NYC Marathon-Recovery and Rest!

OMG where to begin?

The day started with H walking out the door about 7:00 AM to go catch an Uber, a ferry, then a bus to get to the start line of the NYC Marathon on Staten Island. Team for Kids took care of him at the start. They put the charity folks in a special tent to stay warm briefly before headline a couple of miles to the start (Hart said this was a tough part, walking and waiting at the start line).

I was still at the other end of NYC, knowing I wouldn’t see him again for hours. A block away, our apartment was about 17 miles into the race. We had made a plan to meet there at 1st Ave., around 3:00, H’s projected time to be passing me. He didn’t start until 11:00 AM, as the first wave went of at 8:30, the wheelchair division.

I leisurely took my time getting to the 2nd Avenue Deli, right down the street. It was biting cold outside, in the 40’s, but a beautiful sunny day. It was the perfect marathon race weather with the high in the 50’s. As I sat in the Deli having my omelette and talking to my friend on the phone, they were finishing putting up the barricades on 1st Avenue. I saw probably 100 police cars go by and another 50 cops walking on the street. I certainly felt safe, they were NOT going to let anything happen at this race of 52,000 runners and 1.5 million spectators along the route. I could feel the excitement starting to build and folks started lining up on the street at 9:30 AM. I thought Wow there’s some people getting an early position! I finished up my breakfast then I saw why..The wheelchair division racers were starting to pass. Those racers are fast on those wheels! It looked so difficult wheeling up the hill on 1st Ave. These folks were there to win it! Here is the before on the corner by the Deli:

Here is a few hours after!

After breakfast I thought, “Well I could go back to the apartment and relax since they were not letting folks across 1st Ave., which is towards the shops and Central Park. Or take off for an adventure to the shopping area.” I decided to go for the shopping trek. First time down the street and around to make a 4 mile circle total didn’t seem too bad. I had bandaids in place from blisters on both heels from the day before’s unplanned trek. Breaking in new shoes on a highly anticipated walking vacation, well I knew better but it worked!

I was passing behind people on the sidewalk as more and more spectators were starting to line up against the barriers. The sounds of cheering started like a hum. Drummers started drumming and music playing by bands of 4-5 musicians starting along this couple mile trek. I felt chills already! Swiftly walking the first 3-4 miles, I headed up and around to the other side of 1st Ave, starting my own shopping adventure. 

I found Lululemon first, really not that impressive as I thought it would be. I mean we ARE in NYC, near Madison Ave. and all. I thought it would at least have a bigger store than ABQ. However, it was not and help of the staff was way inferior to ABQ. Their clothes run pretty small on me, unless I have gained 20 lbs in the last 3 days..I had to upsize on my clothes fitting experience. They had chocolate at the door and donuts by the dressing rooms. Does this make sense? I ended up scoring a sweat shirt to wear as I was already cold and because yes, that wouldn’t take up much room in my carry on.. lol 

Off to Francesca’s for cheap jewelry. I either left my jewelry in my little jewelry bag at home on the bed or in the Uber on the way to the airport. Which sucks because I have my Ironman necklace and earrings in it..Praying I left it at home. Anyways, you can get some pretty cheap, almost decent looking jewelry at Francesca’s and they were “having a sale”-ha! I loaded up on the dime store look for NY and Paris..I’ll save my $$ on clothing and experiences.

All of this took about 4 miles of walking plus the big circle up and back along the race course to the apartment. Heading back on 1st Ave., by now, the people cheering were going wild!! I could barely move on the walkway behind the spectators and the cheering, music, yelling..it was all unbelievable! I kept thinking how much fun H must be having because I knew there was much excitement and crowd support like this all along the course through the five Burroughs. He stated later that as he rounded the corner off that bridge onto 1st. Ave, the view was incredible! Thousands of racers in front of him, he could see for miles it seemed. So could I..pics don’t do it justice:

It went on forever it seems. I was crying several times, it was such a spectacle! The music was getting really good too! Rock music, drummers, dancers, everything..Runners looking tired, some excited, some very serious. I totally remembered that determined feeling, a little on the “f#%k everyone” by this point of a marathon. By the time I got back to the corner of mile 17, I had gotten a text from Hart so knew he was doing well and asked me to bring his black long sleeve shirt which in my excitement and because I was cold myself, I thought he said jacket. Well, I had read the text wrong and brought the white fleece jacket, not the shirt he wanted. As you can see, he wasn’t too jubilant to see me at the corner of 75th St.:

Well, I tried. He is looking pretty strong here though not so cheerful. I gave him that, I remembered being pretty grumpy and mad along the marathon at this point of an Ironman, it’s yucky. 

Oh well, I tried! I texted the kids “uh, I need a young person to be here right now!” They laughed. The kids were following Hart online, as well as were friends-I got several texts throughout the day. which made it feel like I had people around me as support persons as well. Somewhere in there I had changed my clothes to my warm coat. Funny it was sunny and in the 50’s, I maybe saw the sun twice-the buildings are massive here! But that wasn’t hindering any spectators from yelling and screaming for these sometimes weary looking runners. The Marathon winners were way done by now so these were the “regular people” at mile 15-17. I turned around and quickly made my way back down and around to Central Park. Then I realized “ah-ha, I have my little tan light fleece vest! I can get that to Hart!” So texted him I could bring that and he said “great!” So off I went and walk/ran from one end of Central Park to the other to catch H at mile 22 before he ran into the park..with the puffy vest. I was feeling excited and proud of myself to finally fix his “getting cold” problem. I had given him my warm IM hat though so hope that helped. At this point I went from “support”to “fix it” support person/wife. I texted him where I’d be. At this point of the race as runners were rounding into Central Park, they were looking WAY more cheerful, excited, several giving high fives to everyone which only made the crowd go wilder. Alas at this point, the marathon tracking App stopped working, GPS coverage sucks in Central Park! I waited and waited, then thought he passed me. After some confusion running back and fourth, I finally saw him running and eagerly tried handing him the vest. Well we had miscommunicated by text (during a marathon, understandably) and he said “ I don’t want that, I want my black shirt!” Ok, I really gave up then as he had 3 miles to go and was looking dazed and tired. I bit my tongue! I talked to some NYPD cops for a bit, they assured me hubby may be annoyed now, but in a couple days he would be like “Oh honey I’ll do anything for you, you were so there for me.” We all had a good laugh! Figured I’d get a good shopping trip out of it. :)

When I finally saw on the tracker that he was at the finish line and really booking it into the chute I cheered and had chills as the kids texted a photo of his finish off the internet!

I couldn’t get close to the Finish Line or didn’t want to attempt after our debacle the day before. So I went to our meeting place we had decided on beforehand. He sounded great on the phone! Told me he could keep running,which he always says at the end of a race, time for a 50 miler? I waited until cafe closed, then sat on a park bench outside Central Park to wait for him, chatting with some ladies there to support their person..I looked at my watch and damn! I had walked/ran a half marathon myself that day..I had my own little finish half Marathon party internally, then plopped down on a park bench and didn’t move!!

When I finally saw Hart walking slowly towards me, I was so happy and excited for him!! He wa grinning ear to ear and “I’M HUNGRY!” was the message, for both of us. We climbed into a cab, changed briefly at apartment and walked slowly a block away for a slice of pizza. Then suddenly behind what looked like a slice of pizza display, we saw a whole Italian Restuarant hiding in the back..OMG, that was the best meal I think we’d both ever had!! That oasis appeared just in time-we were famished!

Here is the man and his medal!

Eventually, after food and wine made everything better, (as it usually does) we went back to the apartment and literally plopped into bed. 

It was such a long, exciting, emotionally draining day! I was so proud of Hart. At dinner, as he described running through Brooklyn amongst the places he grew up and memories it brought back, I felt tears running down my face. I felt so emotional and happy he got to experience that and I was able to witness just a piece of it. 

Hart said it was the best race by far than any others, including Ironman.  Supporting Team for Kids was icing on the cake and I’m so grateful we did that...

The New York City Marathon is the largest one in the world. I met and chatted with nothing but wonderful people, felt welcomed by the New Yorkers all over. If you can ever experience this event, even as a spectator, DO IT!! 

Yesterday, (Monday) we literally laid around all day, mustered up enough energy to get out in the rain to walk a block for local Thai food for dinner, which was yummy, then I went to bed early. I was as tired as the Marathon Boy and legs hurting just as bad I think! It’s supposed to rain all day today. It’s amazing, the only beautiful sunny day since we have been here was Sunday, the day of the race..I still have tears in my eyes thinking about the day I had and the accomplishment of my beautiful, handsome, strong husband finishing the NYC Marathon!!

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