The NYC marathon is now less than 2 weeks away. The countdown is happening, the runs are almost done and vacation is coming. Last Wednesday, I got my start time which is 10:30 am Eastern. I have been looking at the details of the morning over and over again. The elevation map makes me excited. Not too much going on other than a crazy low elevation. It is always nice to train higher. I am getting more and more familiar with the layout of the city as I look at the race map as well. It will be fun to visit all 5 boroughs and to see the city from almost all sides.
Since my start time is so late, I get to sleep in till a normal time! I always wake up 4 hours prior to the start time so that I can eat a real breakfast. I just have to wake up by 6:30 am this time around. To top it off, it is also daylight savings which means an extra hour of sleep. Like I will actually be able to sleep that night.. Ha. I am going to be a little nervous about getting to the Staten Island Ferry on time for me to make it to the start. I really don’t think this will be a problem, but since the city is huge, the marathon is huge and this is a one of a kind marathon, I am still going to be nervous. I just have never run a marathon that is at such a high capacity as this. I have ran with 40,000 people before, but usually 3/4 or more of those people are running a half marathon and leave me at some point. This time, it is a full 50,000 people running a full marathon. I mean, it is the biggest marathon in the world! I can’t wait to discover New York City in a different way than anyone I know (plus a little bit of the normal touristy stuff).
I always get excited about a marathon or really any race. I just love the energy that comes with it and the accomplishment of finishing each race. Even a 10k can be hard sometimes. Sometimes a short run run is hard and you have to push through it. No matter the distance you go, just go for it! You won’t regret it. Other than an upcoming 10k during Thanksgiving and hopefully the half marathon at the Run to the Pub in March, I don’t have any plans for running any big races within the next year. Maybe this is my last marathon for a while? Maybe another opportunity to run one will present itself next year? Maybe not? I don’t know. That might be another reason this race is so exciting for me. I just don’t know what my running future holds and I can hold on to this race right now. However, I am ready for a break from marathon training. The 10k won’t be a big deal and the half will take a little work. It is nothing compared to this though and I am excited to give my body a little bit of time off.
