The New York City Marathon, which I ran in support of MWCT, was my first marathon. Before that I had never run more than 2 miles nor raised more than $50. I procrastinated with my training – I started in July – and wish someone had scared me into starting sooner! I spent almost every weeknight and much of my weekends running around my Queens neighborhood, becoming accustomed running on mostly pavement. Big thanks go to my roommate “Coach” Kelly, who, whenever I came home work feeling lazy and uninspired, faithfully (and, if needed, forcibly!) shoved me out the door for my nightly run.
The moral support and generosity to the MWCT from my friends and colleagues astounded me – it gave me the momentum to really dedicate myself to my training, more than anything I have ever undertaken before.
November 1st began for me at 3:30 a.m. and by 6 a.m. I had secured a square of grass to pass the next few chilly hours enjoying to the live music and the excited atmosphere until it was time to line up. Though I was at first disappointed with my late wave assignment, it was great to have the vantage point of a spectator as I watched the first two waves flood across the Verrazano Bridge to the first swinging verse of Sinatra’s classic “New York, New York.” I maneuvered myself to the front of my own wave and the energy and joy of starting the run was such fun that I ran my first mile in under 9 minutes, much too ambitious a start and I began pacing myself.
My personal cheering section - roommate Kelly and close friend, Becky - had an exhausting day themselves as they repeatedly shouldered their way to the curb, cheered their heads off and threw me Gu packs, then raced to the subway to make it to the next cheering spot, five in all. I later learned that my family in Michigan rooted for me from afar as they tracked my progress online. My friends who could be at the race as well as those who could not threw me a party after the race to celebrate – a great gesture though I fell asleep half-way through!
I didn’t hit the infamous “wall” at a specific point, but at mile 22 my asthma kicked in – those final 4 miles were the challenge of my life. While I had aimed to finish in 4.5 hours, I crossed the finish line at 4:20:58Ö and went directly to the medical tent. I recovered quickly and staggered out on stiff legs to join the rest of the finishers, all comically disoriented with exhaustion, as we were handed medals and thermal blankets and photographed. It was a surprisingly emotional finish at Central Park.
In the end, while I raised more money than I ever thought I could and helped RMJM with a great project and worthy cause, the actual run came down to me against myself. Training essentially alone and certainly boasting no great running prowess, I thought I would have a much slower time – in fact when I registered in January I estimated it would be 5 hours. What a short-sell! I take a great deal of pride now in the experience and accomplishment – can’t wait to engrave that medal!
