26.2: taking the road less travelled. By foot.
It is no secret to anyone who has known me more than 10 minutes, to know that I have been training to run a marathon. I've been doing this off and on for around two years now. I say off and on, because of the many hurdles and learning curves associated with doing something outside of ones norm and allowing for injury and laziness breaks in training.
The day I embarked on this journey, I could not run/jog 200 meters without puffing and wheezing. On Sunday November 6 2011, I managed to run 26.2 miles (42.2km) without too much strain on the old lungs.. proudly! So, here is my account of the day..
this is me on the Tuesday prior, looking from New Jersey out at the course I was to run. From the Verrazano Bridge and beyond.
4:50am I awoke from a decent sleep. Check! Happy with that. Usually before any big event, my mind is on a constant treadmill of thoughts. Slept well. With that, I sprung out of bed, couple of quick stretches, you know, just to limber up! My gear was already laid out and I just had to put it all on. With that, I tried to stomach some bagel, but decided to leave it for an hour or so. A quick photo and bid my love adieu and I was on my way..
In all my gear minus my cheap walmart tracksuit and snuggie..
5:30am: Check! My buddy is awake and in the lobby. We were encouraged to find a buddy in case we slept through the daylight savings time change! All I can say is I am glad I booked a wake up call! :) With that, we took our breakfast bag, took a few photos and boarded the bus. In our dreary morning state, we all started to slowly realise how far it was to the start line, hence how far we had to return.. by foot! I managed to eat a little of my breakfast, but still nothing too substantial. I vowed I would have to stop eating by 8:40am, 2 hours before my start.
in the green compound, with the Verrazano Bridge (the start) in the background with fellow Perth runner Lyn. .
7am-ish: we arrived on chilly Staten Island by the busload. There was a hum of international excitement. People of all nationalities, sizes, age and ability eagerly made their way to their appropriate compound. I was in the Green Zone along with my buddy Lyn. We checked out the place and pretty much chilled out against a fence in the sunshine. By this stage I was wearing my cheap tracksuit and snuggie (which I donated to charity before I ran) to keep guarded from the cold. We were lucky with the weather though, I could only imagine how horrible it can get. After listening to the recorded family/friends messages my husband had downloaded to my ipod, wiping away consequent tears, and downing more breakfast, the time crept nearer to race time. The nerves crept up my throat, resulting in an unusual emotional mix.
By the time we left the compound, to enter the numbered corrals, to hearing the US anthem and Frank Sinatra's 'New York, New York', the start gun fired (10:40am) and I next realised I was dodging pot holes and woollen gloves on the Verrazano Bridge. The run was on and I was in it. Making history, running in my own.
Brooklyn: I didn't know whether to smile or cry.. both seemed to happen almost simultaneously. It was rather remarkable. For a lot of Brooklyn, I seemed to have this "I'm running the NYC marathon; unreal!" going through my head. That's ok though, this 'uh-duhh' thought did a great job at numbing the first few miles. After Mile 3, I held strong to my 'must drink at every aid station' strategy. I would alternate the water and Gatorade. The crowds seemed to start increasing, as did the excitement. From what I could see, Brooklyn seems to host a pretty diverse group of people. I stayed well left and managed to high five a lot of people. Making a special effort to high five children and firefighters! I left Brooklyn with the lasting image of Williamsburg and the Hasidic Jewish people.. an uncommon sight for this little lady from Perth. (It did bring back memories from our high school rendition of The Fiddler on the Roof, and kept me occupied singing 'If I were a rich man' in my head!)
Queens: starting to become a little more aware of my surroundings, I was paying close attention to my run strategy by this point, nearing the half marathon. I was still accutely aware of the poor conditions of the roads. My Aid Station Strategy was working well for me. Sometimes I'd pour more water down my back than I drank, but I always had at least a sip. Queens, as did Brooklyn, seemed to have it's own flavour, really adding to the melting pot that is New York City! By now I was really enjoying the posters the spectators had made, the entertainment on the sides of the road and the participation over all of the spectators and runners combined. I'd often cheer on my fellow Australian runners when I'd see them and them to me also. Heading over the Queensboro Bridge marked the half marathon, a poster taking the piss out of Brooklyn and the thought "easy, just have to do that all over again!".. Good bye Queens, hello..
Manhattan: The Queensboro Bridge offered some respite from the heat. The cool breeze had a chance to cool me down a little without competing against the sunshine. Delightful as it was to have it. A man who looked every part military forces started a drill chant, which we all took part in. These were the little delightful parts I relished in. We were running 26.2 miles, but we were still having fun! I started to get excited on the Bridge, I knew I was half way done, and that I had family and friends ahead. My mum and friends (and hopefully my husband whom I missed in Brooklyn) were waiting between Mile 16 and 17. The designated spot came and I saw most of them.. I called out and smiles beamed from all of us. I darted over to them and shared hugs and kisses. Apologising for my sweat! Unbeknown to me, my dear darling husband was mere seconds from seeing me as I darted off! He could not run up along the crowds as they were too dense for him to get through. As I continued on I kept up my Aid Station Strategy, they even had a "Hydration Station" in which they were handing out wet sponges and Gels. I took both and kept the sponge for later (wise investment!).
saying goodbye to my peeps, just before Mile 17.
Bronx: the crowds started to thin out and the streetscape started to change and before you know it I was headed over yet another bridge! This took me by surprise until I realised I didn't really research the course opting for a 'better the devil you don't know' approach. Mostly until now the only part of my body that ached was my right knee, caused by my existing Iliotibial band issues, but now my left one twinged a bit. I meditated on fixing it for a bit and convinced myself I was ok. A course race photo later and the crowds thickened again. (It's amazing how easy you can distract yourself!) The folk up in the Bronx were, as with the others, really friendly. It was still really common to see spectators handing out tissues, paper towel, candy and fruit. Stranger danger kicked in and I stuck to my gels and the designated aid stations! The entertainment up this end of town was equally impressive. As we took a corner in the course we had an RnB group getting us runners to 'put our hands in the air'.. and 'wave 'em around like we just don't care'.. and at Mile 21, this is a pretty funny sight to see. Me included, I took that bend, my arms flailing about above my bent body in the November afternoon sunshine.
it's amazing the strength you can build by merely seeing the ones you care about.
Manhattan (Harlem): With the last bridge behind me (number 5!), I literally flew into Mile 22 (see above!) and into the arms of my dear friends who came from near and far to see me! Literally! New York City, New Jersey, Nashville, Atlanta, Gainesville FL and Sao Paolo (Brazil) were represented at Mile 22 for me! Boy oh boy did I need it! Although I never, by folklore definition, 'hit' the 'wall'.. I was certainly feeling it from Mile 22. Seeing the ladies picked up my spirits and my will power. I then promptly scanned the area, then questioning "where is Daniel?". The responses were of the "we've not seen him" variety and my anxiety and sorrow started to rise in my throat. I parted the girls smiling with gratitude, but sadness that my Daniel was not there. Little did I know that he had chased me (via Subway and foot) from Brooklyn and missed me each time. My only hope was that he was on the rocky outcrop just before Mile 25. With the fatigue and the tears building, I swallowed it all and pushed on. Battling with the sunlight shining through my polarised runners sunglasses, I still maintained my view of the spectators, just in case I saw him. By now, the pain in my right knee was pretty permanent and I also had a dull ache in the top of the right knee at the base of my quad. "Oh well", I thought to myself, "only 3 more miles to deal with it!" Blissfully ignorant of the recovery pain I was to experience over the next few days!
Mile 23 to the Mile 25: by now the buildings of the Upper East side and the tree's from Central Park almost fully blocked the sunlight and the cool breeze again cooled me down. In life, I am pretty oblivious to noticing famous people and if it wasn't for the Team Fox banners, I could well have missed Michael J Fox too! I have a lot of respect for that man, so even though I ran on passed him it was a humbling couple of seconds as I watched him clap us on. Silent, but respectful of our journey. *awe* I continued on forward and the crowds were super thick by now. How on earth will I see Daniel. I don't even know if he got himself balloons as he said he would. Although I was tired, I tried to remain strong. I had plenty of coaching and the words of my mentors and trainer echoed through my mind when the going got tough. I knew to the outsider I must of had the 'shuffle' going on, but I felt like I was running.. well, jogging casually! I was nearing the rocky outcrop before Mile 25, hoping to see Daniel and expecting to see my mum and our friends. Just before it, I spot Mum, Robin and Trish once more. More, sweatier hugs and a desperate plea for Daniel. Mum sadly saying that she had not seen him.. my stomach plummeted and I smiled meekly and ran on. I maintained hope and scanned every face on my left side. I scanned up where I knew the rocky outcrop was and I saw a man holding two very tired looking green helium balloons. You can see the balloons in the picture below (above the man in blue).
leaving mum and headed for the finish line.
Mile 25 to Mile 26.2: It was Daniel! For most people, the moment of hitting 25 miles would be elation that that have only 1.2 mile to go. For me, in this instance it was the pure joy of being reunited with my husband. The one person who has completely and fully embraced this journey. When I said to him (as a 'skinny fat'* 30 year old) "I'm doing the New York City Marathon in 2011", he said sincerely "Good for you honey, you'll be great". He never once doubted in my ability, an ability I was yet to acquire, or in my will power and strength, one I was to bolster. In that moment, we shared a brief yet intense moment fuelled by gratitude, respect and love. With that, I took my last sip of water and powered on forward. I had since removed my earphones and pre-programmed soundtrack and was relying on the crowds elation once more. It was intense. The runners around me were in varying states of health and I considered myself 'one of the lucky ones'. I took the corner back into Central Park and into the runners chute, I passed the flags and felt a twinge of patriotic pride as I saw Australia's, in that moment I was taken by the strength of one of the wheelchair competitors. Flanked by motivational guide runners, this trooper of strength powered his arms up the final 0.2 miles. Without discounting my own achievement, I thought to myself, 'this is what it is all about'. I cheered him on and finished my journey. My eyes full of tears and my heart of pride, I approached my finish, punching my fist in the air and saying to myself "I've run the New York City Marathon, I've fucking run 42.2km..", I crossed the line in 4 hours, 49 minutes and 48 seconds. My marathon completed and my real journey just commencing.
Learning today that I beat Superman (see photo) and Katie Holmes' effort in the 2008 NYC Marathon! (ignore the clock, this was the race start, not my start!)
* 'Skinny fat': Daniel's definition of someone who can maintain a slim physique without exercise or proper attention to ones diet.
