NYC Marathon - The Race

I started off running with a handful of folks from my team, including Emily, Jeff, and Natalie. Jeff was running around taking photos like a crazy man. The first mile over the bridge was really cold and windy and I wishes that I had held on to my sweatshirt and my headband. I made a mental note to remember that next year. (That should have been my first clue - mile 1 and I was already planning for my next marathon!) I also hoped that I would get lucky and run on the top of the bridge next time so I can see the iconic view at the start. We reached mile 1 in about 12 minutes. Mile 2 was downhill and I didn't realize it but we finished it in about 10 minutes. I should have stuck to my plan and walked every 10 minutes but I was with teammates and the adrenaline took over. But I knew I couldn't keep this up and shortly I decided that there was space enough for me to get over so I walked and let everyone go ahead. I was alone the rest of the route. Well, with 40,000 friends, of course.

Heading in Brooklyn was absolutely amazing. The crowds were cheering and had signs and held out tisses, water, slices of oranges, etc. Lots of cowbell! I was overcome with excitement and joy. And I was comfortable running and had eased into my run 10/walk 1 combo by this point, though at some points it was difficult to get off the the side so I wasn't in the way of other runners. There were tons of bands on 4th avenue. Somewhere around mile 8 or so a runner next to me made some comment and I asked her if she knew where we were. I knew I was in Brooklyn but had lost track of what mile I was on. We guessed and she asked if it was my first marathon. It was hers too so we had a little first timer high five and off she ran. I pulled over to use a port-a-potty then because it was the first time I saw a row of them without lines.

Williamsburg started to get quiet. Then I started to think about how far I had left to go. But I knew we had to be getting close to Queens and my family was waiting for me right before mile 15. Somewhere around mile 12, I realized I was STARVING. I downed another Gu but for some reason, I felt a strong urge to have FOOD. I took a few Tootsie Rolls from a woman and chowed on them. Then an angel appeared and held out a banana. I grabbed it! Yahoo! That banana was my saving grace! I worried about about cramping after I ate it but it didn't happen and soon I was back into a groove. My mind kind of stopped and I just kept running and watching around me, taking it all in.

Then we hit Queens! The time from hitting Queens to reaching my family felt like forever. But as I turned the corner for the street I knew they were on, I couldn't wait to see them. My Mom had a balloon and my wife had made a sign. My wife knows nothing about running so I was really touched that she had watched on TV that morning in order to include a note to Paula Radcliffe on the sign warning her that I was going to be the best runner on that day. My Dad was there also, as were my friends Ursula and Will, who I was very surprised but happy to see! I got my care package from them and managed to get some more Body Glide on me and I was about to run off when Ren handed me her iPod. I told her I had mine and didn't need it but she told me I had to take it. I took it and waved goodbye. I ran off fishing in my pocket for my ear buds.

Heading over the Queensboro Bridge, I started tearing up. The iPod my wife had given me was filled with messages and songs from friends and family...words of encouragement written by them and songs they sent for me to listen to. It was fantastic and a boost that really helped. But I did pause it for a few moments right before turning into Manhattan because I wanted to hear that 1st Avenue roar. But it never came. I turned the corner on to 1st Avenue and thought...really? this is what everyone has talked about? There was no roar. There was hardly much of anything really. I was bummed. But I was able to go back to my iPod and listen to my friends again. So that's what I did.

I'm not sure what street I was on but I decided I needed to pull over and stretch. My hamstrings were feeling tight and I needed to regroup. Kismet! Two people came running over to me and startled me while I was stretching. I had just happened to stop right near where my friends Larissa and Allison were!! I was so happy to see them. They are dear friends who also lost a grandmother to Alzheimer's and Allison is also a runner. They brought water and we walked for a little bit together and talked. I think at that point my brain was really shutting down because I don't think I said much. My mind just told me I just had to keep going until I reached the end sometime. I told them thanks for making me cry on the bridge (they had submitted for the iPod) and thanked them for coming out and I ran off again.

Heading into the Bronx was chilly again over the Willis Avenue Bridge. The thin orange mats over the grates were not very helpful and the blacktop was lumpy and full of potholes. I had just gotten done telling myself to go slowly and be careful not to trip when a guy in front of me did a face plant right on the bridge. A bunch of us stopped in shock. I looked around and decided I would keep running and see if there was medical staff up ahead. There were enough people flailing their arms that the cops noticed and started walking back to check on the guy. I felt a little badly that I kept going but figured there wasn't really anything I could contribute by standing there watching.

The Bronx was fairly short and quiet. There were a few people out cheering and I grabbed an orange slice. The people that were out cheering were amazingly supportive. I was so grateful whenever people shouted encouragement. I was getting tired and wishing for the end but people would yell out, "You're doing great. You've gotten to the Bronx! Soon you'll be back in Manhattan and headed for the park!" It just shows you how mental the marathon is that those words can help so much.

Just like that and we were back into Manhattan. All five boroughs covered! And Harlem had a party going on! Lots of people dancing and clapping and cheering. A perfect pick me up. Then I saw the Park! Running along Fifth Avenue just after mile 23, I saw my friend Christine and her Dad! She was jumping up and down and cheering for me, holding signs and everything. I stopped and walked and she and her Dad walked beside me and chatted for a bit. I barely remember anything I said. But it was so great to see Christine, one of my biggest supporters and someone who also lost a grandmother to Alzheimer's. I thanked them for coming and waiting for me so long to get to where they were waiting and I headed off.

I had really slowed down at this point. I was focusing on just putting one foot in front of the other. But my left knee was hurting and I was just tired. So I pulled out the picture of my grandmother than I had with me and I just clutched it and went on. I started to get a lump in my throat but it scared me because my breathing got crazy and I thought I would pass out. So I had to not think too much about missing grandma but just kind of asked her to help me to the end. For some reason, I didn't realize how much running there actually is inside Central Park at the end of the race.

At mile 25, I was slogging along and there were two cops standing to the side smoking cigars! I thought I would vomit right on them. Up until this point, the police had been fantastic and were cheering with the rest of the crowd. So I was shocked that they would be so unbelievable at this point. I must have made some gagging sounds because the woman running next to me asked if I was okay. I told her I just needed to get away from the smell. Gross! What were they thinking?!?

I knew I was going to finish. But the 5k split between 35k and 40k took me nearly an hour! Awful! Then I saw people with their medals and I saw the sign for 800 meters to go! I started to hear the crowd and see the lights. It was so awesome! 400 meters! That's just once around a track! Then I could see the finish line and the bleachers! I mustered up just enough energy to lift my arms over my head and I FINISHED!