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4 days until the New York City Marathon, and I am lucky enough to be running it. Every marathon I’ve run has had a unique quality to it, but New York is something special. Unlike THE marathon (Boston, duh!) which is pretty homogenous, New York is an adventure through a variety of cultures and neighborhoods.
Much like the Vermont 50, my approach for New York is simply to enjoy the sights and sounds. It will be the first time I run a marathon in this fashion, and I can’t wait. My original plan at last year’s New York City Marathon was just to enjoy it. I had just qualified for Boston 5 weeks earlier and it seemed to make sense that I should just have fun. But I let temptation get the better of me. I was in peak physical shape; I was rested; I wanted to improve my position. I decided that I should take a shot at 3:15 and see what happened. It didn’t end too well.
This year, though rested, I am not anywhere near peak physical shape. Though I am getting back into the swing of regular running, my mileage is still low. I’m 10 lbs. heavier than I was last year.
Sometimes it’s wonderful when certain decisions are taken out of your hands. I don’t have the option of going for a PR, so this time around it’s all about fun. I get to run a slow, easy marathon.
Do I have a time I’d like to beat?
Well,yeah. I would like to finish better than I did in my very first marathon (where I spent 20 minutes with my feet anchored to the ground like tree trunks at mile 20), but you know, if I don’t then I don’t.
I plan on stopping for every friend I spot or hear along the way, exchanging hugs, taking a picture and maybe even drinking a beer or two. If you’re gonna be out there watching, let me know. I’ll be checking my phone and tweeting along the way. Hopefully I don’t end up like this:
New York ’11 may be my worst marathon ever – and you know what? I’m totally psyched for that.
Run Luau Run 
So why, in your last sentence, are you still calling it your ‘worst’ marathon? Calling it your slowest is one thing, but this could actually be your *best*! Sounds like you have the right attitude–just need to change that last sentence, Luau. 😉
Don’t look at it as your worst, look at it as your most scenic 🙂
I’ll be near mile 23, at 110th Street and Fifth Ave in Manhattan, on the west side of the street (on your right as you’re running down Fifth). Can’t wait to see you out there!
I’ll be looking for ya! hope you have a beer ready!
Dude. You have exactly the right attitude going into this. Enjoy every moment. You are running one of the top marathons in the WORLD! I hope to run the boroughs myself some day. With you there in spirit and raising my glass for you!
You have to have those runs where you just enjoy the experience. We work hard and from time to time it’s necessary to renew the fun experience. While 26.2 miles, and especially around the 18 – 22 mark mare, is hard to experience as “fun”, there is still the sense of accomplishment.
Enjoy and mark this weekend as your all time PR”S” = personal record SLOW.
Good luck!
I agree with Sandra… if by worst you mean you slowest marathon, it may well be, but it might be your best marathon in the way you felt, the experiences you took in and how much fun you had. Have a great time luau! Enjoy! 😀 You might even get a PR?? 😛
I’ll give you a great big hug if I can find you. I will try to stay BK side. BTW I ran my slowest 3 miles ever yesterday after eating a caprese from au bon pain (but it was my first meal at 6 pm so I couldn’t imagine staving off hunger for two more hours), but it was the first time I ran right after eating anything more than a banana or “energy bar” and I am hatin’ my fatigue at the moment but I at least I did it! And I am sure you will be fine!
Wishing you the best marathon experience!
You’ve got the right attitude! I can’t wait to see/hear the results/story as it unfolds! I’ll be here following along on the ‘puter!
Going slow will show off that blue hair better!
Love this post! Thanks for sharing! Hope u had a blast today!