The NYC marathon was an emotional, exciting, painful, overwhelming and incredible experience. I feel so blessed that my body let me complete it. $26oo raised for The Barton Center and 1 more marathon checked off my small list of accomplishment.
Saturday morning me and Andrea drove down to Fairfield CT, then took the commuter rail into NYC. We met up with Shandi and Matt from RTB relay and Shandi’s mom at Grand Central Terminal then took the subway to the apartment we stayed at and met Dan there. After settling in, we took a taxi to the expo.
Oops, my number is sideways :) 
Me and my personal cheerleader, Andrea.
After the expo, we carbo loaded on pizza then headed back to the apartment for some rest. I was SO nervous. I just wanted to hurry and run and get the marathon over with.
I got my jersey ready to go and made sure I would be set for the morning.
Shandi and I woke up early Sunday morning, got ready and headed to catch the Staten Island Ferry with Shandi’s mom and Matt.
headed to Staten Island…Statue of Liberty in the background 
On Staten Island…starting the marathon soon. yikes!
I started the marathon at 10:40am. The course was amazing, going through the 5 boroughs of NYC, over two bridges and finishing in Central Park.
The crowds of people cheering were incredible through the entire race.
Here I am at Mile 23. Andrea and Ryan caught up with me here. It was so awesome to see some familiar faces.
My finish time was 4:50. Not as good as I was hoping, but I’ll take it. By the end of the race, I was in so much pain, I didn’t care what time I got.
Here I am about an hour after the race when I finally met back up with Andrea and Ryan. Cold, hungry and exhausted.
Then, we met up with my Reach the Beach Relay/ESPN friends for an after party. Me, Steve, Shandi, Matt and Dan.
We went and got dinner, then headed home. Wow! What an experience. Did I seriously pay to torture myself this way? I’m so glad it’s over.
Thoughts I had while running the marathon:
1. "Wave 3, proceed to your assigned corral." What am I, a horse? There was even straw on the ground. I was so nervous and paranoid, I knew for sure they were really herding us to gas chambers.
2. Hills? This is what they call hills? NO. More like a very slight incline/decline. Reach the Beach Relay, Applefest 1/2 marathon, Boston and St. George Marathon have hills, but NYC definitely does not have hills, and I’m totally fine with that.
3. Wind? Everyone says race day will for sure be windy? I felt no wind. Again, not complaining.
4. Why do I want to cry every 10 seconds…is it because I am so proud of myself for running the marathon, sad because I am in so much pain, inspired by all the disabled athletes competing, missing my nieces and nephews like crazy, or overwhelmed by how incredible this whole experience is. Maybe….all of the above.
5. Why am I torturing myself?
6. Really? guys are already peeing on the side of the course at mile 2?
7. The course either smells like poop or food. why?
8. I kind of want to live in the Bronx, these people seem really cool.
9. Oh my, never mind. Big tall Pimp dressed up in shiny red, forget the Bronx, I’ll stay in Boston.
10. Wishing I was a guy right now because there is seriously a 7 minute wait for the port-a-potty.
11. What kind of people PAY money to put themselves in pain this way. Oh wait, I guess I do.
12. Intermittent thigh cramps from miles 18-26 are excruciating
13. I can’t listen to“Empire State of Mind” by JayZ enough times
14. Since thinking of my nieces and nephews make me cry, I’ll think of Dylan being at the finish line.
15. Ok, the marathon is over AND my legs still hurt like the dickens.
16. Where’s my chocolate milk?!?! Give me some now!
Thanks again so much for all of your prayers, donations and support. I’m so glad I could share this amazing experience with all of you.
9 comments:
Mel!! I'm so proud of you!! You sure you don't want to do another marathon with me sometime in the future?? maybe by then you'll forget about all the pain and want to do another one :) {or maybe hearing about your pain will make me not want to do one!}
p.s. love all of your random thoughts during the race! :)
again, great job! you're amazing!
love, shel
p.s. maddix misses you too! can't wait to see you soon!!
You did it Mel! I was thinking of you all day yesterday! I saw your mom on Saturday...made me miss you. When you come home next, we have to get together. You rock girl, you have a lot to be proud of. That is truly a once in a lifetime experience. Go MEL!!!
CONGRATs MEL! I think you are awesome!!! I am so happy for you.
I was thinking of you on Sunday. I am so proud of you, but not at all surprised. I love your list. :) If they want to see hills, they need to come to sunny AZ!
I haven't ventured past Yankee Stadium in the Bronx but that was enough for me. I'm sure maybe the 'hoods are nicer...as long as the pimp dude stays away.
And I totally get the missing nieces/nephews thing. That is the main reason I could never move so far from home. Heck,I miss mine and they are much, much closer.
We need to get together when you're here next. Or, I'll be in NYC in January.
You totally rock Melanie! Tanner and I were watching the race on tv looking for you, which is hilarious because we had no idea there were so many people running that race. So cool that you got to experience that.
congratulations! You are amazing! the times i've done half-marathons I finish and instantly think "how do people do twice this running at once???"
AWESOME! I am soooo doing one!
Congratulations Mel! You've accomplished so much!
So glad you have one picture of you in your favorite outfit with your favorite accessory. I will disappointed if I don't see you in it at least 4 times this week. :)
Post a Comment