2015 New York City Marathon

Scroll all the way down to the end of the post for the tl;dr version.

Prologue

My first New York City Marathon (NYCM) was supposed to be the 2012 race.  It was cancelled due to Hurricane Sandy.  I had trained so hard and I was heartbroken.  I learned a lot from that disappointment.  Mostly, I learned that as much as I love racing; it’s just racing.  So many people lost so much due to the storm and looking back, I’m a little ashamed of how upset I was about it.  But, I also learned that I should have other racing goals in every training cycle just in case my goal race has bad weather or…  gets cancelled.

I ran NYCM in 2013 and absolutely fell in love with the race.  The crowds were amazing.  And although the course was challenging, I set my marathon PR (3:22:56 or 7:45 pace) there.  I decided I wanted to run the race every year I could.  Last year, my fall goal marathon was the Marine Corps Marathon.  I didn’t want to miss NYCM, so I ran both races even through they were only a week apart.  (I ran MCM in 3:23:52 and NYCM in 3:32:14).

This year, my goal for the fall/winter is the California International Marathon.  But, I still wanted to run NYCM so I decided to run it as a long run. (There are several ways to get into the New York City Marathon.  I got into the marathon this year as a non-guaranteed time qualifier.  I ran a qualifying time for 2016 at this year’s Boston Marathon.)

Training

I’ve been following a Hansons advanced marathon training program.  The plan consists of a long run, a strength or speed workout (i.e., intervals), a goal marathon pace run (i.e. tempo), and four easy runs in the 6-8 mile range every week.  There are no races in the schedule.  I’m in the peak stage of the plan.  I’ve been running about 80 miles/week for about a month now.

My training has been so-so.  I’ll have a week where I hit all my goal paces and feel fantastic about how things are going, followed by a week where I can barely finish the workout and feel completely dejected.  At this point, I think the amount of mileage and/or uptempo might be too much for me and I’m not adequately recovering.  But, I’ve been trying to gut out the workouts since I’m so close to the taper.

Goals

I was treating this race as a long run in my training plan, which called for 20 miles with the last 4 miles @ goal marathon pace.  Long run pace for my goal marathon time is 8:18 to 8:28 pace and goal marathon pace is 7:38.  However, as mentioned above, my marathon PR and course PR is 3:22:56 (7:45 pace).

The Course

The New York City Marathon course goes through all five boroughs of the City.  It starts in Staten Island but runners immediately cross the Verrazano-Narrows bridge into Brooklyn. The course continues north through Brooklyn and Queens until it reaches the toughest part of the course – the very steep Queensboro Bridge into Manhattan.  Runners are rewarded at the end of the bridge with the sounds of roaring crowds on First Avenue.  The course heads north into the Bronx.  After only a couple of miles, the course goes south over another bridge and back into Manhattan.  A few miles down Fifth Avenue and runners are in Central Park where the race ends.

Generally, the course is flat but the bridges are like hills:

The Weather

Temperature (New York, Central Park): 59 at 9:50am, 60 at 10:50am, 62 at 11:50am, 62 at 12:50pm. Winds were 6-7 mph and variable w/23 mph gusts in the Park.

Pre-Race

Saturday

I did a short 4 mile run at home on Saturday morning and then started my trip to New York City.  My Amtrak train would leave a little before 9am and would arrive in New York City around 12:30pm, which should give me enough time to drop my baggage at my hotel in Times Square and head to the expo before it closed at 5pm.

I encountered Metro delays on my trip to Union Station.  I ended up abandoning the rails and took a cab to make sure I could catch my train.

Just south of Philadelphia, the train broke down.  We waited an hour before they transferred us to another train.

I arrived at Penn Station at 2:30pm and instead of checking my bag at my hotel, I headed directly to the expo.  And, since my faith public transportation was flailing, I walked.  It was about a mile away and my bag was heavy.

Expo!  I love a good expo.  I tend to buy a lot of clothes and gear.  I didn’t buy anything this year.  I think I wasn’t in the mood since I was so stressed after my trip.

I got my bib and ranted to the volunteer about the drama I experienced on the train.  She assured me they would have made accommodations for me since it was out of my control.

Next, I picked up my shirt but unfortunately, they were out of mediums!  A downside of getting to the expo late.  But, the large fitted fine.

My hotel was in Times Square/The Theater District.  I chose it because it’s easy to get back from the finish line and convenient to the shuttle that runs to the Javits Center for the expo.

I went to dinner with a teammate from Ragnar Cape Cod at an Italian restaurant near Central Park and then walked around Times Square a bit.  I laid out my race outfit for the next day and was in bed by around 9:30pm/10pm.

Sunday

I woke up at 4:30am feeling great.  I make a cup of coffee in my room and tend to my electronics.

I check the weather in Staten Island on National Weather Service‘s website and it directed me to Newark, New Jersey where the observed temperature at 3:50am was 52 degrees with 7 mph winds out of the south.  But, here was the interesting part: 72% humidity.

I packed my bag for the athlete’s village.  Since I’m poncho exit, I got a clear bag that I could take with me to Fort Wadsworth but couldn’t check.  I put a heat shield, garbage bag, Luna bar, sunglasses, and Spibelt in the bag.  By 5am, I was getting dressed and by 5:30am, I was out the door.

A few notes about start line logistics.  First, I was supposed to catch the Staten Island Ferry at 5:30am.  I decided that was way too early considering the race didn’t start until 9:50am.  Second, I was assigned to the Blue start in Corral C, which meant my start time would be 9:50am.  (The race has three starting lines – Blue, Orange, and Green – and four waves.)  The corrals close approximately one hour before the wave start time, which meant I needed to be at the staging area in Fort Wadsworth by about 9am at the latest and 8:30am to avoid any stress.

I went to a deli near my hotel and bought a bagel, fruit juice, and water.  A few weeks before the race, the organizers sent out an email warning that some of the stations on the 1 and 2 line closest to the Staten Island Ferry terminal would be closed. I walked south hoping I’d see a subway stop.  During the walk, I realized I didn’t take an Imodium.  I’ve taken an anti-diarrhea pill for every marathon I’ve run.

I saw some runners and decide to just follow them.  Soon, I realized they were going to the bus pick up at New York Public Library instead of the subway!  I kept walking and finally ask a man if a subway station was nearby.  He walked with me to Grand Central Station and pointed me to the trains I needed to get to the start.

On my way to the platform, I met up with a woman who was also making her way to Staten Island.  Soon, I was part of a band of four runners making their way to the Ferry station.

We arrived at the Ferry Station at about 6:45am.  As we made our way through the crowds, we gradually lost one another.

Security was light at the station – just bag sniffing dogs.  But, it was crowded.  But based on past races, I knew it wouldn’t be a long wait before the next boat would fill and leave.

Once I was on the Ferry, I walked to the front of the boat so I would be one of the first off.  It’s a little cold and windy, so I put on the garbage bag I packed and took some pictures.

I spent most of the trip sitting on the deck.  We arrived in Staten Island at about 7:15am.  I finally felt good about my race start timing so I used a port-a potty before getting in line to board a bus that would take me to the athlete’s village at Fort Wadsworth.

In 5 or 10 minutes, I was on a bus to Fort Wadsworth.  They kept the buses moving so it wasn’t fully loaded before it took off.  During the 45 minute bus ride, I ate a Luna bar.

I got to Fort Wadworth at about 8am.  It’s so early!  I have two hours until race start.

A NYPD officer wanded me for security.  As I was walking towards the entrance, another officer pulled me over and made me take off my garbage bag.  A woman offered me a clear bag instead but I declined.  It was actually pretty mild out.  I thought that can’t be a good sign.

As I walked to the village, I started to get more and more excited as I listened to the announcer giving instructions in so many languages.  I looked for the person giving out Dunkin Donuts hats but couldn’t find them.  I have one from a past race but this year’s had the year and logo.

I made my way to the blue wave staging area.  I used the port-a-potties again.  A friend from my running club was in the blue wave.  I stood in a highly visible location and hoped that he would walk by.  Sure enough, after only about 5 minutes, I saw him!  We talked for a few minutes and then found a patch of grass where we could sit and talk about our race plans.

I had estimated by finish time at 3:20 but planned to move back to a slower corral.  I found the pace chart online and decided to move to the back of Wave 1 – corral F – rather than the front of Wave 2.

The corrals close approximately an hour before the race.  I got to the corral at 8:30am and had an hour wait until the start.  For a while, I’m sitting on a curb.  I take a selfie and then turn off my phone to conserve the battery in case I need it for an emergency or after the race.  I realized the space was kinda “claimed” by another group of runners and felt a little bad.  I got up to use the port-a-potties and then found a piece of asphalt to lie down and stretch.

As 9am comes and goes, I noticed people are still getting into the corral!  I don’t begrudge them but it made me realize, again, that maybe these deadlines aren’t so hard and fast.

I went over to toss my athlete’s village bag.  A volunteer said she liked the flowers in my hair.  I chatted with her and her fellow volunteers a bit and thanked them for coming out.

 

I think it was around 9:25am that they started to walk us towards the bridge.   I used another port-a-potty along the way.  It seemed like a long wait.

On the bridge, when they announced the elite field, the crowd went crazy for Meb Keflezigi – Boston Marathon winner, New York City Marathon winner, and Olympic medalist!  And, my favorite part – froooooom San Diegooooooo, California!  A woman sang the national anthem and then we moved closer to the starting line.  The announcer started the race with an “On your mark” and then a cannon boomed.  Frank Sinatra started singing New York, New York and we were off!

 

Early Miles, Part I – Miles 1 to 8 (Staten Island and Brooklyn)
[Log Details]

The race started with an uphill on the Verrazano-Narrows bridge.  I was immediately struck by the number of people taking selfies and otherwise running recklessly.  But, after a few minutes, it seemed as though most of the runners settled in for the run.  I soaked in the views of the City and relaxed.  My playlist started with the Star Spangled Banner and New York, New York, which I realized was stupid since I just heard both at the starting line.  The first mile ended a little past the crest of the bridge.  I aired out my legs a little on the downhill.  The number of men peeing on the bridge was ridiculous.  There were port-a-potties in the corrals!

Coming off the bridge, we entered Brooklyn.  I noticed the drum band Batala on the right hand side of the road.  They’ve appeared at some local races in D.C. and it was nice to see something familiar.  I also noticed the other waves to my left.  The course went left and then a right finally dropping us on Fourth Avenue.  The next 6 miles of the race are on this stretch.

I felt pretty good early at this point but immediately noticed it was a bit warmer than I thought it would be.  I noticed a lot of runners wiping their brow, which confirmed my perception.  I realized it was probably because the wind was at our backs.  I tossed my gloves by mile 4, which I didn’t expect I would do so early in the race.  My hands are always cold.

For a while, I was running behind two women with pigtail and “Sverige” on their back.  (How did I not know that’s the Swedish word for “Sweden”?)  They were running a steady pace – smiling, and waving at the crowds.  They were so relaxed and adorable.  I decided to just run behind them for a while and maybe become their new best friend at some point in the race.

I took Gatorade and water at the aid stations.  I didn’t want to get behind on hydration.

I also just enjoyed the crowds.  For example, the New York City Police (NYPD) officers seemed to be enjoying the race as much as the spectators – clapping and swaying with the music.

In fact, I might have enjoyed the crowds a bit too much.  During mile 5, I did a lot of high- (and low-) fiving little kids on the sidelines.  I looked at my Garmin and noticed I ran a sub-8:00 mile!  Whoa!  I moved to the middle of the course and slowed myself down during mile 6.  I also started a Chocolate Gu, which I finished before the one hour mark.

By now, all three waves have joined and the course was pretty congested.  I put my arms out during water stops to avoid collisions and tried to avoid crashing into any runners.

Mile 7 is ever so slightly uphill and it seemed like the road had narrowed.  It felt like the spectators were so close and even though I had headphones on, the cheering was crazy loud.  The effect was dizzying.

Splits (by course): 8:53, 7:56, 8:07, 8:15, 7:59, 8:02, 8:14, 8:26.

Early Miles, Part II – Miles 8 to 13 (Brooklyn)  [Log Details]

One of the new things they did this year, I think, was put a Jumbotron on the course showing the lead pack for both men and women’s race.  I was so inspired by this.  In fact, as someone who appreciates the sport, the only downside of running a marathon is that I can’t watch the race live!

The course went right onto LaFayette Avenue.  I think this area is one of the most under-appreciated parts of the course and it’s my favorite stretch.  I’m not sure, but I believe the neighborhood is Clinton Hill/Bedford-Stuyvesant.  The crowds here are amazing and since the street is so narrow, it feels you’re running through a gauntlet of signs, outstretched hands, and noise.  I think there might also be a lot of African-Americans in the neighborhood because I feel like I get a few extra smiles and “umph” in my high-fives.

After mile 9, the course headed north.  The crowds were still pretty thick and boisterous.  I don’t have a lot of memories of this stretch except, as the spectators started to thin, I saw a small group with an Israel flag cheering in South Williamsburg.  I smiled because I took it as a sign that they wanted people to know that there are Jewish people in the neighborhood that support the race.  At mile 10.5 the course went to the right and a little after that we reach the oddest part of the course.

There’s a Hasidic Jewish neighborhood that complete ignores the race.  I mean, completely.  In past years, I encountered women pushing baby strollers across the road!  This year, I saw one man effortlessly make his way through the crowd.  I was in awe of how he did it.

But, a few strides later and the course went through North Williamsburg, which I gather is a more gentrified part of the Brooklyn.  There was a lot of cheering and fun signs but I didn’t appreciate them.  I was finally starting to feel a little tired and even had a side stitch.  I took some Gatorade at the aid station hoping it might help.  I thought about taking another Gu, but I don’t want to risk it knowing I didn’t take an Imodium that morning.

A half-mile later the course took a quick right, then a left, and we’re on McGuinness Boulevard heading towards Queen.  There aren’t any buildings in this area so the crowds seemed thin by comparison.  Just before mile 13, runners climbed our first bridge/hill since the start – the 11th Street Bridge into Queens.

Splits: 8:26, 8:13, 8:33, 8:22, 8:44.

Middle Miles, Part I – Miles 13 to 16 (Queens)
[Log Details]

I checked my Garmin and it reads 1:50 at the half.  I did the math and thought, “Wow!  I’m on pace for a 3:40:00 finish.”  That’s about 5 minute faster than I thought I would finish.  At the time, I forgot that the second half of NYCM is much harder than the first.  The second half features more bridges and Central Park.  This bridge didn’t feel terrible but I take it slow nonetheless.

At the foot of the 11th Street Bridge, the course made a quick left and then a right through what seemed like an industrial district.  My friend was going to be cheering for me in the same spot she’s cheered for me in years past.  Unfortunately, I don’t remember where that was so I start looking for her in the crowd.  During my scan, I saw one of my favorite signs from the race, “Welcome to Queens, Now Get Out”!  It was both rude and encouraging runners to run faster at the same time.  Well done, spectator!

My friend and her son were waiting for me at around mile 14.5.  I gave them a quick high-five and prepare myself for the Queensboro and 4 miles @ GMP.

 

Next up: the Queensboro bridge.  In my opinion, this is the toughest part of the course.  It’s a long, steep, uphill grade.  If I was going to try 4 miles at goal marathon pace, I needed to conserve some energy.  I was running on the left side of the bridge and taking in the view.  I felt pretty relaxed and then suddenly, a man tripped in front of me!  He wasn’t clipped – he just lost control of his body.  I slowed down, but he seemed okay so I kept going.

Coming off the bridge, I turned off my iPod so I could hear the crowds on First Avenue.  As I rounded the corner, I was a little disappointed that it wasn’t all that loud.  But, I didn’t dwell on it long since I was going to try 4 miles @ GMP.

Splits: 8:35, 8:54, 9:17.

Middle Miles, Part II – Miles 16 to 20 (Manhattan & The Bronx)
[Log Details]

I hit the lap button at mile 16 and sped up to run goal marathon pace down First Avenue, which is flat.  I got a lot of cheering from the crowd as I started blowing by.  I guessed they thought I found another gear.  I looked at my Garmin and the readings were wonky.  One minute, it was telling me I was running under GMP pace and then a few seconds later, I was over!  Maybe because of the tall building.  In any event, I tried to run GMP during mile 17 but I was exhausted. I decided GMP wasn’t going to happen today and my goal at this point was just finish.

Still, I’m surprised by how slow I’m running.  How did I go from mid-8:00 miles to high-9:00s?  Did those two hard miles take that much out of me?  Or, was I running too fast all along?  I ran really slow over the Willis Avenue bridge.  I hit mile 20 mark in the Bronx.  I had this overwhelming urge to stop. I just want to sit down. My feet hurt.  I told myself that I’ve never quit or walked a marathon yet and today would not be the day.

My overall pace was 8:30 through mile 20, which is slightly slower than my goal long run pace for sub-3:20 but not bad at all.

Splits: 7:48, 8:12, 9:16, 9:49.

Later Miles 20 to 26.2 (The Bronx & Manhattan)
[Log Details]

I wasn’t in the Bronx long but they were painful miles.  I spent the entire time convincing myself that there was a reason to keep going when I as so tired and my legs hurt so much.

The sun was trying to come out, so I put my sunglasses on.  As I run across the bridge into Manhattan, I hoped I would have enough energy to finish the race.  And, I couldn’t understand why I felt so terrible.

The crowds picked up again in Harlem and it felt like a block party.  I felt like the spectators here were great because they would look me in the eye and tell me exactly what I wanted to hear.  Total professionals.  I thought I heard an announcer say who won the race but it wasn’t a name I recognized so I thought I misheard and dismissed it.  Mostly, I was just trying to put one foot in front of the other and finish this race.

At mile 22, the course started a long stretch along Fifth Avenue.  The crowds were great.  I felt like the spectators were giving individual encouragement for each runner.  I even saw a woman in flats run with someone for a while and then jog back to where she was cheering.

During mile 23, I could tell there was a bit of a climb ahead, which was a little demoralizing.  I tried not to think about it and just keep moving.

Just before mile 24, the course went into Central Park.  I felt a sense of relief that the race was almost over.

The crowds in Central Park were cheering loudly.  I felt a second wind coming on and picked up the pace a little bit.  The mile markers are above head, which also lifted my spirits a little for some reason.

I noticed a few runners passed me and immediately stopping, and some on the side of the road nursing calf cramps.  One woman tried to hobble on a leg that was obviously seriously injured.  I wanted to tell her to stop but decided to mind my own business.

I hit mile 25 and do some math. I wanted to go a little faster to get under 3:50 but realized that wasn’t going to happen.  Just finished this.

Just before mile 26, the course went along Park Avenue.  The crowds are deafening and runners are surging for their final kick but I just can’t run any faster.  I’m going to finish and today that’s enough.

Splits: 10:06, 9:49, 10:04, 10:22, 10:06, 9:54, 2:03.

Post-Race

I immediately want to sit down and throw up – not necessarily in that order.  But, I know the medical team isn’t going to let me stop walking so I kept walking.

I got the medal and, I have to admit, I was a little disappointed.  It looked so much like last year’s medal!  I took it and keep walking.

I chose the poncho exit which meant I got a heat shield and a bag of food as I walked towards the exit to Central Park.  There was a water, Gatorade, pretzels, a Powerbar, and an apple in the bag but I’m too cold to open the poncho to eat it.  As cold as I was, it didn’t feel as miserable this year as last year.  It was definitely warmer today and less windy.

 

 

I finally get my poncho and made my way to the subway, (they were not letting us ride for free.)  Finally, I can sit down!  Two stops later, a block walk, and I was at my hotel.  I took a bath and a shower to ease my muscle pain and warm up.  After a few hours of relaxing in my hotel room, I meet friends for dinner at an Italian place on the upper west side.

Result

I finished in 3:52:13 (8:52 pace). It’s good for a 2017 Boston Marathon qualifying time, which for me will 3:55 as I’ll be 45 on race day. Hopefully, I won’t need to use it and will run a much faster time at the California International Marathon next month.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Epilogue

I’m very concerned about how this race went.  I would have thought, even with 60+ miles on my legs this week, that I would have been able to handle this run. I know tapers work miracles but I’m starting to doubt whether sub-3:20 is a realistic goal for CIM. I ran a 3:32 last year a week after the Marine Corps Marathon for goodness sake! However, ever the optimist, I did slip into 7:40 pace pretty easily in the early miles so I’m not completely despondent.

I went for a shake out run in Central Park on Sunday.

I got breakfast at my hotel and then took the Amtrak back to Washington, D.C.

I had a great time at the New York City Marathon.  The race posted this video and it sums up the spirit of this race.  It’s still my favorite race and I still intend to run it every year I can.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Abridged Version

I ran the New York City Marathon as a long run on Sunday. I ran the first 16 miles at my goal long run pace.  I tried to run 4 miles at goal marathon pace at mile 16 but couldn’t pull it off.  I shuffled for the remainder of the race finishing in 3:52:13 (8:52 pace). I’m starting to have doubts about whether I can run sub-3:20 at CIM.