The final month of my marathon training was great mentally as I completed several good long runs that gave me confidence that I could successfully finish the race. However, these long runs also served as a detriment to my body physically as I continually suffered from some knee and calf ailments that kept flaring up in the week leading up to the marathon.

To ensure that I could run on race day, I had to taper down to no running, get two massages, tape my calf, and resort to pool only workouts. I rested and took care of my body as much as possible to heal the injuries. This proved to be the right course of action as on race morning, I felt as good as I had felt in a while, which added to my confidence that I would compete the race.

I was positioned in the last wave that started at 10:40am. Waiting on Staten Island to begin the race, I congregated with other Gilda’s Club Charity runners and we took in the chilly, sunny morning and race atmosphere. At 10:15am, we ate our last snacks and took one last bathroom break before going to our corral.

I got off to a great start over the Verrazano Bridge. I was positioned in the first corral of the last group and with the new three-wave race start, I didn’t feel that crowded as I began my run across the bridge. However, as I headed into the bridge’s decline, I felt a few disconcerting knee tweaks that freaked me out! It was only in mile 2 and I had knee problems!

I quickly did an assessment and figured I could be over striding and causing extra knee strain on the downhill.  When I started taking smaller steps the pain went away so I was happy I figured that problem out because I had a long way to go!

After crossing the bridge we arrived in Brooklyn, which was my favorite borough of the marathon.  Each neighborhood was so different from the people in the crowd, to the architecture and buildings to the bands that lined the streets. At this point, I was striding at 15 seconds faster each mile than my goal pace. This, along with seeing my friends along 4th Ave., gave me a tremendous boost; although I think they were more excited to see me then I was them being how focused I was.

As I made it into Queens, I started to slow down a bit but still held a good pace while enjoying the crowd.  I stopped for an extremely fast (90 seconds!) emergency bathroom break at the half marathon mark.

Next up was the 59th St Bridge, which proved to be my slowest mile of the morning, although it did not affect my overall pace or goal time. When I crossed into Manhattan on to 1st Avenue, I was a bit disappointed.  I did not think that the crowds were as large as people had told me – or were as loud as everyone talks about.  Maybe because I was in the last wave and most spectators had already seen their friends?  Was everyone heading to the bars already?  There were people out, but not as many as when I had gone to 1st Avenue to watch the race in the past.

But I did not let that phase me. I approached mile 19 where I had stationed my group of 5 friends – for what we renamed “Kit Kat Mile.” When I was passing – my friends were going to hand me a Kit Kat!  By that point I had eaten enough gels, Gatorade, and Coconut Water so I wanted a different taste.  That Kit Kat was on my mind!!  I was so happy to see them, their crazy signs, and eat a bite of that Kit Kat.

Feeling a boost from my friends (and the chocolate), I continued in to the Bronx via the Willis Avenue Bridge.  I personally was still feeling pretty good (although a bit slower) but lots of runners were dropping off to stretch and take a walking break.

Then I saw the Rhino.

That’s right – a guy in a Rhino suit.  He had run just as far as me in this crazy costume.  He actually looked pretty good too, having maintained a good and consistent pace.  I thought to myself “I cannot let the Rhino beat me!!”   But just around that time, as I approached mile 21, my knees began to send shooting pains throughout my joint during every step that I took.  I had to slow down a bit and walk/shuffle to avoid the pain.  “Damn”, I thought, “the Rhino is inching ahead!!”

So for the next two miles, I played cat and mouse with the Rhino guy. I was supposed to see people at mile 23 and then at 24.  But I couldn’t find any of my friends!  Where were they??  At this point all I wanted was to finish and stop the pain so I kept shuffling and going as fast as I could.  I don’t really remember the last 5 miles so much. I do remember kind of getting annoyed with people shouting my name (because it was on my shirt) when I would stop to rub my knees and stretch or walk.

But somehow, while running the last miles across Central Park South, I was able to jog a bit faster than I had the last few miles so I knew that my adrenaline was kicking in and the end of the race was close.

Crossing the finish line, I took the Kit Kat out of my pocket and held it up! Fun photo finish!  I had to do something fun! Post race, my knee was in really bad shape and I was freezing even with the foil blanket.  I could barely walk up my stairs to my 3rd floor apartment.  But once back inside I was greeted by my friends who had been cheering me all day!  I took a hot shower (there was no way I was getting into an ice bath at that time!) and then plopped myself on my couch with ice packs on my knees and a glass of champagne!

My first marathon was a good one.  It was a great learning experience for my body, my training, and for when I coach other athletes for endurance races.  I can’t say if I’ll do another marathon at this time.  I need to heal my knee and get my body recovered first.  I think I prefer triathlons and the cross training aspect.  It certainly is a bit more forgiving on the body.  But if anyone wants to run a marathon, I do suggest the NYC Marathon.  It is a great experience, with the crowd being so supportive and the course it offers an amazing trip through all the 5 boroughs.

An unforgettable experience! I have the photos and medal to prove it!