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mile by mile for spectators

Yesterday I really wanted to get in my 8 mile run but also really didn’t want to hurt myself. I went to the gym and started with 30 minutes on the treadmill. It hurt a decent amount, so I decided to hop onto the elliptical, hoping the lack of thumping would lessen the impact on my joints. Unfortunately, the movement itself wasn’t doing anything good for my knee. After 15 minutes I hopped off to do some strength training (which I have been neglecting and need to get back into). Going to the orthopedic doc today, hoping for some good tips.

Speaking of good tips - the New York Road Runners has created this mile by mile guide for spectators. Be sure to share with your family and friends!

The Marathon, Mile by Mile

Miles 1–2: Staten Island and the Verazzano-Narrows Bridge
Sorry, the start of the race on Staten Island is closed to spectators. Tune in to NBC4 New York for live coverage of the start. 

Mile 2: Bay Ridge
Spectators get their first glimpse of runners is the pack comes off the Verazzano-Narrows Bridge. Crowds are relatively sparse here, and the view is spectacular!

Miles 3–8: Fourth Avenue
This five-mile stretch of the race has more than 30 official entertainment spots. Position yourself near one of the bands for double the fun.

Miles 8–9: Fort Greene to Clinton Hill
An official cheering station and the merging of three lanes make the eight-mile mark at the Brooklyn Academy of Music a hot spot for watching the race. Enthusiasm continues up Lafayette Avenue, where crowds can be less dense. 

Miles 10–12: Williamsburg
As the race makes a sharp left onto Bedford Avenue, the route crosses South Williamsburg—traditionally a Hassidic Jewish neighborhood—before crossing into the hipster haven of Williamsburg. McCarren Park is a popular vantage point.

Miles 12–13: Greenpoint
Further off the beaten path than Williamsburg, the miles through Greenpoint on both sides of the Pulaski Bridge (which is closed to spectators) are populated by loyal Brooklynites.

Miles 13–15: Queens
The Queens portion of the race has enough onlookers to be exciting, but not so many that you’ll be uncomfortable. Plus, Queensboro Plaza offers easy access back into Manhattan via several subway lines.

Miles 15–16: Queensboro Bridge
Spectators are not permitted on the bridge, but the lead-up to it is a popular spot from which to watch the race.

Miles 16–19: First Avenue
These are some of the most crowded miles of the course, but some say the sight of runners coming off the bridge is worth the six-person-deep crowds. Spectators tend to thin out above 96th Street.

Miles 19–21: Bronx
Only one mile of the marathon course is inthe Bronx. Many runners may hit “the Wall” at this point, and they rely on cheers to carry them through.

Miles 21–23: Harlem and North Central Park
Harlem’s vitality and enthusiasm make it a high-energy place to watch from. You might also see the elite athletes staging breakaways.
  
Miles 23–24: Fifth Avenue
A slight incline makes this a grueling part of the race for runners. Throngs of spectators provide a much-needed boost.

Miles 24–26.2: Central Park and Central Park South
Crowds will be dense but very enthusiastic inside the park; be prepared to bump elbows with strangers.

Beyond the finish: Upper West Side
If you’re meeting a runner, designate a spot beforehand. The further north you go, the easier it will be to congratulate your tired loved one.

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thankful x26

In 26 days I will be running 26.2 miles in the NYC Marathon. As I’ve mentioned before, lately I’ve been getting a bit emotional in my runs. The longer runs have allowed me a lot of uninterrupted thinking time and I’ve frequently reflected on the many things in my life for which I am thankful. In keeping with the 26 theme of the last two days, here’s my list of 26 things for which I am thankful. This is in no particular order, nor are the reasons for each item the only reasons, each has many. 

1. my parents – for being incredible parents, role models, friends, everything. They make every victory sweeter and every misstep easier.
2. my brother and sister – who have always been more athletic than me and are being good sports about the fact that I can now outrun them. (just kidding guys, you are my best friends, I love you)
3. my extended family – my favorite running partners, nothing compares to Falmouth Road Race day, running 7 miles with my family, past my cheering family and then partying with them for the rest of the day. I wish we could do it every weekend.
4. my friends – they understand that when I Irish-goodbye from bars it’s usually due to a race the next morning. They have been continually supportive and are ok pushing brunch back an hour so I can get an extra few miles in.
5. my coworkers – the only way I would survive my job, their support helps me to get up early in the morning despite working late nights all week
6. my notres – my girlfriends from high school and I got to know each other mostly because we all played soccer back in the day and many of us dabbled in track. Through them I have an amazing support system from girls who not only know the terrain, but know me.
7. Camp Casey – such an incredible charity that is changing the lives of children with cancer and their families while simultaneously changing mine by letting me get involved.
8. my health – knock on wood, I have always had good health and have been fortunate to stay healthy.
9. the blender – mixing something hearty and nutritious (and cold!) after a run is the way to go.
10. Bloody Mary’s and Eggs Benedict – nothing tastes better after a long run
11. good attitude – this has gotten me through every hiccough along the way
12. Rick Kates – my high school track coach who always pushed us, though at the time I thought he pushed me to hating running, it was really the sprints I hated, but long runs I love. I still remember some of the lessons he taught.
13. the physical therapy plan my cousin laid out – I can feel the positive effect this has had on my knees.
14. the New York Road Runners – their races have catapulted me into loving running, it’s so great to have the feeling of community that I get through NYRR.
15. Hal Higdon’s plan – having a plan laid out for me has been a tremendous help.
16. 9:30 start to my workday – without this there is no way I would be able to fit in longoer morning workouts, which would then cut into my after work social life.
17. my iPod – music is not a crutch but a motivator, I have so often moved my feet (and hands) to the beat and gotten through a workout faster than anticipated
18. frozen waffles, bananas and peanut butter – my perfect pre-workout meal. So simple, always on hand and easy on the stomach.
19. Nike+ - this little tool has helped me train since my depth perception is terrible, it’s also so helpful when I need to make sure I’m keeping pace
20. Central Park – such a gorgeous place to train, being surrounded by hundreds of people makes you feel like a part of something
21. East River and West Side running paths – they make running in southern Manhattan possible
22. Body Glide – no explanation necessary.
23. Lactaid – chocolate milk is the best recovery and thanks go lactose free milk, I get to enjoy it!
24. Yoga to the People – their donation based vinyasa flow yoga classes have made me love yoga and it’s been the perfect cross-training.
25. Twitter – I have learned so many little running/nutrition/training tips through Twitter. It’s also allows a quick browse so I don’t waste time reading something not of interest.  
26. God – without whom, none of this would be possible.

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run with Nike

With my schedule saying 20 miles today, I decided to get my bum up to Niketown to go on their group run. Nike’s Run Club is an awesome way to start running (they always have a run/walk group) or to do your long runs with a group. The pacers are so nice, always making sure people make it and are very encouraging. Groups leave from Niketown 3 days a week and they always send out several distance and pace groups. Unfortunately, because of my shin splints, my schedule is a bit off of everyone else’s. So most people today were doing an off week of 13 miles. Making the best of the situation, I decided to run with the group down the West Side Highway to South Cove and back to the store. To get in more miles, I didn’t turn to the store but went up into Central Park. There was a half marathon going on, so for a few miles I had to avoid it, after that though it was pretty smooth sailing. Until my knee started throbbing. At this point, I had already run 18 miles and decided it wasn’t worth crippling myself for the rest of the weekend. I walked the remaining two miles back to the store and continued on with my day.

The group I ran with along the West Side highway was a couple and another woman who started talking to me around mile 5. I’m not a big chatter during runs, especially not of distances I have never run before, but she was awfully sweet. She told me this would be her fourth marathon and offered some encouraging words. One thing that really gave me hope was something she heard from Mary Wittenberg, the CEO of NYRR. Apparently, after the 18 mile training run two weeks ago, Mary said that if you can do the hills of Central Park for 18 miles, you can definitely tackle the marathon. That was a HUGE relief. I have been afraid of my brain getting in the way and second guessing myself since I won’t ever run 26.2 miles until race day. But knowing that 18 miles of those hills may have been equally challenging was comforting. I enjoyed that run and am now even more excited for the race! Glad I was able to chat with that kind woman during our run.

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all uphill from here

Today marked a turning point in my marathon training. Today’s schedule was for 13 miles so from now I will be running more than I ever have on Saturdays. NYRR had another long training run today so it was a great day. I got there just before it started and hopped midway between the 9 and 9:30 pace group. I’m pretty sure I should be doing my long runs at 10 minute miles, but I keep creeping up faster. I’m going to have to work on that. Even today, I struggled to slow myself down to stay around a 9:15.

However, I did face one of the typical marathon training issues - chafing. After my iPod arm band gave me horrible rash a few months ago, I purchased Body Glide. This deodorant-like stick provides lubrication if you have things rubbing together. I know guys use it to prevent bloody nipples. Today, I didn’t use enough and have sore skin rather than sore muscles. Though I’d rather have neither, I learned a good message - Body Glide it up!