My NYC Marathon Experience
I have mentioned before that 5 years ago, at the age of 38, I ran the NYC marathon in 4:00:35. I ran it this month at 43, in 3:44:32! A personal best and an incredible experience. Having run it twice, I offer some perspectives to contrast the options as I experienced them and help the first-time runner.
First weather is uncontrollable, but affects your race experience. Don’t let that pre-occupy your mind and just accept that its part of the experience. In 2014, the marathon was one of the windiest on record and it led to cold, tough conditions on the course and in the start village. Contrast those conditions with this year that saw beautiful blue skies, no wind and a pleasant 10 Celsius or about 50 Fahrenheit. Did running in near perfect conditions improve my race experience and time? Not 16 minutes of improvement, that comes down to training, but it absolutely helped.
Getting to the Start
Five years ago, I selected the bus options and this year I used the ferry. Hands down the best option, in my opinion is the bus. I got to the NY Public Library, had to deal with a moderate line to get on the bus and then rode a comfortable coach bus all the way to the starting village. I rested, it was stress free and a straight shot. This year staying at the Wagner hotel by Battery Park meant a 2 or 3 block walk from the terminal. Simply amazing, but the amazement ended there. Moderate line to board the ferry, moderate line to exit the ferry, a decent walk of a about a mile to get to the moderate line to board a bus to the start village anyway. I ended up standing on the bus which meant mild exertion to balance and time on legs that I would have preferred differently.
The Staten Island ferry is cool. it’s a great view of the harbor and lady liberty and worth doing as a tourist but not as a means of transport to the start line. Especially if you’re looking to run your best race.
Where to Stay
This year my thought process was to do everything in my power to get to the start line primed for performance and I prioritized convenience and practicality getting to the race over everything else. It was my biggest mistake.
The hotel was amazing and the walk to the terminal could not have been easier, but any modest wins were not worth the monumental inconveniences and sacrifices of being so far from the finish. Manhattan on a good day is congested, on race day its worse. Subways are convenient, but post marathon just getting out of the finish area is a trek and getting to battery park was not what I wanted to do post run.
Making matters worse was lack of shower facilities to get cleaned up and do any post-race celebration with family and friends. I ended up having some appetizers, wrapped in my poncho, on a relatively cold terrace. We cut it short to get back to the hotel to shower, deal with cramps and a black toe. Given all that goes into running a marathon, cutting the camaraderie and celebration short left my feeling let down.
In my first installment, I stayed at a modest hotel near Time Square. I personally hate the bustle and crowds, but the location post-race can’t be beat. Given the finish line in central park and the preferred transportation option leaving the NY Public Library, I highly recommend lodging close to the finish line. Midtown, Central Park and Time Square all offer ample hotel options that will make your post-race so much more enjoyable.
Gaining Entry
I first started applying for the NYC Marathon when they still had the three strikes and you are in rule, which is no longer an option. The lottery, with persistence, is still a viable way to gain access to this iconic race. I got in on my third attempt even without the now extinct clause. This year, despite not getting selected in the lottery, my heart was set on running on my 5th anniversary, so I opted to run for charity and ran with Team For Kids.
Running for charity was a wonderful experience. Not only did I do good in the community with my miles and the money raised but I was able to bring my personal community and network into the race experience. The commitment to raise funds and run for a cause greater than personal glory adds to the experience. I do recommend it if you have the opportunity. There are also some distinct benefits.
Team for Kids offers many privileges that I didn’t take advantage of like running groups in NY, training plans, coaching clinics and information sessions. If you are looking for support, you will get it! The biggest advantage I found was the tent at the starting village. While it is relatively no frills, it provides a warm shelter with bagels, coffee and other refreshments in a designated Team For Kids area. This means smaller crowds, space and access to toilets. Representatives walk you through the masses to your designated starting corrals. This is the moment you truly appreciate the space and more modest crowds of the Team for Kids section.
Conclusions
If it’s your first time running New York, my biggest suggestion is to relax. I had casual observers at the expo ask me how many times I had run, when I inquired how they knew I had run before, the replied it was the calm. First timers are understandably amped up. Remember though the race is not going to happen without you. In line for the ferry, I had to talk down two women that were getting anxious about missing their 10:40am start time. I had to remind them it was 3 hours to go and they were just in a hurry to sit in the cold at the start. Relax.
Unless you’re a pro, you aren’t running for the victory but for your chip time. Whether you cross at the front of your corral, the back or even if you miss your start altogether and set out in the next wave, it will have absolutely zero effect on your chip time. Relaxing however, will help you reduce anxiety, increase your joy and, in the end run a better race.