NYC Marathon Weekend Sugarfest

"He seems to have the persistent endurance of a zombie."  Appropriate words from a good friend, Running Bird after checking the race time for my 9th marathon in 13 months, the 2011 ING NYC Marathon this past Sunday.

No Im not fast, hovering around 4 hours for these races, nor am I getting much faster running so many without proper recovery time. But thats fine, consciously choosing instead to cave to my addiction follow my passion, and run as many as my legs will cooperate for.  It's depressing to finish a race and not have another to look forward to.  I dunno if that's healthy, or the definition of masochism, but I know a lot of my fellow runners share the sentiment.  At some point I'll slow down, maybe, to focus on speeding up, and work on qualifying for and running Boston :)  With more and more people running, the qualification times are not getting any slower.  In the mean time, "you're building a monster aerobic base" says another friend.  Cool!,  I like that.

New York City!  I freakin love New York. Against better judgment I walked and explored a ton before the race. And ate, A LOT,  and it wasnt all good healthy proper pre-race balanced nutritional type health nut food.  It was unadulterated, mitochondria fueling, glycogen replenishing beautiful pure carbo loading! 

There may have been a lot of cupcakes consumed. But these are Crumbs Cupcakes!  If you've ever had a NYC Crumbs cupcake you understand.  Pure.Racing.Fuel.

 

 Is it wrong?

 
OK On with it already, Race Recap, pictorial style... cause that's how I do.

Step 1:  Jump on the Staten Island Ferry at Battery Park, lower Manhattan.  The NYC Marathon is a course through all 5 boroughs of NYC, starting in Staten Island, through Brooklyn, Queens, over to Manhatten, up to the Bronx and back to finish in Manhatten in Central Park. Very very cool race course.

Lower Manhattan, just left the docks.

Hi Lady Liberty, all is well!

The Verrazano Narrows Bridge from Staten Island to Brooklyn. 
We'll be running across that mother in a few minutes.

 Step 2:  BANG!!!  RUN DAMN IT!!!! 

  

10 minutes after the gun, about ready to reach the start line finally

The Verrazano Narrows Bridge.  8000 people below, 8000
more on the upper deck.  And this is only Wave 2 of 3 Waves.
Ya, its a zoo.  47,000 racers,  2.5 million spectators.  Awesome!

Fire Boat, showing the marathon colors.

Step 3:  Keep running damn it you're not done yet!  And enjoy the sights, you're in New York foo! 

There were a few bridges!  Very Cool.  Not so cool on the knees.

 After summiting the Queensboro bridge at mile 16 parts continued to fall off on this long stretch up 1st Ave in Manhattan.   Does this road ever end?  Are we done yet?  Why the hell am I doing this again?  Mile 18ish

Willis bridge,  Manhattan to The Bronx

Robert F Kennedy Bridge over the Harlem River

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Conspicuous lack of pictures from mile 20 to 26.2 - Ya,  sorry, whatever, I was a little grumpy by that point and not in much of a picture taking mood. So? Wanna make something of it?!?  ;-)

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Step 4, You're done idiot, put that stupid hat on Dunkin Donuts gave you and smile big for the camera.    

Short Short Summary:  This was my 3rd marathon in 7 weeks, not terribly bright I sometimes, so knew there was a fair chance performance wouldn't be the best. Really? See, I smaht. I was feeling strong through the first half, on pace for a sub 4 time, 1:59 at the half.  But then the Queensboro bridge at 16 was brutality. Parts started falling off on that bridge and continued to fall off for the remainder of the race.  The last few miles of any marathon is pure mental.  This one was no exception.  I held it together and finished in 4:16 and change. It's no PR for me but that smile isn't on my face because Im upset :)  I love this stuff.

The rest of the pictures below are shots I took while roaming New York.  Enjoy :)  

Central Park Ice Skating Rink

Central Park

Central Park

Central Park

Welcome to NY, leave your wallet at the door.  12 bucks
for the 2 minute ride over the George Washington Bridge.  Cool. Not.

Pretty much sums up parking in NYC.

  

Times Square

At one point I took to walking across the cars.  Ok not
really but it wouldnt have been a stretch. Times Square.

This one's for my baby girl.  Hi sweety!

Random

This one is for my running bud EMZ

Duuude, you guys look so cool upside down.
Random yoga spirit enjoying the moment.

Goodbye Gotham. Till next time.  I'll miss you.

Cheers!

Run like the police are chasing you.