I woke up at 3AM and I didn’t sleep much the night before. Marta woke around 4:30 AM and we dressed in our race best and headed out the door. We walked to where the buses were located and hopped on right away – no waiting and they took us all the way to the Island. What a deal. The weather was perfect and we only had five hours to wait for the race to start. I think I called David with a whole bunch of “WHY AREN’T YOU HERE!?!” messages. Really, why doesn’t everyone show up five hours early? My life would be so much easier.
After David finally arrived we lined up in our corral. We were in the very last corral. We missed the New York New York theme music and all the fanfare at the start and it took nearly an hour to cross the start line. Yeah. Up at 3AM start your race at 11AM. And don’t forget the time change, it was also LUNCHtime. I wasn’t really hungry but I think it psychologically damaged me. Seriously.
The Verrazano Bridge was eerie. We were at the back of the pack, it was a quite uphill, downhill and into Brooklyn where we caught up with the 4:45 pace group, more like a pace wall actually.
Brooklyn was awesome and my favorite part of the race. I was feeling strong, the weather was perfect and the crowds were amazing. A little after mile 7 I saw Amy and Linda. We waved, I tossed my long-sleeved shirt and we kept going. Then something amazing happened, people started to cheer for me. My Runner Susun Susan shirt gained me instant fame. Wow! Thanks Amy!
I was feeling great. We were checking our pace regularly and passing people left and right. It was awesome. The people in Brooklyn were awesome. Even their garbage cans were awesome!
We kept a steady pace as we moved into Queens. I don’t remember a lot about Queens, but I do remember the bridge, which was uphill, both ways, in the snow all the way to the 16th mile. I started to lose it here. It took everything I had to get over that damn bridge. Only ten more miles to go and I prayed there wasn’t another bridge.
David made a call to Mrs. T to find out where she was located. Manhattan was crazy but we were still ahead of 4:45, but just barely. Around mile 19 David found Mrs. T and the rest of his family of supporters, he slowed down and gave Mrs. T a kiss. I kept going. I knew if I stopped I wouldn’t start moving again. My legs were cramping. David was talking to me, encouraging me and I didn’t even have an extra whisper to respond with a thank you. I was determined to do this. I knew I could do 4:45. And then I saw another bridge. At that point I think some very bad whispers came out of my mouth and I knew I was beat.
In the Bronx the bands were loud. I tried, but I started losing ground. My legs just wouldn’t go. I told David to move on, but he stayed with me. I did my best but we were now down 90 seconds from our 4:45 pace. It wasn’t fair. I knew he could do it and I was holding him back. I again told him to go and leave me at mile 21. He did and I’m glad, he finished in 4:46. He probably would have done a 4:40 if he hadn’t stayed with me for so long. I am very grateful he did though. Those were the hardest and smartest 21 miles I’ve ever run.
At mile 22 my legs just locked and stopped. I was so angry. I walked long enough for the cramps to subside and then I ran again. I repeated this through the rest of the race. I saw my sister at mile 24 and she snapped a picture.
I was tired, cold, crampy and grumpy. I think it shows.
My new goal was to finish in 5 hours. That I could do, I knew it. I made it to the finish line and runners stopped. And walked across. Why? I yelled a “move it” and gave one small sprint to try and get under 5. I didn’t make it. I finished in 5:00:02.
awwe if it weren’t for the walkers you would have broken 5 for sure. Who walks when they are that close to sub 5? crazy! Sounds like it was a tough course. My pacer friend had a really hard time the last 10k or so and also came in behind goal. You did an excellent job out there.
What a great experience. You were very close to your goal, I have heard from many that those bridges can really take it out of you. I so want to do that race.
Those bridges zapped the energy out of a lot of folks’ legs. I’m bummed I didn’t get to see you out there…you would’ve gotten an overload of cowbell from me. I’m sorry you were came up shy of your goal…seriously though, who walks THAT close to the finish line?! I’m frustrated for you hun.
I am soooooooooooo happy to be driving again. Congrats again on your NYC marathon run!! Congrats on getting to the finish even after your legs turned to spaghetti! Congrats on not letting the bridges beat you! Go SUSUN!!!
Hey Susun; it was a team effort. You slowed me down well enough so that I could go strong when I did. If I helped you get where you were happy with the result, then we both had a great day.
Thanks for being a great teammate and friend.
I think that starting at the very back was good and bad. The good was not too crowded to start. The bad was how many people we had to pass. I calculated that you passed approximately 9,085 runners. Now that’s an accomplishment.
Susan, you got the marathon experience in one of the toughest marathons to do. You got to see the city and you actually ran through all 5 boroughs. It’s a heck of a way to see the city the first time.
A huge congratulations. You listened to your body and did the right thing. Great job!
Susun,
You did great! I am so proud of you!
Now that is some determination! Not sure I could muster it. My big question is what do you do with your stuff during the race? Cell phone, hotel key, money, extra clothes etc. etc. Somebody please explain.
oh my god, you ran with tim robbins!
i think your chip foot was behind you when you crossed. i think your non chip foot came in at 1:59:59.99!
Great job!!! Love the photos, and your story is great. 🙂
I am going to agree on the theory that your other foot crossed ahead of your chipped foot.
make that three of us. you sooooo broke 5 hours and you KNOW it! screw the chip! who needs chips anyway, they just make us fat!
you look good and strong susan. GREAT GREAT JOB!
OMG! A lousy two seconds?! THAT SUCKS! I would demand a recount on one of those bridges. But overall,you did AWESOME, Susan.
Congratulations on your race! TWO SECONDS? Don’t let it bother you…but knowing you it will, and you will have to return for revenge!
Thanks for story and photos!
i’d be annoyed about the 2 seconds too, but for the record, nyc is a freaking tough course. you’re probably 4:45 on any course that doesn’t have a bridge that’s uphill both ways in the snow…
Seriously WHY do people STOP before the finish line. That is my biggest pet peeve!
You did so great! Thank you for sharing.
I know exactly how difficult it is to run walk 5-6 miles with cramps. You’re tough, and you finished. Congrats again.
Congratulations Susan
In the first picture of you running I think I can see Katie Holmes way way way behind you!
Sounds like we were in the same boat. The wheels fell off for me at mile 21 too. Ehhh. I was COLD, tired, grumpy and my legs just wouldn’t go!
Thanks for sharing your marathon with us Susun, I mean, Susan.
You did well, but you can run faster if you want to. Under 4:30 for sure. More of that “training” is the secret – more runs of 20-22 miles, and more weekly running in general.
For cramping, magnesium supplements help… also, salt tablets/capsules will cure cramps immediately in a race, so it’s worth carrying some if you’re prone to cramping.
Love your race report! Sounds like you dug deep when you need to – that is a real runner. Congrats on a great achievement.
Carilyn
Love your race report! Sounds like you dug deep when you needed to – that is a real runner. Congrats on a great achievement.
Carilyn