I Did It!

What an incredible weekend !

I wanted to give it a day or 2 before I wrote about my experience running the New York City Marathon, I had a wide range of emotions that I needed to sift through before I can really let you know how I felt about it. In fact I am still trying to sort it out as I heal from from the aches and pains .

Me at the Expo

I have to say this was one of the most incredible things that I have been a part of. It is so easy to get swept up in the emotion of the event and I did. Throughout the race I kept thinking that I am running the freaking NYC Marathon! This was a a dream of mine since I first laced up my running shoes and heard about a Math teacher at my high school who ran it. I also ran the first 15 miles with my brother Kevin , which made it even more special.

My first reaction to the race was disappointment, my personal best marathon was a 3 hours and 34 minutes , I did that back in 2011 in Erie PA. I finished Sunday with a 3 hours and 59 performance. It was my second worse marathon ever. I can put that on not being very smart with my nutrition and hydration before and during the race. I got caught up in everything that was going on that I did not prepare my body the way I should and was playing catch up throughout the race. Lesson learned.

My brother and I before
the race

I also felt so much pride in my brother Kevin (A.K.A The Wouk) , he crushed his personal best time ! Kevin ran a very smart , determined race and was rewarded with such an awesome result. I also want to thank him,his wife Kristen and his friend Johnny (who ran with me and Kevin) for showing such great hospitality for me and my wife this past weekend. Kevin and Kristen have been so supportive of me since I got back into running , offering advice and cheering me every step of the way . They have been my un-official coaches, and big part of any success I have had.

Another person who has helped me is my friend Tracy, I have known who Tracy was since my high school days when she was one of the area's top runners. We were introduced through a mutual friend and she has had to deal with my stupid questions and lame attempts at trash talking ever since. I am so impressed with her determination and dedication , that paid off with a personal best and a third Boston Marathon qualifying time on Sunday. I am very proud of her!

Crowd shot my wife took , it was loud!

The crowds were just simply amazing in New York, it seemed like a different city than the one that I have visited several times before. The crowd was shoulder to shoulder on both sides of the street the entire 26.2 miles . They were so loud and supportive! I can not tell you how many people I gave high fives too! The excitement on people's faces is something I will never forget. I have so many stories that I could share hereabout people who I met or saw along away, it would take forever to write. I will share with you about a man who seem to be  homeless . Walked up to me as I was trying to stretch out a cramp, and was trying so hard to encourage me to keep moving it got me through pretty much the rest of the race.

Thank you to everyone who sent me words of encouragement before,during and after the race. You don't know how much it means to know that so many people were supportive of what I did. I wish there was a way that I could show you how much I appreciate it other that saying thank you.

My wife Sheri has always been my biggest supporter. Someone said recently that she is my rock , I will do one better. She is the foundation for everything in my life, without her I would fall apart. God truly got got it right when he paired us together.I thank Him every day for that.

Now what?

I am mulling over several things I want to do next year, but I haven't nailed down anything yet. For now I can relax and be proud that I was a part of something truly amazing and created a memory that will be with me the rest of my life.