Happy New Year- Oh a NYC Marathon Recap

So apparently it is 2014?  Where has the last 20 days gone?  I can't believe it is almost February!

I am going to do a brief recap here is that is O.K with everyone.

1.  I still need to update you on the NYC Marathon and I am pretty sure that is going to come right now.

 I went into this race with a goal of 4:59:59.  I trained my butt off, I think this may have been one of the few times I went in with a goal and 1. didn't get it, 2. tried really hard in training for it.  With the weeks approaching the Marathon I moved my goal like to 5:15-5:20.  Well, that didn't happen either.  I finished at 5:55:14.  I should be proud and happy I finished "THE NYC MARATHON", but I am not. I didn't even want a redemption run.  Well, that is a lie.  I wanted to run the Jacksonville marathon but I knew I couldn't handle the training right after a marathon and listened to my body. I went to NY with these thoughts in my head about what an amazing race this is going to be.  NYRR pulled out all the stops, that I do agree with!  I received the previous years medal, a cute little rubber bracelet with both years on it and of course bought everything in site at the expo.  I read blogs and blogs about what to look out for, pacing, crowd support, everything, you name it, I did it.  Unfortunately, I did not find it what is was cracked up to be.  I didn't think the crowd support was fantastic and maybe that was just me?  I felt it was "thin".  I think that has a lot to do with how long the race is, and I don't mean that it is 26.2 miles.  Elites start around 9, while I started around 11.  That is a whole two hours the spectators are waiting just for me to start and we know, it took me a lot more than 2 hours to get to the point in which people are cheering.  There were lots on times there was no one there.  I am sure the crowds were a little lighter after the Boston Marathon, oh, and it was cold and the winds were 20+ miles per hour.

The course was hilly, I knew that going in, but I definitely did not realize how hilly the course was.  The wind didn't make it easier and damn, you are in Brooklyn for a long ass time!  I was ready to be out of Brooklyn so quickly!  Thank goodness I had my Christ a there with me with our matching outfits!    At mile 15 We stopped to use the restroom and we waited almost 10 minutes.  Christa told me to go on, but looking at my watch and knowing I wasn't going to hit any of my goals, I stayed, I still had 11 more miles to go and it was going to be better with company.

My ITBand started screaming at me less than a mile like and I knew it was going to be bad!  I stopped to walk and stretch.  I wanted to just keep going and finish, I had to remind myself that I don't want to remain injured so I had to play it careful.  Soon we saw my family!  It was so nice to see them, they grabbed pictures, we gave hugs, it was fun.  *Note to family and spectators* If your runner is trying to go for a certain time, don't stop them for pictures.  Luckily my time was out the door, I just wanted to be done.

I do have to say though, I don't think I ever hit a wall.  There was water every mile which also slowed us down because you stop every mile whether you need water or not when you are with someone :)

I had nutrition every 45 minutes to 1 hour.  Boy, thats a lot of nutrition once I was out there!

I got to see DEE who was running as an Achilles Guide.  She is amazing!

It was a great chance to see family :)

At least we know how to have fun!

See Ya Next time NY.. Just kidding!!! 

Questions for you:

1. Have you ever gone into a race and then the expectation just ruined the experience?  Have you had the opposite happen?

2. Have you run the NYC, what were your thoughts?

3. What was your favorite race? Doesn't matter, distance, sports, etc!

ALso, I am training for a triathlon now and feel free to make a donation so I can actually go through with it!!  http://pages.teamintraining.org/sun/anttry14/ghimelfarb

I will be updating all my loyal readers with my training soon :)

Also, I just realized this turned out to be a full recap of the NYC Marathon, not life.. I guess you may hear from me sooner than later!