Finisher!
I awoke yesterday, race day, to pouring rain, thunder and occasional flashes of lightning. My heart sank. I had known that there was a threat of thundershowers, but I hadn't expected to see them before I even headed out the door!
I quickly dressed, snarfed down a half bowl of cheerios and a little orange juice, grabbed an old umbrella and rain jacket (items I wouldn't mind disposing of as I ran) and headed out.
When I got there I found more bad news: my assigned line-up position was approximately a mile north of the start line, meaning that if we did the usual shuffle up to the front, it would be about 20 minutes after the horn sounded before I'd actually do any running. Considering I was already a 1/2 hour early, I resigned myself to quite a while of waiting around.
Despite all these ominous signs at the beginning, though, the race went rather well. While I didn't achieve the pace I had hoped for, I still finished well under the 3 hour limit and felt rather good afterward. I stopped for fluids more than I usually do in race conditions, but boy did that Gatorade taste great as the miles went by! I loved the bands, the spirit and signs from the crowds, the quirkiness of some of the runners (one juggled three balls as he ran, another dribbled a basketball), and the dedication of the volunteers.
I was almost overcome with emotion to the point of tears as I left Central Park and started up 7th Avenue, seeing the street closed off just for us and the lines of spectators who were there to cheer us on. About halfway along the avenue, volunteers handed out cool sponges which I used to wipe the sweat off my face and neck -- it felt wonderful!
By the 11th mile, my knee was really bothering me and I walked longer than usual after my Gatorade break. Big mistake. I should have remembered from my 8-miler how deadly a long stop can be and it hurt tremendously when I started up again, and probably took well over 200 meters before I regained my grove. I must be aware of this on marathon day: if I just keep plugging along, even at a slow jog, I will be far better off than if I try to walk it out.
I saw my family just before the finish. I had been a little worried that I would miss them since I had called to tell them to hold off since I had expected quite a delay to my start (but ended up going over the tape less than 3 minutes after the horn). I was so proud and happy that they were there!
It felt good to be done and to know that I can do it. It gives me great confidence for November!!
I quickly dressed, snarfed down a half bowl of cheerios and a little orange juice, grabbed an old umbrella and rain jacket (items I wouldn't mind disposing of as I ran) and headed out.
When I got there I found more bad news: my assigned line-up position was approximately a mile north of the start line, meaning that if we did the usual shuffle up to the front, it would be about 20 minutes after the horn sounded before I'd actually do any running. Considering I was already a 1/2 hour early, I resigned myself to quite a while of waiting around.
Despite all these ominous signs at the beginning, though, the race went rather well. While I didn't achieve the pace I had hoped for, I still finished well under the 3 hour limit and felt rather good afterward. I stopped for fluids more than I usually do in race conditions, but boy did that Gatorade taste great as the miles went by! I loved the bands, the spirit and signs from the crowds, the quirkiness of some of the runners (one juggled three balls as he ran, another dribbled a basketball), and the dedication of the volunteers.
I was almost overcome with emotion to the point of tears as I left Central Park and started up 7th Avenue, seeing the street closed off just for us and the lines of spectators who were there to cheer us on. About halfway along the avenue, volunteers handed out cool sponges which I used to wipe the sweat off my face and neck -- it felt wonderful!
By the 11th mile, my knee was really bothering me and I walked longer than usual after my Gatorade break. Big mistake. I should have remembered from my 8-miler how deadly a long stop can be and it hurt tremendously when I started up again, and probably took well over 200 meters before I regained my grove. I must be aware of this on marathon day: if I just keep plugging along, even at a slow jog, I will be far better off than if I try to walk it out.
I saw my family just before the finish. I had been a little worried that I would miss them since I had called to tell them to hold off since I had expected quite a delay to my start (but ended up going over the tape less than 3 minutes after the horn). I was so proud and happy that they were there!
It felt good to be done and to know that I can do it. It gives me great confidence for November!!
posted by Insider Travel Guides at 4:12 PM
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