One week after completing my own first marathon I volunteered at the mile 16 water station for the NYC marathon. I knew many people running it this year; including many of my sole sisters who were running their very first marathon. The days leading up to the marathon were exciting. There was such a buzz in the city. I went to the expo on Thursday when it first opened to check it out and see how it was. I did not really get to spend much time at the MCM expo given all the waiting I had to do. There were so many people and so many languages being spoken. There was a long line to go through security but it moved fast. The expo space was huge! I walked around check out the merchandise and looking for freebies. Alot of the gear was nice (and expensive) and I wished I could buy some but I will just have to wait for 2014. I did buy a pair of new mizuno thermal gloves. They heat up when you hands get a little sweaty. I got a discount on them, so the price was right. I picked up several freebies: a megaphone and orange sunglasses from ING. Bam Bams and neck warmers from Grano Padano, gatorade samples, packs of mixed nuts from fresh direct, other goodies. Sunday was the big day. My shift was from 7:30-3:30. I arrived a little after 7 am. One of the things I learned from racing/volunteering is that there can be some much chaos involved in getting a giant race set up. I initially didn't plan to be at the Gatorade section but worked with several of my BGR sisters. We had to mix the formula: 1 bottle of the gatorade solution with 5 bottles of water, add to a huge can and then stack of 4 sections high of cups in a honey comb pattern. We had to make sure the the Gatorade branding was visible on the front cups. The handcyclists came throught first and we made tons of noise at 1st ave and 61st as they came off the Queensborough bridge which is a tough one to cross. It is long, has a big incline and quiet because no spectators are allowed. It is often said the the NYC marathon begins at mile 16. Not too long after came the elite women. What a site to see. Deba who has made the Bronx here home was in the lead followed closely by her training partners. The rest of the pack was quite a ways behind at that point. I noted several other elites: Firewhot Dado, Kim Smith, Amy Hastings, and another local elite Aziza. Only one of them took water from the station. Next came the men. The men's elite pack was very tight at that point. I don't even remember who was leading. The crowd went wild when Meb came flying by. He was blowing kisses as he came by. I later learned that he wanted to drop out at mile 20. He was just coming back from a injury to his knee and a torn calf muscle. He didn't get to training beyond a 15 mile long run. You would have never known we he went by at mile 16. The rest of the runners began trickling in. We cheered loudly for them as well. We were calling out the names of runners who had placed their names on their shirts. The best parts where seeing my fellow BGRers on the course as well as some of NBMA local NYC runners. There was so much emotion, hugs, and kisses to ladies who I have run and trained with. Most inspiring was seeing the runners with disabilities who were completing the race; a reminder that anyone who really wants to can complete a marathon. Waves and waves of runners came in. Things began to space out a bit. Around 3:00 we had to start breaking down the station. I felt bad about that because runners who had been on their feet already nearly 5 hours were coming in. It was about to get to the point where they would have to finish the race on the sidewalks. We got word that the first runner with Down's Syndrome to complete the NYC marathon was about to come through. He received thunderous applause and cheers when he came through with his guide. I was so impressed by the determination to finish and not give up seen on the faces of those at the end of the pack. After breaking down the station, with tired feet and sore throats a group of us BGR volunteers went to grab a bite to eat and talk about the day. At least one of us who didn't plan on running the NYC marathon was now set on making that happenend. I have one more race to complete to finalize my guaranteed entry into the 2014 (now to be called) TCS NYC marathon. God willing, that will be the highlight of 2014 for me. I will make sure to get my family and friends out on the course to see me in action. I already know my BGR! family will be there. Marine Corps was a great marathon but I don't think it has the magic that the New York marathon has.
