NYC marathon 2014 was
by far my favorite marathon to date, even though I had already run it in
2010. This year I ran it for a fun time
and the NYC crowds know how to give a girl just that! Every borough, every street, every
intersection was overflowing with sign-holding, spirit-lifting, high-fiving,
cheering, roaring spectators! I'm not
sure which was working harder, the runners or the watchers. I was in complete awe of these bundled up,
early risers standing in gusting cold winds just to say great job, you're
looking great, you CAN do it! It seemed
as if it was just as important to these complete strangers that we finish as it
was to us. They wanted and seemed to need to high five us and encourage us.
I always dedicate my races to someone because
I know that there are those out there suffering and can't or don't think that they
can run. It's my thought that if I am an
example that maybe one day someone will say, hey, if she can do it, well I most
certainly can, too. Well, it occurred to
me on the streets of NYC that these peeps were counting on us, each of us that
will make the whole, to finish. We are
the example of something to them--determination, hard work, dedication, grit,
or maybe just crazy and entertaining.
Whatever it was they had all gathered to watch their own loved ones or
maybe just us, the NYC marathon runners, because today was the day to celebrate
the runners and their streets--a little place they like to call home. We were welcomed with enthusiasm and it made
you feel like you could fly (along with the wind, I thought it was going to
actually be possible a few times)!
I ran NYC with a dear
friend, Luis. We had a grand time on our
amazing race, which started in Garner as we traveled by car to Charlotte at 4
am on Saturday morning, made a drop off of some precious cargo at Shannon's
house, and then switched cars to be dropped off at the airport. Next we were
flown to NYC, grabbed a taxi, made a pit stop at the grand Roosevelt Hotel and
then hoofed it to Grand Central Station to catch a bus to the expo. One of the top two expos on my list (with
Marine Corps Marathon being my fav to
date). Did all that we needed to do, got
my pic with Bart Yasso, and then we hear the announcement that ALL Asics
apparel is 50% off. What?! It was the
last hour and this stuff needed to go.
We helped them get rid of some of it.
Luis looks mighty spiffy in his new jacket.
Now we had to get
back to the hotel, but the shuttle buses were bursting out the seams and lines
were streaming down the sidewalks. It
was cold and rainy, but we decided that it would be in our best interest to
walk up a bit and catch a cab, and so did a few hundred other folks. We walked
a good ways and then caught a cab. He took us a good portion of the way, but
made a wrong turn, so out of the cab and back on foot. Walk, walk, stop by for a bottle of wine,
stop by Tony's Di Napoli to make dinner reservations (highly recommended
Italian restaurant) and then walk back to hotel. Finally feet up for 30
minutes, glass of wine and then out (by cab) to Tony's to stuff ourselves with
family-style pasta dishes. We got the lobster-stuffed ravioli with shrimp, spinach,
tomatoes and garlic in a wine sauce and a platter of Ala Vodka sauce with penne
pasta and we all three ordered dessert for later! We wobbled like Templeton the rat back
home.
Time for some race
prep made easy-peasy with the assistance of the flatman creation. We were sure to be prepared by laying it all
out. Now feet up and dessert time. Yum. Bedtime
at 9:15, but wait it will really be like 8:15 with the time change. Very nice
plus for a race weekend! Luckily, I had
gotten my ferry time changed so that Luis and I could travel together and I
gained two more hours by doing so.
We headed out by 6:45
and caught the subway to Staten Island Ferry (arrived in less than 30
min.). Hung out for a while people
watching and then on the ferry, meeting a few folks and getting a great view of
The Lady, herself, Ms. Liberty--a sweet reminder of why life is good for us and
that life could be worse. Off the ferry,
and...
Into the ferry
station to watch and hear some more people, (so many different languages) more meetings
of interesting people and then out the door to the buses! Wait!
Is that the wind gust they were talking about? Yes, and worse than they had predicted and a
lot worse than what I had expected. Now,
I was finally a little worried. We
waited a good while here huddled up to our fellow runners and eavesdropping
without intending to so on everyone's conversations, sharing warmth and some
unintentional snuggles, too. We were all
saying the same things, so not too much juicy gossip--runners, especially during
a race, speak runner's talk--what kind of shoes are those, do you have goal
time, is this your first marathon. Luis
and I did meet an interesting fellow that talked about a variety of things from
car thievery, and stock market to living as a musician and playing the guitar
in some well known musicals. After a
good bit of waiting, we are now on the bus with a new set of folks. I watched their faces--some looked really
nervous and others looked ready to get this thing going. Bus ride was kind of long, but it was nice to
be warm and sitting down.
Off the bus and
patted down and wand-ed for weapons--really. The police presence was large and
appreciated. I felt safe and secure at
all times. One last stop to the potty, where we struck up yet another conversation
with interesting peeps and then a dash for the starting corral. Yikes, our dash was a more like where do we
go and hopping over discarded clothing.
The starting corrals were littered with every sort of clothing and brand
name you can imagine. Comforters, sleeping bags, towels, snuggies, pajamas,
robes, sweat shirts and pants, fleece jackets, puffy coats, down filled coats,
heavy winter coats, flannel shirts, business suits, hats, scarves, gloves,
socks, and more hats, and the brand names were well represented--Asics, Adidas,
North Face, Patagonia, REI, Nike, Dunkin Donut, and more!
We made it to our
corral and took off most of our own extra clothing, but found it necessary to
keep our Tyvek jackets on. We watched some runners passing by as we were
waiting for our own start and then figured out that they were our start (!)--so
off to join them.
The course is so much
about the people and I think I've pretty much given you a good idea about them.
There are many great bands and music on this course and they are playing stuff
you recognize, but I should insert a warning here--this will make you want to
stop and dance or at least play a little air guitar or drums. Aid stations are loaded in Gatorade and water
with gels offered around mile 18. Sadly,
no PB&Js or hot potato soup for me.
How does one survive on Gatorade and gels alone? And, yuck!
The course is pavement all the way, with five bridges that offer great
views and pic opportunities.
The
Verrazano-Narrows Bridge is by far the most spectacular of the lot. There's a whole lot of running to be done on
this one and it is impressive. On our
trip across the Verrazano we saw bags dancing in the air above our heads and
clothing being swept over the side by the 55 mph wind gusts and taking the dive into the deep, cold
waters below. The wind was bossy and it
was trying to clean this bridge of everything that did not belong, including us
runners. At one point, my left leg was
blown into my right leg and almost tipped me over! This happened to Luis later on in the race as
well! It felt like we were being swept up into the cyclone that took Dorothy to
Oz--we were blown two steps forward only to be blown two steps back. It was exhilarating and it made me laugh out
loud many times. The many signs on the
course certainly helped to distract from any low points and added A LOT humor
to the course, albeit, some of them are twisted! The crowds are NEVER-ending and they are
always encouraging and the miles seem to disappear and before you know it
you're at mile 20--that's where the fun run begins! I love that last six in any marathon.
The ice cream on top
of the apple pie a la mode is when you turn the corner to go into Central Park
and see the street lined with crowds of spectators that will not let you stop
now--no way--you must keep on keeping on.
Here is where I saw my beautiful husband--I knew he wouldn't disappoint--time
for a quick kiss and a selfie.
One more turn, one
more band, more peeps, "Where's the finish?", he said. "I know that you can't see it yet, but I
promise when you get to that little turn there up ahead you will see it",
I replied. He saw it and he said, okay, let's go. The most beautiful words ever and my feet
responded accordingly.
Luis, you were
awesome! I had a wonderful time sharing
the streets of NYC with you. I loved
your excitement, enthusiasm and your high fives to the kids. I was grateful to have you to talk to during
my own low points and especially during my high points! I really loved it when you went "back
home". I wanted to shout to the
crowds, "This is Luis from the block!" It was great to be a part of this experience
with you and watch you dig deep and grow as a runner in so many ways.
After crossing the
finish line, well let's speed it up by saying we were medaled, space blanketed,
food bagged and after A LOT of walking, ultimately ponchoed (thanks Adam's
wife) and then out to meet JD at family spot U.
Found him, and began the long walk home, JD treated us to a ride part of
the way in a rickshaw, but the guy was pulling way too slow for his per minute
rate, so we opted to hoof it yet again back to the hotel and arrived 1 hr and
45 mins after crossing the finish line.
We treated ourselves to a hot meal, adult beverages and dessert in bed
(separate beds, of course!).
Luis and I had a
fabulous time and think that some of our friends and families should start
entering the lottery to get in--we'd love to go watch you! There are a few of you that we know would
absolutely love this race! Not going to
call you out by name but, Si, te encantara!
And Oui, vous aimeriez aussi!
Okay, I will call one of you out by name, Ryan B, I know you would love
it and I bet you could qualify for it!
Thanks, Big
Apple!
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