In honor of its latest installation on Sunday, today I'm writing about the NYC Marathon. The race, like the city, is unlike any other. I lived in NYC for five fall marathon seasons, and participated in the NYC marathon three of those seasons (one season no marathon, one season Brooklyn Marathon). All that to say, I certainly got swept up in the excitement.
Before the actual marathon, you experience the marathon of getting to the starting line. This entails a super early wake up (though often on the night of you gain an hour of sleep for Daylight Savings), transport to the Staten Island Ferry, the actual ferry ride, bus from the ferry station to the start village, and then actually locating your wave and corral.
The race staff and volunteers are incredible by and large, but I did encounter one "soup Nazi" type who turned away about 30 runners (myself included) who were 30 seconds late to line up at the corral due to a bus delay (the third time I ran the race). After the comparatively empty Wave 1 took off (so many of us missed it!), I lined up in Wave 2 and my rage propelled me to the start of the starting line...so I did gain the incredible experience of being RIGHT THERE when the gun went off.
Anyway. The pre-race logistical marathon is certainly worth it. I did my best to stay calm and not waste energy. I stretched, read magazines, and had the second half of my breakfast. I had tears of joy in my eyes all three times I started the race, feeling so grateful for my ability to run, for the privilege of living in NYC, and for being around so many beautiful people pursuing their own greatness that day.
My advice to anyone running the NYC marathon would be: buckle up and enjoy the ride. Yes, it's super crowded, but it's better to begin a marathon slowly anyhow and weaving around folks can prove to be a futile effort. By about the 3-mile mark, you will be able to follow your own natural pace.
Wow, writing this recap makes me want to enter the race again. It is such an emotional journey...I had a different experience all three years! My first year, we had a 30mph headwind the entire time (with the exception of running down Fifth Avenue), with 50mph gusts. My second year, it was beautiful and I got my PR. My third year, I ran sick and honestly wanted to walk starting at the Queensborough Bridge, yet I persisted and finished in under four hours. (Shout out to my husband for that one.)
The crowds leading right up to the finish line are something else. That final hill by Tavern on the Green is a hill you do feel, but man do the cheers power you through it. Marathons truly bring out the best in humanity--from the organizers and volunteers, to the runners, to the spectators.
After you finish, of course all you will want to do is celebrate, so my advice is to make a plan to get home/meet up with anyone cheering you on in advance. The first time I ran the marathon, my husband and I assumed we would finish together but didn't--he had the credit card, I had the subway card. At the time, we lived on the Upper East Side. The Upper East Side is basically impossible to get to via subway from the Upper West Side because of the park, the race, security...AHHH! Long story short, I had to walk THREE miles after running a marathon because I had only a subway card and no money.
Another bit of advice--if you decide to throw yourself an after party at your apartment, bump back the time to allow for such catastrophes. People were at my apartment hanging out when I busted through looking like I'd been through hell and back in a hurry to take a shower. All's well that ends well, and we had a great time. (After marathons two and three, the only after party that was had featured an assortment of dinner entrees from our favorite restaurants with our Netflix binge show of choice playing in the background.)
Before the actual marathon, you experience the marathon of getting to the starting line. This entails a super early wake up (though often on the night of you gain an hour of sleep for Daylight Savings), transport to the Staten Island Ferry, the actual ferry ride, bus from the ferry station to the start village, and then actually locating your wave and corral.
The race staff and volunteers are incredible by and large, but I did encounter one "soup Nazi" type who turned away about 30 runners (myself included) who were 30 seconds late to line up at the corral due to a bus delay (the third time I ran the race). After the comparatively empty Wave 1 took off (so many of us missed it!), I lined up in Wave 2 and my rage propelled me to the start of the starting line...so I did gain the incredible experience of being RIGHT THERE when the gun went off.
Anyway. The pre-race logistical marathon is certainly worth it. I did my best to stay calm and not waste energy. I stretched, read magazines, and had the second half of my breakfast. I had tears of joy in my eyes all three times I started the race, feeling so grateful for my ability to run, for the privilege of living in NYC, and for being around so many beautiful people pursuing their own greatness that day.
My advice to anyone running the NYC marathon would be: buckle up and enjoy the ride. Yes, it's super crowded, but it's better to begin a marathon slowly anyhow and weaving around folks can prove to be a futile effort. By about the 3-mile mark, you will be able to follow your own natural pace.
- Staten Island | You will hardly notice the Verazanno bridge--take in the views and relish the moment that you begin this incredible 26.2 mile journey.
- Brooklyn | It's a party and you're feeling good. Ride that high, but don't go faster than you should be at that point.
- Queens | Still incredible support, but things get a bit quieter. Some folks who sprinted through Brooklyn start walking at the half marathon mark. Remember that every mile is a gift, and you are getting closer and closer to First Avenue.
- Manhattan, Round I | The Queensborough Bridge is dead silent, but you can hear the intoxicating(ed?) roar of the First Avenue crowds on the Upper East Side as you exit. Like Brooklyn, it's a party. Soak in the First Avenue Upper East Side energy and use it to power you through Harlem.
- Bronx | It's a quick in-and-out trip, but people will be cheering for you. Remember, this turnaround means you are heading south towards the finish!
- Manhattan, Round II | The start of Fifth Avenue is lonely, and uphill, but keep remembering how lucky you are to be running this marathon and know that huge crowds await. Once you turn into Central Park, you are in the home stretch. Put your blinders on and give this everything you've got.
Wow, writing this recap makes me want to enter the race again. It is such an emotional journey...I had a different experience all three years! My first year, we had a 30mph headwind the entire time (with the exception of running down Fifth Avenue), with 50mph gusts. My second year, it was beautiful and I got my PR. My third year, I ran sick and honestly wanted to walk starting at the Queensborough Bridge, yet I persisted and finished in under four hours. (Shout out to my husband for that one.)
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| Mile 17 and pumped up! (2014) |
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| Heading towards a PR in Central Park. (2015) |
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| Post-marathon, feeling grateful and exhausted. (2016) |
The crowds leading right up to the finish line are something else. That final hill by Tavern on the Green is a hill you do feel, but man do the cheers power you through it. Marathons truly bring out the best in humanity--from the organizers and volunteers, to the runners, to the spectators.
After you finish, of course all you will want to do is celebrate, so my advice is to make a plan to get home/meet up with anyone cheering you on in advance. The first time I ran the marathon, my husband and I assumed we would finish together but didn't--he had the credit card, I had the subway card. At the time, we lived on the Upper East Side. The Upper East Side is basically impossible to get to via subway from the Upper West Side because of the park, the race, security...AHHH! Long story short, I had to walk THREE miles after running a marathon because I had only a subway card and no money.
Another bit of advice--if you decide to throw yourself an after party at your apartment, bump back the time to allow for such catastrophes. People were at my apartment hanging out when I busted through looking like I'd been through hell and back in a hurry to take a shower. All's well that ends well, and we had a great time. (After marathons two and three, the only after party that was had featured an assortment of dinner entrees from our favorite restaurants with our Netflix binge show of choice playing in the background.)
The Run Down
- Type: Race Course
- Distance: Marathon
- Location: NYC
- Terrain: Rolling hills
- Hydration/nutrition: NYRR has you covered! This is the most organized event of all time and there is a seemingly endless supply of water and Gatorade, with a few stops featuring extra goodies such as Gu.
- Bathrooms: All over!
- Other conditions to consider: Run this race for the incredible experience, not for a PR. If it happens, that is amazing, and if not, who cares! The course itself is challenging with bridges and hills in Central Park; the crowded field is not to be overlooked; and the wind can be relentless. Run it to experience NYC and celebrate...this marathon is the biggest block party you've ever been to.
- Recommended? Yes
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