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The Paleo Running Momma

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NYC Marathon 2015 Full Race Recap

NYC Marathon 2015 Full Race Recap @paleorunmommaThis is a difficult recap to write for so many reasons.  I have way too many thoughts and feelings about the race, my life, and running the streets of NY – a place that I consider home – always home –  to articulate well in one post.  I’ll try to cover the standout points.  Here it goes!

NYC Marathon 2015 Full Race Recap

Sunday’s marathon was by far the most emotional race I’ve experienced and I don’t think I was prepared for it the way I thought I was – both physically and mentally.   In retrospect, think I was TOO excited for this race to expect a PR – because along with the excitement came nerves, doubt, fear, and pressure.

I wanted this marathon to be everything for me – a fast one, an exciting one, a fun one and an emotional one.  I guess the biggest lesson I’ve learned is that a single marathon cannot be everything all at once.

That said, the NYC Marathon was still my most thrilling race thus far even though it might also have been the toughest (maybe second toughest.)  I’ll go through it piece by piece – physically, mentally, emotionally.

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Pre-Race

I woke up at 3:30am, got ready, and Adam took me to the NJ buses.  Everything was flawless, and I was nervous the way I normally am before any race.  I got on the bus at 5:00 and was off the bus and in my green start village around 6:15am.  Perfectly organized, efficient, and easy to navigate – nothing was out of place.

Physically I felt fine – not sick, not injured in any way, stomach was fine and not even experiencing the usual butterflies.  I had 2 bananas – the first at 6am and another at 9am just as planned.  I knew I had a long wait and made sure I went to the bathroom several times so I wouldn’t have to go during the race.  Late race starts aren’t great for me but I wasn’t worried about this – just excited to run.

What I had been worrying about all week long was the weather – it looked warm, low-mid 60s but cloudy –  but I figured there was nothing I could do about it and tried to put it out of my mind.

I was definitely doubting my big goal of a PR – I know my body and I run my best when temps are in the 30s and 40s.  Still, in retrospect I should have not just ignored the weather – I should have hydrated more.  I was so worried about needing a bathroom stop that I had maybe 2 or 3 sips of water all morning.  If the race had started at 6am, that might have been fine, but 4 more hours and I definitely should’ve drank more.

The Start

I was on the lower level of the Verrazano bridge, which was a bit disappointing but I wasn’t actually upset over it.

This is when my emotions kicked in though in a big way. It might sounds silly, but all of a sudden I flashed back to my child-self crossing the Verrazano bridge – one of my first memories ever – and I remember how excited I would get to cross that bridge almost every weekend to visit family.  I remembered how I thought the bridge itself was amazing, and was processing that now, 30 years later, I’m running over it in the ACTUAL NYC Marathon!

For the first mile, this was all I could think of, and I had a knot of emotions in my chest. Mile 1 split was 9:04, I was running with the crowd and not paying attention to pace.

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Miles 2-6

Physically, I knew I felt “off” even in these early miles.  It was warm and I was sweating and thirsty by mile 2/3, and stopped for water at the first stop.  I knew this was a bad sign but tried to keep spirits up.  I also had random side stitches popping up, which weren’t painful really, but not a great way to begin a marathon.

My watch was all over the place and I couldn’t even figure out what pace I was running.  I do believe during these miles I was somewhere near the 3:30 pace group, but I felt like I wouldn’t be sticking with them, and I was correct!  It turns out that miles 2-6 splits were right on pace or even under, according to my Garmin – 7:45-8:00. I don’t think I could’ve been convinced to slow down though at that point.

Miles 7-13

Everyone says how amazing Brooklyn is – and it definitely was one big party.  I truly wanted to enjoy it, but I was starting to worry about how I was feeling and how thirsty I was.  I stopped at every water stop for a cup but just couldn’t seem to get enough in to feel hydrated.

Between miles 7-9 I fueled with Clif Organic Energy Food Beet Banana Ginger flavor which I’d used in training.  I definitely felt off my pace and the side stitches continued. I just kept thinking about staying positive and distracting myself with looking around, and it somewhat worked through these miles.  I still couldn’t believe I was actually running this marathon!  The whole thing felt intimidating to me, more so than any other race, Boston included.  During these miles, my splits still ranged from 8:00-8:15.

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Miles 14-19

This is where things began to get really tough for me, as they normally do in marathons!  So in that way I’m not sure this is unique, just more INTENSE than other races.

Running from Brooklyn to Queens brought on more unexpected emotions.  I was born in Queens, lived there until age 9, and lived there again from age 23-27 – both my girls were babies there.  To sum up, I have a lot of emotions about Queens!  None of them had anything to do with the course I was running, but still, I was travelling down memory lane in my head, trying to dig deep for strength, while at the same time reflecting on why I’m so hard on myself in so many ways.  I knew I was mentally getting into the tough part of the race, and was desperately trying to pull myself out with perspective.

The 59th St. bridge into Manhattan was a turning point.  I was mentally prepared for how tough it would be, but I don’t think my body was!  There was a strong headwind and it’s uphill, but, I didn’t feel hot for the first time the entire race, and I was working harder than I probably should have.  On the downhill ramp off the bridge, I realized my right upper quad was trashed in a bad way and hurting now with every step.

I knew I’d see my family right between 63-64th St. at mile 16 and I was VERY eager to see them, hoping to get a boost.  I was still at that point somewhere around the 3:35 pace group, but losing them.  When I passed my family, seeing them all cheering for me (especially Drew!) really got to me and I basically started run-sobbing, which for me is an odd feeling in my stomach and chest that does not feel good.

I really started to struggle at the 17 mile water stop, and got out my second gel. Breathing wasn’t feeling easy the way it should have for the paces I was running, and every time I tried to drink or take in fuel, my breathing felt more shallow.  Splits were mainly in the mid 8’s with the exception of a 9:34 thrown in on the bridge. Funny, because I felt like that was a faster mile!

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Miles 20-24

Right around mile 20 is when things started to fall apart physically for me.  I could barely finish my second gel because my stomach just wasn’t having it.  I had heartburn and was nauseous.  I was DYING of thirst yet couldn’t stomach water.  I knew I was dehydrated and started to feel nervous, wondering if my body would allow me to cross the finish line.

I was annoyed at myself for not drinking more water prior to the race – I would’ve dealt with a bathroom stop to avoid the feeling that had washed over me by mile 21-22.  I also was annoyed I didn’t run with my own water because every water stop just slowed my pace down even more, plus I wasn’t taking in much water anyway.  Even though I was somewhat annoyed with these decisions, I was passed being hard on myself and was just trying to keep positive and tell myself how far I’d already run.

I felt like I was “smelling” everything I passed and it was just making me more nauseous!  By mile 21/22 I also had multiple side stitches that made it hard to breathe and impossible to take a deep breath.

I happened to randomly see a local mom/neighbor at mile 22 and managed to call out to her and wave.  After doing that I realized that I was in seriously bad shape because I could barely lift my arm to wave!

Everything was a blur around me and I just kept telling myself that if I put one foot in front of the other, that I’d finish standing up and live to tell all about it!  The energy from the crowd did give me a mental boost at that point, and this part of the race was completely surreal.  Pace wise, I slipped from 8:53 for mile 21 to 9:54 for mile 24.

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Miles 24-26.2

I knew there wouldn’t be any magic happening now and my goal was, sadly, not to collapse!  I attempted to “dig deep” around mile 24/25, but, apparently there are physical limits when you are dehydrated.  Every time I tried to pick up the pace my body became riddled with pins and needles and a bad numbness all over – a feeling even my stubborn self recognizes as something not to mess with.  The crowd energy was motivating, and, even with many people passing me I started to mentally feel like I WOULD finish, even though my body was not cooperating at all.

I knew I’d see my family again when the course exits the park for a minute at mile 25.5 before the finish.  It felt impossible to get there, yet, I knew I would.  I just had to keep my head up and move.  When I finally saw them, I remember concentrating VERY hard to get my arm up to wave, and not being able to move my facial expression, which in pictures appeared to be frozen in fear.

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The finish was very dramatic for me, given how I felt for the past several miles.  It seemed like mentally I’d split off from my body and was “watching” myself finish.  Has this happened to anyone?

Physically, when I stopped running, I felt incredibly dizzy and nauseous, but mentally it was one of the most thrilling, yet peaceful moments of my life.  I felt so completely content and at peace, almost in a creepy way.  I knew I needed water badly and could barely walk, but I couldn’t have been happier.  Totally bizarre and amazing feeling.  I also completely forgot to turn off my watch for at least a few minutes.

Final miles were 9:43 and 9:38 with an official finish time of 3:47:30.  Definitely not what I was going for, but it also wasn’t my slowest.  It’s actually just a minute off of my Boston time, which was in similar weather conditions but a very different race experience.

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Reflections and Thoughts in Hindsight

I absolutely did not expect this race to be so tough for me.  In hindsight, however, I’m not surprised at all.

The course is physically tough – in my opinion tougher than Boston – and my emotions were running high – too high for a fast race.  I didn’t hydrate properly beforehand out of bathroom-stop fear, and the flood of sugar/lack of water/warm weather created side stitches, heartburn and nausea (or so I think this was the culprit.)  I do believe if it were 20 degrees cooler, maybe even 10, I could have run a 3:35, but I doubt much faster than that on the NYC course based on my training.

Do I think I started too fast?  If I could do it over, I’d scrap my time and pace goals completely and plan to run around 8:30-8:45 the whole time.  I should have known that my body was not up for a 3:30 in the kind of weather we had and not have tried to stay on pace for 3:30 during the first half.  Oh well.  There was so much GOOD in this race that it’s almost silly to say “what if” at all.

NYC Marathon Official Finisher

 A Few of the Highs

Running through the streets of NY – where I feel like I know every pothole as if it’s been part of my life – was an unbeatable experience.  I felt so much pride and love for the place I was born and raised and all the people who’ve been here with me.

The rollercoaster of emotions that goes with the marathon – this is something I love about every marathon, but with this race it was more thrilling than any other.  I felt very loved by my family, friends, and everyone there – this is a feeling that just doesn’t come about in other marathons – NYC is special I think.  I also appreciate that I didn’t turn against myself during the race – I chose to take care rather than beat myself up when things got rough.

Also on the plus side – there were no bathroom stops, I’m not injured (my right quad is actually not much more sore than anything else!) and after a lot of water and finally a lot of food, I bounced back quickly and feel pretty normal as of tonight (Monday night.)

I’m also really glad I signed up for Boston, because I’m not upset about not qualifying this time around.  Good decision making on my part!  In true crazy runner spirit, I’m feeling really excited for Boston 2016 already!

What a rollercoaster! @TCSNYCMarathon 2015 Full Recap #TCSNYCMarathon #fitfluential #runchat

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And now, to conclude this monster blog post, one question:

What has been your most emotional race, and what made it emotional?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Reader Reviews & Comments

  2. Ugh I lost my whole comment!! I was saying how proud I was of you and how incredibly emotional this marathon is, especially for NYers! I can only imagine if I ever run it what it would feel like going up and down those streets. Lesson learned on hydrating, you are right, we need to carry our own water. I have felt sick/dizzy in races before as you know so I give you MAJOR credit for hanging in there and finishing strong. Like a definite out of body experience!

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    • Oh that sucks…but thank you! It really is bizarre running on those streets and feeling your life flash before you! I’m also just glad I hung in there and made it all the way!

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  4. This reminds me so much of what many of my trainees had to say about Chicago this year (though obviously Chicago is an “easier course” than NYC, but that “easy” or “fast” label is very deceiving! That is exactly what makes it so hard). You ran hard and fought hard for this one. And you still had a great time, honestly! I think that, when you look back, you might even be glad that you had to fight so hard for it–this race wasn’t about time–it truly was about the spirit of New York, the spirit of the marathon, YOUR will, resolve, and grit. That is worth, in my opinion, more than any time.

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    • Nothing “easy” about a marathon but I know what you mean! Going in with any sort of expectations can make things more challenging. And the fight for it does make it more special, in a way!

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  5. I think you did great and weather makes such a difference. Especially when you face heat and wind. Way to persevere! I think all of us marathoners can relate to each one of those emotions. I could picture myself miserable in those miles at the end. That usually when I say I’m never going to do it again and then I’m already planning my next at the finish. You should be very proud of yourself and what a cool experience!

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  6. Thanks for sharing you experience – and it highlights WHY I love reading your stuff … honest, a sea of rolling emotions, and your love of family and running 🙂 Sorry it didn’t go as you had hoped, but glad it had so many positives 🙂

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    • There really were a lot of positives and in my mind, that’s what I’m focusing on so I’m happy about that! And glad you enjoyed this – your description does sum up what is genuinely important to me 🙂

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  7. We should have switched years (you run in the cold last year and me in the heat this year). It was an emotional experience for me too because I have lots of memories from growing up in the area. I think now that I know what to expect (race logistics, course, conditions) I might be better prepared for next time. I didn’t have the race I wanted to either! But you did it and have a shiny medal to prove it 🙂

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    • Yes I think we should’ve switched! Honestly if I could’ve just switched Sat and Sunday’s weather I would have had an easier time I know. But yes, so emotional and just incredible!

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  8. Reading this blog entry made me feel as if I were there! Except with no pain or sweat on my part! Great job, Michele. Nothing about running a marathon is easy, but that’s not why you do this. So glad you’re getting so much from this experience. Very proud of you. Huge accomplishment!!!

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  9. Wow..what a journey you went through. I can’t believe all of that happened during your race..sounds really scary and I’m glad that you’re ok! All of those feelings are familiar to me and remind me of my 2 marathons that I ran..and are a big reason why I’m afraid to do another! I don’t really get emotional at races, so I can’t really say which was my most emotional. I’m weird..

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    • My first marathon was totally unemotional and I was all about my time goal. That remains my PR! So maybe emotions and time goals just don’t mix for me – at least that’s good to know. Thank you – I think I knew I’d be okay as long as I crawled slowly to finish!

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  10. New York totally broke me down this year. It was a mental struggle for me the entire time. And I totally agree – NY is more demanding than Boston (at least in my opinion). I’m glad you stuck it out and still had an incredible race. I would have also been happy with a bit less humidity. I’m excited for Boston as well – fingers crossed for better weather 🙂

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    • Interesting you felt the same way about the course as compared to Boston! I remember Boston being more straightforward and NY literally feeling like a rollercoaster with hills, bumps, turns, etc. I hate that weather makes a big difference for my body but it really does. I think I’ve learned my lesson though and if Boston is warmer again, I’ll run easier. Sorry you had a rough time. I completely feel for you and get it!

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  11. Congratulations on finishing strong! I want to run NYC next year for the same reasons as you – it may be a tough course especially for my first (possibly only) marathon but it is home and there’s something about it. I have fears about the late start especially since I’d likely be in Wave 3, and also the hydration/bathroom issues, but knowing you did it makes me feel like I can too 🙂 And it is so great that your family could do the East Side Dash (what my friends and I call running over from mile 16/17 to the park so you can catch them in both spots)!

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    • Adam is very good at race spectating and hitting the right spots! I think with NYC the weather really seems to make a difference both for cold/windy/rainy or warm. I seriously can’t believe we’re getting 70s the 1st week of Nov! It’s an incredible race to run though especially for NYers, and the only changes I’d really make would be scrap my time goals and drink more water before!

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  12. Congrats on finishing strong and pushing through some rough miles! It’s hard to stay hydrated in that weather – it was the exact same temperature at Portland and dehydration was an issue for me as well. NYCM sounds like it was such a special experience for you and that’s what matters more than a time! Hopefully Boston will have some nice and cool weather. 🙂 Now enjoy your recovery!

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    • Thanks Laura! These temps are just too hot to run long distances in, if we want to run our fastest that is! Philly’s weather last year was perfect for me – you’re almost guaranteed cold at the end of Nov! Maybe one year I’ll run Seattle after T-day!

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  13. The heat wrecks me as well, so I can only imagine how much more difficult it would make a marathon! But awesome job finishing, Michele! With so may hurdles, a finish like that (even if it wasn’t the time you were hoping for), is just freaking epic. Congratulations 🙂

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  14. congratulations on not only conquering the course and getting through a tough race, but actually doing a brilliant time!!! that’s seriously rock star material. you are a beastette!
    the last marathon i ran was with my hubby the weekend after our wedding, and was the most emotional, joyful, and painful race i’ve had. i was seriously injured and just hobbled along, but being with him and knowing we were married was a mild pain killer 😉
    congrats and huge hugs again!!!

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    • Thanks so much Danielle! I suppose the more painful marathons can also be the more emotional ones, and pushing through to finish is the ultimate high 🙂

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  15. I was volunteering at the mile 22 water station and let me say this: it was painful to spectate what was going on. People were so dehydrated and out of there that I had to actually put a cup of water in their hand myself/force people to drink. I ran NYCM twice and it has always been in the low 40s. Yes, the wind was an issue last year, but I’d take that over last Sundat’s weather any day. I’m sorry you didn’t have the race you wanted… I’m like you: warm weather can seriously ruin a race for me. In all honestly, I was glad I wasn’t running on Sunday, but I’m already freaking out about the weather in Boston… Congrats on your frirst NYCM!!!

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    • I can’t even imagine what you see volunteering at that point – THAT must be very emotional to witness! Thank you for volunteering and taking care of all of us dying runners! Warm weather just sucks, I hate that I say it but it’s just too true. This week continues to be bizarre Nov weather for our area!

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  16. I can actually see the heat and humidity in your cheeks. You did so well, Michele. The marathon is its own animal that drags us along and leaves us for dead. If it’s hot out, if we’re injured, etc we die a little earlier. Nice metaphor, eh? I’m super. Okay but seriously, congratulations my friend. 🙂

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    • I was sweating so early on and really tried not to think about it, but clearly it had a big impact. Thanks so much – I’m just happy I did what I could and overall in my mind – it was a great day!

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    • Ooh I can’t wait to read your recap 🙂 Thank you so much! Congrats to you on your first marathon – that is a huge milestone and memory! It was definitely too hot, I hate complaining about weather but it really impacts us at that distance.

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  18. Michele – I recently found your blog as I have done paleo/Crossfit for years and am now taking up running again. I have run three 1/2 marathons in the past and I am currently training for the Napa Valley marathon this coming March. It will be my first full! Loved your recap – such honest insight and super helpful for the rest of us. Sounds like it was a huge success to me 🙂

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    • Thank you so much, and glad you found me! Training for your first full is so exciting, whatever the experience is, it will just be a memorable one and really life changing. Good luck with your training and don’t hesitate to email/comment with any questions 🙂

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  19. Congratulations!!! You still did so amazingly well considering how awful you felt. And New York is a crazy emotional race! Even spectating made me tear up at times this year.
    2 years ago at my first one – I had a DNF at my goal marathon the month prior (trying to go sub 4) and was going to go for it at NYCM instead. I instead came down with flu like symptoms and almost passed out after running the Dash to the finish 5K the day before the marathon (also, stupid). Stubborn as hell I gunned for it (with oh a 100 degree fever or so) and of course fell apart. Squeaked by at 4:29. It is just a tough tough course. Having run twice now I would run for the fact that it is awesome but not for a PR effort.

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    • I totally get why it’s not a PR course now, and I’m already thinking I’d love to run it again one day with NO time goals whatsoever, just to feel the magic of it fully!

      Thank you so much! I can’t believe you ran it sick, although I can see myself doing the exact same thing because stubbornness tends to win! I guess when we survive these things it’s hard to actually regret anything. I’d love to spectate one year or even volunteer. That would really feel incredible I think.

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  20. Congratulations! your experience was very similar to an experience i had at my half this year. very very hot, i got dehydrated, got calf and foot cramps, got hard on myself, but finished anyway and it was surreal and i remember not a whole lot of it other than my feet cramping so much my toes curled and thinking the same as you…even stubborn me knows thats no good. you should be so proud of yourself. i couldn’t wait to get on your blog today and read your recap. i was both sorry for you that you had a tough race but happy for you that you finished and had such a good attitude about it !!! i think people approach races like life. if you are in your head about life and reflective you race will be like that. if you are a worrywort your race will be like that. if you are happy go lucky your race will be like that. and why wouldnt it be ? always remember finishing 26.2 miles no matter the time or circumstances is soooo much more than many people will do. i have never done it and dont know if i could/want to. you are an inspiration to me ! the way you wrote the post i feel like i was with you! and i agree with the smells at the end of my half was all this food including burgers and the smell of that at the end made me want to hurl !

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    • Thank you so much Tara! It’s so true that we approach running and racing the way we do life in general, and it’s odd how one affects the other too. I definitely think I’ve learned things from running that have changed how I approach life, and vis versa! I’m less competitive than I was in the past, still mostly stubborn but not totally stupid anymore. Live and learn!

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  21. You did so well! It can feel horrible running when you’re not feeling well, whether it’s from heat, dehydration, side stitches, whatever…but you had all of these and you just kept going nonetheless. 26.2 is a long way to run, but add in these factors and it really is tough to just keep going and see out the distance. But you’re clearly made of tough stuff and finished strong, you should be very proud of your race. I think “personal best” doesn’t always have to relate to time – maybe it’s finding your best when things are toughest 😉

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  22. When I ran NYC (so many years ago!!), it was a really emotional experience too and I wasn’t expecting that. Haven’t grown up outside of the city, gone to college there and living there post-college, it was surreal running through this city I love. And it’s a deceptively hard course. I’m glad that you’re feeling OK now. You did great especially how awful you felt. Congrats again.

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  23. Congrats Michele, I know you’ll look at it differently, but your race pics look great and don’t reveal the turmoil you were feeling. You’ve got the same determined face on that you’ve shared repeatedly in posts before.

    I’ve spent a lot of time in Manhattan a long time ago. And though I just ran my first marathon a few weeks ago you make me want to do it again in NYC. I can only imagine what it’s like in those caverns of buildings and the noise of the crowd. What a rush that must be!

    You done great. Not every race has to be a PR, and it’s clear that despite the pain and body troubles you got a lot more out of the experience emotionally than just a new fast time would get you.

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    • I know what you mean about that face! It’s more tired looking this time around, though 🙂 It really is an amazing race, a huge rush for better or worse or both. And thank you so much, I totally agree that not every race has to or should be a PR – that’s just not how real life works – and the experience was unforgettable and I wouldn’t trade it.

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  24. The emotions and that surreal felling! I know exactly what you’re talking about (obviously I haven’t felt it running a marathon, but other things!). It’s amazing motivating, (can also be distracting!).But I’m so glad you did it, you pushed through it all and you had an amazing race! You’re in a small majority of people who actually complete multiple marathons! You should be so proud of yourself! xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

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  25. I loved reading your recap- even though it didn’t turn out the way you expected you have some amazing insight about the race. There was definitely so much good that you experienced, both in training and in the race, so Im glad you can see that. The Baltimore running festival is always an emotional race for me, because there are so many parts of the city that mean something to me and it was my first race ever. I really want to do the NYCM though, and may enter the lottery next year, but I would have to force myself to let go of any time goals! I think it would be a good race to do for the enjoyment of it. Congrats again and enjoy some well-deserved rest this week:)

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    • After experiencing it, I’d advise anyone running it to let go of time goals and just run for the experience – I would think anyone would get more out of it that way whether they’re a NYer or not! I do hope you run it!

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  26. Wow, Michele- what a crazy experience! Such a mix of highs and lows… the physical experience you described reminds me a little bit of my very first marathon, where I was really struggling just to get to the finish line. Not fun at all! But I’m so glad it was such an emotionally powerful race for you. And yes, awesome that you’re already signed up for Boston!

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    • Thanks Laura! And this is why I had to sign up I think – I would’ve really felt badly if I hadn’t and then didn’t qualify. now I have it to look forward to which is nice!

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  27. I was looking forward to your review because I eat Paleo and I was thinking/debating about changing my fuel and hydration up for marathon training next year. It was actually very interesting to hear about your nausea because I dealt with annoying nausea during my first marathon this year and I just thought it was putting the ‘natural’ sugar on a very nervous stomach. Now I see where you talked about putting sugar on your stomach along with dehydration and that makes a lot of sense to me. I am now thinking that I may have not drank enough water along with my natural gels. Thank you for a very informative review. Congratulations on your finish!!!

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    • I’m not totally sure what caused the nausea for me – I’m leaning toward it being a result of dehydration and my body working harder than it was ready to given the weather. I do have trouble with a lot of sugar at once though causing heartburn, regardless of running! I think being careful to have enough water with the gels helps, but not necessarily always. Hope you can figure this out for yourself as I know how miserable it is to run this way! And thank you!

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  28. I can imagine it was one great big massive emotional rollercoaster – but once it finishes you realise how amazing it was and can’t wait to to again! Also that’s whats good about blogging, you reflect on your experiences and can work out your do’s and donts for the next race.
    Again massive congratulations!

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  30. There’s a special kind of pride that comes with knowing we fought as hard as we could. No, it’s not the glowy feeling of putting up that great time, but it has more value in the end.

    I was out there Sunday too. In fact, I would’ve been right there behind you in Green Wave 1 if I hadn’t missed the corral closing by 8 minutes. (Whoops!) I didn’t come in with goals beyond finishing faster than I ran in 2013 and soaking up the amazingness. Check and check! And I also managed to generate some impressively dorky, arm-wavy, goofy-smile race photos, so: Bonus!

    The NYM is something very special. Congratulations, Michele.

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    • Thank you! I agree about that pride when you fight that hard. That’s what I’m feeling still, today! I’m actually surprised I feel this positively about it given what happened, but I think the fact that I’m recovering well and am not actually sick or injured obviously helps! And a BIG congrats to you as well! Sounds like you had an amazing, special day!

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  31. Congrats! Your posts always seem to come from such an honest and real place. That is why I enjoy reading your blog. I have never run a marathon before, and I know that your stomach is crazy sensitive, but I was wondering if all you ate prior to running that morning was the 2 bananas? Do you think you you would have felt better if you had eaten more?

    Reply

    • Hi, and thank you! I’m really glad to hear that perspective on my posts 🙂 I normally eat only one banana before a race because anything more leaves me too full. With the late start I just added one hoping it would be enough, I did the same with Boston. Eating and running for me sadly just don’t mix well!

      Reply

  32. I was SO looking forward to your race recap. What an amazing story you just told!! Congratulations on finishing the marathon. It’s truly amazing how physically pushing yourself really brings out the mental/emotional side of things too.

    Reply

    • Thank you! I was thinking more about that today, how the huge physical effort brings out all these emotions. It’s really an incredible thing and probably the reason I keep going back 🙂

      Reply

  33. Great recap. Chicago was warm and while I hit my B goal, it wasn’t the faster time I knew I could run. I also felt dehydrated and got that really awful feeling and heavy head feeling. The last 6 miles were so painful. Like you I fear having to use the bathroom but in the warm weather I know my body has a hard time cooling down despite all the salt and electrolytes I took in. Great race anyways and love hearing about the atmosphere. I want to run NYC one year-not for time though!

    Reply

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