My sister decided to make this her first marathon so I signed up...but only for the half. After doing the Philly Marathon, I realized that half/marathon splits are the worst. I'm really glad that I didn't sign up for the marathon. It was brutally hot out that day (80 degrees, 90% humidity).

This was the slowest race I've ever ran (I blame the heat but also the brutal NYC winter). The heat and humidity was just too much - even locals said so. It was ridiculously hot but they were prepared, nurses at each aid station every mile with water and gatorade. Pineapples around mile 11. Got blessed by a priest around mile 10.

The energy before, during and after the race was amazing. It was a straight up party at the start. It was still dark when we got to the start at 5:30am (start was at 6:15am). I was in the 10min-11min corral and started about 20 minutes after the gun went off. The sun was slowly coming up. The first half of this race and the last 3 miles are great miles 7-10 are boring and the most painful and had the least crowd support.

The expo and the post race party were awesome. The post race party felt like a carnival with all the food and beer vendors. The post race food for runners could have been less crazy and less muddy (oddly muddy - weird). Still a ton of fun with music playing. The expo was great with soo many vendors and chances to take pics around the expo.

Finally - yes the medal is AMAZING. Best medal I've ever gotten!