NYCM2002 - Susan McNulty

Race Report

New York City Marathon

Sunday, November 3, 2002

I, too, am still wearing my medal. I feel very selfish for doing so, especially at work...so I have placed it under my sweater. I guess I'm in awe that I finished....it was all because of God...and my angel, Mike.

I'm crazy busy with deadlines today at work, so I may not post my race report until later....I got in late last night from NYC....well, actually I was locked out of my house. My door got stuck shut...long story...but my neighbor helped me get the front door open.

But, oh....I can't thank my guardian angel, fellow runner, fellow Penguin, and NASCAR fan..the incredible Mike Griffin enough.

What a day it was...oh, I learned so much, and enjoyed it--despite it all----it was worth it. Well worth it.

And yes, Mike Griffin was an angel to run with...he IS my guardian angel. Such a gentleman and a man of Christ-like character...Wow! In the midst of my pain he would not leave me, and he could have kept running a good pace to finish in at least a 5:30 or better. But he didn't...he stayed with me..all 6 hours and something. My worst time EVER....but I am still in awe of his support to help me keep going, because I truly wanted to lay down in the middle of 1st Avenue and just die....I've run other marathons, but have never felt that bad at the end as I did at the mid-point of NYC Marathon. I'm seeing a doctor about my stomach pain this week. By mile 20, I could not speak much...I could only cry...my legs wanted to run, but my stomach did not...for the first time in my life I felt completely helpless, totally dependant upon God and my angel, Mike Griffin. It was an amazing lesson of humility.... So, although it was not my finest run, it was my most memorable. I have never felt so much love. It was like a dream...amidst the pain, I enjoyed the people of NYC, their support exceeded my expectations, the scenery of the city was great...and I was in awe that Mike stayed with me the whole way.....perhaps this is what heaven is like? It was everything Ron Horton told me it would be, and more. I woke up yesterday morning at 5am before I went to work, and as I laid in bed I cried,....the dream was over...until next November.