2018 New York City Marathon

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

Prologue

I started training for the New York City Marathon in July using an 18-week training plan from Advanced Marathoning, Second Edition by Pete Pfitzinger. At the time, my goal for the race was beating my time from last year’s race by running sub-3:25 (7:50 pace).

But, the heat was relentless this summer – tying a regional record for most 80 degree days! I slowed down and took frequent rest breaks during most of my hard workouts to avoid over-heating, particularly because I started high blood pressure medication in May and worried about pushing myself too hard.

Fall finally arrived and I ran two legitimate “tune-up” races: the 2018 Navy-Air Force Half Marathon in 1:43:16 (7:53 pace) and the 2018 Army Ten Miler in 1:18:49 (7:53 pace).  Then, two weeks before the marathon, I completed Roosevelt Island Parkrun #101 in 22:44 (7:18 pace).  Consulting Daniels’ Running Formula, Second Edition, those race results suggested I was in 3:36 marathon shape (8:15 pace).

The week before the race, my legs were distressingly sore so I ran easy and even took an extra rest day.  My only workouts were a 13 miler on Sunday and two miles at marathon race pace on Wednesday.

Goals

Personal Records:

• Marathon & Course PR: 3:22:56 (7:45 pace) at the 2013 New York City Marathon.
• Most Recent Marathon: 4:02:37 (9:16 pace) at the 2018 Boston Marathon.

Achievable: Sub-3:38 (8:20 pace).  At minimum, I wanted a guaranteed qualifying time for next year’s race.

Likely: Sub-3:36 (8:15 pace).  Consulting Daniels’ Running Formula, Second Edition, my results from the 2018 Navy-Air Force Half Marathon in 1:43:16 (7:53 pace) and the 2018 Army Ten Miler in 1:18:49 (7:53 pace) suggested this would be an equivalent performance.

Stretch: Sub-3:32 (8:06 pace).  My races were in warm conditions and I thought I was actually in slightly better shape than those times indicated.

Strategy:  Secure a guaranteed entry into next year’s race by running each mile under 8 minutes and 20 seconds.

Course

The New York City Marathon touches all five boroughs of the city.  The terrain is flat except for the bridges separating the boroughs, an incline on Fifth Avenue, and two small hills in Central Park.

The course starts at the base of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge in Staten Island and heads into Brooklyn. It continues into Queens after crossing the Pulaski Bridge.  The very steep Queensboro Bridge takes runners into Manhattan where roaring crowds await along First Avenue.  Then, the course heads to the Bronx after traversing the Willis Bridge.  After a mile, the route goes over the Madison Avenue Bridge back into Manhattan and down Fifth Avenue.  Three miles later, runners enter Central Park for the finish.

There are water and Gatorade stations at every mile after Mile 3.

Boisterous crowds line the course except for the bridges.

Playlist

Two weeks ago, I attended a Library of Congress lecture on music and exercise. Based on the researcher’s guidance, I re-arranged my existing playlist by tempo and genre. I organized 54 songs – 3 hours and 32 minutes of music.

And, because I’m perpetually under-fueling during marathons, I dropped voice recordings into the playlist at 45 minute intervals telling me to start a gel.

Pre-Race

Friday

Traumatized by the 2018 Boston Marathon, I packed warm clothing options even though the forecast for the race looked absolutely perfect.  After a five mile easy run in the morning, I boarded an Amtrak Acela train from Union Station in Washington, D.C. at noon and arrived in New York City just before 4pm.  Without checking my hotel address or a subway map, I confidently but incorrectly chose the 1 Line at Penn Station before back-tracking to the B Line. I still over-shot my destination by several blocks.  When I finally arrived at my hotel, I checked in quickly and then went to the grocery for a microwave dinner and some snacks for the room.  I capped off the day with Phantom of the Opera at the theater.

Saturday

In the days leading up to the race, my legs were distressingly sore.  I got an early start for my “shake out” run in Central Park.

After running two miles towards East 90th Street, I saw Shalane Flanagan… again!  The Dash to the Finish 5K was finishing and I saw Emily Sisson on her way to victory.

I went to the expo at the Javits Convention Center at around 12:30pm.

Pick-up for bibs and t-shirts was smooth.  I was in a buying mood and lingered for a while but most of the merchandise from New Balance was similar to items I purchased the year before.

Later that afternoon, I finally relented and took two ibuprofen for my long-suffering quadriceps.  I went to bed a little after 9pm that evening.

Race Day

Daylight Saving Time ended the night before and I woke up at 4:15am despite setting my alarm for 5am.  I checked the forecast, which still showed near perfect weather, and then started breakfast: coffee, a bagel, and some oatmeal.  I left my hotel in Midtown Manhattan at 5:25am.

Transportation to the race was nearly flawless.  I took the 1 Line to South Ferry Station, snacking on a Kind Breakfast Bar and drinking water on the way.  A ferry arrived promptly and I boarded it at around 6am, which was my assigned time.  I ate a banana and continued hydrating during the trip to Staten Island.  With the Statue of Liberty in the background, I appreciated the diversity of this race.  All types of people from around the world coming together to run 26.2 miles together!

The ferry docked in Staten Island at around 6:30am.  Runners walked a couple of blocks and caught buses to Fort Wadsworth.  After a long delay, my bus made the final turn for off-boarding and let us off at 7:50am.  I used the port-a-potty and then wandered around the Orange Start area.

 

The Wave 1 corrals opened at 8:50am.  I got in line for the porta-potty immediately.  The corral closed at 9:25am and shortly thereafter, we walked to the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge.  I shed my throw-away clothes moments before the race started.

It was just a beautiful view that I took my time crossing the starting line.

Weather

Absolutely perfect running weather!  The temperature was around 48 degrees at the start with clear skies.  There were strong gusts on the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge but otherwise, the winds were calm.  By the end of the race, the temperature was in the low- to mid-50s.

The Race

Early Miles, Part I – Miles 0 to 2 (Staten Island – Verrazano-Narrows Bridge)

The view of the Manhattan skyline from the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge was amazing!  I thought about how lucky we were for experiencing this breathtaking moment and smiled.  My aching legs woke me from my revelry, though and reminded me that I was running a race!  As if incline wasn’t enough, they were fighting a strong headwind.  Near the top of the bridge, I hit the lap button on my Garmin at the 1 mile marker and heard 8:33.

Eager to make up time, I lengthened my stride on the downhill into Brooklyn.  But, I cautioned myself not to worry too much about my pace this early in the race.  When I passed the second mile, my Garmin showed my overall pace was 8:07.

Splits (by course): 8:33, 7:41.

Early Miles, Part II – Miles 2 to 8 (Brooklyn)

Coming off the bridge and entering the Bay Ridge neighborhood of Brooklyn, the Orange Wave start course turned left onto 92nd Street.  My Garmin alerted me that my performance condition was -2.  I thought, “Thanks for the vote of confidence, Garmin.”  After three quick turns, the course turned onto Fourth Avenue.  There were huge crowds in this section of Brooklyn – perhaps the most I’ve ever seen!  The crowds and bands were so loud that I couldn’t hear my music!  I told myself not to get excited.  Last year, I went out hard during this section of the course and it hurt me in the latter miles.  At Mile 3, I heard 8:14 and felt conflicted.  I knew I had to run faster to reach my goal but feared starting out too hard again.

Over the next four miles, I ran a consistent 7:50-8:00 pace.  I worried about whether that was too fast, but remembered that my last marathon pace run was done in that range. Approaching the first aid station at Mile 3, a volunteer helpfully yelled Gatorade would be first and then water but I ran through the early aid stations.  I was already spending a lot of energy weaving around runners and the water stops were too chaotic.  Occasionally, I glanced over at the Blue Wave searching for a friend of mine and the 3:30 pace group, but didn’t find either.  A few runners from that wave crossed over into ours because it was less congested.  On cue, I started a Crank Sport e-Gel at the 45 minute mark on the way to Mile 7 in Park Slope.

At around Mile 8, I finally took water at an aid station before the course turned left onto Flatbush Avenue.  I passed a large screen showing the race leaders before turning right onto LaFayette Avenue – my favorite part of the race.  I hit the lap button on my Garmin and heard 8:06.  It was over 8 minutes but it was still under 8:20.

Splits (by course): 8:14, 7:45, 7:48, 7:54, 7:52, 8:06.

Early Miles, Part III – Miles 8 to 14 (Brooklyn)

The next mile is my favorite part of the race.  The crowds are so large and enthusiastic that they spill into the street!  A police officer directed the crowd to move back onto the sidewalk but they weren’t complying.  The road narrowed so I followed a few runners cutting through the crowd, including a woman with “F— Cancer” written across the back of her singlet.  I tossed my empty gel packet and took a cup of water at the next aid station.  My split for Mile 9 was 8:08.

After a half mile, the course turned left onto Bedford Avenue and while the road was wider, the crowds were thinner.  I saw a woman handing out water bottles and I grabbed one.  I hit the lap button on my Garmin at Mile 10 in 7:47.

In Mile 10, the course banked to the left and entered a Hasidic Jewish neighborhood.  The course was slightly uphill in this section and when I glanced at my Garmin, it showed my pace was over 9:00!  Alarmed, I sped up.  When I heard the prompt to start a gel, I ignored it.  Finding and opening a gel meant slowing down.  With the increased effort, Mile 11 came in at 8:15.

Out of nowhere, I felt a hand pushing on my back!  I turned and a man had lost his balance and almost fell into me.  I did the international sign for, “Look at all this road” and moved as far away from him as I could.  I took a cup of water at the next aid station.  The road was truly narrow in places and it was hard navigating through the pack.  After the aid station at Mile 12, I passed McCarren Park and hit the lap button for Mile 12 in 8:01.

The course turns left onto Manhattan Avenue, right onto Greenpoint Avenue for a block, and then left again onto McGuinness Boulevard.  Mile 13 arrived just before the Pulaski Bridge and my split was 8:02.  The half marathon mark was on the bridge itself.  My Garmin read 1:45:xx.  (Officially, it was 1:45:08.)  Knowing the second half of the course is harder than the first, I calculated I would do no better than 3:30.  But, would I give up 8 minutes?

On the other side of the bridge, the people of Queens greeted us.  The course turned left and then made a quick right onto Vernon Avenue.  Mile 14 was at the end of that stretch and was 8:06 for me.

Splits (by course): 8:08, 7:47, 8:15, 8:01, 8:02, 8:06.

Middle Miles, Part I – Miles 14 to 16 (Queens)

In the final blocks in Queens, the course turned right onto 44th Street.  I finally pulled a Crank Sport e-Gel and a packet of Sword Energy Chews from my shorts but ran past the last water stop on this side of the Queensboro Bridge.  After a left turn, I noticed the relative quiet.

Climbing the bridge, my legs burned.  I didn’t want to give up too much time, though, so I forced them to run hard.  I hit the lap for Mile 15 after a quarter mile and heard 8:18, which I thought was great!

Looking to my left at Lower Manhattan and below at Roosevelt Island, I couldn’t believe what a gorgeous day it was!  I settled behind some runners and let them navigate the crowds for me.  The hill crested and I accelerated on the downhill.  I paused my music to hear the crowd in Manhattan but they weren’t very loud.  Mile 16 was at the base of the bridge and I whizzed by with a 8:22 split – much slower than I expected.

Splits (by course): 8:18, 8:22.

Middle Miles, Part II – Miles 16 to 20 (Manhattan – First Avenue)

On East 59th Street, I waved my arms up and down to wake up the spectators but they weren’t engaging.  Turning left onto First Avenue, the crowd might have been the biggest and loudest I’ve ever seen!  The road widened and I felt as if I could run freely now.  Thinking about the race, I knew this section would tell me if I went out harder than I realized.  “Just focus on getting to Mile 20 feeling good,” I told myself.  I looked up at the large video screen before taking water at the next aid station.  I saw Mary Keitany won and Shalane Flanagan finished third.  The road undulates a little for the next four miles but nothing that comes close to a hill.  For support, volunteers handed out sponges at Mile 17 and gels at Mile 18.  I hit the lap button on my Garmin at Mile 17 and heard 8:04.  At Mile 18, it said 8:01.

And then, I hit a rough patch.  I felt… tired.  Thinking I might be low on calories, I considered taking my third and final gel but decided it was too early.  When I heard the 8:12 split at Mile 19, I thought the race might be slipping away from me.

But, I wasn’t giving up.  I told myself there were only three hard parts left – the Willis Avenue Bridge, the Madison Avenue Bridge, and Mile 23.  I charged the bridge will renewed energy, weaving aggressively past runners downshifting for the incline.  On the downhill in the Bronx, I felt… good!  Coming off the bridge, my split for Mile 20 was 8:23.

Splits (by course): 8:04, 8:01, 8:12, 8:23.

Later Miles, Part I – Miles 20 to 21 (The Bronx)

Usually, I fade a little in the Bronx but I couldn’t risk it today.  After the left turn onto 135th Street, I grabbed water at the aid station but kept a strong pace.  Three quick turns later, the woman in the “F— Cancer” singlet ran past me again.  “How does she keep getting behind me?,” I thought.  After a right turn, the Madison Avenue Bridge was straight ahead.  A spectator yelled, “This is the last bridge!”  Mile 21 was on the bridge and my Garmin called out an 8:12 split.

Splits (by course): 8:12.

Later Miles, Part II – Miles 21 to 24 (Manhattan – Fifth Avenue)

On the other side of the Madison Avenue Bridge, the course turned left onto Fifth Avenue.  Remembering how much I slowed down during this section of the race last year, I was determined not to repeat it.  At the next aid station, police officers on bicycles got between me and the volunteers but I snatched a cup without causing a collision.  At Mile 22, my Garmin reported a 8:20 split, which frustrated me a little because I was working so hard!

I felt good rounding Marcus Garvey Park but soon felt the dreaded Fifth Avenue incline.  When I hit the lap button on my watch for Mile 23 next to Central Park, I heard another 8:20 split.

I felt myself fading a little during Mile 23 and constantly checked my Garmin making sure I was still under 8:20 pace.  Desperate for energy, I squished some of my last Crank Sport e-Gel into my mouth.  For a while, I locked onto a large screen in the distance that marked the entrance to Central Park and it seemed to help.  At East 90th Street, the course turned right into Central Park and about 200 meters later, I hit the lap for Mile 24 – an 8:27 split.

Splits (by course): 8:20, 8:20, 8:27.

Later Miles, Part III – Miles 24 to 26.2 (Central Park)

There were some rolling hills in Central Park but I felt confident I could deal with them.  I stuck with my plan of just staying under 8:20 pace not knowing if my goal was in danger.

The canopy of leaves in fall colors in Central Park was stunning!  On my way to Mile 25, knowing the race was almost over, I thought back on this training cycle – going on high blood pressure medication, taking the trip of a lifetime to the Baltics and Russia, changing jobs – what an amazing six month!  I got choked up but reigned in the tears quickly.  The race isn’t finished, yet!  Coming off Cat Hill, I hit the lap for Mile 25 – 8:00!

A half mile later, I was on Central Park South.  Approaching Columbus Circle, I passed the marker for Mile 26 in 8:06.  On the straight-way to the finish, my playlist ended and I felt assured that my finish time was around 3:32.  I admired the New York Road Runners Hall of Fame banners through to the finish line.  I raised my arms to the sky triumphantly!

Splits (by course): 8:00, 8:06, 1:50 (8:22 pace).

Post-Race

That was amazing!  As I walked through the finish line area, I had a big satisfied grin on my face.  A volunteer handed me a medal and I posed for a few pictures.  Soon thereafter, I wrapped myself in a sheet of Mylar and grabbed a recovery bag with food and drinks.  On the walk to the ponchos, I didn’t eat anything but talked with a fellow runner for a little while.

It was a quick subway ride to my hotel in the Theater District.  That evening, I met up with friends for drinks, dinner, and stories about the day.

On Monday, I thought a short run in Central Park would be good for my legs but I was wrong. They weren’t willing to give me much more than a shuffle.

For the first time, I participated in Marathon Monday by visiting the Pavilion.  My favorite moment was when part of the elite race played on the video monitor and all the runners turned their heads to watch.  We hadn’t seen the race yet!  I bought a few items – the New Balance NYC Marathon Radiant Heat Finisher Anorak, the NYC Marathon NB Athletics Finisher Legging, and the NYC Marathon Finisher Pom Beanie – before heading back to my hotel before checkout and leaving town.

Result

My time was 3:33:17 (8:09 pace) [Log Details]. I was the 6,025 out of 52,700 finishers (top 12%), 1,031st female (top 5%), and 107th in my age group (top 4%).  According to media reports, the number of finishers was actually a record-setting 52,812!

I qualified for the 2019 New York City Marathon with 4 minutes to spare.  I also scored a 2020 Boston Marathon qualifying time minus 16 minutes.

On the elite side, Lelisa Desisa and Mary Keitany won the men race in 2:05:59 (4:49 pace) and women’s race in 2:22:48 (5:28 pace).

Epilogue

I fell in love with the New York City Marathon all over again.  Mother Nature made up for the 2018 Boston Marathon with perfect running weather, race officials executed nearly flawless logistics, and the crowds showed their support along the course.   I couldn’t be happier with how the race went.

It was also an emotional finish for me.  It’s been a remarkable six months for me – going on high blood pressure medication after the Boston Marathon, taking the trip of a lifetime to the Baltics and Russia before starting this training cycle, and changing jobs back in August.

I ran a fairly conservative race – only 10 seconds/mile faster than my 22 miler a few weeks ago – so I’m not planning on resting much.  And, I paced it well – only a three minute positive split, which is great for this course.  On my way home, I was already researching a goal marathon for the spring.  Currently, I’m looking at Shamrock in March or Cleveland in May.

Next race: 2018 Alexandria Turkey Trot 5 Miler on Thursday, November 22nd. (My Complete Racing Schedule.)

Abridged Version

The race was magnificent – perfect running weather, exuberant crowds, and excellent logistics!

My training didn’t go as well as I’d hoped, mostly due to this summer’s relentless heat and humidity.  Before the race, I changed my goal from sub-3:25 to re-qualifying for next year’s race with a sub-3:38 (8:20 pace).

In the early miles of the race, I banked a little time by running a few miles under 8:00 pace.  I struggled a little around Mile 19 but rallied in the Bronx.  My time was 3:33:17 (8:09 pace)!  See you next year, New York!