TCS New York City Marathon

TCS New York City Marathon

TCS New York City Marathon

( 101 reviews )
98% of reviewers recommend this race
  • New York,
    New York,
    United States
  • November
  • 26.2 miles/Marathon
  • Road Race
  • Event Website

Arie

New York, United States
17 6
2014
"2014 TCS NYC Marathon - Home & Marathon Major #2"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management
Arie 's thoughts:

What can I say?! The 2014 TCS NYC Marathon has been my best marathon as of yet. This was my 3rd marathon, and second marathon in 2014 (Tokyo Marathon was my first that same year). I was nervous, but I felt strong. I trained well with my teammates here in NYC, I knew I would be fine on race day. Knowing I'll be seeing my family at the finish line and my friends along the course, gave me the confidence to get out and just do it.
If you live in NYC or will have someone waiting for you at the finish line, I would strongly suggest to opt for the poncho, instead of the bag check. The poncho is a really nice poncho, you only need one poncho, because at the moment they all have been the same for the past 2-3 years. Also, the walk to the baggage check after you finish is pretty, pretty long, about another mile or so.

It is very, very cold at the start line, by the Verrazano Bridge, so cold and windy at times. It was insanely windy the day I ran. Wear old layers you don't mind throwing out. You will shed a lot of layers as you start running.
The Verrazano Bridge will be hard to get past, it's the start you want to go out fast and just go, but the elevation at the start will slow you down. Let it slow you down, it's ok, there's plenty road ahead to make up for time.
I was lucky enough to pace with two of my running group teammates. They were great pacers and I can't thank them enough. I was able to hold on until the 15 mile mark or so, right before crossing the 59th Street Bridge.
Anyways, I found Brooklyn to be the best. The crowds, the music, the roads, everything. Brooklyn was alive!! and you felt it. I was choked up in emotions running through Brooklyn, you just feel energized for a good 13 miles. Amazing.
The miles in Queens are very short, a few turns here and there and then you are on the bridge to cross over to Manhattan.
The 59th Street bridge gets very quiet. I liked the quiet, because this is the time for you to put your mind back in the game, you're about 15-16 miles down, 10 miles to go. This is where your mind starts to get a bit tired, but not too tired.
As you exit the bridge, you start to hear the crowds again, in Manhattan.
I didn't feel the goosebumps and energy like I felt in Brooklyn, while in Manhattan. I felt the Manhattan crowds were more about cheering for those they recognize, instead of everyone. Also, at this point the aid stations were very minimal to non-existent. I was lucky enough to see a few people I knew in the crowds giving bananas and gels. Trust me after Queens, you will need the fuel to continue. I grabbed a banana, broke it in half and saved the other half for when I reached the Bronx.
The Bronx was painful. You are around mile 19, maybe mile 20, tired, legs heavy, you can't take anymore bridges with inclines. But you get through it. The people in the crowd are very encouraging, they keep you moving.
I am fast forwarding a bit to right before you enter Central Park. This is the part where I caught my second wind, my runners high, my I GOT THIS, aha moment. First I spotted a lady with a giant bowl of salted pretzel, I'm not a pretzel person, but I needed the salt. Stuffed a few in mouth, drank some of my Nuun water and took off. Took advantage of the downhill, down Cat Hill in Central Park. This is where I caught a runner's high and was in the zone. I knew the end was near. I spotted the friends I was pacing with, in the park, then I slowed down towards the end when I spotted my family cheering, stopped to say hello. At this point I didn't care about my time, I knew the end was about a mile away, I was really happy to see my friends. I saw one of my friends a bit injured so I ran with her to cross the finish line together.
The TCS NYC Marathon will always be my best race ever. This is a race that is filled with so much energy and emotions. This is one race, that I wouldn't mind doing again.

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