Yesterday at 7:45AM, I made my way to 1st Avenue and 59th Street to meet up with my friend Natalie in what has become, my “Sunday Before The NYC Marathon” tradition. We ran the last 10.2 miles of the race course.
I did this the first year I ran the race, as it’s a great way to learn the course and know what you’re in for in the last 10 miles. I continue to do it for a variety of reasons, superstition, familiarity and it’s a great way to get one last longish, easy run in before the big dance.
There are now only six days left until I make my way to the Staten Island Ferry and board a bus to Fort Wadsworth for the opportunity to line up with 50,000 of my friends and endure 26.2 miles of cheers, elation, pain and accomplishment.
I wait all year for the excitement in my hometown to crescendo around this race and it’s evident everywhere I look. Street banners, bus and subway ads and the brand new TCS NYC Marathon Pavilion at Tavern on the Green!! It’s only a matter of time before the statue of Fred Lebow (founder of the race) gets moved to the finish line so he can continue to watch all of the runners as we cross the finish line.\
This is technically part of my taper and there are a few things I like to keep in mind while doing so:
- Even though I’m not running as much as I have been, I need to keep my caloric intake at roughly the same level. It’s okay to drop it a little, but now is the time to pack some carbs into your diet. Rather than going out for that one HUGE pasta dinner the night before the race, add 20% more carbs to your daily intake.
- Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate! I’m pretty good at hydrating, but the week before the race, I’ll practically double it. I get to the point where I think about just setting up shop in the bathroom since that’s pretty much where I’ll spend most of my time anyway. The payoff will be on race day when I can hit every other water station and not worry too much about dehydration.
- I sleep every chance I get for as long as I can! Now’s not the time to be out partying at the clubs. I like to bed down early and train my body to wake up at the same time I will on race day (which for me is EARLY since I’m Wave 1 and Staten Island isn’t the most convenient place to get to)
- Lastly, I’m preparing for the Expo to GET PSYCHED! I don’t know about you, but I’m looking forward to being in a giant room with fellow crazies who are just as excited as I am for this event.
- It’s race week people! It’s like Christmas came early!
Eric, Thanks for putting so much thought into your entries- they are comforting, inspiring, and highly entertaining. Kick some ass on Sunday!