I guess that is the only information you need!
I vowed at the finish I would never run another marathon but with the benefit of a few days of rest and a couple of beers, Boston or Berlin might be fun! I have promised my family and friends that I will NOT run in 2008 a marathon - there it is in print and you have my word! I too want some social life back and having achieved as much as I probably could at this distance, perhaps it is time to give my aching body a break. Still feel like I could break 3:30 though.....
The other problem I now have with contemplating a marathon is that I would always compare it to NY and quite honestly, nothing will ever come close to the experience.
Okay, now some detail on the adventure......
I caught the train from my friends house in the north of New York on Saturday morning to meet up with Steph at the registration (she of FLM association and for several months my e-mail sparring partner in all things jogging). Typically the bus from Grand Central to the expo was jammed in the city and I arrived late. Registration took 5mins - really simple and incredibly slick; and I went straight to the CWL stand where I bumped into Steph and Carol (from CWL). Carol is such a bubbly, warm character and I do love her so! Unfortunately I had made a bit of a cock-up and got a bit of an ear bending (quite easy to do that to me!!) when I spoke to her. The problem occurred because when she had offered me changing facilities post race whilst in discussion at the training day, I assumed that these facilities were open to all CWL runners. I discovered however that the facilities were in fact Carols' own room!! Doh! A hug and an apology went some way to repairing the damage....just a shame I never did get my back scrubbed :)
From registration Steph and I went for a coffee and sat like rabbits in headlights trying to let it all sink in - it just felt totally surreal. We then made our way back to our hotels and arranged to meet up in the evening. I spent the afternoon on my bed snorting vic's and trying to eat despite feeling sick with nerves. During the afternoon I managed to make contact with Muppet and Lambsie, both of whom were absolutely fab. I just wish I lived closer to Aberdeen and had broken a leg.I can also confirm that Lambsie has the most developed legs of any female individual I have seen - awesome! We all met again for dinner which turned out to be a dissaster. The food took an age to arrive and when it did the pasta was cold, and Margarets' food frozen (muppets mum...probably brought along to act as chaparone or to administer the medication!?).
We all went for an early night with multiple alarms set for 4:30 the following morning. At 2:30 the first text came from Steph - 'can't sleep'! We carried on texting until alarm time and then met in the lobby of the hotel with Muppet, Lambsie and Dan, to be collected and taken to the bus departure point. On the bus we chatted with a guy from Texas and wondered what the day was going to hold for us all. The weather was reasonably mild although chilly, but most importantly, there was no rain.
We arrived at the start area at 6:45, found a spot in the field and sat and chatted with cups of steaming tea and bagels provided by the ING organisers. We looked like a bunch of box dwellers in our bin bags and corrugated seats, ill fitting and dishelved clothing, but strangely we did not look out of place. In fact the whole field looked like it had been mobbed by a tramp festival. The time gradually passed with Lambsie making more and more frequent pee visits.
With 45mins to go to the start we said our goodbyes with hugs and back slapping before all moving to our allocated start corrals....
I was on the top deck of the bridge about 300m from the start line. The cannon boomed at 10:10 and we did nothing.......nobody moved for about 3mins before the mass of bodies in front gradually picked up pace. At 4mins I crossed the start line and jogged gently onto the Verazano bridge with the hairs on the back of my neck standing. It was a clear blue sky and just a whisper of a breeze, 40,000 runners whooping and shouting as they started their adventure. I will never forget that moment with the fire tugs in the harbour pumping plooms of red, white and blue water into the air, the view out to the Atlantic on one side and the Statue of Liberty and south Manahatten to the other.
The first three miles were pretty crowded and the split times were well down on my schedule. I knew this could be caught easily on the opening section of the course but was aware that I needed to leave some in reserve for the hills in the latter part of the course. The crowds were astonishing as we left the bridge and remained so for the duration of the run. So loud in some places you could not hear your own footsteps, it was astonishing as it was inspiring. By mile 7 I was ahead of schedule and feeling comfortable and spent time just absorbing the atmosphere, pacing myself, and of course eating jelly babies. The next key point for me was mile 16.5, where the charity cheering point would be and of course my family and friends. The spot was just after the Queensboro bridge which was a mile long climb. It was a tough climb too but as we approached the turn off on the bridge, you could hear the huge crowd at the end screaming as if their lives depended on your performance. This was also the '10 to go' board, another huge boost. Spotting the charity point I was able to move out of the crowd and wave to all those that had taken the time and effort to come and support the CWL runners. I tried to make it worth their while with lots of waving and raising the volume - they responded and everybody was jumping up and down, shouting and cheering. Fantastic!! and it makes me choke just thinking about it now. Carol was at the front too and I managed a wink! At this point I was on course for a 3:18.........and then I saw 1st Avenue dissapearing into the distance with a slight incline. That was the first of several long energy sapping inclines and I knew I was starting to tire. Into the Bronx we were warmly welcomed as we were all through the course and it was a relief to pass the 20 mile mark and start heading south toward the finish. The hills had taken their toll and I slowed but was still hopeful of a reasonable time. More hills through 23 and to 24 and despite my best efforts and lots of jelly babies there was nothing left.
Central Park was a combination of relief and agony. The spectators were undiminshed in their enthusiasm at this point and larger in number than anywhere on the course. The noise was truly deafening - I really can't describe the scene, you would have to try it! On the final run down to Columbus circle I started to feel dizzy and sick, the noise of the crowd started to blur and I wondered if I were about to pass out. The final turn into the park is a bloody hill - who thought of that? If I ever meet them, I will punch them on the nose!! Crossing the line I walked a few paces, moved to the side and stuck my head between my knees. Next to me a guy was delerious and was sportingly helped across the line by three others. I had seen those with cramp being assisted on the course by other runners - some doing the stretching and others protecting them from the on coming surge. I still felt sick and was only able to walk for a short way before starting to feel dizzy again. After collecting my medal and blanket I sat at the side of the road drinking gatorade and water. My baggage collection truck was the last in line and I had to walk another 3/4 mile to collect my clothes, by the time I arrived my fingers had turned blue with cold. It took an hour to be able to make my way out of central park and toward the charity reception, hot shower (thanks Ben!), some food and a beer. Not the most sensible thing to drink but what the fu£k!
I was really pleased to have beaten my London time and set a PB, but still vowed not to repeat the distance....well not yet :)
When I have time to download my photos I will post a final blog. I have found all your results so now all I need to hear is how you got there?
Congratulations to you all, and no doubt you heard this a few times on Sunday;
Great Job!
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