next to the religious ceremonies tent, so there was all this cheesy, off-pitch singing going on. I mean religious opinions aside, its just not what I wanted to hear when I was trying to focus on running. But the good part was the line for the porta-potties was far shorter over there and there was a lot more space to walk around. I was feeling pretty good, but worried about not having ran in two weeks and about my hip which was feeling worse than ever. But I hoped it was just nerves.
Getting off the buses and entering the waiting areas
The Verrazano Bridge looming ominously above us
Runners were camped out everywhere.
Our little tree under which we huddled for 3 hours
After a painfully long waiting period, 10:00 finally came around and we checked our bags and lined up in our starting gates. With 40,000 people in the race, it was amazing how well organized this thing was. There were three wave starts spaced 20 minutes apart. I was in the middle one. Each wave had 7 corals which divided runners by their projected pace. I lined up next to a french guy (who was trying to figure out in broken english if he was in the right place or not) and a guy in a furry tiger suit.
Yours truly, about 3 minutes before the start
Frank Sinatra was playing at the start :)
As the gun went off I didn't really feel a huge whoosh of emotion, it was more like, "well, here goes!" But as we ran over the Verrazano Bridge it was really amazing. The views, the people all around, the excitement, filling with runners a bridge that normally is packed with cars going 50 miles an hour - it was just amazing. So amazing that I whipped out my camera to snap some pics!!
You can see Manhattan in the background of this one
The crowds were so much fun. Tons of people came out to cheer - holding signs, handing out water bottles, yelling at the top of their lungs! There were also tons of bands set up with huge loud speakers all over the course. Probably every two miles or so. It was great! Everyone did the motions to the YMCA as we went by one. And I was super pumped when I ran by one playing C'mon n' Ride It http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_Zi-YSW3aQ
Going through all 5 boroughs was pretty spectacular. We started off in Staten Island, then went through Brooklyn, to Queens, into Manhattan, up to the Bronx, and then back into Manhattan, through Central Park to the finish. Here's a map of the course:
http://www.nycmarathon.org/documents/INGNYCM09_Map_Large_Rev_100909.pdf
Going through Williamsburg was really strange and almost eerie because that part of the neighborhood is nearly all made up of Hasidic Jews so there werent really any crowds cheering, just people dressed in black milling around and staring silently at us as we ran by. haha. But it was so strange that I really enjoyed that part of the race!
First Ave is the part that's supposed to have the best crowds. And man did I need it coming off the Queensboro Bridge! That thing was brutal. over a mile of just steady uphill with no aid stations, right at the 16 mile mark. So I was really struggling at that point. I had started off wary of my hip, but then at 7 miles or so I was still feeling pretty good, so I thought it might be okay. But when I got into Manhattan I really was wiped. All my joints hurt and I was just not feeling good. But I knew my sister and all the Covenant House crowd would be cheering at mile 17, so I kept on going. The crowds on first ave were great. It was great going right by my apartment and seeing the streets I normally walk down every day filled with people cheering. I almost missed my sister, but luckily she's tenacious and a good screamer, so I got a quick hug from her and Alvin and kept on truckin'.
At mile 17 I so wanted to walk, and I did for about two steps but then told myself, "NO!" and picked it up again. That lasted about a mile. I was just so achy and with every step my quads were taking turns cramping and I was afraid I was going to hurt myself. So, with great reluctance I slowed to a walk (hobble?). Luckily, I spotted another Covenant House Runner just ahead of me who was also walking. So I jogged up to him and turns out his knee had blown out and he was taking breaks and alternating between running and jogging. His name was Ezra. It was really nice to have somebody to talk to so I didnt wallow in my disappointment of having to walk. Plus he kept me at a pretty good walking pace. It was his first marathon too. We ended up walking miles 19, 20, and 21 together, from Harlem to the last bit of Queens. But on our last little jogging stint I noticed I was feeling better and might be able to keep it up for a bit, so I said goodbye to my new friend and went on ahead. I still had hope of finishing under 5 hours!
The last 4 miles went by surprisingly fast actually. I had the worst expression on my face I'm sure, and I felt like crying multiple times, but I actually really liked the last bit. Around mile 23 they handed out wet sponges and I rubbed it all over my face in pure ecstasy. Soooo refreshing. Fifth Ave was so beautiful with all the fall colors in the leaves and Central Park to my right and then once we hit Central Park it was almost all downhill for the last two miles. And the crowds were really great. People knew we were almost there and that we were all hurting, so they cheered extra loud and it really helped sooo much. Plus I run in Central Park a lot, so I knew the course. The last 400 meters was soo hard, but once I saw the finish line everything was better. I finished in 4:47:17! Under 5 hours! I was so glad I was able to do that even with some walking in there.
Here's a link to a NY Times album of faces at the finish. Pretty entertaining. (the guy in the tiger suit is face #261)
http://www.nytimes.com/packages/html/sports/20091101-marathon-finish-line/
Its funny, after the finish I was totally numb. They handed me my space blanket and my medal and I just clung to the shiny metallic plastic and hobbled forward in this huge mass of finishers wimpering. hahaha it wasnt the euphoric experience I had expected!! I felt more like an abused little puppy. Hahaha not that I didnt enjoy myself!!! It just took me a little bit to gain some energy and get over the fact that my time was so much slower than I had anticipated. It took what seemed like forever to wade through the masses, find the UPS truck that had brought my bag from the start line, and make my way onto Park Ave to meet my sister and Alvin. My friends Ariadne and Danielle also caught up with us and we went down to the East Village for dinner. I decided to go for the all-American choice - a burger and beer. Delicious!! I was pretty self-conscious wearing my running clothes and this junky space blanket around this nice restaurant, but my friends told me to wear my medal with pride, and so I did. It was fun getting a few congratulations from strangers on the street as we walked down the sidewalk. I felt very proud :)
Danielle, Me, and Ariadne (left to right) at DGBG
So, this is it. My journey to my first marathon, which began with a few impulsive clicks of a computer mouse has finally ended!! Next time I'll take that last month of training more seriously, but hey - I' had a great experience and such a fun time along the way and I'm totally looking forward to the next one!! Im thinking maybe Los Angeles in March? We'll see. I dont know about this running in the winter business.
Thanks so much to everyone who has followed my progress and to all the people who supported my efforts either through donations to Covenant House or through encouragement along the way. Together we raised $3,305 for this great organization! 110% of my goal - isn't that the Girl Scout way? The team together raised over $100,000. Isn't that amazing? Just 25 people did that! I'm so inspired and encouraged by the unexpected generosity of strangers. I definitely would encourage anyone to do some fundraising for charity if you get the chance! I've definitely enjoyed it.
All the names of my super fantastic, generous friends and family!
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"A race is a work of art that people can look at and be affected
in as many ways they’re capable of understanding." --Pre
