Dash to the Finish 5K and Marathon Sunday!

My first race back! 1st thought: I love running! 2nd thought: Where is my endurance?

The Dash to the Finish 5K was a great first race back-- as a kickoff to marathon weekend, it lessened the sting of not being able to run this year while still making me feel like I was a part of the marathon. The timing and weather couldn't have been more perfect-- I left my apartment at 7:40, was at the start by 8:10, found a coworker who was also running 5 minutes later, and then jumped into my corral right before the start. NYRR runs races like a well-oiled machine, and the race was perfectly executed. The only downside was that it was PACKED.

See you next year, marathon.

The course started on 45th and 1st avenue, and we turned right pretty immediately onto 42nd street. We stayed on 42nd street until 6th avenue, and from there we headed to Central Park. It was pretty cool to run past my old office building (hi Nat Geo!) and 30 Rock, but it got more and more congested as we neared 59th street. There was a pretty tight turn on 59th street, and then another tight turn into the park at the 59th/5th avenue intersection. Once we were into the park, it was nearly impossible to run without veering around people... but it was pretty incredible to round the bottom of the lower loop and meet up with the marathon finish line. And as I finished the announcer yelled, 'Look at this girl! She loves sweat! Great shirt!'

An amazing feeling

I told myself I would run based on how I felt, because the worst thing that could happen would be to be overzealous and injure myself... again. I positive-split the hell out of the race, which I blame 80% on my lack of endurance and my enthusiasm at the start, and 20% on the congestion in the last 1/2 of the race. Overall, though, I was thrilled with my time-- according to NYRR, my official time was 25:19, which averages to a 8:10 pace for 3.1 miles. Since I overran my course, my pace for 3.18 miles was actually a 7:58.

I'll take it! :) 

The best feeling was after the race-- nothing more than feeling out of shape (which I expected) and feeling tight in my hip and glutes, which has been a constant since my injury. I'm taking two days off of running (Sunday and Monday) to focus on stretching and cross-training. And plus, I had a marathon to watch on Sunday!

Our 'cheerzone' with the best sign on the course

... and I was too busy watching the marathon to take any other pictures. I did snap a video of the elite women and men, but I decided to just soak in the marathon rather than try to take a million pictures. In as few words as possible, marathon Sunday is the best day in NYC. The energy is incredible, and the entire city is buzzing. I cannot WAIT to FINALLY be on the other side, RUNNING, next year.

Marathon Envy

My marathon envy is in full force... yesterday, I went to the Javits Center to pick up my bib for the Dash to the Finish Line 5K and couldn't help but cry as I walked around the convention center. I hate that I'm not running this year, and seeing everyone so excited about the race just made my heart hurt a little bit.

But I was also crying because marathon day is such an amazing day in NYC-- I've only ever experienced it from the spectator side, but it's such an incredible day when the entire city comes together. Millions of people cheer for strangers (by name) for several hours on end, and it's a literal celebration in the streets. I think I've cried every single year, simultaneously overwhelmed by the determination and strength of the runners and the city itself. Seriously, the race just makes you love NYC.

This year promises to be even more emotional-- besides my own personal battles with running this year, Sandy and the Boston Marathon bombings still weigh heavy on my heart. I know that on Sunday I'll probably shed a few tears out of sadness AND happiness-- because marathon Sunday is the best day in NYC, and on Monday, I start training for NYC 2014 ;)

YES.

Finally!  A positive update from NYRR. Can you guess which option I'm choosing? ;)

Dear Marathon Runners:

Thank you all for your patience during the last seven weeks as we have worked through issues related to the cancellation of the 2012 ING New York City Marathon. Hurricane Sandy was a devastating event for our city, and our thoughts and prayers remain with the victims and their families as they work to rebuild their homes and lives.

We are sorry that it has taken us longer to resolve these issues than we had originally hoped. We have been working to offer the best possible solutions in order to meet the needs of the many different groups associated with the Marathon.

Our goal was to offer a range of options to each of you so that you can choose which option works best for you.

MARATHON RUNNERS All 2012 Marathoners may choose one of the following three options: • Option #1 - Refund. While NYRR has always had a no-refund policy for the Marathon, given these extraordinary circumstances, we are offering runners who were entered in the 2012 Marathon, and were unable to run due to the cancellation¹, the opportunity to obtain a full refund of their 2012 Marathon entry fee (excluding the $11 processing fee); OR • Option #2 – Guaranteed entry to the ING New York City Marathon for 2013, 2014, or 2015. Entrants in the 2012 Marathon who choose this option will be granted guaranteed entry to the Marathon for the year they choose. Runners will be required to pay all processing and entry fees at the time of application (in the given year), with fees maintained at the same rate as those paid in 2012; OR • Option #3 – Guaranteed entry to the NYC Half 2013. Entrants in the 2012 Marathon who choose this option will be granted guaranteed entry to the NYC Half 2013, to be run on March 17, 2013. Runners will be required to pay all processing and entry fees at the time of application. Availability will be limited. ¹ Applies to runners entered in the 2012 Marathon who had not cancelled prior to October 24, 2012. 2013, here we come!