I FINISHED!!!!!!!! 

New York Marathon Done!!!!! 

I completed my second New York City Marathon.  

I love Marathon Day in New York City.

  After the race, I hauled a bicycle pedicab taxi ride back to my hotel.

It was nice to be greeted by you Ed Stairman, on the sidewalk next to our hotel. 

That meant a lot to me.  

Love you. 

Why I Love Team for Kids

……Running gave me a purpose, confidence, and identity. I know firsthand the work this charity does. I want all kids to discover running and blossom. 

……………………………………………………….

MY MARATHON STORY……..

Saturday 

My spouse and I flew to New York on Saturday.

My husband was my marathon supporter this weekend.  

We arrived in New York around noon and headed to the expo to pick up my bib number and some swag. 

We had a nice dinner at Il Mulino, and then it was time for bed.

I am a creature of habit; this has been my go-to restaurant for past marathons.

I am also superstitious when it comes to running a marathon. 

I consider it bad luck to wear my Celebration New York Marathon 2024 Jacket anywhere until I cross the Finish line. 

Also, nothing New on Race Day! 

Marathon

Sunday morning arrived, and I left my hotel around 7:15 in the morning. 

I walked to the private Team for Kids ferry, which took the team to Staten Island.

The ferry even cruised right past the Statue of Liberty on the way.

Once on Staten Island, our team was guided to buses for a 3-mile ride to Fort Wadsworth public park.  

Team for Kids had a tent area, complete with food, drinks, heat, volunteers, and porta-potties.

We also stretched and mentally prepared ourselves to run 26.2 miles.

Around ten thirty, it was time for my corral to line up. 

We lined up for the start of the race on the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge.

The national anthem played, and we were off. 

I got in the “focus zone “and ran.   

Fellow runners have told me I become so hyper-focused that if someone yelled, “Go, Robin,” I probably would not hear them.

I trusted that my body knew what it was supposed to do from all the past training. 

I used the Jeff Galloway run/walk method.  

The weather was also in my favor. 

It ranged from 49-60 degrees. 

I walked through every water station and took walking breaks throughout the miles. The run-walk intervals kept me comfortable without feeling miserable. 

I reached 20 miles, 6 more to go.

The last 6 miles are always the hardest.  

I only had 6.2 miles to go.

I counted my steps…1, 2, 3, 4 and repeated right foot, and left foot several times. Hopefully, no one heard me counting to myself or saying right foot, left foot repeat. 

Also, I waved to all the spectators gathered along the course. 

I high-fived volunteers, thanked the folks at the water stations, talked to fellow runners, and waved to the fans, EMTS, police, and firefighters along the course.

Soon, the finish line appeared.  

I sprinted and crossed the finish line. 

I had a good race.