Hey Mike,

You asked for it!

Here's my journal entry I wrote the day after my marathon during the ever-so-fun 6 hour flight from NYC to California. I still can't believe I'm going to attempt another one. Hopefully I'll make it, though I know I'm not as prepared as I should be. Have an awesome time in the gym tonight. I wish I could be there, but at least this is my last weekday finance class for the semester--starting next week I'll be a cool 2x/week gym member like yourself!!!!

Have a great weekend & I'll C U on Tuesday!

Nikki

11/2

Running a marathon is the best experience of my life. I have never felt such an outpouring of support. People told me running the NYC marathon makes you fall in love with the Big Apple again, and I can see why. For a city characterized by hate, crime & violence, the marathon brings out and feeds off the enthusiasm of New Yorkers. Every race, color, religion & age group was out there with candy, gum, water, juice, fruit....people who didn't have friends or relatives racing had made motivational signs for complete strangers. The bands were great---it was the biggest party I've ever been a part of! I have tears running down my cheeks just thinking of it. I thought I wanted to capture my pre-race excitement forever, but this feeling of accomplishment is so much more intense & powerful. I could relive this experience forever.

Ever since I arrived in NY all my nerves disappeared. I felt so relaxed at Phil's' (Willow is an amazing therapy dog). I was able to get a full 8 hours of sleep the night before, woke up at 5:30 AM & caught a cab at 6:30 AM for the NY Public Library to board the busses. The crowd of marathoners was more extensive than I ever imagined. The line to board the bus was 5-1/2 blocks long zig zagging around the library. As I was waiting in line I met Sue, who was also running the NY Marathon for her first time. We hung out for the next 4 hours & she provided so much great advice. I'm anxious to hear how she did. We arrived at the start area around 8:30. There was so much enthusiasm & excitement in the air. The volunteers were incredible & there was sooooo much food---I wonder how many bagels were handed out during those hours.

Around 10:20, after dropping off some stuff at the UPS trucks, we headed out to the starting line. The bridge was a sea of runners. We made our way to the middle of the pack at the far side of the bridge. The feeling was unmatched. There were a few rude runners who kept trying to push their way forward, when one person humorously said "What do you expect--it's all New Yorkers & French people." Around 10:45 I started getting so excited...I was about ready to jump out of my skin--I couldn't believe this moment which I had been training for so many months was finally here. All those miles logged under the BART tracks, at MLK JHS track, Clark-Kerr track, those initial long runs when I didn't know what I was thinking, and questioning whether I would be able to run the entire race were finally here. Any doubts had to be met on the road ahead of me. I had no more time to train--at this point I had done all I could. There must have been 15 helicopters flying over head, Mayor Guiliani gave his speech, as did the head of the NYC Road Runners Club. We sang the national anthem, which was very powerful. The race was about to begin. As I looked over the edge of the bridge (we were on the upper deck) you had a clear view of the elite male runners. Seeing their anxious nerves was incredible. Here were the best male runners who pace for 26.2 miles was under a 5 min/mile. At that point I was actually glad we were in the middle of the pack because it gave me an opportunity to watch the lead males take off from the start.

Suddenly they were counting down & the runners were off. The sea of people was incredible. The pace was slow at first, but I was able to cross the 1 mile marker at 12:48. I had some time to make up if I wanted to maintain a 10 minute mile, but suddenly the air of excitement, the view of Manhattan & the Statue of Liberty, the movement of the suspension bridge due to the endless mass of runners made any time goals leave my mind. I was loving this experienece--I wanted to embrace it to it's fullest extent. I was one of 32K fulfilling a dream. After we exited to the bridge we started into Brooklyn, and I had my first glimpse of the NY Marathon crowd. Everyone was cheering so loud & the kids were lining up with their hands outstretched just wanting to touch you. I ran the next few miles right along the crowd slapping hands with ever kid I saw. I was so overwhelmed with pride at what I was accomplishing. The miles were going by so quickly. Around mile six I felt the beginning of chaffing midway on my triceps & wouldn't you know it less than 200 yards away was a woman with a HUGE jar of Vaseline. These spectators thought of everything. One was even passing out juicy fruit gum, which I found to be a great help in keeping the mouth moist. The crowds in Brooklyn were also the most diverse. There were so many people screaming on the sidelines in perfect NY accents "You can do it! You can do it! We're all so proud of you!." A lot of people were holding up signs "Your all winners." The only annoying spectator was a couple at mile 6 screaming "Your almost there!" 20 miles is NOT even close to almost there :)

I don't recall ever being in Brooklyn before--what a beautiful boro! The fading autumn leaves, beautiful old architecture & a very strong sense of community. We even ran through a Hasidic Jew neighborhood around mile 10. There were approx. 50 men in traditional attire lining the side of the street, expressionless but intensely watching. Even though they weren't cheering, you could still sense their excitement. It's just amazing to think of all these people lining the streets year after year to watch people run--breathtaking. By mile 10 I had picked up the pace with a time of 1:40. I was trying to heed the warning signs of not running too fast. The next few miles passed by, and I started accepting a piece or two of hard candy to keep the glycogen stores loaded. I also learned that I need to practice running and drinking. I think I spilled every drop of water at the first two stations all over myself :) At mile 13 we crossed the Pulaski bridge leading into Queens. There were even fans on the bridge cheering. Reaching the halfway mark was a powerful accomplishment. I find my self motivation improves dramatically when half the distance is behind me. The people in Queens were so supportive, but by that point I couldn't wait to enter Manhattan. The climb up the Queens boro bridge was surprisingly easy.

As we were descending into Manhattan I could feel my excitement rising. After traveling on the bridge for a mile without any crowd support to the overwhelming noise of 1st avenue brings a rejuvenated spirit. As I crossed the 16 mile marker I kept thinking "I run 10 miles all the time...this should be easy. Focus on your stride. You can do it!" That was also the point when I started tuning out the crowd. 1st avenue is so wide that you can stay in the middle & easily zone everything out. By mile 18 I entered the "Power Gel Zone" (Is there any major event that isn't commercialized these days?). I grabbed the 1st one I saw and then exchanged it when I saw a table of Vanilla (do I take after my dad or what?) By the time I reached mile 19 my quads were starting to get sore, and I was getting a little tired, but I couldn't give up yet...I had worked too hard to stop at this point. At mile 20 we crossed the Willis Avenue Bridge which rejuvenated my spirit again. I just love running over bridges. There was even some carpeting laid across the metal, which felt wonderful...it was like jogging on foam.

The people in the Bronx were so supportive. I felt like every spectator had candy, and I grabbed a handful from one and put it in my pack to save for later (I'm so glad I did that). It's always an inspiration when people who don't have much from a materialistic standpoint will go out and purchase candy & fruit for all runners--in my mind that's a true sign of goodness & humanity. The Bronx gets such a bad rap, but I have such an appreciation & admiration for the people. Finally were coming up the Madison Avenue Bridge. It was as if the spectators had read my mind cause all of these "Your last bridge!" signs appeared. I was on the home stretch. Less than 6-1/2 miles--a distance I can easily run. I can do this--I am doing this--I will finish went through my mind. I know I keep repeating it over & over & over, but I love the crowds. I can't imagine having better crowds anywhere in the world! After I entered Manhattan I was starting to feel significantly weaker. I hadn't "hit the wall" yet, but I knew it was going to happen before the end. I started sucking on hard candy to mentally psych myself out of it. I was so focused mentally at that point. Hitting the 22 mile marker was such a relief--only 4.2 miles left. I run that at a 7-1/2 minute mile pace at work a few times a weak. I can do this, and I'm not going to give up. I'm going to finish this thing even I have to run at 15 minute mile pace. I didn't train this long and hard to stop now.

At mile 23.5 we entered Central Park. What a beautiful way to finish. The path was lined by trees on both sides & the fall colors were fading, but still vivid. Leaves were falling off the trees with the wind. It was an absolutely beautiful sight! Around mile 24 I hit "the wall" & I have newfound appreciation for why they call it "the wall." At the Gatorade station I stopped for about 5 seconds to take swig & it took all my mental energy to start again. I know I couldn't stop at any more stations & I just had to push through. I was in a delirious stated, where everything thing around me was a blur. I passed my parents & relatives without realizing they were there (but they didn't see me either!) I started talking out load to myself for motivation. People were passing me, and I was jogging on the far side. I kept trying to think of ways to motivate myself--this is better than scuba diving in Monterey. I tried thinking of songs on my running mix tape, but I couldn't remember any of the lyrics (and house/techno lyrics are NOT hard to remember!). I tried picturing scenes from Julia, the movie Phil & I watched last night, but nothing worked. I could vaguely hear people screaming you’re almost there, but by that point 2 miles seemed like 20. At mile 25 I had a zillion negative thoughts intermingled with motivational support. "I'm not going to finish; I can't do this; only 1.2 miles to go; I can't give up now; I'm going to give up" If a psychiatrist could have read my mind he/she would have thought I was skitzo.

People on the sidelines kept screaming almost there louder and louder, but 1.2 miles seemed like an eternity. I honestly didn't know if I'd be able to run it. I pushed myself more mentally during those last 1.2 miles than I've ever pushed myself in my life. Coming up towards the finish the crowds were really loud. I rounded the top of the last hill & you could see the balloons. I sprinted the last 15 seconds crossing the line at 4:25:03. The feeling of joy, pride & accomplishment was undescribable. Standing in line to rip off the tag I was still delirious. The words of the volunteers were in echoes. After giving them my tag, they put a medal around my neck, and gave me long stem read rose. I looked down at the medal, smelled the rose & I started to cry. I beat my goal of 4:30, but the true accomplishment was beating "the wall." I have never felt so proud of what I have done. I was literally inches from giving in, from feeling I was going mentally insane (who knows, maybe I did?), but I got through it. This medal & rose were the symbols of what I had done. Tears kept rolling down my face. Every marathoner was giving everyone such support. I finally reached the family reunion area, and I was overjoyed to have family & friends there to support me. I'll never forget that moment of hugging my mom & dad after the race & having our pictures taken together. They have provided me with boundless support in everything I did growing up & they gave me the self confidence I needed to finish this race. I doubt I would have had the mental toughness to finish if they didn't emphasize that I can do anything I put my mind to. I might not be the best, and it might be an incredibly difficult challenge (as this was), but there's nothing that can stop me from trying. This morning, after checking in my luggage, I bought a copy of the NY times, sat down with legs propped up & looked for my name among the finishers. It was an unimaginable feeling to see Lark, N 25F 4:25:03 I've had much longer write-ups in the paper, but have never experienced something so intense & emotional. Tears rolled down my eyes looking at these 16 characters in the tiniest font imaginable. It was proof of what I did. I ran, I finished. If you ever have though of running a marathon, do it. It will change your life for the better, and realize that there is no place in the world like NYC!