It’s 51 weeks until next year’s NYC Marathon! With my cancelled entry for this year, hopefully I will be toeing the start line on November 5, 2017.
It was weird to not be carb loading on Saturday night at the team pasta dinner. Instead we went out to an early birthday dinner at Halifax and ate a lot of seafood (a must try if you’re in Hoboken). Even though I was not running the race, we still participated in the festivities. For the last 8 years, there was only one year that I was not out spectating or running the race and it was because of a wedding. This year I ran the Abbott Dash to the Finish Line 5K and on marathon Sunday, Josh, Charlotte and I went out to cheer on all the runners. Before we went out to the city, it was fun to watch the pre-race coverage and the elites finish their face. It was awesome to watch Molly Huddle finish in 3rd place in her marathon debut!
Josh and Charlotte spectated for a bit right before mile 26 on Central Park South and I went up to 130th and 5th Avenue, around mile 21.5, to meet up with a friend and run the last 4 or so miles with one of my cousins. Before he arrived, I was able to cheer on a couple of friends and another cousin (I have a big family and many runners in it!). The weather was gorgeous albeit maybe a bit too sunny for the runners but great weather for the spectators.
I had coached my cousin on his first marathon and was glad that I was able to help pace him for some of the hardest miles of the race — 5th Avenue hill and the last couple of miles through Central Park. It was extremely exciting to hear the roar of the crowds and amazing support for all the runners.
The NYC Marathon is an experience for runners and spectators and not to be missed if you are local or coming into the area on the first Sunday of November! Congratulations to all the runners again on an amazing accomplishment!
On Saturday, I ran the 
On race morning, I got up a little earlier than I normally would and since it was still dark out, I cursed myself, like I usually do before an early morning run, for putting myself through this torture. My morning routine now includes pumping so it takes me a bit longer and of course I underestimate the amount of time I needed. I left the apartment a little later than I wanted. After I parked the car by Columbus Circle area (so I could be closer after the finish), I ended up taking a taxi to the start. I really wanted to run over but I was afraid I wouldn’t have enough time.
I made it to race central (47th and 2nd) by 8:10AM for an 8:30AM start so I actually had plenty of time to use the port-a-potties and line up in my corral. I can’t remember the last time I lined up in my assigned corral; these days I arrive at races right as they start. With the staggered start, I didn’t cross the start line until 4 minutes or so in, which wasn’t too bad. The course went south on 1st Avenue and then west on 42nd until 6th Avenue where we turned to go north and eventually a right (east) on Central Park South and entered Central Park at Grand Army Plaza to complete the partial lower loop. The finish is the marathon finish line by Tavern on the Green. Even though I was running hard, I really enjoyed all the sights along the course. It’s not every day you run right by Grand Central, Bryant Park, and Carnegie Hall. My friend, Julio was also out cheering so I kept a lookout for him as well. I saw him right at the turn on Central Park South and then again right before the last hill towards the finish.
I was extremely excited to finish and cross the marathon finish line without feeling like I just ran a marathon. My finish time was exactly 29:00; 9:20 pace, which is far from a PR but some of the fastest miles I’ve run postpartum. I had to wait a bit to pick up my post race snacks but once I did, we were quickly funneled out of Central Park through 72nd Street. The race, just like all the other NYRR races, was extremely organized. While a very expensive 5K (it was $50!), it was worth it to get out there and run fast and enjoy the marathon excitement. I highly recommend this race to anyone looking to enjoy the marathon hype in NYC!