TCS NYC MARATHON 2019 EXPERIENCE

After 3 years of lottery, finally I got in to run one of the big 6 world known marathon.

4 months of training. Total logged distance (mi): 466.8  (751.2 km). 53,636 runners at the start. 5 boroughs from Staten Island to Manhattan. 10,000 volunteers who pitched in, and the million-plus spectators who cheered from the sidelines. 26.2 miles – a journey I will never forget. A lot of people have warned me that this race, or a marathon in general will change my life. You will find out today, if it did.

While I was training for the NYC Marathon I often got very emotional thinking about finishing this race at the famed finish line in Central Park. I remember thinking about marathoners like they were some kind of crazy people before I started training for it. Why would you want to put yourself into something like this?

NYC MARATHON EXPERIENCE

Today after my first NYC Marathon experience I know that training and running a marathon change you. It brings you closer to yourself, your weaknesses, you learn how to overcome them and most importantly you realize who you really are. Read my experience while running 26.2 miles through New York City. Welcome to my NYC Marathon experience:

BEFORE THE RACE

        MRC surprise 

 

I took my training very serious. Just missed a day, I followed my training plan. Standing on the bridge in Staten Island last Sunday made me feel incredible proud. However my eyes were wide open from how scared I was. I had so much respect for what I was about to do, but I knew 100% that I can do it.

With a very decent 21 mile training run 3 weeks before the race I felt more than confident to run the 5 bridges, inhale all the energy from the crowds and I kept thinking about my family and friends who have been the biggest support on my journey to the start in Staten Island of my first marathon.

The elite started a bit earlier than my wave did but then at 1010 AM the race director said: “Wave 2 – on your marks” Boom.

RUNNING THE TCS NYC MARATHON 2019

I’ve heard from several people who have ran the race before that it was their most painful experience and that this specific marathon is one of the hardest you can do in the US. While I was running the first mile on the Verrazano Bridge, which is by the way the highest incline of the entire race, I felt everything from joy to pure anxiety.

The first mile was intense, because I realized that I was actually doing this. Along so many inspiring runners who all have their very personal story that will make this day as special for them as it was for me at that moment.

WELCOME TO BROOKLYN /  THE BIGGEST BLOCK PARTY EVER

Entering Brooklyn after the bridge was like running through one of the biggest open air parties you can possibly imagine. I saw everything from DJ’s to church choirs and people dancing and singing for the runners.

I kept my pace steady and easy and told myself to save the energy for the final 6 miles. I was flying. Cruising to the finish. It still felt very easy on my legs, the weather was awesome that day sunny and not that cold. You could see amazing Manhattan Skyline. Running this race was everything I have worked for the past months.

26.2 SMILING MILES

 

The TCS NYC Marathon was literally 26.2 smiling miles for me: I had so much fun running from one big block party to the next. First Avenue after entering Manhattan gave me chills that lasted for miles. It really was a big wall of noise like everyone described before. I kept thinking about how the running community is such a different crowd. People were yelling my name (I had it printed on my shirt) and kept pushing me through. My pace was still very steady and within my pace range. So is this “marathon wall” coming at some point? 

At Mile 19 was were I met my wife and kids. I was still feeling pretty good when I had, a big hug and the feeling that they are extremely proud of me. My NYC Marathon experience also has been such a blessing because of my very supportive family and friends. Training for a race like that means a lot of dedication and commitment. If your people don’t understand your lifestyle you will have a problem. Or maybe they do? Who knows.  

NYC MARATHON EXPERIENCE: THE FINAL 6 MILES

The last 6 miles from the Bronx to the finish line was my final push. Around 23^rd mile I got cramp in my left thigh, felt like I hit the wall but then I saw my kidos and wife again had big hug from all of them at that point of time yes it was very much need. I walked from almost half mile to recover from cramp. Had Gateroid and started again with little slower speed than my average so far. I wanted to make it to the finish smiling with my hands up in the air. I’m not sure which crowd was more intense, Brooklyn or Central Park, but the excitement was rising. I was so hyped from what  was experiencing right now there was no way something could ruin this for me. My fueling strategy was on point and my energy level was perfectly fine. 

 

At Mile 25 I told myself that I was almost there and focused on that I still felt amazing. Some pain some cramps. Nothing could have stopped me, hard work always pays off. Columbus Circle: soaking everything in, my NYC Marathon experience was almost over. In my head I was sad – I really wanted to keep going – this was so much fun. Mile 26: I could see the finish. Smell it. Feel it. Wow. I was about to finish the TCS NYC Marathon. 

CROSSING THE FINISH AT 2:05 PM (3:55:07)

Crossing the finish was the most intense feeling ever. I remember thinking “I just ran the NYC Marathon – that wasn’t too bad.” I didn’t cry. I totally expected me to become super emotional, but I wasn’t.  So, does running a marathon change your life? I’m not sure, but it definitively change you as a person. Almost a week after the NYC Marathon the runners high is still there and my NYC Marathon experience leaves me proud, empowered and inspired. I feel so much stronger mentally today after running the marathon.

And for you I hope it’s the inward lesson of courage, resilience and true grit that leave an impression. 

Thanks for being a part of my journey. So much love to my family, who was with me all the time. I felt the energy from every single one of you!