I too used have this problem!!! But, by shedding some of my fatally fat fatty fat and training like a mad man, I now am able to run a sub-4 hour marathon. It wasn't easy though my friends. On November 7th I took to the streets of New York with 45,000 other maniacs and accomplished a goal that has eluded me in my first 4 attempts. What made this time different? This wasn't the easiest course to attempt a personnel best for sure. But, I made it happen dammit!!! Read on if you want the long drawn out version of my marathon experience.
It all started on a day much like today, just kidding... I woke up on November 7th at 5:30 A.M. and started my long run ritual, which I won't bore you with. I went down stairs around 6:00 A.M. and planned on walking to the subway a few blocks from the hotel after a brief stop at Dunkin Donuts for a large coffee. While exiting the hotel I noticed a fellow marathoner arguing with the front doormen about not having coffee and bananas available. The young lady was already at full marathon hype and letting the hotel know about it!!! I decided to stay out of the confrontation and keep to my plan. The Dunkin Donuts was approximately 3 blocks from the hotel, so in a couple minutes I arrived for some coffee goodness. Much to my surprise the excited young lady from the hotel was exiting the DD's as I entered. "I bet you are wondering how I beat you here aren't you", she said. That's exactly what I was wondering, I replied. "I have a car to take me down to the start of the race. Get your coffee and you can ride with me". This is when I knew that today was my day!!! I ordered my coffee, hopped in the car and off to the starting line we went. The car actually took Robin (my new friend) and I to the Staten Island Ferry. From there we had to get on a (you guessed it) ferry, and take that to the starting line on (right again) Staten Island. Once arriving on Staten Island, Robin and I were corralled on to a bus that drove us a few miles to the holding area for the blue wave starters at Fort Wadsworth, which is at the foot of the Verrazano Narrows Bridge. It was now 7:00 A.M. My marathon starting time was around 10:20 A.M. Plenty of time for my pre-race meal and several hundred trips to the port-o-lets. People watching is one of my favorite things to do, and the pre-marathon area could be among the most enjoyable. I lost track of time watching all the people of different shapes and sizes, and how all have their own way to prepare for whats to come. Before I knew it they were calling for my wave to head to the starting line.
The temperature was around 50 degrees and stayed about that for the entire run. My wave consisted of 15,000 runners. The elite runners, and first wave of 15,000 runners have already been running for 20 minutes by the time my wave crossed the starting line. The first 1.5 miles is a nice 300 feet run up the Verrazano Bridge, but since your shoulder to shoulder with all the other runners the incline isn't that noticeable. Before you know it your heading down the other side and entering into Brooklyn. Brooklyn was relatively flat and the crowds were 3 or 4 deep the entire 11 miles. These miles go by fast and I felt great during this stretch. I spent this part of the race with the 3:50 & 4:00 pace groups in sight and actually ran with the 4 hour group for a short time. Having felt the pain of losing a pace group I was happy to pull away from the 4 hour group at one of the water stops. Hoping to not see this group again.
Mile1: 9:31 Mile8: 9:02
Mile2: 8:08 Mile9: 8:57
Mile3: 8:34 Mile10: 8:43
Mile4: 8:41 Mile11: 9:03
Mile5: 8:47 Mile13: 8:47
Mile6: 8:49
Mile7: 8:58
Soon after mile 13 you cross the Pulaski Bridge which brings you into Queens for a quick 3 mile jaunt. Around mile 15 I hit my first road block of the race, the dreaded Queensboro Bridge. May I say after 15 miles of running this bitch of a bridge seems long and steep. I watched as the bridge turned many runners into walkers along the trip to the top. I could feel the tide starting to turn as the 3:50 pace group went flying by me on the descent of the bridge. I kept telling myself to keep moving my legs, it was just a phase. Only 10 more miles to go!!!
Mile14: 8:55 Mile15: 10:17 OUCH!!! Mile16: 12:03 YEE-OUCH!!!
Luckily for me, mile 17 had the most crowd support of the entire race. We were now in Manhattan and running up First Ave. and the streets were lined 7 deep on both sides with enthusiastic fans screaming and yelling words of support. This is where I saw Alisa for the first time which gave me renewed energy. The crowds made the hills and the next 4 miles go by quickly.
Mile17: 8:55 Back on Track!!! Mile18: 9:14 A little slow!!! Mile19: 9:14 Mile20: 9:17
At about mile 19.5 you head over the Willis Ave. Bridge and into the Bronx. Word of advice to future New York Marathon participants, if you feel like walking during the marathon feel free. Just don't start walking in the Bronx!!! These people are relentless!!! I witnessed several tired marathoners yelled at by the crowds in this area. "Get Running!!! We didn't come all the way from our houses to cheer on walkers!!!" Good thing only 1 mile of the course is in the Bronx and then its back to Manhattan.
Mile21: 9:07
Mile 22 through 24 take you south on Fifth Ave. and towards Central Park. At this point I knew I was close to my goal time, but didn't have a lot of banked time to spare. My upper legs were starting to cramp from the hills. To make matters worse all of mile 22 was uphill. Once again the crowd support was tremendous and kept me going. I overheard a lady beside me talking to her running partner "I can't make it, I need to stop!!!". Her partner told her to keep her legs moving stopping now to walk would be even worse than running. I too felt like stopping, but these timely words kept my legs moving up that long hill and into the entrance of Central Park.
Mile22: 9:36 Freaking Hills Mile23: 9:11 Mile24: 9:14
At mile 24 you enter Central Park and again the crowds are large and supportive. Mile 24 has a nice downhill section, which is where the 4 hour pacer pulled up beside me. Where in the hell did you come from 4 hour pacer dude??? As we I approached the bottom of the hill and mile 25 shoulder to shoulder with the 4 hour pacer, I saw Alisa again. This gave me another burst of energy and I started to pick up my pace a little. I put some distance between me and the 4 hour pacer and tried to draw as much strength from the crowd to keep a consistent pace. In the distance I could see the finish line, which of course was uphill for the last quarter of a mile. Finally, I reached the finish line and stopped my watch and quickly checked my time. 3:58:30!!! I was given my medal and blanket and tried to let the joy of my accomplishment sink in.
Mile25: 8:39 Yeah Baby!!! Mile26: 8:38 Suck it 4 hours!!!
The sinking in part didn't happen for some time, in fact this was the first of my 5 marathons that right after I was not ready to sign up for another. In fact, as I write this I'm still questioning if I have what it takes to do it again!!! It took me 1 year and 9 months and 5 marathons to reach my goal of a sub-4 hour marathon. Honestly, until I can find another goal to shoot for the marathon appeal is all but gone. As silly as it sounds, I thrive on the challenges the marathon has provided me for the past couple of years. Being a soon to be be forty year old, it's all I have left athletic wise to keep me competitive in any way... Looks like I need a new Goal!!!
Final results: 26.2 miles, 3hr. 58min. 30sec., 9:07 pace, 4,453 calories burned.
Run In Peace!!!
