New York Marathon 2015

average_runner

yaboya1 wrote: »

I've also booked the 6.45am ferry. Haven't gone ahead with the baggage option yet either, but I reckon I'll probably go with the bag check.

Its a long walk after the marathon. It be good it you could get someone to meet ye afterwards? Also get your metro tickets before the day

Cona

Just booked the Midtown bus to the start. I dont want the hassle of having to get to the ferry at that hour of the morning...Just hop on the bus and conk out..Dont care how long it takes to get to Staten to be honest...

Now to book a hotel...

Itziger

Anyone tempted by the Training Plans these generous Yanks are offering?

The VIP ones at $999.99? No?

Wackoy2k

yaboya1 wrote: »

I've also booked the 6.45am ferry. Haven't gone ahead with the baggage option yet either, but I reckon I'll probably go with the bag check.

I've done 7 NYC marathons (travelled for 8 if you count 2012) which turned into a marathon pub crawl due to the cancellation.

I would recommend going with no baggage drop. It takes longer to exit after the race and trust me, you will want to exit ASAP.

If you go without the baggage drop you will get a nice NYC Marathon fleece lined poncho that will keep you warm as you walk home.

Usually the subway is free on Marathon Sunday but last year this was not the case.

On exit when you collect your poncho turn left and head to the first subway station, grab the train going the opposite station and go up two stations, then swap and head back the way, it beats the queues to board.

When you arrive at Staten Island it can be very cold, last year was Baltic with the wind. There are a few tents but they fill up quickly. My advice, which we have done for a number of years, go to the religious tent, there are chairs there and you can huddle up. We always have a gang there and end up having a laugh.

Buy some cheap clothes before you head out from a sports authority that you can throw away before the start.

Other than that, it is an amazing race and you will enjoy every minute of it.

Coming off the bridge and turning up first avenue is like running out onto Croke Park.

opus

Have to say the New York Road Runners know how to spam you once you're signed up, when it's not emails abut buying gear, it's emails about signing up for that training program mentioned earlier!

Itziger

Folks, The Dead Rabbit pub, owned by two Belfast fellas and situated right down by Wall St. has been named Best Bar in the World!! 'Twould be unbecoming of us not to meet for a quart there at some stage.

yaboya1

Itziger wrote: »

Folks, The Dead Rabbit pub, owned by two Belfast fellas and situated right down by Wall St. has been named Best Bar in the World!! 'Twould be unbecoming of us not to meet for a quart there at some stage.

Suits me perfectly
I'm staying in Chelsea and heading to a friend's bar in Brooklyn later on in the evening.

Itziger

So New York people, how's the training going with 7 weeks left?

Mine has been a mixed bag with 2 or 3 weeks that'll make or break me coming up. I've done a few 20 milers but very little at 'Target' pace yet. Tomorrow I'll try 8 to 10 miles at 4.15.(per km btw, not miles) If that goes ok I have a test/dry run marathon in Karlsruhe on the 20th where I'm hoping to do something along the lines of 4.30 pace to Halfway or a bit beyond and then neg split the second half and do so at sub 3 pace.

That's the theory anyway. Whether any of that will work out in real life is another thing. Haven't followed a plan but am doing a small bit of faster stuff midweek. Thursday I did 10k at approx 3.50 pace, maybe more 3.52. Felt ok actually so maybe I'm coming into a bit of form after all.

Will probably do an easy 10 miler today though I'm nursing a bloody blister, can't afford to screw it up before tomorrow's run. So, share them training stories and not TOOO much sandbagging please.

yaboya1

Itziger wrote: »

Tomorrow I'll try 8 to 10 miles at 4.15.(per km btw, not miles)

Glad you clarified that. For a minute there I thought you were meeting up with Wilson, Dennis & Eluid for a tempo run

yaboya1

Re: Training

Mine hasn't been great, but a few decent runs this week have led me to believe I'm in better shape than I thought I was. I'm probably not going to pb at this stage, but still hoping to give the race a good lash and get a decent time out of it.

Itziger

yaboya1 wrote: »

Glad you clarified that. For a minute there I thought you were meeting up with Wilson, Dennis & Eluid for a tempo run

Yeah, I'm working on a new drier sense of humour. No exclamations marks or smilies.

Will have to sort this blister though. Had to abort today's run as it was getting that bit worse after a few kms. If it doesn't clear up in 24 hours it means putting the Long Run back to Tuesday/Wednesday which is not ideal.

Off to Google 'fastest/best way to treat unpopped blister'.

Yaboya, I haven't really been following your log but I saw you had a couple of problems alright. A fella can make up a lot of ground in 8 weeks once he doesn't try to push too hard.

Bez Bing

My training has been going pretty well, following the P&D 18 week 55 mile p/w plan. Have hit all targets so far but did have a little blip in training when I was back in Ireland on holiday and only managed to get 6 runs in over the two weeks. One week corresponded with a recovery week so that wasn't too bad but I did miss a marathon paced long run.

Have an 18m w 14m @ MP in a couple of weeks which I'm going to run in central park as an organized training run with NYRR and then I have a 1/2 marathon in the Hampton's a couple of weeks after, so those two runs will really tell me where I am.

I'll definitely be glad when to heat and humidity dies down over here!

Itziger

I think I'm back on track. Sorted the unpopped blister (bath salts in water/talcum powder to dry) and got in 20k at PMP in a 32 k run today. Only caveats would be, flat track and only did 6k E before heading into the target pace stuff. Was happy though, I'll admit. After a few 4.20's most of the stuff was around 4.10 pace. I've noticed how much easier it is without the heat and humidity btw Bez. I struggled on a couple of runs in Spain this Summer.

ice9

Hi, myself and my running buddy figured we would enter the lottery seeing as how registration opened on his birthday last january and the race is on mine - Nov 1st. Fate couldn't deny us - and didn't!

We ran Berlin last year and might have met a few of yee but didn't get to any official meets. Might see yee in NY this time.

Training is going ok. Life is getting in the way a bit this time so missing a few on the plan (Hal's Advanced 1). It's about time I decided on a target pace also!

yaboya1

ice9 wrote: »

Hi, myself and my running buddy figured we would enter the lottery seeing as how registration opened on his birthday last january and the race is on mine - Nov 1st. Fate couldn't deny us - and didn't!

We ran Berlin last year and might have met a few of yee but didn't get to any official meets. Might see yee in NY this time.

Training is going ok. Life is getting in the way a bit this time so missing a few on the plan (Hal's Advanced 1). It's about time I decided on a target pace also!

You beat me by one second in Berlin. I'm out for revenge in the Big Apple.
Bring it on!

ice9

yaboya1 wrote: »

You beat me by one second in Berlin. I'm out for revenge in the Big Apple.
Bring it on!

When I said I needed to pick my pace I wasn't looking for challenges!

Berlin was possibly the toughest thing I ever did. Not sure I have that in me for NY this year. We'll see.

Berlin is worth a couple of mins on paper but if we get a cool day in NY that would cancel that out - Berlin was fairly warm. The time is there for the taking!!

Itziger

ice9 wrote: »

When I said I needed to pick my pace I wasn't looking for challenges!

Berlin was possibly the toughest thing I ever did. Not sure I have that in me for NY this year. We'll see.

Berlin is worth a couple of mins on paper but if we get a cool day in NY that would cancel that out - Berlin was fairly warm. The time is there for the taking!!

And a strong Southerly breeze which incredibly disappears as we turn at the 20 mile mark. Does that sound right Bez?

Bez Bing

Wind direction is always hard to judge in this city but the for the run up 1st ave we should have whatever wind is about on our back alrite. The 20m point is where we turn in the bronx to come back down 5th and into central park.:cool:

ice9

anyone aware of the rumour that there is a hidden danger to those waiting around on the lower deck of the Narrows bridge at the start? The rumour is that some peeing on the upper deck finds it's way to the lower deck.

I'm assuming it's an urban myth that those on the bottom deck get more than they bargained for? (I sincerely hope so!)

Any idea how it's decided which groups go upper and which go lower?

And assuming the pee thing is a myth then is there any real reason to prefer the top over the bottom or vice versa?

(it seems there are 3 routes that only converge after about 10K)

Wackoy2k

There are three starts. Two on the top level and one underneath. Orange / Green and Blue.

If you do get the bottom level, just stay on the right side of the lower level. They can only pee off the side. Mostly as they come off the bridge.

A lot of people drink water and when the cold air hits them they need to let go. People are warned about peeing on the bridge so mainly wait till they are off it.

ice9

Wackoy2k wrote: »

There are three starts. Two on the top level and one underneath. Orange / Green and Blue.

If you do get the bottom level, just stay on the right side of the lower level. They can only pee off the side. Mostly as they come off the bridge.

A lot of people drink water and when the cold air hits them they need to let go. People are warned about peeing on the bridge so mainly wait till they are off it.

Ah man, that sounds like it's true :eek:

Right side it is - hopefully I'm on top deck!

pgmcpq

ice9 wrote: »

anyone aware of the rumour that there is a hidden danger to those waiting around on the lower deck of the Narrows bridge at the start? The rumour is that some peeing on the upper deck finds it's way to the lower deck.

I'm assuming it's an urban myth that those on the bottom deck get more than they bargained for? (I sincerely hope so!)

Any idea how it's decided which groups go upper and which go lower?

And assuming the pee thing is a myth then is there any real reason to prefer the top over the bottom or vice versa?

(it seems there are 3 routes that only converge after about 10K)

No, it's not an urban myth ! It's mighty crowded at the start and the queue for the toilets get long and there's a fair while waiting in the corals ....so .... p**s happens as they say .
The advantage of the lower deck is that if the weather is nasty you have shelter ... and again you can be hanging about for a while.

opus

Itziger wrote: »

So New York people, how's the training going with 7 weeks left?

Not going great tbh, too many breaks in training cause of getting sick, holidays, hamstring problems and most recently attending to a funeral abroad. Have two half-marathons & the Athlone 3/4 coming up so should be entertaining (for all the wrong reasons!).

DukeOfDromada

Itziger wrote: »

So New York people, how's the training going with 7 weeks left?

Mine isn't going quite as good as planned. Not able to get the mileage up to what I want or what I did last year. Constantly tired and struggling to get more than 5 runs/week in. At this stage a PB is out the window but will still run the race as hard as I can, would be rude not too.

Cona

Last few weeks were dissapointing for me as I was very tired and not recovering well enough to be able to train good enough. Anyway, I think I am over it and lessons were learned.

with regards to New York Marathon, whats the finish like? My mrs. will be waiting at the end for me so I will need to arrange to meet her somewhere? How chaotic is it?

Any other tips/hints?

average_runner

Cona wrote: »

Last few weeks were dissapointing for me as I was very tired and not recovering well enough to be able to train good enough. Anyway, I think I am over it and lessons were learned.

with regards to New York Marathon, whats the finish like? My mrs. will be waiting at the end for me so I will need to arrange to meet her somewhere? How chaotic is it?

Any other tips/hints?

Get her a ticket for in the grand stand, and I think there is a letter section outside ye can meet at?

Thats what we did.

pgmcpq

Cona wrote: »

Last few weeks were dissapointing for me as I was very tired and not recovering well enough to be able to train good enough. Anyway, I think I am over it and lessons were learned.

with regards to New York Marathon, whats the finish like? My mrs. will be waiting at the end for me so I will need to arrange to meet her somewhere? How chaotic is it?

Any other tips/hints?

Pretty chaotic ! It's been a few years since I was at the finish (and that was pre Boston) but it takes time and patience to finish.

For you it depends on whether you choose bag or poncho. If you choose poncho you get to exit the park earlier. Then you need to turn left out of the park onto 8th/Central Park West and walk down to the family meeting area. Thankfully they are back to using initials again - just agree with who you are meeting what initial you are using ! I'd also make a backup plan in case - the cops have been known to abruptly close streets off making getting to the meeting area a problem.

If you have baggage then it takes longer. It's (unless things have changed) about a mile after the finish line to get to the bag check. Then you exit the park ... turn left and have probably a 1.5 mile walk back.

Not sure what the story is on the finish line stands - I looked into it once but I think it was pretty expensive and once there it you are stuck for the duration. If Mrs is spectating - try 1st avenue, then walk over to 5th, then go south around the park to the meeting area. That's what I'd did the times Mrs P ran it.

http://www.tcsnycmarathon.org/race-day/the-finishpost-finish

Cona

Thanks for the info..I stupidly selected a "Bag Check" and now its too late to change the option. And I will still be heralded to the bag check area even if I don't check a bag. Estimates are 1 hour to get out of this area

pgmcpq

Cona wrote: »

Thanks for the info..I stupidly selected a "Bag Check" and now its too late to change the option. And I will still be heralded to the bag check area even if I don't check a bag. Estimates are 1 hour to get out of this area

I _think_ you could take the early exit .... but then you could be walking around in NY in November cold and wet ( and poncho less ). Not a great situation depending on the weather. It is still going to take time to exit the finish area so it might not be that much of a difference. Baggage collection is a bit of lottery - NYRR did try to eliminate it a few years ago but had to back off after a revolt from local runners.

For what it is worth I opted to check a bag.

Itziger

42.2k done in Karlsruhe yesterday in 3.05.48

Very even splits which is kinda good though it was supposed to be 1.35/1.30, turned into 1.33/1.32

Happy, though still feel a bit off sub 3.

PB though so can't complain.

belcarra

Good man Itzi!
Plenty of time to find a few extra minutes by the time NY rolls around in November!

opus

Itziger wrote: »

42.2k done in Karlsruhe yesterday in 3.05.48

Great stuff, congrats on the pb!

After a painful half in Athlone, was happy that my hamstring held itself together to let me run in Charleville yesterday without having to take walk-breaks. Five mins slower than last year but happy with the outcome

The Athlone 3/4 will be the final test before NY in two weeks time.

Cona

Any suggestions on a half decent camera that could be used to record the marathon while running? It would have to be something discreet that wouldn't affect my running...not sure if a GoPro would be small and light enough

opus

Just over a month to go :eek:

How're things going for everyone? I'm slowly getting back a modicum of fitness & my errant hamstring is fixing itself but think it's too little too late. The 3/4 in Athlone will be a good yardstick I guess so hopefully won't end in tears!

Itziger

Well, I'm more or less on target I think. Karlsruhe went well enough though I don't think sub 3 feels any closer really. My big call is whether to do a marathon on my doorstep here 2 weeks before New York where I go all out and then just jog NYC.

I'm 50/50 on it at the moment.

Bez Bing

Been very happy with my last couple of weeks training, did an 18m w 14 @ PMP two weeks ago and it went very well and then did a 1/2 marathon race at the weekend and picked up a PB.
Feeling good about a sub 3:30 effort.

opus

Itziger wrote: »

Well, I'm more or less on target I think. Karlsruhe went well enough though I don't think sub 3 feels any closer really. My big call is whether to do a marathon on my doorstep here 2 weeks before New York where I go all out and then just jog NYC.

Why not go all out in NY, just wondering? Glad to hear you're on target!

Bez Bing wrote: »

Been very happy with my last couple of weeks training, did an 18m w 14 @ PMP two weeks ago and it went very well and then did a 1/2 marathon race at the weekend and picked up a PB.
Feeling good about a sub 3:30 effort.

Great stuff, looking good so!

Itziger

opus wrote: »

Why not go all out in NY, just wondering? Glad to hear you're on target!

The logic there would be that NY can be tough especially if windy and cool. Then there's the congestion and the fact that the family will want to make it a holiday as opposed to a marathon trip.

But if I don't do Echternach (105 signed up for full so far, so congestion wouldn't be as bad!), then I will give New York a lash.

opus

Itziger wrote: »

The logic there would be that NY can be tough especially if windy and cool. Then there's the congestion and the fact that the family will want to make it a holiday as opposed to a marathon trip.

Makes sense, a friend of mine ran NY last year & she said she was almost blown sideways at times with the wind!

Bez Bing

opus wrote: »

Makes sense, a friend of mine ran NY last year & she said she was almost blown sideways at times with the wind!

New York weather is so unpredictable this time of year.
Friday it was lashing down with really strong winds (tail end of a hurricane) and now this week they are giving it sunny in the mid 70s (20's C)

opus

Came across this video of the course last night so thought I'd post it to whet everyone's appetite

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ua0TOyzmN9k

Bez Bing

Wave and Coral info now available in your NY RR account, just log in and click on Race Details (blue link).

I'm starting in Blue Wave 2 corral F @ 10:15am.

Itziger

Orange Wave 1 Corral A, 9.50 start.

Wave 1, corral A. Sounds like NYRR are more optimistic than me about my performance in this race.

I wasn't getting excited until I saw this........ Thanks Bez!

Training coming along. No complaints so far although taper still to go. Must decide on last long workout for this weekend. The famous 5,4,3,2,1 Tergat session? Too much perhaps. Was also thinking of 10k easy, 10k just above PMP and 10k just below it.

Any thoughts?

Bez Bing

Itziger wrote: »

Orange Wave 1 Corral A, 9.50 start.

Wave 1, corral A. Sounds like NYRR are more optimistic than me about my performance in this race.

I wasn't getting excited until I saw this........ Thanks Bez!

Training coming along. No complaints so far although taper still to go. Must decide on last long workout for this weekend. The famous 5,4,3,2,1 Tergat session? Too much perhaps. Was also thinking of 10k easy, 10k just above PMP and 10k just below it.

Any thoughts?

Whats your target time Itziger? Sounds like I will have a bit of traffic to deal with but at least I'm in the first group of the wave.

Itziger

Bez Bing wrote: »

Whats your target time Itziger? Sounds like I will have a bit of traffic to deal with but at least I'm in the first group of the wave.

Target is the famous 2.59.59. We shall see. 3.05 I can do but the one time I gave 2.59 a lash in last year's Frankfurt marathon I blew up.

But I'm older and wiser now

I'll be picking your brains on a couple of details like meeting the folks and getting back across town after race. We're staying on East 76th.

Bez Bing

Sure fire away with the questions. I live on the Upper east side also so I know the area very well.

I had been targeting sub 3:30 but my training has gone well and I think I have a sub 3:20 in me hmmmm ....

Itziger

Bez Bing wrote: »

Sure fire away with the questions. I live on the Upper east side also so I know the area very well.

I had been targeting sub 3:30 but my training has gone well and I think I have a sub 3:20 in me hmmmm ....

Cool, couple of stores, restaurants, bars and delis so that you'd recommend! I've visited New York half a dozen times or more but Upper East Side wouldn't be too familiar with. I think we're between 2nd and 3rd.

You'd be mad not to go for sub 3.20.

Bez Bing

Itziger wrote: »

Cool, couple of stores, restaurants, bars and delis so that you'd recommend! I've visited New York half a dozen times or more but Upper East Side wouldn't be too familiar with. I think we're between 2nd and 3rd.

You'd be mad not to go for sub 3.20.

You're in a decent spot, there are some great bars on 2nd between 80th and 86th.
Some Id recommend:
The Penrose (one of my fav bars),
Bondurants (great craft beer selection),
Supply House (good for NFL),
5 mile stone all on 3rd ave between 80th and 86th.

Delis are on every corner and you wont really go wrong with any.
Def get a chicken parm sandwich!
H&H is a great spot for bagels on 2nd between 80th & 81st.

Uva is a nice little Italian restaurant and on 3rd.
Also Pizza beach is a cool pizza bar on 3rd around 80th street.

If you like your meat there's a great Argentinian place called Libertador on 89th and 2nd or try Texas De Brazil on 60th and 3rd.

Further a field I would recommend checking out the Dead Rabbit in the Financial District.
It's run by two lads from Belfast and has won loads of awards for cocktails.

I really like the East Village and West Village as areas to check out, again lots of great bars and restaurants in both neighborhoods.

A brunch spot I like is The Smith on 2nd around 50th street.

If you're looking for any particular recommendations let me know.

DukeOfDromada

Bez Bing wrote: »

Wave and Coral info now available in your NY RR account, just log in and click on Race Details (blue link).

I'm starting in Blue Wave 2 corral F @ 10:15am.

Thanks for this. Wouldn't have known otherwise. I'm in Wave 1 Corral A thankfully as I hear there are some bottle necks coming off the Verrazano bridge.

Training not going great. First run back today in 2 weeks after a chest infection. Not great timing but better than during the marathon. Training before that wasn't great either but some blood work pointed to low iron which will hopefully be the cause of my problems. Probably a bit too late for NY but we'll see.

Great list of recommendations there Bez Bing. More importantly though, what pub/bar would you recommend for meeting up after the marathon? We are staying 30-32 West 31st Street so somewhere close to that would be good I'd say it'll be later in the day when we're ready to meet as we'll all want to lie down after walking for so long to get out of Central Park.:rolleyes:

pgmcpq

DukeOfDromada wrote: »

More importantly though, what pub/bar would you recommend for meeting up after the marathon? We are staying 30-32 West 31st Street so somewhere close to that would be good I'd say it'll be later in the day when we're ready to meet as we'll all want to lie down after walking for so long to get out of Central Park.:rolleyes:

Personally I'd be game for a beer/food immediately after - preferably midtown where it will be easier to get around. Once I head home to shower etc, I doubt I'd be able to haul myself back out into the city again.

Blue Wave 1 Corral D.

Might have been a bit optimistic with my target time.