Long Island Half Marathon - RunHalf Marathon

I knew this one going to be a tough race. I was to be running faster then my normal comfortable race pace (which isn't really too comfortable) and I was going to have to hold it consistently with no periods for breaks or backing off.

When the gun went off, as usual, hundreds of people had seeded themselves as sub 6 min milers when they likely finished plus 9 min avg. So after dodging all the usual misfits, by the first mile split my cousin and I were already 40 seconds off the mark: 20 seconds to get across the starting line and 20 seconds off of a 6:50 pace having to run through traffic. Mile two and three we settled in, when the wind occasionally kicked up I drafted behind my cousin, a few times we surged and made up some time. At this point I am feeling confident and strong, but mentally I am slightly fatigued because 1.) for the first time ever I am not running "my pace", I am following a rabbit and pushing a bit more than I would normally 2.) I am getting twinges of a side-stich; something I rarely get ever in training or races 3.) Since mile 1 I know we're behind -not a good feeling with 90% of the race still ahead of us. 4.) Who are all these people, three miles in, walking? And Why do people walk in the middle of a marathon? Picture this: Two full empty highway lanes, a wide shoulder, and then a SIDEWALK!! Hmmmm... if I'm a walker, and I started walking 5 minutes ahead of 3,000 people running a marathon should I -- A.) Walk on the sidewalk where no one is running B.) At least show a single ounce of courtesy and stay to the extreme right and walk on on the wide shoulder C.) Be a complete ignorant ignormaous of a person and risk my health and well being by walking smack dab in the middle of the road where thousands of people are going to have to divide and run around me.

About forty to fifty inconsiderate men and women, many very wide across, decided to choose choice C.) and walk right in the middle of a marathon - sometimes walking three people wide. At one point I passed some people, looked down for a second, a runner in front of me darted to the left, I look up and was forced to make a desperate leap to the right. I came mere inches from smacking full force into the back of a woman just strolling along... and mind you this is 3 plus miles into the race. And forget about it ruining my time, I could have sent her straight down on her face, hurting her, myself, and not to mention the 1/2 dozen runners who could have tripped over us. I am flawed by how rude, inconsiderate and just plain stupid people can be. There's a giant empty sidewalk 48 inches to the left ...Use It Dammit!!!

The rest of the race from mile six on out was painful. I took a gel, as I was craving caffeine, got a needed boost and I silenced my mind and just ran. I had the Ipod headphones on; I never used them once. Often during runs I crack jokes and talk to people; I rarely spoke. During races I let my mind wander and usually think about stuff; for the remaining miles I just kept my mind silent and concentrated on my form and breathing.

My latter miles were all dead on pace. My side-stitch from too many shot blocks was screaming, but I toughed it out. I stared up at the sky and gutted out 6:50 mile after 6:50 mile - my cousing valiantly leading the way. The pain and discomfort in my gut was close to unbearable, but I made a decision: I figured if I passed-out or threw-up, those were the only two acceptable options for backing off and failing. I pushed, stared up at God and I pushed with every ounce of effort within my soul. The #7 girl was beside me around mile 12 and she was letting out primordial grunts and groans. It was obvious I wasn't the only person in agony.

For the final mile we took a hard right off the pavement and entered Eisenhower park, sprinting down a winding and slim park path. My cousin was too far ahead now, and he knew if I were to break sub 1:30 he would have to sprint ahead and force me to catch him. Had I not had a fist-full of pain in my side, I just might have.

I screamed for people to "Please Move!" as once again, everyday folk -- who had no idea hell's fury that burned inside me as I knew I was on the edge, the brink of making or missing my goal -- leisurely strolled along, entirely oblvious to the scores of sweaty, red-eyed runners striving to finish strong.

In the end the mornings anxiety, the stomach cramps, the agonizing side-stitch, the total of 40 seconds lost in the first mile, the ignorant walkers, the extra 4 pounds I never shed from my last half mary -- all of it combined into a big ball of disappointment when I looked down 1/10th of a mile away from the finish line and the bell tolled 1:30:00. For the next 103 seconds my pace slowed to 7:30 and I slugged across the finish line.





Not let anxiety get the best of me. Eat three less shot blocks. Shed four more pounds, at a minimum. Start closer to the starting line. Run the extreme, extreme left when I know there will ignorant walkers. Continue to train.

Drink water, lick my wounds, try to pull out the positives, and most importantly: LEARN from the experience and use it to run faster next time.

Oh, and I almost forgot, when I got home I took a 25 minute ice bath. Thank God for the ice bath. And because of the ice bath, this morning I am able to walk like a normal human being.


Side-stiches, lack of preparation.


Because I set such a lofty goal and was so damn intent on hitting it, I forgot to enjoy the race, the scenery, the volunteers.

The Long Island Marathon people ran a 10/10 perfect event. It started at 8AM exactly; the expo the day before was decent / along with all the fun events for the kids; there were hundreds of volunteers; lots of towns people came out to cheer; the race shirt is a high-end technical shirt and they also gave us a nifty duffel bag and a shiny finishers medal; lots of post race food and activities; and the backdrop of Eisenhower park is very nice and there are plenty of facilities available. Overall the race couldn't have been more organized; except for the corral seating!