A New York State of Mind

I’m hardly a marathon veteran; but this Sunday, when I line up at Fort Wadsworth, it will be my third New York City marathon, so I am something of a New York City Marathon veteran.  If you’re one of the approximately 60,000 runners registered for the race, chances are you’ve been reading a lot about tips to help you this Sunday, including those daily tips from New York Road Runners.  If you haven’t seen it yet, check out this Course Strategy guide on the NYRR website.  But here are some of my own tips you might’ve not seen anywhere else, which can help you make the best out of your marathon experience, especially if this is your first time running the 26.2 miles through the five boroughs of New York City:

Before the Race

• Don’t get to Fort Wadsworth any earlier than you have to.  The large majority of runners take the Staten Island ferry from Whitehall in Manhattan. You probably don’t have to get as early as your assigned ferry indicates. For example, if you’re in the first wave start at 9:40am, chances are you will be assigned to a 5:45 or 6am ferry.  But if you get there that early, you will be waiting for over two and a half hours in the starting village. Boats on marathon day leave frequently – as fast as they fill up – and no one is checking to make sure you’re actually on your official assigned ferry.   I recommend getting to the ferry terminal about two and a half hours before your wave start.  Keep in mind that the very last ferry you can take before you will miss the third wave start is at 8:30.
• Be Prepared For a Long Wait at the Village.  This means bring warm clothing (top and bottom) to keep you warm, including a layer of clothing you won’t mind shedding and leaving behind in your starting corral.  If you don’t have anything you don’t mind throwing away, visit your local thrift store.  Also bring something for you to sit and/or lay down on.  A large garbage bag works well.  Although the weather looks like it will be dry on Sunday, if it’s raining, also pack accordingly.
• Tell Your Fans/Spectators to Avoid Downtown First Avenue.  My first race, in 2009, I saw five friends along the race course, including a couple I didn’t even know would be watching.  But I missed my wife on First Avenue – even with her big sign and balloon – because she couldn’t get to the front of the crowd on First Avenue and 81st Street.  Either have your friends wait further uptown on First Avenue, near Spanish Harlem, or have them watch in Queens or Brooklyn.

During the Race

• Interact with the Crowd.  The New York City crowds really make the marathon experience.  Consider running close to the curb, especially if this is your first New York City Marathon.  Kids will come out and run alongside you, people will high-five you, and some will even hand out bottles of water, bananas and other snacks.  Even though I haven’t tried it myself, other runners have suggested pinning your name to your shirt, so spectators can call out your name as they cheer you on.
• Pace Yourself.  This is a piece of advice I’m sure you’ve already heard ad nauseum, but I will say it again.  Pace yourself.  The atmosphere, the crowds, and the whole experience will really get you amped up, but really make a conscious effort to hold yourself back.  In 2009, I was so caught up in the experience that I didn’t realize until the halfway point that I had run the first 13.1 miles at almost half-marathon pace.  Needless to say, the last six miles that year were quite painful. The turning point in the race is around miles 16 to 17, when the crowds along First Avenue thin out and you’re starting to get close to hitting the Wall.  Try to keep something in reserve until then.
• Go Easy Over the Bridges.  The New York City Marathon course is a very challenging course with some tough elevation changes.  Many of the biggest elevation changes are as you run over bridges – there are five in total, including the Verrazano.  The last two – the Willis Avenue and Madison Avenue bridges – aren’t too bad, but the first 3 are challenging.  Take it easy not only going up, but also coming down the bridges; it may feel easy running downhill, but steep declines are actually pretty tough on your muscles.

During the Race

• Rendezvous Away from Central Park.  The whole west side of Central Park is a zoo on marathon day.  If you plan on meeting up with friends or family after the race, designate a spot at least a few blocks west of Central Park.
• Forget About Catching a Cab.  Especially if you’re B&T (bridge and tunnel), you’re probably hoping to catch a cab after the race.  F’get about it.  You will probably have to walk at least 5-10 blocks away from the park that day to catch a cab.  Plus, with all the road closures, getting to where you need to go by car is tricky.  Plan on either taking the subway (which we ended up doing, after trying in vain for almost 30 minutes to catch a cab), walking a bit away from the park, or if you’re lucky enough, get someone to pick you up.

Well that’s all I’ve got.  Hope the weather stays dry and everyone stays healthy.  Just remember: pace yourself, enjoy the experience, and do your best – and you’ll be great on Sunday!  See you at the finish line!