Well, I promised you all a report, so here it is.....
Warning: this is very long and I need to post it in installments because I'm not totally sure it will work and don't want to lose it.
10/31/09: I wrote up early and went to the Hampton Inn breakfast room. The area was full of athletes from many other countries, but mostly Argentina and Italy. One look at them and you knew they were all in town for the marathon. Not a single one appeared to have more than 2% body fat! What was I ever thinking when I signed up for this! This was not going to be another Disney race
.for sure! I mentioned something to John about being out of my element. The attendant at the breakfast station overheard me and asked if I was going to run the marathon. Yes, I said, believe it or not! His response was I hope you win. I just hope I finish
..
We got to the Expo a few minutes after it opened and registration took less than 5 minutes. The tech shirt was the same as the cover of the 2009 handbook the NYC skyline created by the names of the boroughs, bridges and neighborhoods we would travel through on race day. I bought the much coveted official ING NYC jacket and a few T-shirts and then explored the rest of the Expo. I stumbled upon the Aisics booth where they offered to take my photo. Let me just digress for a moment and explain that the NYC subway system was totally flooded with Aisics billboards and they all followed the same pattern. It was a photo of a runner and every slogan was Hello New York, Goodbye (the old me, couch, laziness, quit
..etc., etc., each with a different saying.) They took my photo and asked me to fill in the blank with a slogan of my own. I originally said marathon and they laughed and told me everyone says that! So I wrote in training. Then they gave me a card with a number on it, told me to go to Times Square anytime up until 2a.m. marathon morning and just follow the instructions on the card. So I put the card in my bag and proceeded through the rest of the Expo.
Later that afternoon we were in the vicinity of Times Square so we decided to give it a shot. One of the huge Jumbotrons kept cycling the various Aisics ads that were all over the subway. I texted the code they gave me to the number on the card and immediately got a confirmation that my photo would appear on the screen in approximately 2 minutes! We waited and sure enough, there it was
..my photo (with my WDW marathon shirt, no less!) displayed for all to see in NYs Times Square! I started screaming, Thats me! and all the people around looked up and started cheering. A few people from the marathon were there doing the same thing but mostly it was just tourists that happened to be in the area. It was up for a full 30 seconds and we were able to get a few photos. Im sure that will be my first and only time ever to appear in Times Square, but it was awesome while it lasted.
That evening my two children that live in Brooklyn prepared a wonderful pasta dinner for me. My daughter (and the Greek!) from MI, as well as my son from TN were also in there along with various friends and significant others. It was raining when we left and we were a little apprehensive about the following day. All the forecasts called for nice weather, but it was going to continue raining overnight and I was afraid Fort Wadsworth would be a muddy mess the next morning.
Halloween in New York is not to be believed. We were on the subway around 10pm and were some of just a handful of people without costumes. Among the characters in our car were Roger Rabbit and Jessica, a flapper and zoot suiter, a tiger, bumblebee, several Marios, and -my favorite- a pimp and his very scantily clad battered prostitute, who almost started a riot in our car! Only in New York
.
When we got back to the hotel, I got my stuff ready for the ready day and tried like crazy to get some sleep. Even with the extra hour, it was useless. I was scared and excited and tossed and turned the entire night. By that point, I just wanted morning to be here.
11/01/09: SHOWTIME! I could not believe the day had finally arrived! I had worked so hard so this moment and now it was all starting to take shape. I went down to breakfast and tried to eat a little something, but everything tasted like cardboard because my mouth was so dry from nerves. Surprisingly, the room was fairly empty. I surmised that most of the foreign athletes had been assigned to an earlier wave and had already left to catch the ferry. There was another woman there who was my age and looked like she was about to throw up from fear. It was her first marathon and I tried to calm her nerves, but when I asked her about her training, I dont think she did much, so my advice wasnt going to do much good. I saw her later on the Staten Island ferry but I forgot her name and never did find out if she ever finished. Then it was back to the room for those last minute details, a quick kiss to John and I was on my way.
I just missed a subway train and waited a full 20 minutes for the next one. I was supposed to report to the ferry at 7:30 and it was more like 7:45 when I got there. Not to worry, though
..it was a sheer cattle-call. The ferry station was wall-to-wall with marathon people and they just herded us in like lambs to the slaughter. The handbook mentioned all these rules and regulations about not bringing anything, even food, unless it was in the bag to be checked and about how important it was to show up for your assigned ferry. Once I got there, I realized that none of it meant a darn thing. There was a guy on the ferry with a 3 digit bib (I was 62607!) who probably should have reported at least an hour earlier and he was just chilling. I guess when you know the ropes, you know which rules are mere guidelines and which dont apply at all! After the ferry, they loaded us on busses and drove us to Fort Wadsworth which I believe is a huge military base. There were porta-potties at every location and I was determined to make use of them as often as I could before the race. I think I went 4 times, but it held me until after 20!
Fort Wadsworth was incredible. Centrally located was Marathon Village, a huge lawn with tents where you could get bananas, bagels, powerbars, Gatorade, water and freshly brewed Dunkin Donuts coffee that smelled like heaven. DD was giving out little pink and orange wooly caps to keep the runners warm at the start. I think I saw these tossed away on the course all the way into the 20 mile mark! Brightroom was also there taking pre-race photos and I posed for one. Branching off from Marathon Village were areas for the 3 individual bib colors. This was where you could check your bag, use more porta-potties, and get some limited items to eat and drink. Basically, it was an open area to hang out until your wave was called. There were 3 different waves for able-bodied runners: 9:40, 10:00 and 10:20. Then within each wave there were 3 different bib colors (blue, orange, green) which indicated your start location. Each time and color had 7 sub-corrals (A thru G) resulting in a total of 63 separate start corrals! They estimated it would take about 6 minutes to get each wave over the start, but I was in the next-to-the last corral and it took me over 8 minutes to reach the start mat. The announcers would call for the waves to line up in 7 different languages. At that point, we were packed so tight, there was no inching forward at all. Thankfully, we were only there for a few minutes. Each wave had a ceremonial start with a song, flares and loud horn. Once we crossed the mat at the foot of the Verrazano, it opened up right away. There was no trying to make your way around throngs of runners as Ive experienced at other races. I had been dreading the Verrazano from day 1 because it has such a ghastly elevation, but to be totally honest, it didnt seem bad at all. The view of Manhattan Island (which seemed to be miles and miles away) was breathtaking! Even though I was not warmed up, the hill seemed fairly easy
.not at all what I had been expecting. I guess the adrenalin was really kicking in. Best of all, I knew that once the bridge was over I would be 2 miles into the race and already finished with one borough.
About a half mile into the race, I came upon a guy in his 60s who was walking just like I was. I tried to pass him, but then he tried to pass me. Finally, I asked if he was walking the entire race. He said he was and since we were not having too much success shaking one another we should just stay together! We did and walked almost the entire first half together at an awesome pace. I truly believe we would have crossed the finish line together if my kids had not decided to keep jumping in at various times during the second half probably making him feel like a fifth wheel. I later checked the results and saw that he crossed the finish line less than a minute before I did
..talk about having a similar pace! It was so funny, as we were exiting the Verrazano another runner passed us and commented that she KNEW we had to be training buddies because our arms and legs were totally in sync. We looked at each other and both blurted out together, We just met!
Now I spent the first 30 years of my life in NYC, but I have to confess I have only been to Brooklyn a handful of times. So I dont know Brooklyn very well. Let me tell you right now, BROOKLYN ROCKS! I have never experienced anything like that before in my entire life and probably never will again. The people were out in full force and they were so enthusiastic. Going on a tip from previous marathoner, I used one of the labels they were giving out at the Expo to put my name on my bib in very large letters. The crowd acted like they were long lost friends. Never in my life have I heard so many people chanting my name with so much positive energy. Even my race buddy said he felt like he was walking with a celebrity and lamented the fact that he had not done the same. Going through Brooklyn was like going through a sea of thousands and thousands of crazy WISH scream teamers. They offered us oranges, Twizzlers, all sorts of beverages, Halloween candy and tons of toilet paper! I saw a row of severely disabled people that were lined up in their wheel chairs to cheer us on. One particular woman had only one limb, an arm, and she was using that one arm to cheer us on with so much joy and enthusiasm it brought tears to my eyes. I knew at that point, no matter what pain the marathon had in store for me that day, it was totally insignificant and I thanked God for a body that could accomplish such a feat. I had tons of people that could not speak English well or properly pronounce my name (I heard Gee-Ann a lot!)and still they called out to me with words of encouragement. One really tough looking guy called my name and said he had a lot of money on me to win, so I better get moving! The people were so great I got caught up in the moment and totally lost track of the miles.
Shortly after Mile 4 was the first time I was expecting to see my family on the course. I had given them all my extra WISH shirts and was searching for a sea of Day-Glo green. I kept looking but could not spot them in the distance. Suddenly it seemed the crowds were even more enthusiastic in cheering me along. Unbeknownst to me, my daughter had a bullhorn and was walking up and down the street shouting We are looking for Jeanne. Has anybody seen Jeanne? Tell her were waiting and she better get here fast! My husband said she had been doing this for a good 10 minutes so when I finally arrived, the reception from the crowd was deafening. My daughter and sons GF ran out on the course and started saying something about Read the shirts!, but I was so happy to see them, whatever they were saying didnt fully register until I had already passed. It then occurred to me that they were not wearing WISH shirts at all, but were all in another shirt they had specially made up for the occasion. I could not wait to see them again so I could see exactly what they said.
Around Mile 8 I encountered my family again. TEAM JEANNEO had picked up several more members and this time I clearly saw the shirts. The front had a cartoon of the Statue of Liberty with NYC marathon written around it and the words TEAM JEANNEO on the front. The back said DO IT FOR THE _______ and there was a space to be filled in. They made up 2 dozen of these shirts and each one had been filled in with a different saying, most of them private family jokes. I missed the message on the first two shirts at Mile 4, so they told me I would have to wait until later on in the race and they would run them by again! I later learned that one of the first shirts said Do it for the MEN THAT HIT ON YOU which is an old family joke, but made really funny by the fact that I had already picked up a male running partner when they first saw me! So at Mile 8, two more of my kids ran out on the course and I got to see what was written on the back of their shirts and again they were very funny private jokes. I could not wait until my next encounter!
They showed up again a little after Mile 12. Now they had a boom box and they ran along side of me playing Rock me Amadeus. I got to see a few more shirts. They said Do it for the MOUSE
.BAILEYS
.MEN ON THE FRIDGE. Never have 26.2 miles been so much fun! A short time later, my older son ran up and joined me on the course and said he was going to keep me company over the bridge that was coming up. I started freaking out thinking that he would get me DQd, but the truth of the matter is that although tons of officials saw him without a bib, no one really cared. I guess when youre that far back all that matters is that you cover the distance. He ended up doing almost 5 miles, two bridges and all of Queens with me before we met up with the family again now in Manhattan. There was a French guy who was running with a HUGE Eiffel Tower and we passed him on the Queensboro Bridge. I cannot imagine how that guy managed to do it, but I shouted out Vive La France! as we passed and he gratefully acknowledged me.
Part 2:
I was happy to have the Queensboro Bridge over and done with. Exiting the bridge, I was already at Mile 16 and knew this was the last major obstacle I would have to tackle. Some people claim that Central Park is very hilly, but its so close to the end, I truly didnt notice. Finally I had made it to Manhattan! This was the place that had seemed so far off when I saw it from the Verrazano earlier that morning. There was rousing applause as we headed onto First Avenue, but I could tell that the crowds had somewhat thinned out and the enthusiasm was not as palpable as it was in Brooklyn. First Avenue is very wide and heavy barricades had been set up to keep the spectators from the racers, so the fans were much further away then they had been in the other boroughs. True to my habit of never looking back, I had no idea the pace car was now only about half a mile behind me. My kids saw it, however, and they were panicking. According to the handbook, the finish line would remain open for a full eight hours, but the course would open to traffic at a rolling 6:30 pace. In my mind, that meant a 15-minute mile, but they were quite serious about the 6:30 for the entire 26.2 and so the official pace was more like 14:52. My goal was to get to Mile 20 at a sub-15 and then I would deal with whatever happened at that point. I knew the last few miles in Central Park would be closed to traffic regardless so it was just the Bronx and cobblestone streets of upper Manhattan that I had to fear.
I saw my family again at around Mile 18 and they informed me that some more friends had called and they were on their way over. I found out they missed me by only a few minutes. Two of my kids managed to run out on the course and slather some badly needed Bio Freeze on my calves which were beginning to tighten up. I got to read a few more shirts
..BLING
.FANNY PACK
..MARGARITAS
.SNOOP DOG alot of private family jokes. My daughter who runs was screaming encouragement through the bull horn. The boom box was blaring, but I dont remember the song. They knew the pace car was not that far behind and wanted me to at least make it to the 20-mile mark on a secure course. I continued on several blocks and the next thing I know my younger son is by my side and walking with me. Now this child does NOT know New York and I worried that he would not be able to get back to the rest of the group which was now moving over to Fifth Avenue to catch me on the way down. He said he was going to do the Bronx with me and once again Im scared that Ill be DQd! Or worse, hed be removed from the course and lost in NY. (thats a moms thinking for you!) I was doing all I could to pretend he was not with me, and there he was, posing for all the photographers we passed! Remind me to check the Lost and Found for a certain person without a bib
.
The trek up First Avenue in Manhattan was pretty much straight and flat. The Willis Avenue Bridge into the Bronx was somewhat steep and totally grated. They had placed a carpet over the gratings, but it didnt help much. Thankfully it was a small bridge. Once into the Bronx, we hit the 20-Mile mark and I knew I was a good 7-8 minutes ahead of schedule so I decided to take a much needed bathroom break. I charged into the first porta-potty I encountered and saw something I hope to never see again. There was blood and excrement all over the place
..alot of blood. I was in such a hurry, I almost didnt process it at first, but I knew something terrible had happened. I rushed out and found another potty that was free. This one was in pretty good shape and surprisingly had a full supply of toilet paper even though I carried my own. I figure I lost a good 3-4 minutes during that stop and would need another minute or so to get my legs moving again, but I knew I had it to spare. I had done my 20 miles with almost an 8-minute cushion so I knew I would not have to worry about being moved to the sidewalk for a long stretch, if at all. I had also spoken to the photographer at the Expo who assured me his crew would be at the finish line until the last person crossed, (but would leave the course itself after the pace car passed) so that was not an issue either. All things considered, I was in pretty good shape. The Bronx was just a quick mile with a lot of corners and turns. It was over almost as soon as it began.
Next was the Madison Avenue Bridge back into Manhattan. It was weird because unlike the other bridges this one had a definite slope downward. I was thinking that if it went down, it would have to go back up, but strangely, it never did and soon I was back in Manhattan again. Last borough, last bridge
I knew I had it. Ironically, it was just around here that I first noticed the pace car was right behind me. I was a little surprised because I was sure I had more of a cushion, but I was still using the 15-min mile to gage my progress and the potty stop had cost me some valuable time. Even so, I am convinced they were a little ahead of schedule, especially since I was not in the last corral to start. At one point they actually passed me, but then they slowed down and I passed them again. It was a little unsettling, but the good news was that even though they were right on my tail, they were not opening the streets to any traffic whatsoever. I was still OK. It was here in Harlem that I received another nice surprise. My sister and her husband who had been quite apprehensive about driving into the city with all the traffic were there by themselves cheering me on. No T-shirts, no boom box, but I was so thrilled to see them. They wished me well and then headed off for the post-race celebration location.
I was now walking along Central park but had not yet reached the point where you actually go inside (around 90th St). I was expecting to see my family again on Fifth Avenue, but they had actually moved into the park and positioned themselves a little before the 24 Mile mark. The next time I saw them there were 18 people in Team Jeanneo shirts! My girlfriend from NJ was there with her children who had grown up with my children and my other sister was there with her husband and three kids. Aerosmith was blaring on the boom box, my daughter was rubbing my legs with Bio-Freeze, my other daughter was shouting on the bullhorn that I had less than a 5K to go and everyone seemed to be screaming in my face. There was such pandemonium I didnt get to read any new shirts!
The next 2 miles seemed to fly by. I could see the buildings on Central Park South and knew that meant I would be leaving the park soon. I wondered if I would be able to use the roadway or have to walk on the cobblestone sidewalk. I made the turn out of the park and into the ROAD. I had done it! At that point I had already passed the Mile countdown sign
..then 1200m
.1000m
..½ Mile
. 800m
BACK IN THE PARK!....600m
..400m
and then , just like that, I was in the final chute. Next thing I hear is the announcer greeting me by name and a whole bunch of people cheering. New York was mine.
Registration
NY subway ad
Times Square Jumbotron
Yours truly
Scoping out the finish line
Tribute to Fred Lebow, NYC marathon founder
Getting the camera cars ready
Wouldn't you think a cake decorator would know how to spell "good"!
All set to go!
Eiffel Tower man:
Just having fun
Team Jeanneo
Coming up First Avenue (note how thinned out the crowds were)
Race shirt and bling
and they did everything BUT the essays. Oct 31 was the deadline we'd given them to have everything finished -- and they did, but (yeow!) it was a painful process. I'm too old to pull all these all-nighters. 
The pictures are great! Can't wait to read part II. 
