OMG !! The experience of running the NY marathon is difficult to even put into words. For anyone that runs marathons, the NY marathon is a MUST !! I have been going to all kinds of sporting events all my life, and have never witnessed anything like it. There are THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE cheering you on, screaming your name EVERYWHERE (except the bridges - and the views, runners costumes, and camaraderie is soooo incredible you don't notice.) If you like crowd support, you'll love NY. If you like great bands during your run, you'll love NY. If you like diverse cultures, you'll love NY. If you like police officers and firefighters in full uniform cheering you on, you'll love NY. If you like running with 39,000 people who will motivate you and share the experience of a lifetime, you'll love NY. If you are a runner, you'll love NY. I got on a marathon shuttle (in my Infrared shirt) the morning of the race, and a city councilman from the Bronx who was running a marathon for the first time was seated in front of me. He was running with a camera crew that was videotaping HIS ENTIRE race. I started talking to him about how great the experience is of running your first marathon, and in true Infra-Read fashion, I told him to just enjoy himself. I also told him what Christine told me "you only get one first marathon, enjoy it !!" He loved that advice. The race starts off in Staten Island, where 39,000 runners from over 125 countries and virtually EVERY state are gathered in an actual Fort...Fort Wadsworth. I'm not sure what war it's from, but it's a pretty neat looking fort, and right away the uniqueness of the NY marathon begins. There's a band, bagels, donuts, gatorade and people walking up to you asking where you are from. Because it's cold (47 degrees), people are wearing clothes they are going to just leave at the site...therefore, nobody is worried about "looking good" in garbage clothes. A young good looking woman in her 20's from Europe took off her shirt and running bra right in front of me and started body gliding her nipples. I didn't know what to do or how to react, so I just turned my head and didn't look. I felt really awkward about it. I'm thinking about relaxing and preparing myself for a race - not how sexy the half naked girl in front of me looks. I bought a disposable white "shell suit" for $15 which felt like paper. I looked like the Good Humor ice-cream man. The wait was about 3.5 hours and I was told that I should put my name in paint on my arm - so I did. An announcement was made to lineup in preparation for racestart. Trish and I lined up way-way-way in the back - in true Infra-red form/style. I was told to try to run on the top level of the bridge because people on the bottom level get hit with pee from people peeing off the top level. Only in NY could you see people peeing off a bridge while standing next to a police officer and not get arrested. When I ran over the first bridge, there were 4 helicopters and a blimp flying overhead - I thought I committed a crime. There was a beautiful view of the NY skyline on my left and a river on my right. I tried to hold back my speed to save as much as possible for the end. We stopped and took a couple of pictures - something that was done by MANY runners - believe it or not. There was a boat on the river which shot three geysers of red, white and blue water as a tribute to the start of the marathon. It was an awesome sight. We ran at about a 12 minute per mile pace and had to step over hats, gloves, sweats, and and tons of clothes people ditched once they started racing. Some of that stuff seemed pretty nice - fuel belts, water bottles, cool max, you name it, people threw it away. When we got off the bridge, a police officer was there to greet us and said in a thick NY accent "welcome to Brooklyn.." We stayed in Brooklyn for a long-long time, and I wanted to stop at every pizzaria we passed to have a slice (but I stuck to gels.) There were people on BOTH sides of the street - 3-4 rows deep, screaming typical inspirational cliches like "you can do it.." "way to go," "you look great...,""only 24 miles to go..." There was a band playing "Eye of the tiger", later a steel drum band, a gospel choir, bag pipes, hip hop bands and lots of great rock and roll. There were over 100 bands on the course....it's CRAZY !! Someone offered me my favorite treat - a zeppolli, which killed me to have to decline - I LOVE ZEPPOLI'S. For those of you who don't know, a zeppoli is a fried dough ball with powdered sugar. Unfortunately, I got cramps the EARLIEST I ever got cramps (mile 9), and STILL had the time of my life. I enjoyed it sooooo much, even though my time was HORRIBLE !! I had to insist to Trish (my running partner) that she go on without me, because the pain shot from my calves into my knee, and I thought my running was finished. There were people with NO LEGS running on prosthetics, people dressed in costumes - Darth Vader, Chewbaca, Princess Leia, Wonder Woman, Superman, Blues Brothers, Buggs Bunny, a NY Met, and other fun outfits I'm sure I'm forgetting. If they could run, I could run - the pain was nothing compared to running with no legs or an uncomfortable costume/suit. When I got to Manhattan, the crowd support, which I thought couldn't get any better, actually somehow did. On 1st Avenue people were lined up behind barracades 5-6 people deep. I saw Elaine and Sydney at mile 18 and it perked me up. I listened to Billy Joel's "Keepin' the Faith" on my Nano, and it seemed to pump me up even more. I saw Elaine, Sydney and my Uncle at mile 24 with my "Go Daddy Go" sign and I knew I had the race conquered. Then I saw the single greatest sign in my life at mile 25. At mile 25, in typical NY fashion, someone had a sign that read "Finishing is your only Fuckin' option !!"I laughed about that for the rest of the race. I got inspired and sucked it up as I ran through Central Park in awe at the beautiful trees, ponds, and buildings. People EVERYWHERE !! I saw my picture on the jumbotron which was setup at mile 26. What a feeling...I could taste the finish line. I felt as if the crowd had carried me from mile 3 to the finish line. It was like a rock star who falls into the crowd and the crowd passes them around - the support is beyond articulation. I apologize for rambling, but I know my fellow marathon buddies will understand at least some of what I am feeling - I need to share it, but more importantly, I have to URGE YOU, BEG YOU, PLEAD WITH YOU, to RUN THE NY MARATHON !! It is a life changing event that will change your perspective about the world. I've never experienced anything like it, and I can't imagine I ever will again. Run NY, Run NY, Run NY, 2 million people are waiting to cheer you on ! I can't wait to see all of you and share my stories. Believe it or not, there's much, much more. See you soon, Len
