3 months ago we set off with a crazy plan...to run the NY marathon on behalf of African Leadership Academy..3 months ago 26.2 miles seemed impossible...
3 months ago raising over $3k seemed infeasible....
2 days ago all of our training and hard work were tested
2 days ago all of our training and hard work were tested
2 days ago we stared down the Verrazano with 26.2 miles of road in front of us
2 days ago we pushed beyond doubt to surpass the fundraising goal
1 run...26.2 miles...5 boroughs...4 hours 1 minute...done!
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Thank you all for your support of the marathon effort. Because of your inspiration, I was able to frolic across the Verrazano, be bop my way through Brooklyn, labor across the queensboro bridge, trudge up first avenue, stumble through the Bronx, hobble down 5th ave and inch my way through central park to the finish!
To meet~40k other people crazy enough to run 26.2 miles was amazing, along the run I encountered blind runners being led the entire way by volunteer guides, soldiers in full garb hiking with heavy packs, disabled athletes willing themselves forward, and finally, thousands of new yorkers at the ready to support the running masses. It was truly awe inspiring.A LONG recount of the run is below for anyone who is interested. At a high level--the first 16 miles were great, the last 5 were painful, but I am so glad I did it and I hope that it raised awareness of African Leadership Academy! If you are still interested, its not too late to support, please follow this link to donate! http://www.africanleadershipfoundation.org/marathondonate_maryanna.asp
Thanks again everyone. I will continue to update this blog every now and again (though less frequently), please stay in touch!
Peace, love and halloumi ;)
-mvq
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As for the day itself--the LONG version
- The bus: I had to board a 5:30AM bus to Staten Island for the 10am start. It was such a pain to get up that early, but amazingly when I walked downstairs to the hotel lobby there were many runners who like me had to forgo the Halloween festivities for the (ahem) "opportunity" to run 26.2 miles. Outside, there were tons of runners at every corner...it was as if runners had taken over the early morning streets of NY.
The starting plaza: When we got to Staten island we were sent to our corral waiting area based our bib color. I arrived to the blue (aka BEST) corral wait area at ~6:15 and began the long wait. To help the time pass I found a nice box, stamped it down, put it next to a wall and tried to get some sleep--see i did learn something from living in NY for two years ;) While there I took my last bit of water (had to stop taking in fluids 2 hours before to keep from requiring a bio break on the course) and chatted up a few fellow runners to bide the time.- The start: When it was finally our turn to start, the call for Wave 2 runners came over the intercom and we all nervously moved to the corrals. After a few minutes the corrals started moving and the "extra layers" of clothing started to come off as runners prepped for the actual start--it was amazing to see the massive amount of clothing thrown to the side of the corral, I was totally eyeing some of the clothes! Then as we jogged towards the mouth of the Verazano, helicopters flew above us and an announcer welcomed us and sang "New York New York" as we flooded through the start and across the great bridge! At that moment, the excitement level was so high, everyone was cheering and raring to go!
- The first 15 miles in Brooklyn and Queens: I felt great! Brooklyn was the best borough to run through, the crowds were out in full force, the bands were great (especially this gospel choir which was amazing!). I didn't have much pain, all the runners were cheering each other on, it was fantastic. Fadzai, Aliya and Danielle were there to support in Queens--thanks guys for making the trek!!!
- Entering the Qboro bridge: There was a jumbo screen positioned in front of the course before the turn to the Qboro bridge, as we ran down the bridge it was showing images of runners with quotes about why they were running. As I neared the turn up came a HUGE picture of ME! It was amazing, apparently the operator must have seen my number coming and timed the image. That was such a thrill!
Crossing the Qboro bridge: I anticipated that this would be the hardest part of the run..unfortunately for me...it wasn't (i'll save that for miles 20-25!). The trudge up this steep incline was a toughy. It was the oddest thing all the runners who were cheering and full of energy just a mile ago went very silent on the long uphill, all you could hear was the charging sound of hundreds of shoes pounding the pavement as I along with the rest of the runners pushed forward against the pain.
- Descending from the Qboro bridge: One of my greatest experiences ever! We had a long downhill and below us, we could see huge crowds awaiting our entry. By the time we hit street level the sound of cheers was at full volume and the sense of excitement was overwhelming. Plus I knew that my mom and cousin were going to be there--that made the descent all the more special! Thank you mom for coming out, when I saw that crazy sign I knew exactly where you were!
- Miles 16-19 up first avenue: This is when the first inkling of dull pain started to creep up my legs. Looking before me, all I could see was an endless road and sea of runners...the prospect of the long run still ahead of me made 1st ave a real challenge.
- The Bronx: It is too bad the bronx wasn't earlier in the run, I think it could have been a good time. Unfortunately, my legs lost all will to move forward and the only way I kept any sort of positive movement was to think about why I was doing the run, and who I would let down were I to walk. Needless to say, I ran...but it was painful. I was not in the best of moods at this point and I def. owe a cheery hello to Adelyn from BCG, I saw her in the Bronx but wasn't in a state to be friendly at the time!
- Harlem: Harlem was cool, I recovered a bit of my abilities (I think the Gu bar-Espresso Love kicked in. Was still a painful march though. Thanks Robin for coming out in Harlem!
- Miles 22-24...5th Ave: This, the bridge into the Bronx and the 1 mile to the finish were the most painful parts of the run. It was true will power that got me through this segment as my body was screaming for me to quit...or at least walk! Thanks to Fadzai, Danielle and Aliya for coming out AGAIN for this segment, yes..I know...we will chat about the "laser eyes"!
- Central park and the finish: By the time I got to central park I was running on fumes, all I could do was try my best to focus on keeping the movement and getting through to the finish. This part was extremely painful as I was absolutely exhausted. Thanks to Marguerite and Brittany for supporting on this route, I tried my best to acknowledge you! Even though there were mile markers, the last mile and a half were the longest of the entire run. The race just wouldn't end, the finish line just wouldn't appear! It was so frustrating. But finally, after hallucinating the finish line several times, it appeared and I finally finished
- Medic-Of course...at the finish...I fell out and had to be escorted to the medic tent. Even though I had taken water stops I was severely dehydrated and (as the medic said to the other medic under her breath) "delirious". I felt as if I my head was floating, I was saying the craziest things. I even had the medic call my mom! it was crazy. Then for some reason, even though I wasn't fully "well" I discharged myself and snuck out of the medic tent to start the long trudge back to my bags and then out of the park
Done!: Mom, Brittany, Marguerite and Robin were waiting for me at the finishers area and gave me the warmest welcome! Luckily mom the marathoner had a great pack of things for the post race period and was at the ready to help me recover! I had such a great team taking care of me! Then we made the long walk back to the hotel(yep walk...i couldn't find a cab!), I took the longest shower in life, tended to my wounds, had a great dinner w/ friends and family and called it a day!
