HotmailPre-marathon jitters • November 4, 2006 | 6:27 p.m.
Less than 17 hours to go until the big day and I’m starting to get those pre-marathon jitters. I’ve been carbo loading, but I’m sick of pizza and pasta by now, if you can believe that. I have also been drinking lots of water and sports drinks, trying to keep well hydrated. The forecast couldn’t be more perfect: low 50s. The last two New York City Marathons were quite tropical in comparison and were pretty tough on the runners. So I feel ready … just one problem: I’m worried about my husband. We have trained long and hard, but unfortunately for him, he caught my very bad cold this week. It’s that time of year — flu season — and he definitely has a bad case of it. He’s been dosing up on cold medicine and vitamins and drinking tons of fluids. So many runners often are confronted with similar issues right before the run, but they go ahead and battle through them. That’s what my husband is going to do. He says he’ll try his best. It’s hard enough running a marathon when you’re healthy, so imagine when you’re not feeling 100 percent. Oh well, c’est la vie.
We went into the city this morning and runners from all over the world were proudly parading their track suits emblazoned with their countries flags. That’s what I love about the New York City Marathon — it really is an international event and New York and New Yorkers are at their very best — doing Americans proud. Having done two New York City Marathons more than 10 years ago, I was thinking today what I was most excited about. First, there’s the start ... coming over the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge and seeing the masses of runners in front and behind. It does actually take quite a while to cross the start line, if you can believe it, because there are thousands and thousands of runners (about 37,000 this year). Then I love when you cross into those first neighborhoods in Brooklyn and see all the local bands and crowds out there cheering you on. What’s remarkable, from start to finish, is how much support there is along the entire 26.2-mile route.
The hardest part is also the most rewarding. Around mile 15 is the daunting 59th Street Bridge. There are no crowds, just runners breathing hard, facing the steep upward climb of the steel bridge. It is the first breaking and breakthrough point for many runners. But once you get past it and reach the down hill, you’ve made it through the worst. And all along First Avenue is the most incredible cheering section you’ll ever see. Those miles from 15 to 20 seem to go by pretty quickly, as I remember. Then, the absolute best part is that last stretch down Fifth Avenue and through Central Park. It’s a beautiful sight seeing the end almost near and that’s where many family and friends line up to bring you on home.
I’m always touched when I see a runner struggling and perfect strangers do their very best to try and get them going again. And I’m also always moved by the Achilles athletes: thousands in wheel chairs, amputees on crutches, blind runners... so close to the finish. For all who say, I could never think to do a marathon, you need only to see the look on the face of one of those athletes — their pain is clearly visible, but their pride and determination is even more apparent. My accomplishment seems so insignificant when I see that display of true courage. And finally, what I can’t wait for the moment when I’m crossing the finish and looking up at the clock, and seeing whether I finish in the time I’d like to or not ... just knowing I did it! Wow! I hope it all goes like that tomorrow. I only have my very best to give, but you never know until you get started, if it’s going to be a good day or a not so good day. So wish me luck and Godspeed.
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