Getting there:
I woke up on Sunday August 5th at 4:45 AM.
I got dressed, kissed my very sleepy wife, jumped into the car, and took off for Hoboken (Hoboken I'm dyyinnnnggg!)
Parked in an all night Central Parking Systems lot three blocks from the Path.
The sun still hadn't risen as I entered into the PATH station to take the next train into 33rd street.
As I got down into the platform, there was about two dozen other runners waiting for the same train. And now the comraderie builds. People nodded to each other in appreciation of the shared lunacy in waking up before six AM to punish yourself by running 13 miles.
I made a quick friend with a guy named Rick. We both commented that this should be a good race since the weather was much more agreeable than it was for the whole week. It wasn't muggy, it wasn't going to be in the 90's, and it wasn't going to rain. All in all, a good temperate day to run.
When the PATH pulled up to 33rd street, we all filed off to either the stairs to the street or the stairs to the N, R, W lines to catch a train to Central Park. Time now, 6:15 AM.
After 10 minutes and no train, I suggested to Rick that we head up to the street and share a cab. We caught one quickly and were on our way. But now the clock is ticking. All runners are supposed to be in the corrals by 6:15, otherwise you get sent to the back.
Well, we got sent to the back. I personally didn't mind, I was happy to be there and hopefully finish. My new friend vanished in the attempt to get closer to the front.
The scene:
This is my fifth or sixth race in Central Park. It never ceases to amaze me how the drive paths are much smaller when there are several thousand runners on them. It is literally wall to wall people in assorted states of workout or running gear. There are teams for charity, running clubs, individuals, all kinds of people. All with one goal in mind, run around Central Park, leave the park, run down Times Square and make a right to the West Side Highway to finish.
The start:
Speakers are placed throughout the starting corrals as the start line is probably a quarter mile away at minimum from the end of the runners. You hear the warmup speech, the national anthem, the horn going off, and then, nothing.....
Five minutes or so later you start walking towards the start line.
Ten minutes later your chip on your shoe is registered as you pass the start line.
15 minutes later you're starting to get up to your pace. (Make note: if you want a personal record, don't do it in a big event in Central Park, unless you are in the front with the elite professionals)
The race itself:
Central Park is hilly. There is little opportunities to pass people amicably, instead you have to jostle and elbow your way around slower runners (if you're actually trying to be faster) . One hour later I'm out of the park.
Getting out of the park was probably for me the most fun. There were hundreds of people screaming, stamping and shouting you on. It gave me an inspiration to finish strong. I kind of whooped with the crowd, eliciting other whoopers from runners to my immediate right.
Note: You know you're not in the NYC Marathon because in the full Marathon the hundreds is replaced by thousands. Well it is a new event, so maybe next year there will be more onlookers.
Running through Times Square is an absolute thrill. Spectators on both sides, the neon and signs brightly lit, and the stompings of runners being serenaded by bands set up along the course. See the picture? Don't I look like I'm having fun?
The logistics of the race still amaze me. New York City allowed one of it's most critical arteries, 7th avenue to be blocked free from traffic from 57th street to 42nd street. Then one half of 4nd street to the West Side Highway was blocked off. Then on top of that, the West Side Highway was blocked off to Battery Park! That is literally cutting the midtown area in half with no ability to go through.
I guess this is the reason why the race is capped at 3 hours. If you're not done in that time you're swept off the course.
42nd Street - Straight shot to the West side lot's of people on one side of the road, with the other side fenced off with a traffic jam of epic proportions. Drivers were outside of their cars watching the race.
The West Side Highway - This was the home stretch, although there was still 4 miles to go. Here I picked up my pace, figuring it was now or never to gain some respectable time. I stopped at every water stop to get a quick drink and a quick dunk. That kept me strong until....
The finish:
- All I can say is that it was CROWDED. I didn't as much run across the finish as I fast walked. You were ushered into a cattle drive to pick up some water and fruit, and take some pictures by the finish stand, plus you get a medal. I conned my way into getting two medals one for each of my sons. Also, the interesting give away were wet ice cold towels. I took two, put on on my head, one on my neck, and walked out of the chute towards the bag pickup.
The aftermath - I'm sore. No ands ifs or buts about it. I took off Monday to recoup a bit, plus I'm laying off any heavy running until Thursday.
Now that I've finished this, I'm ready to get myself even more ready for Disney.
