The Big Apple. The Big Race.

Mike ran the 2013 ING Marathon in New York City, New York on November 3, 2013.  He didn't just run it.  He ROCKED it.

 

I have a few photos and stories to share in this post, with more to come (Jill had her real camera and I only took my phone).

 

What Mike saw at the starting line on Staten Island at 7:00 am before the race:

 

 

Mike and our friend and his training partner, Wes Penn, close to the starting line.  We had beautiful weather the days before the race but it was literally freezing (in the 30s with a wind chill in the 20s) the morning of the race.  Winds howled at close to 25 mph during the race -- and in the face of the runners for the majority of the race.  I tell you this because it shows Mike and Wes' outcomes were that much more impressive.

 

 

Wes took this along the race route and it gives you an idea of the number of runners (50,000+ total) and spectators.  It was awesome.  I don't have a better way to describe the pulse of the city for this race but just to saw it was AWESOME.

 

Mike made a bed behind some port-a-potties in the grass before the race started to try to stay warm.  He and Wes called it the "Hobo Camp."  Whatever works :)

 

 

Mike at Mile 8.  He was so happy and said "this is awesome!"  We saw Wes a little while later (he started in a corral after Mike) and he said, "Mile 8 is rockin'!"

 

 

Jill and I were rushing around the subways and literally running (through Central Park for one) to see the guys at several spots around the course.  We saw them both at mile 8, Wes at 17, Mike at 24, and both after the finish.  Security was so tight there were only two exits out of Central Park and you could not get anywhere near the finish line.  We did not stop to eat, use the restroom, shop, or anything in between.  I could not have picked a better spectating partner/friend to watch the race with!

 

 

Mike at mile 24 still looking strong:

 

 

I love this man.  I am SO proud of him.  He finished the race at under 4 hours -- his goal -- and was all smiles!

 

 

Mike's time was 3:54:17 and Wes finished at 4:20:01. Rock Stars.  I was also impressed by the number of disabled/blind runners that I saw (all with 2 guide runners) on the course.  You have no excuses not to finish when you see amputees, blind runners, and men and women in their 80s.

 

We went to a great Irish pub in Columbus Circle after the race for beers and snacks.  It was PACKED with racers and spectators and was the most fun I've had in a long time.

 

 

We finished off Marathon Sunday with dinner at the Strip House.  As in steaks.  Really delicious ones at that.

 

 

Mike made The New York Times.  Who else can say that? Not me. Not many.

 

 

While we were in NYC, we had some fun other than the race.  Here we are after a dinner in Times Square at a Broadway show - The Book of Mormon.

 

 

And here we are at the Metropolitan Museum of Art:

 

 

Mike in front of the original of Washington Crossing the Delaware:

 

We also enjoyed the knight/armor exhibit and brought the boys back some cool souvenirs from the MET store.

 

We went to the 9-11 Memorial on Saturday morning.  We wanted to be respectful so we did not take any photos inside the memorial but trust me when I say it was takes your breath away.  Here we are outside the World Trade Center site close to the Memorial entrance. 

 

 

The trip did not start or end well.  Cole and I were both at the doctor on the morning we left - Cole with strep and me with an ear infection.  Mike and I had an early morning flight out of Houston that was cancelled.  We were re-booked, but not on a direct flight and the ticket agents in Atlanta unnecessarily made us check our bag when there was still plenty of overhead bin space.  On the way home we were trapped in LaGuardia airport for 10+ hours after two flights cancelled because of maintenance issues.  Delta gave us $12 in meal vouchers.  A pack of gum in the airport cost more than that. We finally made it home at 1:00 am on Monday.  Lesson learned that we will never fly Delta again.  However, we WILL travel for another race in another city and have another amazing time together. 

 

I am beyond proud of Mike, very thankful to my dad for keeping the boys, and grateful for good friends to share this experience with.