new york city marathon 2009

at the finish --taking a break from the baggage walk

Below; left-A 'spooky' house at Fort Wadsworth




the VN bridge at the start

me calling Kate to find out how she finished.


Below, after getting our bags with Rob




well, my 20th NYCM is over and I had an awesome experience, mainly because my toe insert hurt but my foot held up. and I finished in even 8 minute pace for 3:31 --the last few miles were not easy, as I am out of endurance shape and quads were hurting. But since it was my 20th NYC marathon, I was happy that I was at least able to finish, and that all my friends finished well...I took the bus in from white plains high school, and went into Fort Wadsworth late as or bus got stuck in traffic. I walked in with Frank, and we immediately went to the dunkin donuts booth where we got coffee and a hat! Then we bumped into Alicia and Nick in the achilles area --that was fun!! I then left Frank and went int the local elite coral where I saw susan warren,beth moras, and the taconic runners!! I also saw Yuki putting on her costume. We were led onto the bridge @9:20 and I have to say, some of the men we lined up with did smell, and it was nerve wracking as they were all so fast, and I feared getting trampled -haha!!! ugh--the start used to be all women in one area --no peeing on the bridge this time, ither, with the men around!!! At 9:42 we were off -perfect running weather -- I was so tentative to start because my foot had been a bit sore just walking around trick or treating-lol...but it felt OK!! I had a toe pad in the front of the left foot which after mile 10 started to kill me but clicked off steady 8 min miles with the goal of just finishing in under 4 hours ---suddenly, at mile 5? Frank came up with Shannon M. and I was SO happy to see them!!! I then ran with Shannon for awhile until she took off, and then I saw Frank go in a port-o-john, and I waited for him to catch up but he didn't and finished right behind me. Right on the bridge, I looked down and saw a 20 dollar bill in a puddle--I stopped and picked it up and stuck it in my shorts to buy post race beer and coffee later!! Appropriate bill, as it was my 20th NYCM...and I had just lost a $20 the other day --weird.
The Queensboro bridge was slow going but I looked forward to seeing the Taconic people and to the crowds on first --missed the taconics, so my next target was to find Rob at 116th street --the concrete was pretty jarring but the crowds were amazing.
Hard to believe that in 1982 at the age of 24 I pounded these same streets in my first marathon!! which then was the third weekend in Oct. and 'only' had 10,000 people...so it did mean alot to me to finish this one and although my feet hurt I was not in pain!! Anyway, i did see Rob and handed him a hat that I had stuck in my shorts for him! Then mile 20 over the bridge was clogged with people and I lost a full minute!!! 2:41 was my 20 mile split...I then worked to keep up the 8 min pace which was not easy with the wet roads and crowds and that hill at mile 22 I think I had a 9 min mile) --last 2 miles were 8 minutes, and as I went down 59th street tried to appreciate the crowds but my quads were in pain and I just wanted it to b over -finally, the finish!! and who should I see but Luis. we then waited for Frank, who
finished a few minutes later (apparently he made it on TV)...we then began the long walk to baggage and hooked up with Rob. It was not a 100 or 50 miler, but felt like an ultra to me all the same!! Can't wait for next year, I think! Oh, we got a nice 40th anniversary medal....see Frank's blog for report and more photos