NYC MARATHON PHOTO OVERLOAD

My fellow marathoners know how important it is to set out your gear the night before the race. Knowing I have everything I need helps me get pumped for the race.  I love the pre-race inventory!

Me with the folks on Staten Island before the race.  We were on the island for 3 hours in the ridiculous cold before the starting gun went off.  It takes a lot of time to get 38,000 runners corralled into their starting gates on time, so I understand, but THREE HOURS!?!  This was not necessarily my most favorite part of the race... more about this later.


Largest gathering of runners in the world = world's largest gathering of port-a-john's.  

Just after the start on the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge from Staten Island to Brooklyn.  

There were helicopters, coast guard boats, fire engines, etc. etc. etc. cheering us on as we began the race.  Oh yeah, we're pretty much a big deal. 

A sea of runners merged at about mile 8.

I heart Brooklyn! Running through this borough was pretty much a huge party. There were bands, a gospel choir, dancers, cheerleaders, and thousands of screaming supporters.

Brooklyn also brought us "Larry the Lighthouse."  I said to my mom, "I'll be damned if I get beat by a guy in a lighthouse!" No worries, Larry ate my dust.

All kinds of people set a goal to run a marathon, no matter what their physical 'limitations' may be.  NYC was definitely no exception.  People like this guy are my inspiration and a reminder that there is no excuse for putting off my goals.

Manhattan!!!  This is on the bridge going from Brooklyn to Queens (just past the 1/2 way point).

Before the race I read an article in Runners World about 81 year old Stanley Rygor and his cute wife Kathleen who have been giving runners a much needed boost with their accordion folk songs since 1985. Of course I had to get a picture with them! This race is loaded with wonderful characters like the Rygor's.

This is coming out of Queens into Manhattan... my back started to spaz out (standing in the cold on Staten Island for THREE HOURS = back problems for Katie), but the roar of the HUGE crowd gave me enough of a boost to make it to a first aid station...

Where there just happened to be a chiropractor!

These guys saved the marathon for me. I wish I could find a way to thank my miracle workers. There is no way I could have finished the race without their help. Thanks guys!

Running into Central Park was a true religious experience... a running revival!  Hallelujah!  

I don't think there was any other way I could have finished this race... I got the most amazing surge of energy when I saw the finish line.  It was a truly indescribable moment.  

I am glad to have run 6 marathons in one year, but it's not something I plan on doing again anytime soon.  I'll likely run 2 big races next year (St. George and ?), but might also try a mini-triathlon.  Any suggestions?

There really isn't anything quite like hugging your husband after thinking about him for 26.2 miles.  I am a ridiculously lucky woman to have such a supportive man.

The 3 amigos have done it again!  A huge thank you to my Mom and Dad for spending a wonderfully unforgettable weekend in NYC with us!