After settling in on Friday night, we started Saturday with a visit to the race package pick up, followed by a visit to the top of the Empire State Building. What a good way to get our bearings in the big apple. The audio tour was well worth it, as was Granny’s wheelchair which got us to the front of all the lines! 🙂 I was tucked into bed early that night after a bit of a rampant carbo load on restaurant row.
Sunday morning was race day! I had to take the 5:30am bus to the start line and my race started at 9:40, so it had picked up some Value Village winter wear for the long wait. Compared to the thousands of other runners with full on sleeping bags and pillows I looked a little unprepared, though I was warm and cozy with my hand warmers tucked into my gloves and waistband.
The weather was perfect for race time and I enjoyed the start line comradery and Sinatra’s send off. Without going into too much detail, the race felt really great (famous last words) until about mile 20 where I started the decline in speed and muscle function. By the finish my shuffling feet got me across the line in a personal best 3:23:02. I was energized through the whole route by the infamous NYC fans and my own personal fans (Anne, Sjanne, RobO, my mom, dad, and Granny). It was a really cool experience.
We finished the day by going to a great Italian restaurant and to a Rangers/Jets game at Madison Square Garden.
Today we were up and at ’em for a big day of sight seeing. No rest for these weary legs!! We spent the morning in Central Park (race finish line revisited and the John Lennon memorial), then to the American Museum of Natural History, and on to a Circle Harbour boat cruise to see the skyline and Liberty herself. Tonight we went to an underground comedy club – how New York! It was improv with Scott Adsit from 30 Rock (props to Roxanne for the recommendation).
On tap for the next few days is more sights, Broadway shows, and, of course, food (that’s why we travel right?).
Love the pictures. Wish we were there with you.
OMG!! Congrats on the run time Dawn!! So incredible!