Saturday was a quick run in Central Park. I’ve been looking forward to this all week. Not only was it the first time I’ve run in…a long time…but the energy in Central Park the day before the marathon is ELECTRIC. All the out of town runners are out there running in the park, taking pictures of the finish line, chatting excitedly. Everyone had to touch the Fred Lebow statue for good luck. I still can’t believe that it was just a year ago that I was one of them, so excited and nervous. I kept getting choked up just being there. I ran with the team and talked to several of the runners about the marathon. For many of them it was their first ever marathon. I think the NYC marathon is a great first ever marathon because the support is AMAZING. I told them about my experience and tried to allay some of their nerves.
Then, marathon Sunday. I must admit I was thankful that I didn’t have to get up at 4am, but when I watched the coverage on TV, I really wanted to be sitting in Staten Island with everyone, chatting nervously, huddling together to stay warm, listening to iPods to get pumped up. I remember almost every minute of the wait. It felt like it lasted forever.
I, of course, volunteered to get out there and cheer. I chose one of the most difficult parts of the race for me- the Bronx. The runners get to the Bronx at mile 20. This is about the time that you hit “the Wall.” Your body can typically store enough energy to carry you the first 20 miles. For those that started too fast, didn’t hydrate well, didn’t refuel with GUs, this is the time they feel it. I wanted to be there to get them through it. And I honestly must have been one of those people because nothing looked familiar to me at all. They were all sorts of turns in the course that I don’t remember.
Cheering was amazing. Mile 20 is an incredible place to be. There were people that literally fell down, were limping, or were cramping so much they had to sit. But they pulled themselves together and kept going. That’s what the marathon is about. I stayed out there all day. They were tearing down the barricades and the aid stations, but we were still there. It was these people at the end that were the most appreciative. When everyone else had left, we were there to cheer them on like the rockstars they are. It felt really good to help push them on. Some of the people that had been walking started to jog again with our encouragement.
I have to thank my awesome (and LOUD) friends for coming out there with me and staying. You really helped make this an awesome experience for so many runners. I think our signs helped too. They got quite a few chuckles. It’s not easy to make someone laugh after running 20 miles.
These are the highlights:
Even though I really wanted to be out there with the runners, I’m glad I took the year off. Now, I’m totally ready to embark on this journey again. I can’t wait for Chicago 2012.
Congrats to all you NYC 2011 Marathoners out there! YOU DID IT!!!
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