THE NYC Marathon - Race Day!
And the day is finally here - it's race day!!!
With my daughter Zoe being sick and me not feeling ready for this race mentally, it was a tough night. I probably got a total of 2 hours sleep and at some point I just wanted it to be morning, so I could get it started! That morning was also day light savings time, so we all were up around 5am. I was planning on meeting Laura (one of the other winners) at the Subway station. Funny we had our hotels in the same corner!
I was still battling my cold, but only had a super stuffy and runny nose. No body aches or headaches or anything. I took a bunch of tissues with me and was hoping that will be enough.
I got dressed and ready to go and I felt really awful leaving my sick daughter and husband, even shed some tears. But I told myself for all what they had to endure, I better make this race count! So shortly before 7am, I left the room and within minutes saw Laura. We got along really well from the beginning and were chatting the whole time! She really helped me to relax!
Usually I don't eat before my long runs, but with the start time of 10:40 (actually 11:40 due to daylight saving time) I needed to get some food in. I ate a half plain toast and took some pretzls with me. I didn't force myself to eat, but if I would get hungry, I would snack on them. I was a little worried if I had enough calories, since I didn't eat much the 2 days prior either.
The metro ride was super easy, no crowds, we got a seat and straight shot to the Staten Island Ferry. It took about 22 minutes and the fare was $2.75.
Once we got out of the subway, the hall of the ferry was full of people. Within a few minutes though the next ferry arrived and we were able to get on the 7:30 ferry (instead of the 8:15 one we were supposed to go). All the people easily fit on the ferry and we even got window seats on the right side - Statue of Liberty view).
We kept chatting and we also took some pictures and before we knew it we were in Staten Island! Here was the first time we had to wait a long time. For some reason there was a long line for the buses, but since we just kept talking, the time flew by. Once on the bus, we again got a seat and we took off. Right before the start village there was some hold up, not sure why and it took a long time for us to get off the bus. Once we got off, police was right there and checked bags.
But security was fast and at 9:45 we were at the starter village. Laura's start time was 10:15, so we said goodbye and good luck and she took off to the start. The starter village was huge!
I decided to look for my corral first, glad I did, since the orange start and hang out area are quite large and a good walk between both of them. Around 10 am I was at my corral and waited for it to open up.
I sat down organized my bags and also got rid of all my clothes. It was sunny and almost 50, so decided to start with t-shirt and arm warmers. Sent a few quick messages to family and friends, got my headset out to motivated me with music and the goose bumps started! Such an amazing feeling at the start village! Awesome view of the Verezano Bridge, too!
Before I knew it, they opened my corral and we lined up in there, there were again porta potties (which I used, maybe one person in front of me) and I got rid of the rest of my clothes. There are plenty of porta potties, I saw some lines, but if you walked maybe 10 potties further, there was usually an empty row. Also, clothes, keep them on as long as you want, they have Goodwill bins everywhere, even when you line up for the start. We finally made it onto the bridge and the canon went off and New York New York blasted through the speaker! Goose bumps right then and there! It was just such an amazing feeling to finally be one of those runners I watched for many years on tv! The weather could have not been better- 50 sunny and no wind!
The first mile was up the Verezano Bridge and I was worried it would be super steep, but with the adrenaline and the amazing view of the Manhattan skyline, I didn't even feel it. I told myself to take it easy and to really take it all in.
The 2nd mile was downhill and I felt amazing! I was looking forward to seeing my family at Mile 3
Before I knew it, I was at mile 3 and luckily saw Zoe's Paw Patrol balloon. To my surprise, my father and mother in law were there, my brother in law, as well as 2 friends of us with the whole family. They all made it to the race just to see me running! What an amazing feeling to see them! I only had a few seconds and totally forget to tell them, thank you! It was a huge boost for the next few miles and a moment that still gives me goose bumps!
I just kept running along and felt great, I walked every water station to drink a sip from my tailwind bomb (8 scoops of lemon flavor in my handheld). It was a lot and I only took a sip when I had water in my hands. Before I knew it I already made it to another water stop!
The miles just flew by, around mile 8 it got a little congested and my pace dropped a little, but I still felt good. I kept looking for Mike and Zoe but didn't want to waste too much energy and at some point just kept running and enjoyed the crowds.
And the crowds were out of the world! Amazing signs and music and they offered food and drinks. But the most impressive thing was the way they cheered you on. I was told to wear my name on my shirt and I literally heard my name at least once a minute. They looked into your eyes and deeply meant what they said. It felt so amazing.
I think the best way to describe it is: when you walk into a football stadium as the home team and everyone cheers for you and calls you by name. And that for the whole race!! felt like a true super star!
Before I knew it we hit mile 13 - half way! I was told the race is quite hilly, but the first half was super flat! I loved it, but right at the half way point (2:05), was a short steep bridge. My legs felt fine and I just kept going. The pace felt easy and like I could go forever. My next goal was the Queens borough Bridge at mile 15/16. On the bridge my Garmin lost signal for a little bit, but the fun part was right after, the mileage matched the mile markers again. Before the bridge my avg pace was around a 9:25, and after it was around a 9:35. Either way, I was on PR course and felt great!
The bridge is one of the few places where they don't have spectators and it didn't bother me. I was still wearing my cheap throwaway headset and just kept going. Even the uphill didn't bother me. My legs felt good and I passed quite some walkers. There was an ambulance on the bridge (only people allowed other than runners). They had all windows open and blasted music from the speaker and danced, loved it! The whole city is just a big party!
Right after the bridge we hit 1st Ave and it was a lot of people! Many people think this is the best part, but somehow I enjoyed the miles in Brooklyn more, not sure why, maybe because I saw my family there. Again, I felt like a celebrity and just took it all in! Walked my water stations and just kept going.
My next goal was to make it fresh to mile 20. On the way there, I saw a guy from Germany, talked to him for a little bit and he was also in aww how amazing this race is. At the next water stop I walked and he kept going. I just kept enjoying the miles tick by and before I knew it, I hit mile 20, still feeling really good!
I knew miles 20-23 were a little hilly and just kept my pace. I really didn't want to feel bad and just wanted to finish feeling strong and amazing. Plus at that point, I knew I could finish around a 4:10. I was hoping to see Mike and Zoe around mile 25 and was looking forward to seeing them. It was a little tougher to run since there were many walkers now, but I just cruised around them and loved seeing the trees in Central Park with bright yellow and red leaves. Such a beautiful day!!
Crowds are going crazy at this point. I saw Mike, Zoe and my Mother in Law in the last mile, gave them a quick squeeze and then booked it to the finish! I felt so good and just fist pumped the air! I just freaking ran the NYC marathon and felt on top of the world! My last mile was around 9 min/mile and the last 0.2 a 8:23! 2nd half of the race was 2:07, only 2 minutes slower than the first half. I have never run such an even paced race! Plus, the 2nd half is supposed to be hillier. The hills never bothered me, I didn't even see them.
My finish time: 4:12:24 - a 11 min PR!! And that while feeling awesome! I could not have asked for a better race!! So proud of myself for being able to mentally pull this off!
We got our foil blanket and just kept walking. I wish they had water sooner, but we got our medals - sooo beautiful!
Shortly after they gave us our recovery bags. It was a bag pack which included water, gatorade and food. So genius, it kept the line going and you could just hang it around you and still have your hands free. I made it to the ponchos and by that time I was actually getting cold and soo thankful for them. OMG, those ponchos are amazing, so soft inside and warm! A must for NYC, do NOT check bags and opt for the poncho! Plus the walking was a lot shorter for the poncho line.
After we got the poncho we were able to exit the finisher area. Mike couldn't make it to the finisher area, because the streets around that fountain were still kind of blocked due to the race. I told him to wait on the other side and I slowly made it back there. It took me an hour from finishing to meeting him on 57th street. Poor Zoe was sleeping in the back pack.
We said goodbye to Nana and went back to the hotel. It was so nice and worth it to have a room so close! Especially after Mike was at mile 3, they made it back to the hotel to rest and eat and then they were able to see me at the finish. The live tracking on my Garmin worked really well!! And then we relaxed at the room, I took a shower, Mike got us deli dinner again and I was way to wired to sleep! :) This race and day was a dream come true and while writing this 2 weeks later I still have goose bums! I just can't describe how amazing this race was, the city just really knows how to celebrate the race and you as an individual. If you can make it into this race, DO IT! It's totally worth the huge fee! NYC Marathon you truly MOVED ME!
The next morning I found my name in the NY Times as well! It's just the little things, that make this race so special!
After the race my phone was flooded with messages from friends and family, which made me so proud and happy! What I didn't expect was even on the FARC (running club) website people were cheering for me!!
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Here are some statistics:
With my daughter Zoe being sick and me not feeling ready for this race mentally, it was a tough night. I probably got a total of 2 hours sleep and at some point I just wanted it to be morning, so I could get it started! That morning was also day light savings time, so we all were up around 5am. I was planning on meeting Laura (one of the other winners) at the Subway station. Funny we had our hotels in the same corner!
I was still battling my cold, but only had a super stuffy and runny nose. No body aches or headaches or anything. I took a bunch of tissues with me and was hoping that will be enough.
I got dressed and ready to go and I felt really awful leaving my sick daughter and husband, even shed some tears. But I told myself for all what they had to endure, I better make this race count! So shortly before 7am, I left the room and within minutes saw Laura. We got along really well from the beginning and were chatting the whole time! She really helped me to relax!
Usually I don't eat before my long runs, but with the start time of 10:40 (actually 11:40 due to daylight saving time) I needed to get some food in. I ate a half plain toast and took some pretzls with me. I didn't force myself to eat, but if I would get hungry, I would snack on them. I was a little worried if I had enough calories, since I didn't eat much the 2 days prior either.
The metro ride was super easy, no crowds, we got a seat and straight shot to the Staten Island Ferry. It took about 22 minutes and the fare was $2.75.
We kept chatting and we also took some pictures and before we knew it we were in Staten Island! Here was the first time we had to wait a long time. For some reason there was a long line for the buses, but since we just kept talking, the time flew by. Once on the bus, we again got a seat and we took off. Right before the start village there was some hold up, not sure why and it took a long time for us to get off the bus. Once we got off, police was right there and checked bags.
I decided to look for my corral first, glad I did, since the orange start and hang out area are quite large and a good walk between both of them. Around 10 am I was at my corral and waited for it to open up.
Right after the bridge we hit 1st Ave and it was a lot of people! Many people think this is the best part, but somehow I enjoyed the miles in Brooklyn more, not sure why, maybe because I saw my family there. Again, I felt like a celebrity and just took it all in! Walked my water stations and just kept going.
My next goal was to make it fresh to mile 20. On the way there, I saw a guy from Germany, talked to him for a little bit and he was also in aww how amazing this race is. At the next water stop I walked and he kept going. I just kept enjoying the miles tick by and before I knew it, I hit mile 20, still feeling really good!
I knew miles 20-23 were a little hilly and just kept my pace. I really didn't want to feel bad and just wanted to finish feeling strong and amazing. Plus at that point, I knew I could finish around a 4:10. I was hoping to see Mike and Zoe around mile 25 and was looking forward to seeing them. It was a little tougher to run since there were many walkers now, but I just cruised around them and loved seeing the trees in Central Park with bright yellow and red leaves. Such a beautiful day!!
My finish time: 4:12:24 - a 11 min PR!! And that while feeling awesome! I could not have asked for a better race!! So proud of myself for being able to mentally pull this off!
The next morning I found my name in the NY Times as well! It's just the little things, that make this race so special!
After the race my phone was flooded with messages from friends and family, which made me so proud and happy! What I didn't expect was even on the FARC (running club) website people were cheering for me!!
Leslie Jean Rigby Kash So
much fun tracking you! Despite your cold and Zoe’s bronchitis you did
amazing!!! Looking forward to hearing all the details! Did you get to
meet your coach?
Christine Weisman Leslie Jean Rigby Kash unfortunately not, but wow, you have to do this race! It's unbelievable!
Leslie Jean Rigby Kash Christine Weisman , Chris Badaloto has been telling me the same thing! Who is in for 2019? FARCers road trip!
Christine Weisman Leslie Jean Rigby Kash I would run it every year if I could. It truly ruined any future marathon for me!
Christine Weisman Leslie Jean Rigby Kash a friend of mine ran Chicago last month and she said, it was day and night! She liked Chicago, but loved nyc!
Carol Isobe Widman Great job Christine! Your pace was so consistent; and you had a cold?! I noticed Leslie’s comment; were you coached online?
Christine Weisman Carol Isobe Widman
Yes I came down with a cold on Monday, but felt good, just a little
runny nose. I actually won the entrance to this race and free coaching
by Allie Kieffer (she finished last year 5th and this year 7th!)
Here are some statistics:
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