My first marathon experience was wild! I still can’t believe I ran 26.2 miles! It all started when I was invited to join AKTIV Against Cancer’s non-profit team. A little back story- my dad was a marathon runner, and so it was always on my bucket list to run the marathon.
One day I got an email in my inbox inviting me to join the team to run the iconic New York City Marathon. I thought, what the heck, if not now then when, and said yes. I called up my boyfriend casually one day and asked if he wanted to run it with me and he said yes! It all happened so naturally.
We had less than 8 week to train! Side note- the typical marathon training program is 16 weeks aka 4 months! We had less than 2 months to train! I was never a die-hard runner. I would say I was a very moderate runner. Growing up I hated running long distances, I was on my high-school track team for one winter and only did sprints.
Other than that I hated running, running as a sport by itself, but because I played soccer growing up and continued to play soccer through college I was forced to train and run for the sport. After graduating I found a new appreciation for running, as it was on my own terms. However, at the time I was asked to run the marathon I was more focused on weight lifting at the gym, so I wasn’t in the best running shape.
In general I’m a pretty active/athletic person so I wasn’t too concerned. Don’t get me wrong I knew it would be a huge challenge, but I was up for it. A few people told me to quit, they said that I didn’t have enough time to train, and that I would hurt myself. I know they were just looking out for me, but I was determined.
For the first time in my life, marathon training came first before anything. I said no to parties, drinking, events, etc. I opted to get in bed early and train instead. The majority of my days were spent, running, stretching, eating healthy, and talking about the marathon. I was fully in it. I knew it was a serious event and so I became fully committed.
You have to be very dedicated, and I was because I knew that if I didn’t seriously stick to my training plan I could die! Well not really, but I was pretty scared about running the race and I knew I wanted to cross the finish line without getting injured.
Okay let’s get to the actually Marathon Experience shall we?
The Night Before
We went to the Expo Saturday morning to get our bibs, wrist bands, and fun marathon merch. It was at the Javits Center. It was a cold day so we got hot chocolate from Starbucks and explored the expo. Then went back home, did some stretching and ordered in. We got spaghetti and vegan meatballs (we both decided to be vegan for 10 days before the marathon after watching The Game Changers documentary).
In preparation for the big day we laid out our outfits and all the supplies for the big day including our throw-away clothes, running gels, water bottles, and did our meal prep for the next morning. At around 10pm we went to bed super excited for the next day.
Marathon Day
Okay I just want to preface that I was sick on marathon day. Two weeks before the big day I caught a nasty cold…it was terrible. I was so determined to run the race that I just pushed through it, and kept training. I had a pretty bad cough and sinus infection. But on Marathon Day nothing else mattered.
We (my boyfriend and I) woke up around 7am and had our planned out routine breakfast. Bagels with peanut butter and a smoothie (that we made the night before). We had all our clothes laid out so we easily suited up. While we got ready I was blasting pump up music to get ready to like Ludacris, Kanye West, and Nas. I was pumped! We took an Uber to the Staten Island Ferry and the Uber was even bumping jams for us.
They had a private ferry just for marathon goers. Right when we got dropped off we could feel the energy, already there were tons of people who you could tell were running the marathon all in workout gear. People were so excited taking pictures, chatting it up with strangers. Some people were in the zone with their ear phones in, probably visualizing or getting mentally prepared. The ferry was so packed we ended up sitting on the ground next to a pillar. I was happy to have company.
We got to Staten Island and we had to then wait in a line to board buses to the village. The buses were exclusively for Marathon Runners and they would check your wrist bands to make sure. It was about another 30 minutes to the village. I was so nervous that I made us board an over-full bus and we ended up standing all the way there.
Tip- Definitely wait to be seating on the bus. There are enough buses to go around. I would also bring snacks so that you can eat on the bus as well.
We arrived at the Village near the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, used the public bathrooms and went to find our color area. There are a lot of people, but maps and volunteers help guide you. At camp they had bananas, coffee, water and other snacks too just in case you didn’t bring any food. Alright, let’s get to the actual race shall we?
The Race
We were the last wave, and pretty much the last ones of our group. Walking towards the starting line, adrenaline already pumping the sirens go off! Starting off slow we cautiously jogged over the Verrazzano bridge which was breathtaking!
It was one of my favorite moments. It was special because only for this day does this bridge close off for runners, otherwise you cannot walk/run/bike across this bridge.
In order to keep our pace steady we decided to stick with a pacer group. We had so much adrenaline that the first few miles were a piece of cake! We tried not to think too hard about the 26.2 miles that laid ahead of us.
The spectators really made the race. They were our entertainment. Neither me or my boyfriend used headphones or listened to music. We chatted and observed our surroundings the entire race.
People had such creative signs, and had music blasting from their homes. At some points there were concerts and live performances in the neighborhoods we ran through.
My knees started hurting around mile 10 but I just kept running. I was getting tired, but I knew I was expecting to see family and friends at mile 13 so I kept going. Having friends and family watching the race, really makes a difference. It lets you focus on something other than running. I looked forward to seeing them and my mind was distracted by searching the crowds.
Finally around mile 13 we saw my friends and fam and I was SOOO happy! I wanted to cry, it was incredible seeing them there with signs. We only stopped for a moment, because I didn’t want to lose my momentum, or get stiff.
We ran over the Queensboro bridge and after that it started to get hard. The stretch up 1st avenue towards Harlem was cold and my muscles started to get sore. I had to stop a few times to rub on Biofreeze at the stations they had along the course. My hips and knees were aching.
Crossing yet another bridge we made it to the Bronx, and let me tell you it was a delight. The crowds in the Bronx still had a ton of energy! It was MUCH needed. They were blasting Reggaeton and rap music, and cheering for us. It was also still sunny in the Bronx so that made it better.
Then we ran back into Manhattan down fifth avenue hugging Central Park and I was about ready to quit. My knees felt like they were going to fall off, and hip bones were grinding. But I didn’t make it all the way here for nothing. I was going to finish the race, running.
We made it into Central Park, and there’s no real crowds there. But we’re at the home stretch. Towards the end of the race I wasn’t expecting to see anymore family, but then we ran into my boyfriends Mom, and shortly after that my Mom and brother’s fiancé! I wanted to cry! I was ghost pale, and wanted to cry of happiness and pain all at the same time. At that point I could feel every step on the concrete ground.
My boyfriends energy carried me to the finish line. The best moment was running across Central Park South. That was pretty much the end, and the sidelines were PACKED with people. It felt like a movie. I had tunnel vision, and everything was going in slow motion. They had a full stage with music pumping the runners up.
We ran back into Central Park for the finish line and I picked up the pace a little because I just wanted it to end. We saw the huge finish line arch and crossed it together. I was beat! We stopped hugged each other and I couldn’t help but let out tears. It was certainly an emotional battle and it was finally over. I looked over and someone was placing a medal around my neck. We did it! We ran the NYC Marathon.
After The Race
I could barely move and it got cold fast. The volunteers handed us bags filled with goodies (apples, gatorade, water, snacks). I was so weak I could barely hold the bag myself. I walked super slow, but had to sit down. It felt like we had miles to walk to get out of the park.
At the end it was pretty cold so I was glad we opted for ponchos. We wrapped ourself in the fleece lined ponchos and headed to the streets to meet my fam.
In advance, we picked a bar to meet family and friends, and ended up going to Clinton Hall! They actually had a NYC Marathon runner special! So we got complimentary burgers and beers!
Later we took an Uber home, and we were still hungry so we ended up going out for our second dinner at a pizza place near by called Scars!
Conclusion
All in all my first marathon was incredible. I still cannot believe I did it, I think a big part of it is mental. It was so inspiring seeing all different kinds of people running the race, and how it brought us all together. It was truly a global/international event and it made me believe that ANYONE can run the race.
It’s definitely a journey to get there, but if you challenge yourself and decide you want to try it out, it’s 110% possible. There are so many resources available to prepare yourself for the race. We followed a running plan, which I highly recommend doing. I also recommend fully training in 16 weeks or more. My 7 week training program was pushing it, and now I face the consequences. My knees are still recovering. The other day I went hiking, and felt pain going downhill. I haven’t gone out running since the marathon because I don’t want to put pressure on my knees with the NYC concrete streets/side-walks and everything.
I encourage everyone to run a marathon in their lifetime! Not only is it possible, and 100% doable it’s life changing. The journey to get there is FUN! If possible I would suggest getting someone else to do it with you, because it’s great to be able to share the journey. Everything from training, your diet, and to hold each other accountable. It make it a lot easier to say no to going out, and yes to waking up early.
I shared every single one of my runs with my boyfriend. We talked about marathon training religiously for 7 weeks straight. But we understood each other and had each others back. It made us closer for sure.
Don’t feel pressure to have to run the actual marathon together, although me and my boyfriend did it was our decision. You want to respect the other person’s goal’s if they have a particular time they want to meet, etc. I was just focused on doing it, so I didn’t care about my time.
For more information about the marathon I suggest checking out- TCS New York City Marathon, which was the ultimate source of info, dates etc. If you end up decided to take on the journey and challenge of running a marathon please let me know! I would love to be a resource for any questions.
People ask me if I plan to run another marathon, and I say yes- when I’m 60!
I hope you enjoyed my first marathon recap! Thanks for reading!
SHOP OUTFIT
Photos by Julie Papikova
Leave a Reply