Eternal Feats of Strength Thread
- Thread starter TheRagingCHS
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rhfarmer
Legend
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- Oct 8, 2012
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That was fucking brutal. There is no question that I didn't train enough, I knew that going in, but for anyone considering the NY Marathon, here is the deal:
1. Basically, getting to the start takes two hours, and at least a half a mile of walking.
2. At the start, it is impossible to get into your ideal pace because despite the fact that you are required to list your estimated finish time when register, people who are clearly just going to walk the marathon somehow end up starting in front of you and insist on walking four abreast. If you are going to avoid obstructions on the Verrazano Bridge, you are going to have to run on the curb of the bridge like I did, which is not as wide as a sidewalk.
3. Basically, running through Brooklyn is almost all uphill. Not majorly uphill, but uphill nonetheless. The first roughly 8 miles are just slightly uphill.
4. The downhill sides of the bridges, especially the Verrazano the Queensborough Bridge and the Madison Avenue Bridge are really tough on the knees.
5. The Queensborough Bridge, basically mile 15-16, is one of the hardest miles you will ever run that isn't in the mountains.
6. Manhattan has lots of rolling hills, as does Central Park, although the route through Central Park is pretty damn easy.
7. The finish is just a claustrophobic mess. Directly after the finish line, they corral you into a photo op. Then they corral you into those emergency blankets, then they corral you into a surprisingly heavy snack bag, then you walk about a half a mile where they corral you into a poncho. Then you have to walk at least one block west or 4 blocks south to get to the nearest subway.
8. I left my friend's apartment at 7:40 AM and got back at 5:00 PM and didn't have 10 minutes to spare for any part of the race. This thing takes ALL DAY LONG.
9. By the time I started the race, I had already been exposed to the elements for 2:50 minutes, and was already freezing cold and sore. This despite wearing polypro pants, shorts, a poly pro top, a waffle fleece jacket over my top, a microfleece beanie and gloves. I was cold the entire day.
10. That being said, if you are inclined to do something like this, do it! New York is the most amazing city in the world, IMO, and the support that you get from New Yorkers is AMAZING. People spend their own money to hand out bananas and oranges and drinks during the race, they bake cookies and hand them out. It was an incredible experience, I just wish it hadn't been so damn cold! It was the worst long run I have ever had and at the same time, it was fucking awesome.
1. Basically, getting to the start takes two hours, and at least a half a mile of walking.
2. At the start, it is impossible to get into your ideal pace because despite the fact that you are required to list your estimated finish time when register, people who are clearly just going to walk the marathon somehow end up starting in front of you and insist on walking four abreast. If you are going to avoid obstructions on the Verrazano Bridge, you are going to have to run on the curb of the bridge like I did, which is not as wide as a sidewalk.
3. Basically, running through Brooklyn is almost all uphill. Not majorly uphill, but uphill nonetheless. The first roughly 8 miles are just slightly uphill.
4. The downhill sides of the bridges, especially the Verrazano the Queensborough Bridge and the Madison Avenue Bridge are really tough on the knees.
5. The Queensborough Bridge, basically mile 15-16, is one of the hardest miles you will ever run that isn't in the mountains.
6. Manhattan has lots of rolling hills, as does Central Park, although the route through Central Park is pretty damn easy.
7. The finish is just a claustrophobic mess. Directly after the finish line, they corral you into a photo op. Then they corral you into those emergency blankets, then they corral you into a surprisingly heavy snack bag, then you walk about a half a mile where they corral you into a poncho. Then you have to walk at least one block west or 4 blocks south to get to the nearest subway.
8. I left my friend's apartment at 7:40 AM and got back at 5:00 PM and didn't have 10 minutes to spare for any part of the race. This thing takes ALL DAY LONG.
9. By the time I started the race, I had already been exposed to the elements for 2:50 minutes, and was already freezing cold and sore. This despite wearing polypro pants, shorts, a poly pro top, a waffle fleece jacket over my top, a microfleece beanie and gloves. I was cold the entire day.
10. That being said, if you are inclined to do something like this, do it! New York is the most amazing city in the world, IMO, and the support that you get from New Yorkers is AMAZING. People spend their own money to hand out bananas and oranges and drinks during the race, they bake cookies and hand them out. It was an incredible experience, I just wish it hadn't been so damn cold! It was the worst long run I have ever had and at the same time, it was fucking awesome.
DukeNukem05
All American
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Congrats Farmer. You're a badass.
rhfarmer
Legend
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- Oct 8, 2012
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- 14,710
aiw said:
5:10. Like I said, brutal. I was training at a 4:20 pace. TBH, if the race had been run on Saturday, it would have made a huge difference for me. Saturday was like 65 and beautiful. Sunday was overcast and in the low 40's at the start, and it actually drizzled off and on for the first few hours. Oh, also 20 know NW winds blowing in your face for the first 19 or so miles...
I don't think I will ever do another Marathon north of North Carolina again, but I still would recommend it to anyone just for the way New Yorkers turn out and show the love. An amazing city.
physicsfactor
Legend
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- Oct 22, 2012
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You guys are suckers. Just get sick and stay that way for 6 months. I've lost weight without even trying.
physicsfactor
Legend
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- Oct 22, 2012
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- 16,658
Not sure if I can Hi-5 that until I know that your dad is OK.
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