It's hard to believe that over a week has passed since the 42nd running of the NYC Marathon! Predictably, it's been a period of reflection and recovery. The week after the race is always a time of adjustment; after four months of training there's an inevitably sense of melancholy. (The training manual refers to this as "Post Marathon Syndrome.") But there's also a strong feeling of completion and gratitude. Thanks to everyone who supported this effort! With your generosity, this year I raised $3,000.00, and collectively the MMRF 2011 NYC Marathon Team generated over $530,000.00! Here's a photo of the group just before the race. (I'm not actually in this picture... I had already headed to the corrals for an early wave start. Just pretend I'm one of the tall guys in the back.)
The race itself was, as always, a remarkable experience.
Since the MMRF bus departs from Central Park South at 6 AM sharp, marathon Sunday always begins early... but the coffee helps. (Yeah - check the digital readout on the stove... THAT'S an early start.) A note about riding the NYC subway super-early on a Sunday morning: most of the folks riding the train at that hour are just coming home after a long night on the town; some of them looking rather worse-for-wear. Some looking downright "left-over." Of course, this invites the obvious question: who's going to feel worse at noon? The hung-over reveler, or the fools who just completed a 26.2 mile run? This question always sucks some of the wind out of my smugness-sails.
One of my favorite moments each year is the slow ride across the Verrazano Narrows Bridge. Dawn hits us as we reach mid-span and the morning colors are vibrant beyond belief... and it's always humbling to imagine the distance to the finish line; it's just a tiny speck somewhere beyond the Empire State Building. And the mood on the bus is electric - equal parts caffeine-buzz, happy-nervous energy, and anticipation.
My wave start this year took to the starting line a 10:10 AM and, I've got to say, the NY Road Runners run a pretty tight ship! After forty-two years organizing this race, they've clearly figured out the most efficient way to get 47,000 runners off their marks with a minimum of hassle. If you want to see what I mean, check out this video shot by the New York City Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA). It's a time-lapsed video of the start of the race, shot from the Verazano Narrows Bridge. The first wave of runners are the elites (Los Super-Speedy). The second and third waves are the plebs, like myself. (I'm somewhere in wave two.) Watching this video gives an amazing perspective on the race. It makes you realize what a MASSIVE logistical undertaking this is.
Once our team bus arrived at Ft. Wadsworth, we had a couple of hours to cool our heels; drink coffee, snack on bagels and chat. The MMRF rolls out a very civilized spread for its runners, including a charity tent where we can keep warm. (It's chilly at 7 AM in November in NYC! Who knew?) Here's a snap of a few of us at the tent, hanging the MMRF banner.
("Left side down! A little more... a little more!!)
And before we knew it, it was time to head to the starting corrals! I approached this year's race a little differently than in previous years. Marathoners are often reminded: "It's not about who runs the fastest, it's about who slows down the least." While this may sound like a bizarre runner's platitude, during the first five miles of a marathon, you realize how practical this advice actually is. The tendency is to channel all one's pent-up nervous energy into a fast pace during the early stages, only to run out of gas in the home stretch. To some extent, this happened to me the first time I ran the NYC Marathon in 2009. But conserving during the first half of the race helps ensure your viability during the second half. So, this year I made a point of maintaining a slower pace at the start. And this is not easy to do; especially when folks are whipping past you left and right. I just had to keep reminding myself that I would be much, MUCH happier at mile 16 if I stuck to the "slow and steady" plan.
Speaking of mile 16....
This year I got a huge boost right around mile 16 (between miles 17 and 18, to be precise)! The MMRF sets up a "Cheer Zone" on First Ave at 89th St and this year Marie, Ramon and Jennifer were there cheering us on. Getting a big kiss from Marie, and a few words of encouragement, helped propel me jubilantly the rest of the way up First Ave... and over into the Bronx! While it's great to see the entire marathon course lined by cheering strangers, seeing friendly faces at mile 17+ made all the difference in the world!
And here's the good news: this year I shaved five minutes off last year's time, crossing the finish line at 4:03:56. Here's the searchable results page on the NYRR website. If you want to see my splits, just put "Strevens" in the name field. My hope had been to break that psychologically significant 4 hour mark, but it was not to be... this year. That gives me a goal to work for next year: my mantra will be "3:59:59."
Fortunately (or unfortunately), the MMRF had a team photographer near the finish line in Central Park. This photo must have been taken within two miles of the finish.
At this point in the race, everybody is "digging deep;" you're almost at the finish, but not quite close enough to begin your happy sprint across the finish-line. It's a tricky balance to maintain focus, while appreciating the approaching culmination of months of training. Oh, and there are thousands of screaming people lining the entire route from the entrance to the park at 90th Street to the finish line.
Thanks again to everyone who supported this effort! I hope you'll join me for another round of training and fund-raising in 2012.
With much love and gratitude!
Forward!
