Tuesday, November 8, 2011

NYC Marathon Recap ...

Location: New York, NY
Date: 11/6/11
Temperature: 52 degrees
Official Time: 4:15:56 (9:47 pace)
Garmin Time: 4:15:58 for 26.86 miles (9:31 pace)
Place in Age Group (25-29): 964/2818
Place in Gender: 5183/16928
Overall Place: 20701/46795

The Good:

The Outfit - Epic, as always.

The Swag - Not only was the medal great (love the skyline) and the shirt actually something I would wear, as a member of Team Grassroot Soccer, I was given loads of great swag, including a team uniform furnished by Nike (tee, long sleeve top, capris and shoe laces), compression tights from 2XU, more SoyJoy bars and Muscle Milk than I will ever consume and of course, some Bengay for post-race recovery.

Meeting up with friends/bloggers/celebrities - As you know, Ethan Zohn is a co-founder of Grassroot Soccer and joined us on the marathon team.

But what you might not realize is that five other cast members from this season of the Amazing Race were on our team, as well as, former Survivors, Anthony Sullivan (of infomercial fame, he also made the name tag for my race shirt) and Aaron Scheidies, a 70.3 paratriathlon World Champion.

(the creation of my name tag)

While in NYC, I was also able to catch up with Kim, my Nuun Platuun vanmate, Melody, Miss Zippy and Molly.The Course Support - I'm sure that if you know anything about the NYC Marathon, it's that the course support is awesome. And it is. There is never a moment when you are alone. Someone is always cheering for you. Pushing you. It is an amazing feeling and reason alone to run this race.

A new half PR - I raced the first 16 miles of this race perfectly. I was right where I wanted to be and when I crossed the mat at the half split, I set a new PR of 1:56:18. That right there, made my race for me. I felt great at that point and I know I can crush the half distance. But do I get to count this one?

No Wall - As much as my legs died over the last 8 miles or so, I never hit the wall. I didn't want someone to drag my body off the course. And I didn't want to stop. Some days you just don't have enough, I may have had legs of lead, but my head was strong.

Post-race logistics - Although the runners were funneled out of Central Park on what seemed like a mile long path, the finish line area was super organized. Every runner received a space blanket, medal and bag full of food. Easy and efficient.

Not Seeing my Mom - My mom doesn't live nearby, so she rarely gets to see me race. Fortunately, she does live close to NYC, so she and my aunt were able to come see me run. They were stationed near the 25 mile marker and although, I never saw them, they saw me. And knowing they were in the crowd (and that I would get to celebrate with them post-race) was awesome.

The Bad:

The Course - I loved this course and I hated this course. It is truly awesome to run through all five boroughs, but the bridges are KILLER and the last six miles are pretty much uphill at just enough of an incline to drain your legs. By mile 25, I was wishing for the downhill finish of the Richmond Marathon.

Crowds - The course was so congested with runners that I found myself doing a lot of weaving, right up until the finish. Due to this, I ran .66 longer than 26.2, a total bummer since I missed a PR by only 8 SECONDS.

8 seconds - Did I mention I missed a PR by 8 seconds? How about the fact that I lapped my watch at 26.2 and it read 4:09:16? Yeah, I'm a little bit bitter about that.

Weather - I know that 52 degrees and sunny sounds like perfect conditions to run in, but honestly, it was too hot for my liking. I would have much preferred 42 degrees, as I was crazy hot any time I wasn't in the shade, which was pretty much all the time.

The Ugly:

The Queensboro Bridge - At mile 16, this is the steepest climb on the course. It was also the only time I recall there being any wind. It was brutal. I'd like to erase that bridge from my memory.

28 comments:

Jen said...

So awesome T. You are such an inspiration. I would love to watch you race... better yet, be in enough shape to keep up with you. You ROCK!

Running Ricig said...

I set a half PR at my marathon too and was almost more psyched about that than about finishing the marathon.

You did such an awesome job!!

Julia said...

you did so awesome!!!! congrats!

bobbi said...

you did OUTSTANDING on a super tough course. I'm happy to read that you are proud of your day, because you SHOULD be!

Rene' said...

Incredible! You are making me want to race NY now.
xoxo!

Finallyfit2011 said...

Whoo hoo what an awesome time!!! Ur helping inspire me to move onto a full marathon!!! :) Thank you!

MotherRunner said...

Woo!! Awesome race!

Marlene said...

Congrats T! Sounds like an awesome experience overall. Stings to miss the PR by such a small margin, but you have it what you had out there! Weaving is killer at the big races- makes me nervous for Boston & Chicago next year! Either way, you ran for a great cause and ran a pretty killer race, and looked fab OF COURSE! Hope you enjoyed your entire NYC weekend!

Amanda@runninghood said...

Great recap...easy to read and interesting. :) So happy for you. I so want to do this one someday!

The Jesse said...

congrats! sounds like you had an awesome race overall :) i'd love to do NYCM someday!

justme said...

what other survivor and amazing race folks ran ????

chloƫ. said...

My family waited for me after the Queensboro and the only thing I managed to shout out to them was "THAT BRIDGE SUCKED!" Oh Queensboro. We will never be friends.

It was great meeting you!! :)

Colorado Gal said...

You did so great! I really want to do NYC one day too :)

Unknown said...

great recap of the details, love the outfit, the PR at the 1/2, and that they were so organized at the finish!

Meredith said...

T, you did AMAZING!!!! You ARE amazing!!! Way to go!!

Jen Feeny said...

I think in this case you just gotta focus on the good, learn from the bad, and go kick some ass in Richmond! :)

Anonymous said...

That sounded great. Can't wait to experience it myself. Good job!

abbi said...

Congrats, great NYC marathon!

carrie said...

Congratulations T, you ROCK!!! Way to kill the 1/2 PR! Don't let the 8 seconds bring you down, you're GBA in my eyes!!!!! :-)

carrie said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
SupermomE13 said...

Congrats on a great race! I am bummed we didn't get to meet up. The weekend just flew by! Next time! :)

Anonymous said...

Awesome job T!! :D

Anonymous said...

Awesome, u did amazing and how nice to see your mom.

Anonymous said...

You really are a HUGE inspiration! I'm also starting to think the Richmond full might be a great post baby/first full marathon next year because of that down hill. I loved it last year when I ran the half!!!!!

Shellyrm ~ just a country runner said...

Congratulations! You totally PRed the marathon distance! You ran more than half a mile extra! And killed the half.
glad you got to celebrate post race with your mom. That's awesome.

Cynthia said...

You rocked NY! Congrats!!

MCM Mama said...

Great job on the race! Way to hit the half marathon PR!

Julie D. said...

Congrats, T. Lots to be proud of and what a cool experience!!! Go get'em this weekend!! good luck.