What was that?

Woke up in the middle of the nigh, 3:45? Are you kidding me? Marathon is starting just before 10AM, so why? Cause it is NYC marathon and you want to run it. Usual breakfast, usual but very early. Ice coffee on the way down to subway. And again word which will be used during that post ‘early’. Early subway – 5AM. I was not alone, there was plenty of runners in the train already. Met Aussie, Italian and runner from Luxembourg. We had nice, long chat. All of them were aiming for much better results. One – 2:45, other Boston qualifying time… Me, just wanted to finish. And if possible to get similar result as week before in Venice – 3:25. Aussie was the guy who I have spent quite a lot of time that morning and the rest of the day after marathon run. Mark, that was his name, and me took same ferry. They told us that we can take earlier ferry if we want. We went for it. Two other guys took even earlier one. As we sat there we had another chance to chat. As I found out Aussie was actually from UK, London born and raised, Arsenal supporter (boooo). Nice bloke. He was documenting everything. Pictures, selfies, videos all for friends back in Australia. Landed on Staten Island, you would think that is it but still not. There was another at least 30 minutes trip by a bus until eventually getting to marathon village. Logistically NYC marathon is a nightmare. Cause of the journey from Manhattan to Staten Island and early start of the day for your body marathon felt like a run in the middle of the day. And that is really hard to accommodate. I remember running Eddie Murphy last year. That one started at noon. With all usual routine I was already hungry again before run and eating at that time was a crap idea as I have found out. This time I was trying not to make same mistake. Was trying just to hydrate. Tee, Gatorade to keep my energy levels up. Marathon village and still 2.5 hours of waiting. Anticipation? Yes. But both of us – me and Mark – agreed that we are too relaxed. That something wasn’t right. But that wasn’t first time I had that feeling. Had to stay focused. Toilet, done, twice. Stretching routine to get body into shape. Waiting before my wave and corral gate. At 9AM they suppose to let us in. They did. 9AM still 50 minutes to start. Inside my zone, nervous. Toilet again, waiting. Made a mistake, I took my warmer clothes off to fast. It was cold. About 15 minutes before start we begin to move towards starting line. Runners who knew that race they just now started to lose their clothes. Walking we got to bridge connecting Station Island and Brooklyn. American anthem during which all US runners turned towards flag which was behind us. After that and see words from organisers we have started. In front of me I had 3:25 pacer. In Europe pacers are running either with balloon or flag in here they have small board on the stick with time on it. They are running like that for whole way. Fair play to them…

First bridge and already traffic. You could see that some runners are not honest when giving predicted time of finish. I understand that something unexpected can happen and that I can understand but knowing that you are not able to run at particular pace but still starting with that wave is just disgraceful. I don’t know if these people know that they are in the way of faster runners. So, already on the beginning, when there was not much room to overtake we were hitting slow runners. My idea was to get little bit quicker than 3:25 pacer and keep him behind me. At the end of the bridge I was able to do that. Now, we were on the streets. More room to manoeuvre and felt more comfortable. Now could choose my side of the road and cruise to the finishing line. Felt good, humidity was little bit high. And that came as a little bit surprise to me. Living in Ireland should prepare me for running in such a conditions but not… It was different. Air was heavy. Was harder to breathe during run but you could get use to it. And I was just running and enjoying myself. On the kilometre no 5 I have build up little bit advantage over pacer. Pace wasn’t a bother and if kept that would bring me to finishing line in about 3:22. And that was really good. People on the side of the road were making huge difference. They were screaming their lungs out. Any sign of a flag on your bib and crowd was going mental. There was always someone who was from the same country as the runner. Great support. Next time I need to remember to put my name on the singlet or at least on the number. 5th mile. Crowd working magic. Like Redbull, was giving you wings. Brooklyn, even that we were with Bozena in New York previously we never saw any of the neighbourhoods there. It was a new thing for. Previously seen just in TV. Now I was running here. Turned back. Couldn’t see the pacer. Was running well… until that pain I felt just below right side of ribcage. That was just horrible. First time ever I have felt something like that. It was really bad. I had to stop. I was really scared. Thought about DNF cause of the pain. But that was a marathon I was waiting for. And at this stage in the race I was facing dilemma to DNF or try to finish being in pain. I have noticed that slowing down to below 6 min/km allowed me to continue. But it wasn’t slowly steady. It was more like slow and painful. Trying to reach the finishing line. Supporters were asking me if I was ok. ‘Ye, sure. Just a small stitch. Nothing big’. They were still cheering and trying to lift our spirits. Running, sorry jogging, into Queens. Somewhere on the right, behind all these buildings were Metz stadium. Now people were shouting for us. In the evening they will be supporting Metz hoping that they will stay in the game. I was struggling. Even straights were painful for me. Cause I had my breakfast more than 7 hours before I was feeling that my whole energy is gone. Was trying to got at least something back. Gatorade… that was the idea (after some time on the water station could get banana or piece of orange). Of course that was something never tested. Knew that I will pay for that as well. Worse part of the race for me was definitely Brooklyn Bridge. It was quite long dragging incline. Long, long… and then very quick decline (still wasn’t benefiting from that). 1st Avenue. What a support. But I couldn’t get more of my body without pain. Long stretch of a road. You think that 3 miles towards Bronx are flat but not. It is really slowly going up. You could feel that in the legs and if would put your head up and look far ahead you would see that as well. Still people on the side of the streets were amazing. High fiving, screaming running little bit with you. Oh… and toilet happened. Gatorade not good for belly. At this stage I knew that I will finish that jog. But that was already a fight. Stitch was still there. Couldn’t run, was able to pull up just a jog. Last bridge and Bronx. We were greeted by reverent standing at the end of the bridge shouting ‘Welcome to Bronx’. Funny, as soon as we run off the bridge type of music played by bands has changed. Before was jazz, ethnic music, latino music, maybe heave metal even. But now rap was surrounding us. As I was saying before support all the way. Bronx was little bit different. Different buildings, more empty houses, more windows without glass. In Bronx we have turned onto 5th Avenue. This road would lead us back to Manhattan and Central Park. I was tired, but I knew that I was close… couple of miles to go. From the top of the Central Park there was still over 3.5 miles to the finish line. Not far, but that Sunday it felt like I would have still marathon in front of me. Just over a mile later official cheering zone has started. That was already half of the length Central Park. I was waiting for the end now and it wasn’t behind that turn and wasn’t behind another one…

Had to get myself together, thought that I will be able to keep going. Pace went up, adrenaline kicked in. Went for it. Just 3 km to go. Should be easy, strengths saved cause of the jogging not running and I already waisted so much time feeling sorry for myself. Give everything I have for that last stretch. That wasn’t last straight. There was a turn and… straight in the park. Sign for 2 km. Hills in the park. Where is the end? Adrenaline wears off, won’t last. We were in the park, now again on the outside. Turn, 1 km to go, straight half a mile to finish. And last turn. Again in Central Park. Some twists and curves on these last couple of meters. Running between cheering fans and flags representing nationality off all runners. Eventually crossed the mat with chip reader. Ohhh, was I really glad. I run NYC marathon. Sorry jogged. But there was still task in front of us runners…

What task? Yes, we had to get out of there. Runners were split into two groups. First – runners who opted for NYC marathon poncho (for some main reason to run that marathon). Second – runners who chose to leave bag in the drop zone to be brought to finishing line. ‘Poncho route’ was shorter (according to organizers) but it took over 30 minutes to get to Columbus Circle and outside marathon grounds. I took that option cause of the poncho and shorter exit (ours took really long, so was wondering how long it takes for other group). Tired but tucked up in NYC marathon ‘duvet’ took subway to hotel. All I needed was a bath…

Came to hotel happy that I have run in New York marathon. Undressed, took long, warm bath. Strengths were getting back quite fast. No legs pains, body felt ok. Body wasn’t under huge pressure during that race. Decided that next day I will go for a recovery jog. 10 km should be ok. But that evening me and Aussie’s friends were meeting for a beer or dinner. Yep, and where Australians can go for a pint? Correct answer – Irish pub. Met them there sipping Guinness. All were having a laugh. Most of us were disappointed with our results (but nobody did it as bad as me), but that couldn’t stop us from having fun. After no beer for me we went to nice burger house. Mark, Kate, Paul and me went together to place where Kate and Paul were day before. They were claiming that in here are the best burgers ever. So, 3 of them have ordered burgers and I went for sea food option. Food was really nice and we had great time. Spent time discussing Polish-Irish-British-Australian connections, compared lifestyles and surprising we weren’t discussing running too much. It wasn’t a long night. We were all tired. I have assisted Mark in getting to subway station. From all of us he was in the worst state. He was barely moving but was a great object of jokes…

Left Mark on the 81st Street station and decided to walk back these 58 blocks back to hotel. I wanted to see New York in the evening. Slowly walked down 8th Avenue passing all those lighted buildings. Stopped for a coffee, had a chat there about marathon. Passed Madison Square Garden. Was little disappointed that there wasn’t any NBA game during that weekend. There was plenty of cheer from pass-byers towards anyone who had marathon medal on the neck. That was good evening walk. In hotel bad news. Metz lost deciding game and Royals won the title…

Next day I wanted to get early run and try to get to Central Park to see ‘NYC Marathon Finishers kit’. Woke up little bit earlier than wanted but thought it’s good. At least will be tired when on the way back home. Run, checked kit. OMG that was so expensive. Wanted to have something but not for such a price. Back at hotel. Checking how to get to airport and before getting subway decided to check again Times Square. Maybe will find something, Metz stuff should be already discounted. Unfortunately that wasn’t the case. Picked up my backpack from hotel and took subway towards JFK. Long way to the airport, long wait there… And that how my NYC Marathon trip ended…