October 31, 2008

NYC Marathon Weekend

This morning I woke up and went for a quick 4 mile run in Central Park to see the marathon festivities. The park was totally filled with people, including athletes from all over the world. Whenever I saw people with “Training for the NYC Marathon” or other similarly identifying shirts, I said “good luck on Sunday” as I passed them. (Yes, passed them – for once, I was one of the fastest runners in the park, as most people were taking it easy to rest up for the race). I got a big smile on my face as I came into the final loop of the park and crossed the finish line, and there was even a crowd of people in orange shirts in the stands who were doing the wave and yelling as they took pictures, so it almost felt like crowds cheering for me. But I wish wish wish I could do it for real on Sunday.

I have to admit, I’ve been totally jealous lately of everyone running the NYC Marathon this weekend. The whole city is consumed with marathon fever, and I feel so left out that I don’t get to run it this year. I know I’ll be all excited next year when I finally do get to run it, but I want to do it now! It’s even harder when all my friends (mostly non-runners, but they know I do marathons) just assume that I’m doing it. I’ve been getting e-mails from people at work saying “hey we’re going to be cheering at this point… what are you wearing and what’s your pace?” “I’ll be wearing a yellow Marathon Maniacs jersey over whatever warm clothes I have, and my pace is 1 year and 4 hours.”

I know I should be excited to be able to cheer for a marathon in my hometown. Last year I cheered at miles 18 and 23, and had the time of my life. It was what inspired me to want to run a marathon in the first place. But now? I want to run a marathon.

There is one in New Hampshire on Sunday, the Manchester City Marathon. I haven’t run NH yet, and I can get a car through work, so that means my only expenses would be gas and registration (pretty reasonable at $65, even this late if I register at the expo). I am so tempted, especially since I’m not running another one until Tulsa on November 16, but I feel like such a sore loser not staying here to cheer on the thousands of people who have come to my city just to run this race.

Thoughts?

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24 thoughts on “NYC Marathon Weekend”

  1. Do Manchester! I am from Nashua, (bordering city), but my sister lives in Manchester. Kind of an industrial town so not sure how pretty it would be, but still fun I’m sure! You may want to consider Southwest and fly in…they have a huge fall sale right now it would probably be $59 or less each way into Manchester..

  2. I am fairly new to your blog (love it, btw) but think I missed why you aren’t doing NYC??
    If it were me, I would stay in town for the hoopla, especially since you are already registered for another marathon in a couple of weeks. I have heard that NYC is an amazing race to witness and support. I’m jealous! If you stay in town, take pics for us.

  3. I was trying to scroll around as well to see why you weren’t running it. Bummer though, it sounds like a pretty spectacular event. Just think, it’ll make next year even better!

  4. I ran the 1/2 marathon in Manchester last year, and it’s quite hilly. Definitely a low-key marathon as compared to NY if you’re looking for that.

    If you are doing it, you have to tell us so we can go cheer you on!

  5. I ran the NYC marathon in 2005 and it was AWESOME – very cool experience. I stay stick around and cheer others on, get motivated for your marathon in two weeks, and get excited for next year’s NYC marathon!

  6. I think being a spectator for a big city race adds a different dimension to the marathoning experience.

    I volunteered/spectated for 6 hours in the one year that didn’t run NYCM and I have to say, it was one of the most thrilling experiences of my life. Seeing the elite people run and then watching the party unfold before your eyes is just so unbelievable. It’ll definitely give a different perspective and more things to think about when you run it next year.

    Of course, I’m biased…so don’t take the advice on my account alone!

  7. Definitely do Manchester! I’m doing/trying to do the half marathon (my first ever!). While it’s not exactly a spectacular destination, it’s quite a nice city in its own way.

  8. Do the race in NH. You’ll get closer to your goal and the price is amazing!

    Good luck! You’ll have an amazing weekend no matter what you do.

  9. Gosh, that’s a tough one! If you want to run, do the Manchester! But, spectating NYCM would be pretty fun, even if you’ve seen it before. I remember running through Central Park the day before the race (last year) and wondering what the hoopla was all about. I didn’t realize until I got home that they were setting up for the NYCM. DUH.

  10. The NYC Marathon is a bit hard to get into… you either have to win the lottery for entries or you have to run 9 NYRR races the year before. I did the latter for 2009, but didn’t win the lottery this year, which is why I’m unable to run it legally. Also, I don’t want to run as a bandit – I don’t feel it’s fair to do so.

    Leaning toward NH!

  11. If you’ve already spectated NYCM, I don’t think you should feel bad running NH. Especially having run a few marathons (you, not me), wouldn’t it be so hard to sit back & watch?

  12. Manchester’s not overly pretty, but if it can knock off another state from your list and won’t cost you too much, then I say do it.

    While you’re there you can show my home state some love for me. 🙂

  13. Hi, I’ve been reading your blog of late. Found you from Runner’s Lounge. You write great, keep it up.

    I’d stay in town. It’s the best marathon and you should be a part of it. As a fan or you can Salmon it!

  14. I’ve never watched a marathon, and since I’m not running NYC, I’m going to come out and watch.

    This year is also going to be one of the more thrilling matchups among the elite women (plus debuts from two great middle distancers: Goucher and Smith). I can’t resist coming out to snap some pictures as they go by…and see what it’s like from the sidelines for once.

  15. You rock and you will tear up the NYC Marathon course next year. Also fyi to Topher, there was an article in NY Times today about all the people they had out looking for bandits.

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