NYCM2005 - Sue McNulty-Atwater Race Report

Race Report

New York City Marathon

Sunday, November 6, 2005

Race Report --- NYC Marathon 2005

It was a much different NYC Marathon than my first time in 2002. I can't compare the two...the first time was the best because it was new, exciting, and so unique, lots of Penguin runners. Yes, your first NYC Marathon is the best, at least it was for me...but my second is so different, I can't compare the two races.

This NYC Marathon was warm. It got into the high 50's before the race start, no need for gloves or cover-up clothes before the race to keep warm...it was warm already. Then by 1pm it was in the low's 80s. Too warm for me, but nothing I could do about it. I trained in cold weather, and it was so rainy while I did my last training run that I had two coates on and never got my long run finished with the pouring down rain and wind....I made it to 14 miles in my longest training run, and then Ben came and got me...I was drenched.

The 2005 NYCM had a very few Penguins...only 4 of us at the tent before the start of the race. Daniel Wellner, Ricky & his wife, and me. That's all. It was very foggy....sadly, I couldn't see the Manhattan skyline from the start going over the V. Bridge. I was only 6 minutes from the starting line...good ol' veteran runner, Daniel Wellner, got me to the very start of the running line. I started out with Daniel, but told him I didn't want to hold him back...I knew I had to go my own pace. After 1.5 miles, Daniel left, and I was on my own. I never ran a marathon alone, but this time...I was okay. I didn't mind at all. I ran my 2nd mile in 12 minutes, feeling great. I was pacing myself. At mile 3, I saw my husband, Ben. He saw me...he had tears in his eyes. It was the first time he ever saw any type of road race, let along a marathon like NYC. He was amazed at the number of people running and the different skill levels. He enjoyed his time as a spectator.

On purpose, I ran a very conservative race, but runing at a steady pace for the first 8 miles. I saw Ben again at mile 8....he took my photo. I was glad he got to come with me...he only got lost on the subway once---and that was at the beginning trying to leave the hotel where the subway station was closed. I was so proud of him, as I had prayed for him while I was running that he would not get lost in the city trying to track me along the course.

I ran and felt great for the first 12 miles. As always, Brooklyn was great...the people in front of the Baptist church gave me a bananna. The crowd was as great as it was the first time I ran in 2002. Lots of runners in costumes....I'll send you photos tomorrow. Ben took photos of all the crazy runners.

Then at mile 13, half-way, I got some back pain. I never had that before....hmmm, new one for me. I started walking more than running. I tried running more again, but it wasn't getting any better. I took some Tyenol. That helped, but not totally. Ben met me before the halfway point, and gave me some salty pretzels to boost my sodium. The heat for this time of year was really getting to me....here, I thought it was going to be in the 30s or low 40s all day!!! And it was in the low 80s according to a sign in Brooklyn!!!

Overall, I ran really slow....after I hit the half way point...and I still sweated like bullets. I just wanted to finish....my time wasn't important. I knew going into the marathon that I hadn't trained enough to run a 5 hour marathon....not even a 6 hour. I just did the best with what I had prepared for....wondering if I should even be out running at all. Many people would have NEVER even tried running a marathon with as little training as I had...I run weekly, but just with my dog around my village. I did a couple long runs, but nothing like I used to do when I would REALLY train.

As I entered Queens, I met another runner....a 52 year old guy, close to 280 lbs, from London. His name was Kevin. He was walking/running the marathon for charity...to support Cystic Fiborsis. He was really nice...we kept pace with each other from mile 14 until mile 22. Along the way another runner from another country who actually had Cystic Fiborisis came up to us and hugged Kevin because he was running for support of it. He told us his story---two lung transplants, and a kidney transplant---he was running a marathon after all that...it was enough to make my pain go away. Kevin was a funny guy....it was only his 2nd marathon, and he hated the bridges....but enjoyed the people of NYC who cheered he and I on as we ran past them.

As I ran down 1st Ave, it was great to hear my name called out constantly. I wanted to run faster, but knew I didn't have enough training to push it....running is a very honest sport...you truly get out of it what you put into it. I was humbled that I just made it that far. I saw Ben after I got off the Queensboro Bridge. He gave me more pretzels.

I looked forward to getting into Harlem, for I was suppose to see Ben again...but I didn't see him....I got worried. I kept going, but started praying, for I was sure something happened to Ben....what would I do? I was approaching Mile 20, and I knew I would have seen him by then....finally, my cell phone rang. It was Ben, he was back at Mile 18 looking for me---oh, I had already gone past!!!! At least he was okay, I felt better now.

The final 5 miles of the race were long....I slowed down dramactically and my left knee was hurting a bit... at mile 23 I was feeling some pain for the first time....thank goodnes, once I hit the 116th block of 5th Avenue I saw Ben. I could not run any more. He and I walked the rest of the way...I was taking more Tyenol. I knew I had not trained enough....but I was still in the race. My time didn't matter anymore. I wasn't going to make the 6:30 mark....and I soon realized that I wasn't going to achieve 7 hours either.....

They started taking the signs down along the course....it was dark. And they moved all the remaining runners to the sidewalks. It hurt to walk on the un-even brick sidewalks along Centeral Park....Ben was with me, thank goodness.

I was ready to quit at mile 25....but there were still spectators cheering me on. At mile 25, I saw Karen Bingham...she was walking in an older man who was trying to finish as well. I wasn't alone in my pain... Finally, I reached the 26 mile marker...and I let go of Ben's hand and tried to run a little---waddle---to the finish line. OH, I was so glad it was over. I was amazed, that I never cried during the race, I don't think I ever really broke down.....somehow, I knew I had nothing to prove. I've run many marathons, this one was just the longest ever for me.

Once again, the Lord humbled me....oh, the joy of a marathon.

Thanks for all your prayers,
Susan McNulty-Atwater