NYC Marathon - The family Edition!

Sunday, November 1rst, I ran in the 40th Annual New York City Marathon. This was my third year in a row running the race and by far my most challenging: this was the first year training and running as a daddy (well, technically I was a daddy for last years race, but of course Gabriel was still being made and at that point we had no idea if he were a Gabriel or a Gabriella). My training leading up to this marathon was a far cry from last year’s race: typically I try to log about 60-70 miles a week, this year though, was around 20 miles a week. I need not explain why I had less time this year. But regardless, this is by far my favorite race so I ran despite my lack of training. Another added bonus this year, Ash's dad finally got in to the race after 3 years of trying to get in through the runner lottery. So, a run down of the race (If running talk bores you, scroll to the bottom and look at some pics) :

The morning started about 3:30 am, giving myself plenty of time to get to the start and be ready. Unfortunately, it was raining in the morning, although it was not supposed too. I was to meet Steve at 4:30 by his hotel down on 72nd street (we're up at 90) so we could take the subway down to Staten Island Ferry to get to the race. It's quite a process to actually get to the start, but its New York, so that’s to be expected. I left our place about 4:10am and had hoped to catch a bus down to 72nd, but unfortunately at that hour they are few and far between. So, i walked, in the rain, getting soaked because of course, i didn’t know it was raining and by the time i got to the street, i really didn’t feel like going back up to grab an umbrella. So, i walked a mile in the rain, and found Steve on the corner of 72, huddled under an awning.

Quickly, we made our way to the 72nd street Subway station and on to the 3 train, headed south to Staten Island Ferry. Per usual, our train stops at Times Square (the next stop), then tells everyone it is the last stop and everyone has to get off. So, we get off and wait. A few minutes later, the 1 train shows up and we get on. It’s slower, but eventually its the train we have to get on. We arrive in plenty of time at the Ferry, actually with about 20 minutes to spare as we wait on the 5:30 am boat. We are not alone, the lobby of the usually vacant-on-a-Sunday-morning-Ferry is packed wall to wall with banana eating, Vaseline rubbing, muscle stretching, Gatorade guzzling runners. The locals had very puzzled looks as they surveyed the crowd. Because I'm a local, I position us so we are first on the Ferry AND so we can get a seat that lets us be first OFF the ferry as well. By the time the boat departs, people are lining the walls, sitting in the aisles, the boat is completely full! At least we have a seat!

It’s a 30 minute ride across the bay, and as we dock, we are the first ones to jump off the boat and hurry out to the waiting shuttle buses. Again, we hit the first bus and only wait 2 minutes for it to fill up and go. Nice and smooth! We hit the runners village by 6:30 and have about 3 hours to kill be fore go time. Unfortunately, the tent in our area is already jam packed with runners so we can not get a dry spot. We have to settle for a spot under a tree that has lost most of its leaves. We put down a blanket and poncho and try to stay warm and dry through the drizzle. The free bagels and coffee helped out, and we managed to stay semi-dry.

By 9:40 I was off, Steve started 20 minutes later in wave 2. I didn't really have high expectations for this race, considering my lack of training this year. I did though, set out on a pace to let me finish in 2:35. By now the rain had stopped, but the chill set in along with the wind. I felt good for the first 7 miles, but soon felt fatigue in my legs and decided to back off the pace slightly, just so i wouldn't crash and burn. I continued on, enjoying the crowds and sights, on through Brooklyn and into Queens.

The most energetic part of the race is coming off the Queensboro bridge and arriving on 1rst avenue. The crowds were pumped up and going crazy. It was definitely a lift at a point where the miles start to take a toll. The part I was getting excited about was seeing Gabriel and Ash up at 90th street. Steph lives half a block from there so they were going to scoot on out and give a few cheers. As I approached though, i scanned the crowds and did not see them. 90th, 91rst, 92nd, 93rd, i did not see them. Just as I was about to give up and trudge on, i hear my name through the crowds and my music. I spot them, on the opposite side of the road, in the middle of a simultaneously scream. I made a U-turn to go give some hugs and kisses to Ash and Gabriel, and then continued on my way. It really lifted my spirits and helped me continue. Only 8 miles to go!

Things got hard as I made my way to the Bronx, I could feel the lack of training miles kicking in. I began to get slower, but still I continued. The effort was manageable until a mishap at Mile 22. As I reached for water at the water stop, someone from behind clipped my heel, sending me off balance and crashing to the pavement. Furiously, i got back on my feet and quickly took off, bruised and sore and unfortunately in the fall, i lost my caffeine shot I needed to finish the race. Now it got hard, by Mile 23 I was hungry, which is never a good sign. I was running on pure mental power now. I soon entered Central Park, survived the last few miles, made it around to the finish, passing a few people in the process.

I ended up finishing in 2:46:22 and placing 251 out of more than 43,000 runners. I also ended up in the medical tent. I had given my all out there and had nothing left, not even energy to walk to get my bag. After 20 minutes, some fluids and oxygen, I walked out of the tent and found Ash and Gabriel waiting for me. It was a long hard day, but I finished with a good time, and got to see my 2 favorite people along the way!!! I'll definitely be doing it all again next year.