NYC Marathon- Details
Posted on | November 3, 2008 | No Comments
Ok. Here goes nada.
So I woke up about 5:45 am Sunday after having dreams all night about how I couldn’t sleep. Took a shower and roused up my brother Scott for breakfast. Headed down to breakfast in the lobby - which actually turned out to be quite good. Mom and Dad joined my brother and I. I ate a couple boxes of special k and I got my wish for some french toast! - A good sign.
We finished eating and Scott and I headed out to catch the NQR line down to Whitehall st where we would catch the Staten Island ferry. As we were hitting the stops through Manhatten, more and more runners started getting on the train with their clear bags. Everybody seemed to be in a pretty cheery mood. I was definitely getting excited.
We got to our stop and everyone got off the train. We headed up the steps and I saw the entrance for the Staten Island ferry. There was nothing but runners and NYRR staff around. At this point I was glowing. It was amazing to see all these fellow runners that were just as nuts as I was to be doing this race. How awesome! When we got into the ferry station, the clock read 7:29. Sweet! We had made it with one minute to spare.
7:30 hit and the doors opened up. Everyone started entering the ferry. We made our way in and up to the top deck. I went to sit on a outdoor seat to get a few pictures. We somehow struck up conversation with a fellow runner next us named Pam. She told us that she was originally from Texas but lived in Colorado. After she told me that she went to A&M, I jokingly told her I was sorry to hear that. We must have struck up an immediate friendship because Pam and I ended up running together for the first 15 miles or so. More on that later.
After talking to Pam and another runner, we were nearing Staten Island. The boat got to the dock and I gave my brother a farewell hug. Pam and I made our way onto a bus and we were quickly on our way to Fort Wadsworth. Once arriving, the scene at Fort Wadsworth was surreal. There were SOOOOO many people there- all runners. The fort was organized according to your wave start. It turned out that Pam and I were in the same exact wave and corral. Perfect! It was somewhere between here and the ferry that Pam and I decided to run together.
After doing the final things like attaching my bib to my shirt and my chip to my shoes, we started to head over to the start area. I think it was here that all nervousness had exited my body and was replaced by excitement. We heard the start shot go off and the crowd started cheering. I was tingling with excitement by now. It was slow to get going, but once we did, we were off. I remember seeing the start line and thinking, “Here goes nothing”.
The run across the Verrazano bridge was probably the coolest part that I remember (besides finishing). Manhattan was off in the distance. Brooklyn was straight ahead of us. I remember seeing a firefighter boat in the water below us with all of its firehoses shooting water back into the river. It was as if it was wishing us well on our journey. This seriously was one of the best things that I’ve ever experienced - by far. The rush of running with all those people and all the scenery was something I’ll remember forever.
About midway across the bridge, I turned the ipod on. “Concrete Seconds” by Pinback came on first. As I write this, I’m listening to this song. I just got chills listening to this - reminiscent of how I was feeling at that moment.
One side note - When we were getting to the end of the bridge, I thought it was very funny (and I don’t know if this is some sort of tradition, but um…) when I saw 15 - 20 people peeing off the bridge. Fort Wadsworth was packed with porto-potties everywhere, so I cant imagine that people generated that much pee in that short amount of time… But it was funny, nonetheless. I shot a picture of this, but it didnt turn out so good.
Anyways, as we came off the bridge we were headed directly into Brooklyn. This was the first time we saw any spectators out there cheering us on. The first ones I saw were police officers. Then as we turned into the neighborhoods, people were lined up on both sides of their streets - some in their bathrobes - cheering us on. It was AMAZING. Everybody everywhere was making noise, clapping, screaming for us. This was so cool!
We kind of snaked around the streets for a few blocks before getting onto Fourth Ave. This was one LONG avenue. I think we stayed on 4th ave for quite a while. I remember seeing the tower in downtown Brooklyn looking so far away, and then passing it a little while later. I was trying to take as many pictures as I could with my phone. I even texted my brother and a couple friends. A few asked how I was running and texting, I replied, “I got mad skills”. Ha!
After 4th ave, I remember taking a few turns and hitting some hills. I saw McCarren park (home of the pool, where they have had a few shows that I wish I would have been at). Eventually we made it into Queens.
This whole time, by the way, Pam and I were running next to each other. It was great running with someone. I think we helped each other keep a pace - Her by going slower because of me, and me to keep going because of her. I hit the mile 14 watering station and I was noticeably getting slower. I told Pam to go ahead and not worry about leaving me. She replied that she would ditch me around 16.
Honestly, this is about the point where stuff started getting blury for me. I remember getting tired as I saw what looked like the entrance to a bridge. I texted my brother, “QB” as I thought I was hitting Queensbridge. He replied back, “Not yet, Pulaski bridge, almost!”. I texted back, “fk”.
It was somewhere between Pulaski bridge and Queensbridge that I hit that dreaded wall. I didn’t eat my Gu like I was used to until around mile 10. I usually would start around 45 minutes into the run. Big mistake. When I hit QB it was a freaking two mile climb, I swear. That was one of the hardest parts of the run. About halfway, I decided to chill out for a second and just walk to the crest of the bridge (which seemed like it took forever!). Once I got to the top, I started running again. I think the gu had repleneshed my glycogen storage, thankfully.
Anyways, running over the bridge was awesome! Throughout the whole run, there is noise from bands, runners, specatators, etc. When you hit the bridge, its silent besides the sound from runners. The end of the bridge dumps you into Manhattan. This was wild. There were people lining the streets on both sides 50 people deep. Everyone was cheering the runners on. I needed that BAD. That was the drive to keep going. Nobody wants to stop or walk when there are so many people screaming your name, “Go Eric! You can do it!”. Everytime I heard that I smiled and the tiredness / pain seemed to go away (at least for a few seconds).
I finally ran into my family at 125th st and 1st avenue. I was delighted to see them. I gave my Mom a kiss and kept going. I remember making it to the Bronx for a split second. There was a big TV monitor that showed everybody running. We made a quick turn and suddenly were running down 5th avenue.
The crowds got bigger and bigger. My family was at 125th and 5th ave on the way back, and my brother Scott ran with me for about 20 blocks. That was so cool. He was cheering me on, asking me how I was doing. I started telling him everything that I wanted to eat when I was done (Oh yeah, I was HUNGRY). “Cheeseburger, steak, baked potato, pizza, french fries”. He laughed. Right around 100th st, he said, “This is your moment man. Put your head down and go for it”. I did just that. He went back to the sidelines and I made my way as best I could.
Soon after, we started our traverse through Central park. The crowds were great. The park is so awesome to be running through. Everyone was yelling, “Come on! You’re almost there!”. So close, yet so far I thought. I saw mile 24 mark. I knew the end was near. I was soooooo there!
As you get close, they have signs that say “1 more mile, 1/2 mile left! 400 yards! 300 yards! 200 yards! 100 yards!”. I remember seeing the sign that said 1/2 mile left. The streets are pretty curvy, and I could see a banner that went across the street. “Finish Line!” I thought, so I started to run as hard as I could. As I got closer, I saw it say “Mile 26″. Sheist!!!! That was heartbreaking. However, I saw the finish line and the yard markers, so I kept it going. I ran with everything I had left in me and crossed that damn finish line!
I cant start to describe the feeling that I had when I finished that race. Accomplishment, dedication, perseverance. I had it all. I was proud of myself. (I still am :) )
I’ll post pics shortly!
I did it, yeay!
Posted on | November 3, 2008 | No Comments
So as the title suggests, I did it. I did the marathon. I finished in the time that I was hoping for. I could have been a little faster, but hey- couldn’t we all?
What an amazing experience! That was the coolest thing I’ve ever done. I’ll get into the details later. But for now, just know that I did it. Effin A.
E
Im at the start
Posted on | November 2, 2008 | No Comments
Here at the start on staten island. I’m glowing!
So freakin excited. The crowds are crazy. About to get corraled. Yipee!!!
This is awesome.
E
Holy Shnip!
Posted on | November 1, 2008 | No Comments
Well,
I’m writing this on my way up to NYC from Baltimore. Tomorrow is the big race. I’m riding with both of my bros and my parents. I’m about 75% excited and about 25% nervous.
I finally made my donation goal. Thanks to everyone for that. Now I have one more thing to do - RUN!
The weather couldn’t be more ideal. It’s about 60 degrees and supposed to drop about 10 degrees by tomorrow. The conditions couldn’t be better.
I gotta get into NYC and head into the javitts center to pick up my race packet. I think I’m gonna get those commemorative NYC marathon asics that are on sale at the expo.
Anyways that’s it. I’m excited. I’m nervous. I’m gonna run this mf marathon like a champ.
I’ll tell you all about it when I’m done. I’ll have my phone with me so I’ll be taking as many photos as I can.
Wish me luck!
E
NYC Marathon - 8 More Days, Yipeee!!!!
Posted on | October 24, 2008 | No Comments
Whew -
So, as the title says, there are only 8 more days until the marathon. I am getting really excited! This has been one hell of a task and I think I am ready for the challenge.
Last Saturday, I finished 20 miles in a little under 4 hours. It was tough. Very tough. I think I’ve officially seen the wall, and it hit me hard. That dreaded thing hit me at about 18 miles. “Stop, you fool!” is what my brain kept telling me. But my heart kept telling me that if i stopped, I would have no chance of finishing in the 26.2 mile marathon. So I kept going.
And although you probably can’t label what I was doing for those last two miles as “running”, god knows I was doing everything I had left in me.
So I am hoping that the crowds of runners and spectators are going to be that extra umph that I’m going to need to finish that damn race. I’ve been training for 5 months, and I’ve racked up something like 472.45 miles since. I am going to do fine (the mantra in my head).
Alright. Well, hopefully I’ll post again once I get closer to the race. But, if not - Wish me luck! I’m going to need it!
-E
ACL / Marathon / October
Posted on | October 6, 2008 | No Comments
Aww snap.
So ACL was fun. Besides the $8 beers and the priceless hangovers, I had a pretty good time. The crowds were about as I expected - very crowded. And the music was pretty good. I rode my bike the first day down there (which is the only way to go, by the way) - However, I had a slight accident on the way home (see above, $8 beers) and somehow flipped off my bike. My Charlotte for a quick lil trip on Sunday, so I wasnt to bummed that I wasnt going to be there for Sunday’s show. I heard the foo fighters put it down. Sweet, I’ll catch someones youtube cell phone video of it.
Marathon - Holy Schnikeys. The days are counting away. 26 to be exact. I had to ease off from running a bit after the quick trip and ACL, as my body really felt like it had taken a beating (bike wreck, maybe?). I actually have had about 4 days off, with the hopes that my body rejuvenated itself during that time. Tuesday a new training week starts and I should be back on track.
October is here already. That was quick. Before we know it, Xmas will be here and we will all be holly, jolly, or merry at some point soon. Thankfully the US Government passed the bailout plan, so all the banks will continue to have money to lend out for Xmas purchases. What’s that you say? The Dow Jones dropped another 400 points today? Dizzam.
Anyways, that’s all I’ve got. I still need donations for my charity. So Donate, assholes! Catch up with you later-
E
Saturday, before ACL
Posted on | September 26, 2008 | No Comments
Oh, so if none of you are doing anything Saturday morning before ACL… come join me on my 20 mile run. See you there!
ACL Schedule
Posted on | September 25, 2008 | No Comments
In case you wanted to know where I’ll be this Friday, Saturday and Sunday - Here it goes:
Whither the weather
Posted on | September 19, 2008 | No Comments
Austin has been getting its fair share of awesome weather this past week - A nice change from the hot weather that closely resembles what hell on earth is like. For reals.
When weather like this comes around, it reminds me that weather like this exists. In a place like Texas, 95 + degree weather is usual. I woke up this morning, and it was 64 degrees at 8am. At 2pm, it was 81 degrees. Oh how I love this weather.
Hopefully it will hold up for ACL. I’m excited to see Beck, Manu Chao, and Man Man. Since I live so close to zilker park, I’ve decided to bite the bullet and just go to the freaking show. The weather is supposed to hold up, so hopefully I won’t get overloaded by all the festival nonsense. I’ll report back next week!
-E
20 reasons running inside is no fun
Posted on | September 15, 2008 | No Comments
Holy hell. I did 20 miles yesterday. It was hell - for a couple of reasons (besides the obvious).
I thought that Hurricane Ike was going to dump on Austin this past weekend. Everyone did. So instead of waking up super early on Saturday to do my horrendous run, I decided I would sleep in and wait it out. Unfortunately, it was merely windy out Saturday by the time I got my arse outta bed. I decided I would wait until Sunday to do the run.
Sunday came, and it was hot. The “keep me in bed” bug had bitten me once again Sunday morning. It was nearly 10:30 by the time I dragged myself out of bed again. 10:30am in Texas is already hot, and I figured I would give myself a break on the ol’ legs and do the run on a treadmill.
I got my stuff ready and headed out to my gym. Luckily football games had already started so I thought I would be OK watching football on TV for that long period of time. Nope.
First off, doing anything for 3.5 hours is monotonous at best. Running inside on a treadmill for 3.5 hours is pretty much the most boring thing I have ever done. Sure, I got to watch the Colts overcome a first half beating against the Vikings. But seriously, running in place…. FOR 3.5 HOURS? Jesus.
Needless to say, I will not be doing any long runs inside anymore. I would imagine that running in the worst weather, at the worst time would still be better than running inside for more than 1 hr.
You live, you learn - you don’t run long runs inside on a treadmill. Now I know!
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