Forums >Racing>2018 New York Marathon Thread
Waltons ThreadLord
Good morning. Today's 6 mile easy run was the first run of my marathon training plan for the NY Marathon.
I've run two marathons so far (Philadelphia and New Jersey) and am looking forward to my third.
Any comments, strategies, & hints from NY Marathon veterans about anything related to the marathon would be welcome. (For example, travel: living in NJ, I am planning to get a ride to Giants stadium to catch the marathon bus from there - any problems with that idea?).
Also welcome are comments and postings from people planning to run this year, as well as support from anyone who wants to chime in. The more the merrier.
122 days to go.
5k 23:48.45 (3/22); 4M 31:26 (2/22); 5M 38:55 (11/23); 10k 49:24 (10/22); 10M 1:29:33 (2/24); Half 1:48:32 (10/22); Marathon 4:29:58 (11/23)Upcoming races: Clinton Country Run 15k, 4/27; Spring Distance Classic 5k, 4/28
Another easy six mile run today. That's going to be a common workout for me over the next few weeks.
So, I've seen lots of talk about the best ways to get to the race. Anyone have advice on getting out? I've heard stories about packed subway stations and huge crowds at the finish line.
Six miles easy for me today.
Getting out after the finish depends a lot on when you finish.
Regarding the race itself, be prepared for hills, especially in the last few miles. Also be careful not to go too fast over the Verrazano bridge at the start.
Paul - I anticipate starting near the end of the second wave and running in about 4-1/2 hours, so I'll probably finish with about half the runners ahead of me and half behind. I was thinking it might be better to walk west a few blocks to get the 1/2 rather than the A/C for the trip back to Penn Station. Would that work?
Honestly, I don’t know. Last time I ran NYC was 1998 and I don’t live in NY. Unfortunately your finish time is probably when it will be the most crowded. I agree that getting out of the finish area before catching mass transit makes sense, but I don’t know if it will work in practice.
FWIW, when I ran in 1998 I stayed at a hotel near the finish the night before the race. I parked nearby and was able to go to my car and drive out without too much trouble after the race (I lived in Cherry Hill then).
I lost my rama
Are you bag or poncho at the finish? My last NYCM in 2016, finished 4:12 and was poncho, met my wife at the meeting area and we walked to Columbus Circle to catch the AC to the L (past Penn Station). No problem with the crowds. Either 1/2 or A/C, be prepared to walk quite a bit, but it will all still be worth it.
3/17 - NYC Half
4/28 - Big Sur Marathon DNS
6/29 - Forbidden Forest 30 Hour
8/29 - A Race for the Ages - will be given 47 hours
I'm hoping to be poncho only as my family ought to be there to meet me at the end. Depending on where the exits from the park are, we may catch the A/C a little further north, perhaps around the natural history museum. That's for letting me know not to worry about crowds getting home.
IIRC, I walked to the 1/2 line one year and that first block going west from Central Park is looooong. Post-race, it felt like 2 or 3 blocks rather than 1. I prefer to shuffle along with my fellow runners through the exit area until I reach the A/C stop that's right along Central Park West. The "March of the Blue Ponchos" has actually become part of the experience for me.
I also had to pay at that stop. I think I've been waived through a couple of times on the A/C.
My blog is JT Running DC. It's awesome. Guide to Washington DC Area Running Routes. Guide to the New York City Marathon. Guide to the Boston Marathon. Guide to Running Gear. Guide to Running Clothes.
The "March of the Blue Ponchos" has actually become part of the experience for me. I also had to pay at that stop. I think I've been waived through a couple of times on the A/C.
The "March of the Blue Ponchos" has actually become part of the experience for me.
I LOVE that part of the post race. That's probably the only time you'll be in that area of the city when it's that quiet and surreal.
Yeah, they should let you go without paying, but I guess not all stops have staff at the gates. I always bring the MTA card with me anyway.
IIRC, I walked to the 1/2 line one year and that first block going west from Central Park is looooong. Post-race, it felt like 2 or 3 blocks rather than 1. I prefer to shuffle along with my fellow runners through the exit area until I reach the A/C stop that's right along Central Park West. The "March of the Blue Ponchos" has actually become part of the experience for me. I also had to pay at that stop. I think I've been waived through a couple of times on the A/C.
I love that nickname.
I'll be with family. I'm not going to count on all four of us being waved through. My wife will have a MetroCard.
I would have to dig them out to see which year, but one of my ponchos is orange. Blue and orange are the nyc colours dating to the time it was a Dutch colony.
I wonder how many Mets fans are aware of that history....
Well, my first full week of training is done. I'm trying the Hansons' plan. Anyone else out there using it?
Mel
I’m using one of their 14 week plans from the website, so I have a couple more weeks of base building before my plan starts. They have a great Facebook community if you’re into that kind of thing.
This will be my second NYC after running it in 2016. It’s a fantastic experience! I found the logistics to be easier than I anticipated, although it’s obviously a long morning leading up to the race.
https://www.strava.com/athletes/5411361