3 runners, 3 different stories, no PB's, but...

The alarms sounded at 4:25 to start the day. We then left the Hotel lobby with the group at 5am to walk to the Library to catch the buses to the start of the race. As we approached the buses the American volunteers came into there own as they whooped and applauded us as we, eyes half closed, meandered towards the buses. Where do they find there enthusiasm?!?!?

Once safely aboard the bus we were faced with organisation error number 1...  The driver didn't know the way to the start area! Twice we passed Ground Zero, the site of what was the twin towers, only to be told by an American runner that we shouldn't even have passed it once!!! Still we all had a laugh and managed to make it to the start in plenty of time... we were there at about 06:30... the race started at 10:10!!!!!! The reason for this is the closing of the bridge which runners cross at the start of the race. As we walked from the buses to the start area there was again much whooping and cheering from the American stewards. Now I have always felt that I walk quite well, I’ve been doing it for almost 32 years, but the applause was becoming embarrassing!

Much hanging around followed but thankfully we were blessed with fine weather. We had taken our own breakfasts, but coffee, tea, sports drink, water and bagels, were all provided. We soaked up the atmosphere and met a few characters, including a guy from Glasgow wearing a half Rangers, half Celtic shirt... would he have been brave enough to do this at home?!!?!? Our friend Louise (a huge Celtic fan) insisted on having her photo taken with him!

The early gathering meant that there were never any queues for the toilets, unheard of at a race!! Eventually we went our separate ways as the girls, Caroline & Louise, headed to the Orange start and I walked alone towards the blue area. There is a third start (green) and all routes join at the 8 mile mark. The green start however departs on the lower tier of the bridge. The rumours that there is always light drizzle on the lower level are true. Some of the guys on the upper tier of the bridge take early toilet stops and if the wind is bowing in a certain direction....

Once we were in our starting areas, we were hit with organisation error number 2. The baggage trucks were placed in an area which allowed little room for 38,000 runners to enter and return from, thus a stale mate and a degree of crushing followed. Much abuse was shouted at the NYPD who at first refused to remove a fence and many people abandoned their bags in panic of missing the start. I had no choice but to wait as I couldn't go forwards or backwards, and, as I later discovered the girls had the same problem at the orange area. Eventually the fence was moved and things started to move a bit more freely but energy had already been wasted. I then had to run to get to my starting position, not getting as far forward as I had hoped.

The start was predictable as we set off after the National Anthem to Frank Sinatra singing New York, New York. The wide bridge allowed enough room to pass people relatively easily as (despite the climb – the first mile reaches the highest point of the course) I began with a 7:30 min/mile. I was lucky enough to see Caroline running on the other side of the bridge and managed a quick chat which was a nice start to the race. Whilst there are no crowds at this point of the course, looking back down the bridge provided a spectacular view and many runners stopped to take photographs (I was more worried about running!) The downhill that followed led to a 6:30 min/mile which was probably not wise with 24.2 miles still to go but I felt really good.

The girls had similar style splits at this stage aiming for sub 4 hour finishes and we were all looking good. Unfortunately Caroline had been hit by a virus that plagued me the week leading up to the race and after those first couple of miles, all she could do was bravely keep moving forward as best she could. I passed through 10km in 43 minutes and hit the half way point in 1 hour 32:20. I was well on for breaking my 3hr10 target and still felt great. Similarly Louise was well on for her sub 4 hour target and looking strong. It was from about 18 miles that things went wrong for her. A sudden sharp pain signified a suspected hamstring tear and her time was gone. Both girls bravely finished and collected their medals but with great disappointment. For me mile 19 signified the downward spiral. I started to feel dizzy and unwell as the virus took its toll on my body (I’m trying not to blame the fast start entirely, I had trained for that!). I got slower and slower as the second half of the race became tougher and tougher. Don’t let anyone tell you differently, this is a tough marathon and there are a lot of nasty hills, especially over the Queensboro Bridge which climbs steadily from mile 15 to 16.

The other side of this bridge however places you in Manhattan for the first time and is probably the most memorable part of the race. As we climbed the hill, an American runner kept saying “come on guys, they’re waiting for us… get ready”, and as we turned the corner the crowed were amazing. At least 6 deep, the noise made the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. The crowd were awesome throughout; although there were some quiet sections… the Jewish quarter was eerily silent.

I got slower and slower and eventually finished well outside the 3hr10 mark, and outside my 3:16 PB. Although disappointed with my time of 3 hours 23:14, I know I gave all I could as I ended up in the medical tent once I had collected my medal!!!!  I was fine after some salt, some hot water and some blankets!!!

The finishing area was organisation error number 3 as a very long walk was required to collect your bags from the trucks (if you had survived the initial crush to get them on a truck in the first place that is!!!!). Runners with bags in truck numbers 26 onwards, had to walk away from the exit from central park, and then double back through other finishers to leave the area. And… organisational error number 4, the chip removal areas were poorly marked and I spoke to a number of runners in the meeting area who had not had their chips removed. 

There was a 5^th organisational error. Although it did not affect us, runners in the green area, we later learnt, had been forced to wait up to 50 minutes to start their race as road works narrowed the area and only a number of runners were being allowed to go off at a time.

On the whole the race was fantastic and I am incredibly glad I have done it. The crowd and the volunteers were excellent from 5am onwards but we are all disappointed not to have come away with better results to remember the race by. Still, as I said at the start of this (rather long) report…

 3 runners, 3 different stories, no PB's, but... New York (in particular the shopping) was amazing and well worth the trip!!!

Neal Gibson