New York Marathon Report
Nov. 7, 2004

Click here to skip through all this crap and go straight to the photos

My New York Marathon experience had it's low points and high points. Overall, it was a pretty cool experience running one of the most famous marathons in the world. Just one more item that I can remove from my "things to do in my lifetime" list.

My New York experience started at a somewhat low point. I was on a limited budget so I stayed at a New York hostel at a cost of $35 per night. Not bad considering the location - Upper Central Park west area. After shuttles, trains, subways and a grunch load of walking I arrived at the Hostel - no thanks to any help from New Yorkers. My marathon experience would have been better if it weren't for those pesky New Yorkers. Every rumor I had ever heard about New Yorkers was true. After attempting to ask directions from New Yorkers on the streets and subway stations, no one really seemed to want to help. People seemed to back off as if I was trying to mug them. I quickly found out that if someone was friendly to you it was because they were tourists or money was involved. Making eye contact with New Yorkers was bad omen and you would quickly look away if your eyes did happen to meet someone else's on the subway. Walkmans/MP3 players are big in New York. Just another method to avoid communications with a human while riding the subways or walking down the streets. Anyway back to the Marathon.

Pre Race:
The morning of the race was pretty cold. We got bussed to the starting area early in the morning. The wait is a little shorter than the Boston Marathon pre-race wait. You can easily get a decent nap before it's time to warm-up. I tried to bundle up with the little gear I had and took a short nap on the grass underneath a tent. When I couldn't take the cold anymore, I got up and found a nice cozy spot in the sun which was already shining. My pre race meal consisted of a bagel, two power bars, and lot's of Gatorade spread out over the morning. One last thing I like to take before a race when it's available is a little caffeine. A small cup of coffee with plenty of sugar gives me just the right amount of caffeine boost I need before a cold race.

Starting line:
I was really amazed at how close I was to the front at the starting area. As you can see from my photos (below), the elite runners were not too far up in front of me. It seemed like it was a long wait before the starting gun went off. Runners were well hydrated from the look of the street below our feet. We had plenty of speakers before the start - Former mayor of New York Giuliani said a couple of words. The star spangle banner was sung especially nice. Once the gun went off, it only took my a few seconds to pass the starting line timing mats and we were well into the 2004 New York Marathon.

During the Race:
I started off at a decent pace and felt like I could maintain. It was a good pace for enjoying the sights of New York and the runners along the course. I took plenty of pictures knowing perfectly well I was adding valuable seconds to my marathon time. I maintained essentially the same pace until mile 22 when I entered Central park from the north. I started having some signs of fatigue, most likely due to low weekly mileage in my training program. It really didn't place any pressure on me because I was here to enjoy the experience of running New York. I was not about to put myself through any form of extreme punishment to finish this marathon. I was satisfied with my time at the finish and felt that I had obtained a respectable time for a "fun run marathon". I had never done this before for a race and I managed to enjoy the experience of running the New York Marathon, relatively pain free.

Post Race:
The post race amenities at the finish was a big disappointment considering I was running one of the most famous marathons in the world. It was pathetic. Here's basically what happens: You finish the race, they take your chip, you get a mylar blanket, they give you a tiny bag with an apple and a banana and some kind of nutrition bar, and they chute you out of the finish area like a herd of cattle going for slaughter. I asked one of the volunteers, "Where's all the post race food?" and they reply, "Didn't you get a plastic bag with food?" That's it! a banana and an apple. I was hungry and a banana and an apple was just not going to cut it. I guess I'm spoiled from the Houston marathon with breakfast provided by HEB at the GRB convention center. This was pathetic. I would have expected more from one of the most famous marathons in the world! NOT HERE. I felt like I was just kicked in the ass and sent home. Where's all the GLORY from finishing a marathon.

Post Race Party:
The post race party and dance at a local club was also pathetic. I felt like I had just entered a nursing home for the elderly. Did all these old folks run the marathon, did I go to the wrong place, maybe it's an AARP only party? Did these people run the marathon? Well, at least they had the marathon video playing on two very large big screen TVs. NOT! The video kept breaking up and no editing whatsoever was done on the video. All the advertising commercials were left in - the local news people kept interrupting, then they would go to normal TV commercials. It seemed like some schmo had just learned how to work a VCR and had just recorded the local news coverage of the race on his 13" TV and then came in to play it. They eventually just cut the race coverage video and went to something else.

Final Comments:
The only thing I have to say about the NYC marathon is that the race directors need to take some lessons from the Boston marathon race organizers on how to put on a marathon maybe even the Houston marathon race directors.

Would I do New York again you ask? Hell NO. It's good for one time and that's it.

All New York Marathon photos taken by Pete Gaytan, webmaster, photographer and marathoner, except for the ones that I'm in the photo - duh!

New York Marathon Start Area	Now thats a marathon picture. Posing in front of the porta potty's.	The 1-999 corral gets extra room to warmup.	Waiting for the start to open	We have to cross that bridge!!?
Waiting on the "elite" professional runners to arrive.	The elite professional arrive. I wasn't too far behind them.	A sea of runners	Why do the Elites always get a head start?
... and the gun goes off!	Playing with my camera.	A interesting view of the bridge	There goes my plan for staying with the Kenyan runners	I lost around 30 seconds crossing this bridge so I could stop and take photos just for you.
There goes another 10 seconds added to my time.	Scenic view picture of New York - priceless!	Entering Brooklyn turf	7:18 pace at the 3 mile point. Not too bad.	These runners aren't looking too happy
Mile 5 water stop
Two Jewish guys pose for a photo under the 10 mile marker.		Where's the "Go Pete" sign?	Half way there. With only one 18 mile long run and 38-39 miles weeks in my marathon training, there is no way I am running negative splits.	Had to stop to take more pictures - another 30-40 seconds. I hope you all are enjoying my photos at the expense of my marathon time.
Empire State Building rises above the rest.	Actually stopped to talk to another guy taking photos and says that the twin towers would have been here in the distance.	One of the best views of New York City	Leaving Queens without getting mugged	Mile 15 on the Queensboro bridge
Stop for another photo - 5 seconds	Running in Manhattan First Aveneue. Feeling tired now	Runner crowds are getting thin. I'm feeling tired	Feeling tired	Entering the Bronx at mile 20. Feeling really tired.
Another Kodak moment. I'm not tired anymore.	Nike inspirations. 5.2 miles left and my recent boost of energy propels me to the finish line.	Our stay in the Bronx is short - only 1 mile.	In Manhattan again running down 5th Ave	Getting tired again
22 miles	23 miles	24 miles. I could pick up the pace - NOT!	What an inspiration to us all. No legs and still able to run a marathon.	Mile 25, only 1.2 miles to go
	Mile 26, I'm home free	Another mile 26 marker!	Finish in sight.	Fin! Official Chip Time 3:19:11
Mylar blankets keep the runners warm.	New York City Marathon Timing Chip.
		One of my fans takes a picture.	New York Photos from here. Radio City Music Hall	The Plaza Hotel
When Harry Met Sally Restaurant. Meg Ryan had her fake "O" here. Also, good location for local pubs.	A Central Park runner.	one view from Central Park	"To run or not to run" in Central Park.
	Belvedere Castle in Central Park	Mr. Belvedere was not home.	Times Square a place to advertise your company if your big enough.	I wasn't too impressed by Times Square.
A view from my room. Look closer .... no closer.	Bridge for Sale. Cheap.	New York Skyline from the ferry.	Liberty Island used to be a fort along time ago.
A closer look at the New York Skyline	The Statue of Liberty has a copper outer skin. She turns green because of the effects of oxidation of copper. Only a chemist would know this!	Bird seeks freedom on Liberty Island. Freedom from all the hustle and bustle of New York City.	European Immigrants received here at Ellis Island. Mexicans were already here and waxed the floor. We only had a river to cross.	Old Glory
Verazano-Narrows Bridge. Staten Island to Brooklyn. We had to run across this bridge for the marathon.			Nice color.	Cool picture. Superman was able to leap a tall building. I wonder if Metropolis had any this tall?
No, this is not the Shlitz Malt liquor bull.	This is Wall Street. Can you believe it, I "hit the wall" the day after the marathon instead of at mile 20.	Inside view of Trinity Church on Wall street.	Impressive monument on a grave site outside Trinity Chuch.	Trinity Church at the end of Wall Street. They need a church here for all the crooked brokers to go to after they lose our money on Walln St.
	New York Stock Exchange while markets were open. They wouldn't let me in to trade my Enron stock.	Federal Hall. George Washington inaugurated as first president of the US at this building. This is right across from NYSE building.	World Trade Center Site. Nothing to really see here except a big crater. Nothing to kid about here. Sad site.	St Pauls Episcopal Church. FDNY sleep quarters after 9/11
Empire State Building. Can you see King Kong on top?	New York Public Library.	The lions outside the NY public library getting a make over.	Shhhh.	I couldn't find "How To Run A Marathon for Dummies" here. What kind of library is this anyway?