Saturday morning, I got up really early and went out for a 20 minute run. We were supposed to just do a quick run to keep loose. I just did a quick dash up 2nd Ave for 10 minutes and then turned around and ran back. Most of my things were packed already, but I had a little bit of last minute packing to do before meeting up with the team.
We all met at the Team in Training offices and got on a bus to New Jersey. The Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Staten Island chapters all went down together, so it was a pretty big group. I think we were about 130 people.
The bus ride was about 2 hours, and I was really happy when we got there. I'm not the biggest fan of riding on a bus. It always seems like the drivers have lead feet. Our driver had to slam on the brakes a few times, and I think we had a seriously near miss accident. I decided to not look out the window too much, because I didn't really want to know.
We got to the hotel, and everyone was checking into our rooms. I told the guy at the front desk my name, and he told me that my room had been canceled! Katherine from the Team in Training office told me that I did have a room, but it just wasn't ready yet. Ok...
Elizabeth and I headed over to the race expo where we had to pick up the chip timer for our shoes, our race bib (number), and race shirt. It was crazy windy! We were all pretty concerned about the weather. It was supposed to be thunderstorms in the morning, which would be pretty miserable. And it was COLD. A lot colder that I expected. Luckily I brought clothes for anything from 35 - 85 degrees.
Here is the finish line flapping in the wind.
The water was really rough and uninviting.
This is the race expo tent. They had all kinds of things for sale there. Shoes, energy gels, race shorts, socks, witty running shirts, etc.
Since the pasta party wasn't for a few hours, we went to the first restaurant we saw and grabbed a bite to eat. That's Eddie in the red Pac Man shirt, Virginia, Elizabeth, and me.
When we got back to the hotel, I tried to check in again. Still no room! A few of the coaches were hanging around trying to sort out what to do about the few of us who didn't have rooms. I told them that I wasn't picky, I could probably sleep anywhere. The assured me it would all be worked out by tonight. Ok...
The pasta party was fun. The NYC chapters of Team in Training all wore I love NY shirts, as we were instructed to by the head coach Ramon. There were NJ chapters and Pennsylvania chapters there also, so we stood out. The food was, eh. Honestly it felt like we were at a wedding. I'm sure this venue hosts weddings, and this was like a mega-dressed down wedding with no bride, groom, or booze.
One of the women who was walking the marathon stood up and gave a heartbreaking speech about her boyfriend who recently died from Lymphoma. She mentioned how the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (who we were all raising money for), had been incredibly helpful during his illness. She said that his immune system was too weak for him to take public transportation, so they had to drive into Sloan-Kettering Hospital twice a week. The Society helped them with tons of little things, like parking fees. Her boyfriend fought the good fight, but eventually lost the battle about a year ago. She said that the patient services were really wonderful, and she appreciated all of our fundraising. I really can't do her speech justice. You had to be there.
Our crazy coach Ramon got up and spoke also. That man has so much energy! He is training for a 100 mile race, so he's nuts. He's run over 40 marathons, and just did a 50 mile trail race in Mississippi. His speech was hilarious, but I can't possibly recreate it in writing. You have to hear the super-thick Spanish accent in the flesh. He gave us a quick rundown the course, and talked a bit about race strategy. Conserve in the beginning, use the energy you have left in the end.
Walking back to the hotel, the weather still didn't look good. Now, it is raining. I decided not to worry too much about the weather. I can't control it, so why worry?
Finally the hotel has a room for me. I met my roommate Cynthia who was going to be walking the half marathon. We both set out our clothes, pinned the numbers on our shirts, and went to bed. I can't believe it, but I actually slept! I thought I would be too anxious.
In the morning, we all met in the lobby at 6:30am. I found out that 8 coaches slept in 1 room! That is why the hotel magically had a room for me! A bunch of the coaches gave up their rooms so that we could have them. Sounds like somebody messed up with the reservations...
Here we are getting ready in the lobby before the race. I'm wearing my long sleeve "throw away" shirt on the right. Luis, one of the 8 coaches that had to share a room, is in the baseball cap on the left. Sorry Luis...
We got so lucky with the weather! It rained overnight, and had stopped by the morning. The weather was in the 50's and overcast. Perfect running weather.
It was pretty crowded at the start line, and we weren't even waiting on the course. We were stuck on the right side of this picture on the sidelines. Once the race started, we were able to get on the course and cross the start line. Since it wasn't a huge marathon, we crossed only about 4 minutes after the gun went off.
I had 2 race plans written on my arm. I had a 4:15 finish time, and a 4:30 finish time plan. I decided to start using the 4:15 plan, and just see what happened. My friend John (not from Team in Training), and Elizabeth started with me. We all planned to start together, but the deal was that we were all running our own race. Everybody has the choice to stay with the group, or go out on their own at any time.
The first loop (13.1 miles), we all stayed together. I couldn't believe how good I felt. No pain from injuries, no tiredness, nothing. The coaches were all along the course, and it really helps to see them. They'll jump in and run with you for a little bit, give some advice, etc.
Also, these guys were fantastic! They seemed like they were drunk with their sombreros on at 8:00am. They were so enthusiastic and yelling "run strong" in Spanish. They were my favorite spectators. There was also a bunch of guys who set up a "bloody mary fluid station." I decided to pass and stick with the traditional water and gatorade.
I saw my friend Gina, who ran the Nashville marathon a week earlier, on the course. She jumped in a ran with me for a little bit. I can't say enough about how great the Team in Training people are. They are so supportive, and it makes all the difference in the world.
Sometime around here, I lost John and Elizabeth. I was sticking to my pace, and they were both going a tad slower. So from mile 14-ish to Mile 24, I was alone. There was a woman who was chatting with me for a while, but she wanted to run at a faster pace than me. I told her that she should go on ahead, because I didn't want to change my pace. She was very nice, and I ended up seeing her at the finish too.
Superman passed me early on in the race, but I caught up to him by the end. He looked like he was hurting. I think he went out too hard.
Up until Mile 24, I was rocking it. I felt great until mile 20. It got harder after 20, but at 24 it was really hard. I think I have some idea as to why (other than the obvious I had run 24 miles already, and who wouldn't be tired?).
I messed up the timing of my Gu eating at the end. I got to the fluid station, and I didn't have the Gu open yet. I grabbed a cup of water, but now I didn't have an extra hand to open the Gu without spilling all the water. So I put all the water in my mouth, threw away the cup, and opened the Gu. I could only get about half of it down, because I didn't have any more water. I really think I felt this for the rest of the race. I should have eaten another Gu when I hit the next water station, even if it wasn't time to eat yet.
At Mile 24, Elizabeth passed me! She tried to get me to keep up with her, but I didn't have the energy. She finished 2 minutes before me! I was very impressed.
I think I'm looking like I'm struggling here. I walked through the water station at Mile 24, and I gave myself a minute long walk break just before Mile 25, so that I could finish running strong.
All the coaches were at the end, and Ramon asked how I was feeling. I told him that I was tired. He said, "Why? Because you just ran 26 miles?" Yeah. I think that was it.
The finish line was quite a rush. My goal time was something between 4:15 and 4:30. I ended up with 4:22, so I'm really happy with that.
Rick was there waiting for me, and it was fun to have him there. He was also on the course and I saw him at mile 13, mile 17, and the finish. He hung out for a while and met a lot of my Team In Training friends.
Me and Elizabeth with our medals. (Somebody in the hotel asked me if I won the marathon, because I had the medal. I should have said yes.)
Me and John with our medals.
They had a tent with food for the finishers. I was happy to eat something that wasn't artificially fruit flavored. A bagel was great. John's sister (and my friend) Christina was there with her mom. She had little goodie bags for us, and that was so sweet. I chowed down on those snacks too.
I was happy to finish at the Team in Training tent...
And not the medical tent!
Then the crazy Brooklyn team got in the ocean. It's the fun version of the ice bath. The water temperature was in the mid 50's. I am a wimp, and I only got in to my mid thigh. Some of those guys went under!
Then we went out for the best lunch ever. Burgers (veggie for me), fries, and milk shakes! Yum! Nothing could have tasted better to us.
Some spontaneous stretching.
Then the Victory Party! The food was crap, and I'm glad we ate before.
Dancing was a blast, even after running a marathon. The more I moved, the better I could move. If I stayed still, I got stiff. So dancing was perfect for that night. Again, it felt like a wedding. Same music they play at all weddings, just no happy couple.
This is Tara and Alon wearing their medals.
Crazy Coach Ramon dancing.
Christina and Eddie dancing.
We were all walking funny the next morning. My legs were really tight for about 2 days, but I felt pretty normal by Wednesday. I have a toenail that may not make it, but other than that I made out great. You should have seen us all stumbling to get off the bus when we got back to NYC. People must have wondered why all these normal looking people couldn't walk right.
Overall, it was a great experience, and I can't speak highly enough of Team in Training. I've already signed up for the NYC Marathon lottery for this year. Only about 1 in 4 get in, so I'm not sure if I will. I'll let you know in June!
