~The BOT Battalion~ BOTS On The Run

[StitchAttack]

Awesome job NYC runners. Lou I knew you had a sub 4 in you. I watched the elite race online and the last few miles through central park looked pretty hilly. Way to keep going at the end to get the sub 4.

 

[KeenHo]

I just wanted to congratulate the MAGNIFICENT BOT runners who captured the hearts and miles of the New York City Marathon earlier today! We are SO VERY PROUD of you all!!!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!! YOU ROCKED IT!!!!

I can't wait to hear all the details!




Howard

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Congratulations NYC Bots! Colleen, Lou & Jodi hope you feel great now.

 

[lourodrigis]

Sorry, but this was too cool of an experience for a short race report. I'll bust it up into 2 parts.

New York City Marathon 2009 – Race Report - PART I

Wow…what an experience! That pretty much sums up the whole day yesterday. I ran Philly twice and Disney once, so I don’t have many races to compare to but this has to be the best marathon experience in the USA that the “average” runner can compete in. Boston is not for the average runner.

I got to hang out with Jodi and Colleen at the expo for a while on Saturday. It was nice but nothing special. On Sunday morning I walked from my hotel (Wall St Inn) over to their hotel to grab the ferry. The hype was already building as I passed hundreds of runner on the streets. It was drizzly and a little chilly at 6AM. Jodi, Colleen and I walked our way to the Staten Island Ferry and found a mass of people waiting to catch a ferry to the start. Pretty cool experience sailing on a ferry with thousands of runners and watching Manhattan and a number of cruise ships pass by.

The start village was real cool. I have never been to the Olympics but it had the feel of an Olympic village. There were people from every corner of the globe and the loud speakers blasted instructions from every language. We felt like the only Americans in the place. We made our way to the green village and set up camp with all the runners. Jodi came up big with a huge tarp that we were able to toss on the wet pavement and sit for an hour or so while we waited. We had Germans to the left, Peruvians to the right, and Frenchmen in front. As the start approached Jodi and I headed to the corals as we were set to go off at 10AM.

It was actually a very well organized event considering you had 55,000 runners. There were no fireworks or loud music at the start. Just America the Beautiful and the BANG…we were off to New York New York. The goal was to come in under four hours and to stay in control the whole race. Drink every 2 miles, Gels at 5 miles, salt at the start and at 13.1 miles. Try to hang around 8:30-8:45 for as long as I could and leave myself 1 hour to finish the last 6.2 miles. I carried 4 gels, 1 pack of Clif Shots and an 8 oz bottle of water so I could avoid the water stops and jam ups for the first 5 miles.

The run over the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge was amazing. 1000’s of runners panting uphill as you caught view of the NYC skyline. I was on the bottom section so my Garmin displayed a time but could only muster “W?T?F” for a distance and pace most of the time. That was kind of tough because when I got over the bridge I hit Mile marker 2 and the Garmin read 17:00 (so I was on pace) but the distance was like 1.75 miles due to the loss of signal.

The run through Brooklyn was real cool. You basically pass through block after block of neighborhoods and people of all ethnicities. The crowds were incredible. Unlike anything I ever saw at Philly or Disney. People were high fiving, handing out water and food, and blaring music. I actually stayed managed to stay calm and continue to hold a pace between 8:30-8:40 through most of Brooklyn. Every mile I would check my average pace and by Mile 10 my average pace was at 8:35 so I figured I had 2.5 minutes in the bank. I kept focusing on finishing below 9min/mile so I figured 25 secs * 10miles = 250 min. I did those calculations at every mile.

 

[lourodrigis]

New York City Marathon 2009 – Race Report - PART II

I hit the Pulaski Bridge into Queens (mile marker 13.1) and the Garmin read around about 1:51 so I was on pace but for the first time I felt tired. The run over and down that bridge was the first difficult stretch of many to come. A couple miles through Queens and it was Mile 15 and the Queensboro Bridge into Manhattan. I had arranged for Nicole and the kids to try to cheer me on at Mile 18 and Mile 24 (when I knew I would need support). The Queensboro Bridge was steep and REAL tough. People kept pulling off to the side as tiring out. For the first time I saw medical stretchers with bodies on them. I just focused on staying as close to 9mpm as I could. I just kept thinking that once I crossed it would be Mile 16 and only 10 miles left.

I hit Mile 16 at 2:18 with an average pace of 8:37 mpm, not bad but I was starting to feel real tired and I was slowing down. I spent the next 2 miles hanging to the left side of the road so that I was near the crowds and kept looking for Nicole and the kids. My pace was slowing but I was looking forward to getting a boost by seeing them. Mile 18 comes and I don’t see them. I keep running and focusing but no familia. Finally, I hit Mile 19 and get a call on my iPhone and I decide to answer because it’s Louie. “Where are you?” I am on 116th Street and they were at 88th St. I missed them! Now for the first time, I am tired and mentally depressed. By Mile 19 I was at 2:45:24 and my pace had dropped to 8:41. I am now thinking…when am I going to hit the wall?

At mile 19.5 there was a little bridge into the Bronx that felt harder than it looked. All I remember of the 2 miles in the Bronx is loud rap music and lots of screaming people that I was now trying to avoid as I was running out of gas quickly. I remember passing Mile marker 20 and looking at my Garmin and seeing 3:55. I had 65 minutes to finish the last 6.2 miles.

As I crossed the Madison Avenue bridge into Manhattan I passed Mile 21 at 3:05 and 8:48 mpm. I think the 3:50 pace team passed me around here and I knew I had to keep running because I did not want to see the 4:00 pace team. I was now exhausted but I was hopeful I would see the family ahead and that it would push me through the finish.

I Mile 22.5 I hit the wall. I felt very dizzy and my head started spinning. I remembered Mike’s words that once you stop you will never be able to start running again. I started getting nervous because I felt like fainting but I also did not want to stop. My heart rate was at 172 which scared me because I rarely cross 165. At that point I took my eyes off the crowd and just focused on the pavement in front of me. I threw down a gel and managed to make it to a Gatorade stop, walked through it, and downed a big cupful. It seemed as though the dizziness was now passing. I hit Mile 23 at around 3:24 and 8:52 mpm. I was fading fast but I kept focusing on trying to keep running. I was so focused on running that I missed Nicole and the kids screaming at me just before Mile 24. I have the whole thing on video. I am focusing on the pavement and they are screaming DAD and LOU so close they could touch me.

At Mile 24 cramps set in on both legs and that had me worried. I hit another Gatorade stand and downed another cup both did not stop for fear they would get worse. After a few more minutes they went away. It’s now Mile 25 and its 3:44 and my pace is now 8:58 mpm. I figure I can make it under 4 if I just suck it up. The cramps hit again during the last mile and I literally limped on both legs all the way through Central Park to the finish but I never stop running. The crowds and adrenaline pushed me the last ¼ mile as I now realize that the 4-goal is in site. I crossed the finish line at 3:56:11 (9:01 mpm pace)!

 

[Honeibee]

Lou! OMG I have goose bumps from reading that! How exciting! Wow, you rocked that course FOR REAL! Congratulations! Awesome job!!

 

[StitchAttack]

Awesome race report Lou. That is hard core how you pushed yourself once you started feeling dizzy and cramping up. Just goes to show that you can do all of the training, but at the end of the day if you don't have the mental toughness to dig deep in the final miles when you are exhausted you aren't going to reach your goal.

Jodi and Colleen, I can't wait to read your race reports too.

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

Congratulations Lou!!! Thanks for the race report. I heard Colleen had a good race too, and I'm waiting to hear from Jodi.

You guys are all awesome! Congratulations!

 

[Cindylou]

LOU!!! Thanks for the great race report. Congratulations on such a terrific finish. You stuck in there when it got tough and you reached your goal too. That's awesome. Kick back and relax for a few days. You have earned it.

Cindy

 

[Optimator]

Lou - Great report!

Those last few miles are tough no matter what but you really dug deep and did what you had to do. The sub-4 is something to be proud about, but even better is the heart and drive you displayed when the going was really getting tough.

Excellent job!

 

[Jodi]

Hmmmmm......interesting race report, Lou. In reading I now feel it obvious that I just didn't push myself hard enough during this race...but I'm OK with that.
So here's my take on the NYC Marathon-

I'll try to be as brief as possible.

I met Colleen in Grand Central on Sat afternoon around 1. We took the subway to our hotel, dumped our stuff & took a nauseating cab ride up to the expo. Silly me didn't think about calling Lou to share the ride, but we ended up meeting him there. The process was amazingly quick & painless (I've waited a lot longer @ Disney). The expo was like any other, so we all grabbed a marathon bus to midtown. Here Colleen got to see Times Square for the very first time. Where she promptly said "let's go back to the hotel". So we did - Lou went off to meet his family.

We ate & got our stuff together for the a.m.

You know the part about the start village....everything Lou said is true...it was unbelievable.

Lou & I both had the same start time, 10, but my corral was @ the back. Somehow we weren't pushed up fast enough & I didn't end up starting until 10:20 .

The course was amazing. For me, Brooklyn was the best. The neighborhoods, the people, the architecture. All different ethnicities & types of people out there cheering the runners on. Churches were just letting out & people were standing on the steps cheering us on. I actually looked up this time & I'm glad I did!

Around mile 8.5 I stopped for a quick wee & noticed that my lower back on the right hand side was tightening up. It's done this before, but no while I'm running. As I keep going it starts spreading down toward my glute. Ruh-roh...this could be a BIG problem (in every sense of the word ).

At mile 15 or so, just before bridging it over to Manhattan, I remember Kathy's sage advice not to poop in my pants, so pulled over to wait in line for a porta-potty. But alas, my JodiStop would yield no results so this grumpy little runner went on. Well that was a waste of 5 minutes!

As soon as I got into Manhattan I stopped @ a medical tent & got some Tylenol. Of course they had to take down my bib number, blah, blah, blah. This did help, though, after about 20 minutes, so I'm glad I stopped.

Into Manhattan I began to get excited because I knew @mile 19 I would throw my ipod for some tunes. This is the game I play with my brain to get me through those last 7-8 miles.

Some chick who was following a fast group that was weaving in & out of everyone wiped out in front of me . That was @ about mile 18. That cheered me up & kept me going without music until mile 19 (yes, she was OK!).

Then into the Bronx (here another, older guy, tripped & wiped out near me & I felt really bad, OK?) where there was thumping music.

Once back into Manhattan, I have to say, I felt great. Really, i felt great the entire race. I ran up that mile 23 hill without a problem, once into Central Park I got a total rush of energy & just kept going...singing, smiling...it was all rather creepy. And it was this way all the way to the finish.

My Garmin said 4:31, but my finish time was 4:38? Then I remembered that my Garmin is set to stop timing when I stop moving. DUH. When I look @ the numbers, I think that, with my second 1/2 (without the stops) was faster than my first. Despite the back thing, I felt great all the way though. Which, leads me to believe I didn't give it me "all". Please, I had fun, & I couldn't be happier about the whole experience - wouldn't change a thing. Well, maybe that empt JodiStop .

I have to say, to all of you, that you need to do this race. It's like nothing I've ever experienced...the crowds, the people, they make it all worth while. And I'm not into the whole "drawing energy from crowds", that's not what it was. It was just the neatest thing to see all these people out, having a good time.

Did I mention the weather was perfect? Cool, cloudy & a bit of a breeze?

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

Great job Jodi! I loved your race report! Congratulations!

 

[keenercam]

Wow!! I LOVED the NYC race reports! Lou, yours made me tear up. I'm sorry you had such a rough time at parts, but isn't it true and strange that the result means SOOOO much more for knowing what it took to achieve it?

Jodi -- You always make me laugh! I don't believe for a second that you didn't put your all out there. I may not know you very well, but I think I know that about you. I am so glad you didn't feel horrible by the end. I hope you are feeling good today.

I am so proud of both of you!

Okay, Colleen, where are you, sweetie? We have to hear from you, too!

 

[Jodi]

A quick add-on. I have to say, that i think what helped me feel "good" throughout the entire race, was the fact that I ran a 1/2 marathon, pretty much as hard as I could, 3 weeks ago. I ran that @ a 9:05 mm (or something like that) & ran this @ a 10:20 or so. That's the only way I can explain the euphoria I felt for most of the race, especially the end. It certainly wasn't because I trained hard. I was actually, very worried about how I'd perform as my longest run was 16 miles & that was back in Sept. . Yep, that hard 1/2 was the ticket, I think. I felt worse immediately after that than I did after the full....go figure.

 

[CynthiaCindy]

Lou and Jodi - I loved your race reports!!! Congrats!!
Colleen - since you got to hang out with Jodi, I'll assume you had a fabulous weekend too.

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

I LOVE the NYC reports Lou and Jodi! Great job and I'm so glad you got it done in good form. You did!

 

[Optimator]

Jodi -- You always make me laugh! I don't believe for a second that you didn't put your all out there. I may not know you very well, but I think I know that about you.

What!?! If there's one thing I know about Jodi it's that she's really a total slacker!

Seriously though, Jodi - Great race. I'm glad you had such a good time. It was very nice of people to keep face planting just for your benefit. Tough luck about the non-productive Jodistop.


Lou - Kathy showed me the video of you completely blowing off your family. Too funny! I don't feel quite so bad about not seeing Cindy and Matt at the end of MCM last year.

Colleen - I can only assume that your lack of posting is due to residual shock from spending the weekend with Jodi.

 

[Theta]

Colleen - I can only assume that your lack of posting is due to residual shock from spending the weekend with Jodi.

Still wondering around Grand Central trying to find my bus to LGA.

 

[Cindylou]

Jodi: Great race report. I'm so glad you enjoyed it. I've never had much interest in running NYC, but after reading both yours and Lou's reports I may have to put it on my list. It's great that you were able to run an entire marathon and not be miserable. It doesn't always have to hurt.

 

[lourodrigis]

Lou - Kathy showed me the video of you completely blowing off your family. Too funny! I don't feel quite so bad about not seeing Cindy and Matt at the end of MCM last year.

Mike - I'm telling you, I had no idea that they were right there in front of me. I was so close to passing out at Mile 22.5 that I basically stopped focusing on everything except the shoes of the runner in front of me until I got to Mile 26. I am getting a new laptop today so I haven't been able to look at my Garmin data. I think my heart rate had to be over 170 for much of those last 4 miles. I give you credit for those times you put up because I gave it all I had to run a 3:56. I kind of wish I could have gotten into Philly this year because I think I would do well on an easier course right now.

Lou