Luggage vans in front of Verazzona bridge at start of New York City marathon

I’m very disappointed that due to injury I have had to cancel my entry this week for the ING New York City marathon on Sunday. Whilst I probably could make it round, I haven’t trained properly  for almost  5 weeks and I wouldn’t be able to put in a good performance, so I’d rather save myself for a different marathon in the new year.

As I have helped before at both the start and finish of the race, as well as running myself last year, I have a few tips to pass on to anyone else racing on Sunday.  There are many people giving advice on running a marathon, New York Road Runners give their own advice on completing the race along with their race etiquette suggestions, which I have touched on in a previous post. Marathons also put a lot of stress on the body. If you have been suffering from any recent illnesses or have not been able to train as planned it is always acceptable to withdraw from the race and enter another later on. No matter what your experience make sure you rehydrate efficiently and don’t push yourself too hard.

Paula Radcliffe has also given her own tips to first timers running the New York City Marathon and surprisingly some of her observations apply to both the elite and mass participation runners. Observations such as the Jewish Rabbis, who obliviously walk straight in front of the runners with no concern for anyone else, whether they are leading the race or as I experienced when you are part of the mass pack. Can’t give any advice here except watch out especially as you run through Brooklyn around miles 9-10.

To allow time to arrive at the 5am coach pick up I had to leave before 4am, which was over 6hrs before the race starts, so I recommend you take food with you to eat at the start area. There is food available at the start but personally I found bagels too heavy to digest before a race so I prefer to take my own bananas and dried toast. When I volunteered at the start food stands I was surprised how many people were taking energy bars they had never tried before and eating them before the race or asking my advice on what they should eat before the race. The day of the race is not the time to be trying out new products and you should have already established your pre race breakfast. By all means take the free samples but save them to try during future training sessions.

Runners wait in start corral as others run across Verazzona bridge.

As the marathon starts on Staten Island which can only be assessed by official transportation you end up having to arrive very early in the morning. Aside from the very long wait allowing your nerves to develop and boredom to set in, it is also very cold at 5am on a November morning. I recommend taking a book or magazine with you for entertainment, something to sit on such as a plastic bag and the side of a packing box as insulation from the cold wet floor, or even a blow up pillow. In spite of wearing three layers of clothing I was freezing whilst waiting 5 hours for the start and I noticed a few people were sitting inside sleeping bags, which I would recommend. I don’t know if they are accepted in the luggage trucks as you need to use the clear plastic bags provided so it may be necessary to try to find a cheap one you won’t mind if you have to leave it behind.  Also you have to drop off your bags and move to the start corrals over 1 hour before the race starts so it’s a good idea to wear old clothes over your race kit that you can remove just before the start. After the start volunteers collect the clothes to be donated to charity.

For those of you who haven’t raced a large marathon before you may not be aware of the blue line on the course. Whilst it is mainly of use for the elite runners, it indicates the route to run exactly 26.2miles. I’m not suggesting you religiously try to follow the line especially at the beginning but it can give you an indication where the turns in the course are as the line crosses over the road. According to my GPS I often run more than 1 mile extra during a marathon, something it would be good to avoid when you are already covering 26.2miles. It actually only equates to around 60meters extra per mile which isn’t much when you consider how much you move weaving between the crowds or crossing over towards the drink stations. Whilst every metre adds up, following the blue line will help to reduce your extra miles.

Finally make sure you remember to turn your clocks back on Saturday night before you go to bed so you take advantage of the extra hour of sleep.

Good luck to everyone running on Sunday.

Last week was the ballot for the ING New York City Marathon. Over 100,000 people applied to be part of the 40^th running of this event, on 1^st November. Less than 40,000 will get to run it on the day, so if you didn’t get in you are not alone.

Fortunately for me as a New York Road Runner member I was able to secure a place. This will be my 12^th marathon and second in New York after running it last year. I have also volunteered at the start and finish areas of this race, so I will have loads of advice and tips specific to this race, to bring to you over the next few months.

If you didn’t get in the ballot and still want to run this year then you can still get guaranteed entries through the charity program or if you live overseas through the international travel partners. If you have never run a marathon before or are desperate to race in New York this year then that could be an option for you. Personally I would try again next either in the ballot (after 3 rejections your guaranteed to be accepted) or by running a time fast enough to automatically qualify (Men half 1.23; full 2.55. Women half 1.37; full 3.23).

Many people want to run New York because it is one of the big five, part of the world marathon majors. I admit that there is a great atmosphere running in one of those races, having also run in London and Berlin. But there are also great experiences at other major city marathons held later in the year. Dublin and Venice marathons are held the weekend before New York. At the end of November I have previously enjoyed racing the picturesque marathon in Florence, Italy. In the US the Philadelphia marathon is held a few weeks after New York, starting to Rocky’s theme tune and finishing in front of the museum of art. For more ideas check out 42k195k.com, this site has a great comprehensive list of marathons around the world. So if your training partner got through to New York you can still enjoy your long training runs together as long as you each taper properly as your race approaches.

If you are not up to marathon standard yet why not take part in the additional shorter races that often accompany the main event. Philadelphia also runs a half marathon and 8k at the same time and in September, Nottingham hold’s the Robin Hood Festival of Running combining full and half marathons, fun runs and relays.

So there are only 142 days till I will be on the start line on Staten Island, New York. Wherever you decide to race this autumn, keep checking Strenua’s World for training suggestions, recovery advice and tips for race day. Also let us know if you are running this year in New York or if you have any great marathon advice.