New York City Marathon

My trip to NYC started very early on Friday morning. I woke at 5am and rushed off to the airport. I had printed out a coupon for a very inexpensive parking facility, but had a hard time finding it. Once I found the parking facility, I looked to see where my gate was and headed straight there. When I arrived, there was no such gate. I looked and I had actually headed to the gate that I was to be arriving at in NYC. So, I had to hop back on the train and go to the right gate. I got to my plane just in time. I was very impressed by Delta. They offer free movies and Wi-Fi and everyone is so nice.

When I arrived in NYC, I bought a subway pass and hopped on a Subway that took me to the NYCM expo. The first thing I noticed was that most everyone on the train was either black or gay. People continually hopped on the train doing entertainment and asking for money. When I got off the train, there were cars and people everywhere. Cars were actually pushing other cars with their front bumpers. I got to the expo and wanted to get my race packet as quickly as possible. I have been to so many race expos and they are so crowded with so many people trying to sell things.

I picked up my stuff and my NY Pass, which allowed me to tour attractions in the city for one day for only $75. Then, I hopped on the subway to find the apartment that I was staying at. When I found the apartment, I couldn't figure out how to get in. I had to call up to the apartment so that they could buzz me in. My host was very nice and welcoming. He gave me a glass of water and a sweet note. I talked to him for a bit and then headed out to see CATS.

I got to CATS about 30 minutes early so I walked around to try and find something to eat. Broadway was bursting with lights, shows, and people. I thought it was so cool. I wanted to see every production that they were offering. There was "Wicked", "Fiddler on the Roof", "Rock of Ages", and "Lion King", just to name a few. When I got back to see, "Cats", the line was super long. While I was waiting, there was a shop with slabs of steak in the window. Kind of gross.

I walked in and they seated me right smack in the front. They also told me that I could go up on stage at intermission. The show started with cat eyes shining everywhere. Then, tons of cat characters came out. Their dancing and singing were the best I had seen. There was a live orchestra that also sounded amazing. The way those actors looked me right in the eye and acted just like cats was spectacular. They also had super props and ways of creating illusions. I cried and laughed and was just in awe the whole time.

I got out at 10pm and was starving. I found a place that served pasta and grabbed it to take back to my apartment. I met a girl who was really friendly and invited me to a run in the morning. Everyone in NYC was super nice and friendly. I couldn't figure out how to get into my apartment because my key wouldn't work so I had to call the poor guy to let me in at 11pm. Thankfully, he was just brushing his teeth. I guess my key had a magnet that opens the front doors. He apologized for not telling me that. I went to bed right away because I had signed up to do a 5k at 8:30am. Surprisingly, my apartment room was pretty quiet and I was able to sleep well.

When my alarm went off, I was exhausted. I felt so sleep deprived, but I was excited to explore the city. I went straight to the start of the 5k, which took about an hour. I needed coffee so I grabbed it really quick and lined up at the start line with coffee in hand. One guy said, "Aren't you afraid that will spill while you are running?" I laughed and said, "I can drink it really fast". I downed it in about 5 minutes. The 5k took me through Times Square and Central Park. The thing I noticed about Central Park was that it smelled like horse poop. I think this is because there are so many police horses there. As soon as I finished, I headed back to the subway to get on the ferry to Ellis Island. When I got off of the subway, a chubby lady came up and asked if I was running the marathon. I told her that I was and she said she really wanted to do it, but just found our about it. She said she was from Texas. I thought, "Wow! Does she actually think she can run a marathon last minute?" I trained for months for it!

I got in line for the ferry and was surprised to find out that I had to go through security, just like the airport. These annoying Chinese people were complaining about everything the entire time we were waiting in line. They seemed like really spoiled rich people. The ferry was a blast and I grabbed a quick hot dog because I hadn't eaten yet. I stood up top and looked at the water and the pretty view of NYC. The statue of liberty was much larger than I thought it would be. It is incredible that France was able to transport that huge thing! Then, the ferry took us to Ellis Island, which made me feel kind of sad that people had to go through so much to get to the US. It made me hate Trump even more.

When I got off of the ferry, there were dancers in the park. It was fun to watch. I walked to the 9/11 memorial and was amazed at how many people were there. It felt like it was going to take forever to get through the line, but it went very fast. I was not expecting to cry so much when I got there. The museum had a way of putting you right in the place at that time. The stairway affected me strongly because people huddled there when trying to survive. They showed footage that I hadn't seen before that really got me crying.

When I left, I went straight to the Empire State Building. That line was extremely long, just to go up an elevator. The view was pretty cool but I didn't think it was worth the wait. Next, I went to Rockefeller Center where I saw tons of Democrat stuff. NBC news was they're covering the election. There was a pretty ice skating rink too. The line to see Rockefeller Center was long too. I waited forever and then they told me to get in another line if I had a credit card. Then, they told me that I couldn't use my NY Pass in the credit card line. I got really crabby. Once I got my tickets, I had to wait an hour, so I got "Yummy Sushi" and Starbucks. They took us to the top of Rockefeller Center and I thought that was better than the Empire State Building. Another lady asked me about the marathon and was in awe that I could run a marathon in just over 3 hours. After Rockefeller Center, I got lost trying to find the subway. I kept thinking that there was no way I was going to run a marathon when I was so exhausted. I went to bed at 10:00 and had to be up at 5.

I decided to wake up a little later and ended up taking the later ferry, which was smart, because I would have been sitting at the start line for over an hour. Sleep was more valuable. I got on a 7am ferry and it took about 30 minutes to get to the bus station.

The people at the ferry station said, "Smile! You paid to do this!" which made me laugh. On the way up the stairs, one a New Yorker said, "If you lead, not follow, take the stairs" It is funny how humans follow each other, even if it is not the smartest thing to do. I had time to grab a coffee and a banana, my usual prerace routine. I slept the entire time on the ferry. I then had to wait at the bus station for 45 minutes. Then, the bus took another 45 minutes. When I got off of the bus, they put us through a security check.

When I arrived at the start line, my wave was already closed, so I joined the 2^nd wave.

I went to the bathroom twice, since I didn't want to stop during the marathon to pee. The start was incredible. There were thousands of people waiting at the entrance to the bridge. The excitement was contagious. There was a huge cannon that went off to start the wave. When everyone started running, it was too slow for me and I couldn't get around. It started clearing a little bit more after the 3^rd mile, but it was still too crowded. I just relaxed and enjoyed the atmosphere. The bridges were the only spots that did not have crowds cheering. I have never seen so many people cheering at a marathon.

It was like I was in the Macy's day parade. I kept thinking, "There is no marathon better than this one!" Every borough had people screaming, "Welcome to Manhattan! Welcome to the Bronx! etc.…" The housing structures were cool to see.

It reminded me of San Francisco. I started to slow down around mile 18 and was wondering were the gels were. Surprisingly, the gels were at mile 19. Just in time! After I took gel, I felt so much better. I drank Gatorade at every station since I was losing salt. I got a big kick out of how New Yorkers say, "Wawtur!" (Water) I was wearing a long sleeved shirt and shorts, which was perfect. Some spots on the course were hot, but the bridges were cold.

I felt pain in my right knee and on the foot with a bunion, but I kept pushing through it. Dirt trails are so much easier on my body than pavement. I knew that I was running about an 8 min/mile pace and would finish around 3:30, which I was fine with. That time was still a Boston qualifying time. The last miles were really painful so I ran as fast as I could. I wanted it to be over. When I finished, they took my picture and told me to walk it out.

I pulled out my phone and my Mom was calling. That was a perfect way to end the marathon. I was so glad I packed a bag of dry clothes because I got really cold. I got back on the subway and went straight home. I was unbelievable exhausted. My host greeted me and said he looked to see if I won. I laughed and he said, "Yeah, if you were a winner, they would probably put you up and a nice hotel or something" That made me smile. I crashed out right away and woke up hardly able to move. All I could do was walk down the street and eat some "Soul Food" (macaroni and cheese, yams, cornbread, fried chicken, and pudding" I went back to bed and slept for 10 hours.

I woke up and hung out with my host. He made coffee and it tasted delicious. He talked about how he was starting a new job. He was a freelance artist and now was working for a corporation. They are a gay couple that doesn't even own a car. His partner is a social worker. Their place is actually for low-income people so I felt good about contributing. He said that he has had about 90 people stay in his apartment and I was only the 3^rd American.

I ended up taking the train to Times Square for breakfast and just walked around the busiest part of the city. I saw homeless people and lots of election stuff. I went in a few stores. I fell back asleep on the subway back to the apartment so I came back and took a quick nap before heading to the airport. I woke up to one of the hosts singing. He was really good! I fell asleep again on the subway to the airport, which takes 90 minutes. I set off the alarm in the booth because I didn't pull back out my ticket when going through the subway exit. I was impressed at how nice JFK airport was. They have free pads and Wi-Fi for everyone to use. I ate a huge hamburger before heading home. What an amazing and exciting trip. I love New York City, but was glad to get back to back to my small town.