NYC Marathon Weekend 2010 Recap #2

Sunday Nov. 7, 2010 ** Race Day**

I woke up at 4:30am nervous because I wasn't sure if my phone had actually registered the time change (I knew it did, but I was still nervous). I laid around for about 45 min and then got up for my pre run shower. Diane and Alex stayed asleep until about 6:15 am, which was perfect because I really needed to be with my own thoughts. This was a big thing I was about to do and I had no idea how the day would play out. I just wanted to think and find peace and quiet.

Alex got up and drove me to the subway (only 5 blocks, but it was dark and he didn't want me walking alone) at 6:30 and I headed down to the platform, fully ready to see other runners......but I didn't! Still nervous that I had my times messed up! Then another runner showed up and another one, so I felt more at ease. We all stood around in silence, mentally preparing for the day. The R train pulled up and we were greeted by many more runners on their way to the South Ferry station.

When we got off the train, there were mobs of runners, all headed up the stairs, up the escalator, and into the ferry terminal. I then stood shoulder to shoulder with hundreds or more runners waiting for a ferry to pull in and take us to Staten Island. I was able to get on the 3rd ferry to pull in and was on my way to Staten Island by 7:50am.

I could just feel the excitement building!! I met a woman named Regan, who was born and raised in NYC and had run the marathon 11 years ago. We met in the terminal and stayed together until we headed into our separate start villages. I also met a man from S. Carolina who had run 10 years ago and a woman from N. Carolina who was a first timer like me! I took pictures as we went by the Statue of Liberty and I was reveling in the fact that it was the most beautiful day I have ever experienced!! Not a cloud in the sky, perfect sun, and 40 degrees. I couldn't ask for a better day to run!

We arrived in Staten Island and waited to get on a shuttle bus to Fort Wadsworth and our start village. When we got off the buses, we passes numerous cops making sure only runners entered the start area and were asked many times to show our race bib. Regan and I parted and I headed to the Orange start village to drop my bag and get some coffee and a bagel and just relax before my start time. I made it in time to hear the canon for Wave 1 and watch them start over the bridge....how freaking cool!!! I stood in awe when I first arrived, just looking at the Verrazano Narrows bridge and thinking about running over it....amazing.

After quite a bit of a wait, they called Wave 3 to the corral staging area. As we were walking, the Wave 2 cannons went signaled the 10:10 start. We lined up, waiting to be let into our corral and I met a few more people who would be starting the race with me at 10:40. We were in corral 53 in the Orange group. At this point, I was just getting more and more excited and started thinking that I could actually do this!

We entered our corral, walked to the start, met some more people, and then the cannon sounded our 10:40 start!! Frank Sinatra's New York, New York was blaring over the loudspeaker and everyone started singing. So awesome!! We were off and running!

As we crossed the bridge, I couldn't help but feel like I was having an out of body experience. I felt suspended in time and space and totally free as I ran along. Reality set in just before the 2 mile mark when I realized I was running at a pace 2 min faster than my planned and practiced marathon pace! Yikes!!! I just felt so good!! I checked back into reality as I came off the bridge and headed for 4th ave in Brooklyn. I slowed my pace for fear that I wouldn't be able to finish if I kept it up!

Brooklyn was amazing! The crowds and cheers were amazingly helpful! I had my name where I was from on my shirt, so people were calling me by name and yelling encouragement. Loved it!! Totally kept me going!! I saw my family at 7.5 miles and gave them my baselayer. I had already shed one layer b/c I was starting to feel overheated already. After some quick hugs and kisses, I continued on to complete my journey. It's funny, I remember the whole day, but the memories are fragmented and fade in and out. I think I really spent a lot of time in my own head and while I was taking in all that was around me, I wasn't fully present for that part of the day. Strange....

Anyway, Brooklyn pretty much rocked and the people were incredible! I saw the Bishop Loughlin HS band performing the Rocky theme, the hasidic jews going about their day (pretty much the quietest part of the day), and all the people of Brooklyn lining the streets for 13 miles to cheer, support, and help us on our journey. Lots of high 5's and lots of cheers!

The bridge to Queens was not too bad, sharp incline but otherwise not a bad trip over the bridge. Amazing view of Manhattan as we crossed the halfway point of the marathon! Clearly I wasn't in a competetive section because we all were stopping to take pictures! We were in Queens for a short 2 miles and then up and over the Queensboro Bridge. Seriously, this was by far the most difficult part of the run.

Queensboro Bridge was a 1 mile gradual uphill between 15-16 miles and was insanely tough! Everyone around me, including myself, dropped to a speedwalk. I started feeling a calf cramp and pulled off to the side to stretch and try to head it off. I knew if I didn't deal with it, there was no way I would finish. I did have 1 fleeting moment on the bridge where I felt I was done and over it......pretty sure I could have just stopped at that exact moment, but, I pushed that through out of my head and reminded myself what was waiting on 1st ave in Manhattan!

1st ave was incredible...although I was insanely jealous of all the people cheering with beers in hand! :) It was a tough go at this point for me, gradual uphill AGAIN!!! Ugh, I swear, NYC is the town of gradual uphills! One foot in front of the other all the way up 1st ave. Headed for the Willis Ave Bridge, I speed walked the sharp incline onto the bridge and ran again once I crested the top. Trotted right into the Bronx to loud cheering crouds and a jumbo screen where we could see ourselves running. Through the Bronx for a hot second and some seriously soulful cheering, then up and over the Madison Ave Bridge back into Manhattan for the final stretch of our journey. At this point, every step is further than I've ever run....WOW! I think that though re-energized me! Insane.....

On our way down the bridge into Manhattan, a large crowd was waiting, cheering, and blasting Empire State of Mind by Jay-Z. It was the perfect way to start the last leg of the trip. I ended up with a group of people that were just having fun running.....and one asked "is it possible for your hair to hurt right now?" Which we all answer a resounding YES! So we continue......Just keep running, just keep running....don't remember much of this part, except that the miles seemed to start ticking off a bit faster and I was still in disbelief that I had actually made it 22+ miles. I saw my family at this point, they surprised me with big hugs and big cheers! Just what I needed to finish this thing!

The last 4 miles were kind of a blur.....of gradual uphills!!!!!! Seriously!?!? I mean, I knew it was coming, I had read all the books, studied the course, I knew right where it was.....but still, it was tough. I'm pretty sure I started focusing on what I was going to eat b/c my stomach started growling and how yummy that beer was going to taste!

I remember lots of cheering as I came down 5th ave, but that's about it. Lots of people calling my name, which helped, but I don't remember smiling too much b/c it took too much energy! My thumbs up even became half hearted b/c lifting my arms was becoming challenging. As I entered Central Park, we were greeted with more crowds and encouraging onlookers, again, helpful because we were all pretty beat at this point. We had been running for well over 5 hours!

We exited Central Park, wrapped around the street for a minute and then re-entered for our final trek to the finish line. At this point the sun was just about down, and I swore I would hit that finish line before it was completely gone! As we re-entered the park this last time, we were greeted by a large screen that showed us running and a fantastic band. As we turned the corner, we could see the 26 mile sign and knew that just feet beyond that was the finish.....although, you couldn't actually see the finish until you were on top of it!

When I finally saw the finish and realized I would be making it in barely under 6hrs, I pushed my legs to the finish to make sure I made it! I can't even describe the feelings that were whipping through me as I approached the finish line. Pure elation, relief, disbelief, shock, joy......and on and on......

It was an absolutely incredible moment. I crossed the finish line in daized disbelief, and was becond by the woman holding the medal to come over and get my bling. My eyes started welling up with tears as she said "congratulations!! You did it!!" YES I DID!! I stopped to take my finish picture with my medal and then headed over to get wrapped in the heat sheet. I was then handed a bag with food/water/recovery drink and then started walking to get my bag with a change of clothes. Once I retrieved my stuff, I stepped to the side to try and slip my clothes on and warm up.....and just stop moving for a minute.

Official Finish Time ~ 5:59:02

All I wanted to do was stop moving at this point! I called my husband to let him know I'd crossed and figure out where to meet. It was after dark, so I didn't want to have to go far by myself. I then sat on a stone wall at the corner of 77th and Central Park West and dug into my bag of goodies to begin my recovery and reflect on the day. What an amazing day!!

I met up with my husband and friend Diane and began the quest to find food and beer! What a day, what a day......as I ate and drank and talked with my family, I just couldn't stop thinking.....I actually finished a marathon today! AND....I would do it again! :)

What could be next.........

NYC Marathon Weekend 2010 Recap #1

Well, this time last sunday I had finished my first 26.2 miles, reunited with my husband and friend Diane, and found the closest pub to down a beer and some yummy food! I can't believe it was just a week ago that I finished my first marathon! Now, time to reflect about the weekend!!

Friday Nov. 5, 2010

Up bright and early (5am) to load my car, pick up Diane, and hit the road to NYC by 7am!

I was rather frantically running around the house trying to make sure I had exactly everything I needed for the big weekend, and still felt I was forgetting something! In fact, I made a list of what I needed to bring, packed my bags the night before, unpacked my bags, repacked my bags, and so on.....a little OCD?? :) I picked up Diane and we were on the road by 7:30.

The drive there was absolutely uneventful, we chatted and she continually tried to calm me down because I was speed talking. So much anxiety, self doubt, aches/pains, fear, you name it, I was feeling it! In fact, I had multiple sleepless nights the week before the marathon. I just couldn't bring myself down to a calm state to sleep. Seriously, it was ridiculous!!

We arrived in NYC around 2pm, checked into Holiday Inn Express in Brooklyn (2 blocks from the marathon course, perfectly convenient for marathon viewing)! We immediatly got directions to the Javits Center for the expo and headed to the subway. As we exited the subway, I fell UP the subway steps...yep, that's me, grace! What a way to start my marathon weekend!

The expo was good, we found our way to check in, picked up my race number, took lots of pictures, and then rummaged through the vendors and purchasing items here and there. I picked up a NYC marathon half zip tech hoodie, love it! We also bought some powergels & bars, and I found a pair of sport sunglasses I love!!

After the expo, we headed back to Brooklyn to visit with my friends Stacy, Scott, and their kids. It was wonderful to see them and catch up, it's been a very long time!

Through this entire day of travel and getting into NYC, I missed a meal and did a lot of walking. By the end of friday, I was absolutely spent, hungry, and thankful I came a day early to get situated!

Saturday Nov. 6, 2010

I woke up a bit early for my liking on saturday morning. First, I woke up in total panic because I had absolutely no idea where I was, what was going on, what day it was, or anything! Talk about freak out!! Then, as I woke a bit more, I realized I was also on my way to a migraine. Seriously! All I wanted to do saturday morning was get up, head into Central Park and go for a jog, not deal with a massive headache. Diane and I headed down to breakfast in the hopes thatI could eat a large number of calories and kill the headache. I added in some mild drugs as well!

After a bit, we got ourselves together and hopped the subway into the city to check out the marathon course in Central Park. It was awesome to jog part of the course and check out the finish line. After checking out the finish line, we jogged around the park a bit more and then headed back to Brooklyn to meet up with my husband who had just driven down from Boston.

The rest of the day was spent relaxing, checking out a pub in lower Manhattan, and deciding where to go for my pre run pasta dinner. We picked a little place called Sophia's of Little Italy in....you guessed in...Little Italy. We also met up with 3 of my cousins who had made the trip to NYC to cheer for me during the marathon. Dinner was fantastic!! I had Gnocchi with red sauce and it was incredible!! Diane made me eat the entire plate of Gnocchi because she knew I was still in need of more calories!! After dinner, I was still having some anxiety about the run and was pretty tired, so we headed back to Brooklyn to get my stuff ready for the morning and get a good nights sleep!

Take that NYC!!

I did it!! I finished the NYC marathon this past sunday....I'm still sitting in amazement that I actually did it AND felt OK!!

I came back late monday night and was back to work yesterday, so I haven't had time to post a full weekend report. I will chronicle all my experiences during the 4 day trip in the next few days. Until then........ Veni, vidi, vici !!

Track me on Nov. 7th!

It's almost here! Just a few more days before I leave for 4 glorious days in NYC!

If you want to track or check in on my progress, click here.
Tracking opens the morning of Nov. 7th.

Here is my runner info:

Runner Registration #528147
Bib #53332
Color: Orange
Wave #3
Corral #53

Start time: 10:40 a.m.

If you want to send a message to play on the course, click here.

Thank you so much for all the support over the past few months!!! I can't wait to get to NYC on Friday and take the final step in the journey!!

Hugs!
Melissa

I'm as ready as I'll be.....

Now I just need to relax and enjoy the ride! Easier said than done!

I'm totally in my head now and I need to stop freaking out!! Everytime I think about it I either tear up or start to feel ill. Seriously, I need to let it go and have faith that I will finish just fine and I'll probably make a lot of friends out there on the course! I can't wait to meet my fellow 5hr+ marathoners!

I'm still doing my 5am workouts and some after work classes at the gym, but running has been minimal. I'll go out tomorrow for about 13 and then a few short runs this week before I head to NYC.

I can't believe that at this time next week I'll be tucked away in my hotel in Brooklyn working on that best night of sleep before the big event. Just wild....

Thank You!!

I am just so excited that 3 of my cousins are joining me in NYC! It was such a surprise when they told me they'd be there. And, my cousin Jeniene sent me a surprise treat that arrived on my front steps yesterday....a super fun and helpful new sport watch called a TECH 4O Accelerator watch. Love it!!

Thank you so much! I can't wait to wear it! Watch out NYC....here I come!

Love ya!

A Race Like No Other

I'm getting ready for my final long long run of training and ramping up my excitement by reading "A Race Like No Other" by Liz Robbins. What a brilliant book! I love being able to visualize all the excitement of the NYC Marathon! It gives such a detailed account of the day and the sights along every mile of the course.

I'm still finding it hard to believe that I am only 14 days and a wake up away from running in NYC! It feels a bit like a dream that I am actually going to do this!

YIKES....

I'm starting to feel a chest cold brewing!! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!! Took today off from all exercise and I'm heading to bed soon after loading up on Vitamin C and some healthy eats. Ugh.....really, a chest cold after all this work! That is absolutely not happening! I'm making sure I'm bundled at all times for now and cutting down on my dairy intake.

Any thoughts on how to stay absolutely healthy for the next 18 days??

If you're slow, are you still considered a runner?

YES!! In my books, if you go out there and do it, no matter your speed, you are a runner. I might have a biased opinion because I'm a slow runner, but seriously, if you put in the energy and the training, shouldn't you get the same label as someone who is faster?

I started thinking about this when I learned that the Today Show's Al Roker will be running the NYC Marathon. Fantastic!! Kudos to you Al for taking on the challenge of a marathon after all you've been through with your weight. My mom had the same surgery as Mr. Roker, so I have first hand knowledge of what he experienced and the work he had to put in to make a permanent life change. I applaud him!!

I'm super duper excited because he is listed as running at a 13:00 min/mile pace. I have been averaging between 11:30-12:30 (depending on the hills) so maybe we'll run into each other on the course! How cool would that be....running in NYC with Al Roker! I'm planning to have my camera with me so if I do see Al, you better believe I'll be taking a picture!

Now, after reading the article announcing his entrance into the marathon, I read the comments and found some that said in no uncertain terms that he was not a runner and should consider himself a fast walker at best. Really? I'm pretty sure he has been training just as hard as the next guy to assure a finish on Nov. 7th. I have friends who are far faster than me and I joke with them about saving me some water at the end or maybe a banana so I don't miss out on post race food/drink! These people have never acted as if I was a poser because I call myself a runner.

Running is one of those sports that simply amazes me. I mean, think about it.....in what other sport can a world record holding marathoner and a 13 min miler share the same stage? It is truly special. In what other sport do you find the stories of life and survival and the shear will to cross a finish line that is 26.2 miles away? I'm a lover of all kinds of sports, so don't take this as me saying that running is superior to other sporting events. I'm just saying, not every Joe who tosses a football in the backyard is going to be in the NFL, but anyone who has the determination and desire, can run....no matter what distance.

20 miles!!!

It took me a while, but I have my 20! It was tough at times, but not that bad. My feet are hurting a bit still, but not too bad. I did LOTS of hills....to the point where I thought I might cry if I had to go up another hill!! Seriously, what was I thinking? I think I did about 10 miles of hills. Ugh! Surprisingly, my legs don't feel too bad right now. Just my feet are bugging me.

I used 1 gu pack and 1 powergel during my run. I've made a plan that every 7 miles during the marathon I'll down a gu/powergel. So today, I took a gu at 7 and the powergel at 14. I also used chomps and had my water pack with water and a container of gatorade. Before I headed out this morning, I had a bowl of cereal and a banana....clearly not enough before a 20 mile run. I definitely felt myself get to the hunger point during the run.

When I got home, I had another banana, a tuna sandwich, and a protein shake. I'm now getting hungry again, so I'm thinking about what I want for dinner! Wegman's has these fantastic $6 dinners where you get to pick an entree and 2 sides. It's healthy fresh food and delish!! Love my Wegman's! My fav dinner is coconut crusted tilapia w/mango salsa. Holy yum!!

I'm pretty tired right now, but just started feeling that way. I can't believe I did the longest run of my life today! Kinda excited for NYC now! It's gonna hurt, but I know I can do it!!

Official Handbook has arrived!!

Yay!! It arrived in the mail today and made my stomach flip flop!

25 days!!!

NYC....Here I Come!

I'm super excited ...... I just found out 3 of my cousins are making the trip to NYC to see me run AND one of them is volunteering! How awesome!! They totally rock!

Lorna, I look forward to seeing your smiling face at mile 17! Love ya!

OMG.....

28 DAYS!!!! Yikes!!

Better head out for my 10 miles! :)

Yep, starting to freak out now.......

Start Info is set!!

Our start information was posted to our NYC Marathon profiles this week! Whoo Hoo!!

I can't believe it's coming up so fast.....and the start info makes it feel so much more real.

Bib #53332
Color: Orange
Wave #3
Corral #53

Start time: 10:40 a.m.

I'm super excited b/c my orange start color puts me on top of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge (I was nervous about possibly running on the bottom).

Now, back to work getting ready!!

NYC Marathon Course Video!!!

ING NYC Marathon Course Video

This is fantastic!! I am using it to get remotivated!

I got into the marathon so many months ago and the training is so long, now my motivation has been waning. Watching this video and visualizing myself crossing that finish line is giving me that super duper final push. I can't believe it's 7 weeks away! WOW!

Good running this weekend! Still working on the foot pain, but continued icing and ice foot baths, along with advil seem to keep me moving. Thinking I might get my feet looked at.....after Nov. 7th of course! :)

Might have changed it up a bit.....

So my long run should have been 11 today....but I did 6. Just wasn't feeling the other 5 this morning. I think I started too late in the morning and just didn't have it in me. It's alright, I'll do it tomorrow. It's nice being off all summer, makes the training schedule must easier to manage! Now, what do I do when school starts again?? I'm thinking 5am pre schooltime runs may be in my future!

It was such a fantastic run this morning! Lots of people out running, walking, and biking...all saying hi and smiling. Love it! The sun was shining with a perfect summer breeze....does it get better than that?

AND....I love days like today where I can get my run on and my tan on! Sweet! Nothing like multitasking!

Week 4 is in the books.....14 more weeks to go before I'll be standing at the start line in NYC (or Staten Island to be exact!)

Marathon Training...Week 3!

Today began week 3 of training! Whoo Hoo! I can't believe it's here....it seems like just yesterday that I checked my status and found out I was accepted!

Things are good so far, I am mixing my running with lots of cross training and athletic conditioning classes. Cycling and Body Attack are my new best friends! I want to train as smart as possible this time around! My feet are still bugging me, but I'm working through it and treating them well when they aren't running me around! Lots of heel pain, but I keep stretching and working it in the hopes that one morning I won't wake up feeling like I'm walking on stumps!

Mileage this past week: 17 mi
Long run: 6 mi

This week brings two 3 mile runs, one 5 mile run, a 5K on saturday, and an 8 mile long run on sunday. Sweet!!

Happy Running!

I'M IN!!!!

"Marathon Registration Status: Accepted"

OMG!!! This is the first lottery I've ever won! :)

It's official. I will be running in the 2010 NYC Marathon! This will be my first marathon.....what a way to start! I had heard last night that if there was a hold on your account, then you were in, so of course, I had to check my bank account. I nearly threw up when I saw there was a hold on my account! I waited very impatiently today to get the official word at 12:30, repeatedly clicking refresh until the log in screen finally showed up! I had some of my students in my office and they were hysterical at how nervous I was. They were awesome though.....totally high fiving me and stuff. Awesome! I can't believe I got in!! Whoo Hooo!!

I have to say it's bittersweet though....my good friend Diane did not get in. It would have been amazing to train and finish this together. :(

Now the real work begins.......

NYC Marathon Lottery!!

OMG, the lottery is tomorrow! I'm freaking out!! I want to get in so bad, but I'm scared to death!! This will be my first full marathon and to be able to do it in NYC would be AMAZING!!!

I'll log back in tomorrow to share whatever news I receive!

I swear I'll get back to updating this blog at some point, work has been rather busy lately. Only 11 weeks left until summer break!! :)

Happy Running!

NYC Marathon

I did it! I registered in the lottery for NYC Marathon! I know it's a long shot, but why not try! I've been thinking about it too much lately, and visualizing myself crossing the finishline, so I had to just do it and stop thinking. I find out in March if I'm chosen, which will still give me plenty of time to pick another full if I don't get into NYC. Wow....I can't believe I threw my hat in the ring!