Thank you for Friday thread, I was missing it. I’m running NYC marathon in 2026 - got in through the virtual lottery and running the marine corps marathon (which was last Sunday with glorious weather even though I did not achieve my time goal). Super excited about NYC, and any advice on the marathon would be much appreciated - it will be my first out of state marathon!
I'm so excited for you, Rupa!! And by the way, what amazing luck in getting in through the lottery -- from what I understand, that's *really* hard to do! (I've been missing the Friday threads too -- sometimes I have a hard time coming up with questions/topics -- love any ideas you have on that!)
I know, it was super lucky! On Friday threads, I like all the random topics we’ve had. One question i do have is views on marathon training programs - they mostly peak at 20 miles but don’t most average runners bonk in the last 10k? While I was able to run through most of the 10k in last w.e marathon it was 30-40 seconds slower per mile. Could be a topic of discussion for future!
NYC is my favorite marathon. I ran in 2018 and again last year. This is one that I will try and get in every year. I have run for charity and also did the virtual option. My advice for this one is to train for hills. This is a difficult course, and hill work will have you properly prepared. Don't be attached to any aggressive time goals. This race can get congested, especially if you are a mid-pack runner. Plan to start slow. The first mile on the Verrazano-Narrows bridge is all uphill. Go slow to conserve energy. You'll need it for those rollers in Central Park at the end. Relax and enjoy the experience. If you are planning on trying to do a lot in NYC, plan to stay after the race to do/see what you want. NYC requires a lot of walking to get around and you don't want to tire your legs out before the race.
Great to see this Friday thread as always, Terrell. Thank you for all your inspiration. I will be running NYC this weekend after a 23 year break to focus on family and career. At 58 years old, the training is not as easy, but has still been as transformative as I remember from past marathons.
Last night I went to the expo and was blown away by how big it's become. When I ran in 2002, there were maybe 20,000 runners. I now see race numbers stretching past 70,000! I'm always amazed at how organized New York Road Runners is at pulling off these events, not just the marathon, but all the races. A truly exceptional organization.
Although the field has exploded in terms of numbers, what hasn't changed is the energy. The positivity that's generated by all elements of the NYC Marathon - the expo, the smiles, the diversity, the gear, the reels, the support - is all still there just as I remembered.
I can't wait for Sunday to have the chance, once again, to run through the patchwork of neighborhoods in the greatest city on the planet. Cheers to my fellow marathoners, and runners of all distances, locations, and lifestyles.
I'm really, really excited for you, Jonathan -- and jealous! I think I applied (and maybe even got in) to the NYCM back in the 90s, but for a variety of reasons ended up not running it. The race wasn't nearly as big back then as it is now (though it was already a big, special event) and I too have been blown away by the lengths to which they've taken it. Hats off to the NYRR big time. Be sure to share with us how it goes -- can't wait to hear.
Today’s the day I take my mask off. It’s horrifying, so I’ll put the mask back on tomorrow morning.
I scheduled a full marathon for April 11, 2026. I have run eight half-marathons in the last four years, and I have yet to finish without muscle spasms in my calves in the last two or three miles. I have ended each of my races with a slow walk/run, always frustrated with some amount of pain. I trained hard for my October 12 half-marathon, and I thought this will be the time my calves don’t fail me. But it happened again. I left the race discouraged about running, and doubting that I can run a full marathon. I’m going to train for the full, but if I haven’t made some strides by February, I will switch to the half-marathon. Words of encouragement would be appreciated. Happy Halloween.
I know the feeling -- running those longer distances has definitely gotten tougher for me too! Which full marathon will you run next April? Also, have you ever run a full before? I might recommend training with a coach, or a group that includes coaches. I did that with my first marathon and it helped tremendously.
The Horse Capital Marathon will be my first full marathon. I have been looking for running groups in the town I live, but I have found none. I will look in Lexington, but time becomes a factor. It’s a good idea to be part of a running group.
I ran the NYC Marathon in 1985 - what a thrill. All the talk about New Yorkers being unfriendly did not apply to runners - I had more "Good Luck" comments from people in the city than any other marathon I've run. Also, the crowds were fantastic - coming off the bridge and then under to come out on 1sr street - the roar of the crowd drew me like a magnet! The only other marathon that approaches NYC is the Marine Corps. Even LA couldn't match it.
This reminds me that I ran NYC ten years ago. I got in through a little known option of running a qualifying half marathon. Then I trained with an online coaching program with NYRR which was excellent and really improved my pace. I nailed my predicted finish time. NYC marathon is just amazing for the panoramic experience of the city. I will never forget taking the ferry to the race start and going by the statue of Liberty with mist rising off the water. Magical!
I’ve run NYC marathon 7 times and it is my favorite. Not running this year but I am running the Abbott 5K the day before and cheering on the runners on Sunday!
I'm at work, it's Friday and can't keep focus. Thinking of all the kids coming for candy, hanging by the bonfire with friends and that 12 mile run tomorrow. Sunday is a day of rest.... right? Happy to say our weather in the Midwest is cooperating!! Happy Halloween 🎃
Thank you, George! And good luck this weekend -- I can't wait to hear how it goes! (By the way, the time you're going for at age 69 must put you at or near the top of your age group, right?) That's awesome!!!
I'm running on Sunday! I am so excited to kick things off tomorrow at the Expo.
Good luck, Anne! It should be picture-perfect weather -- the forecast I'm seeing right now is sunny and a high of 59°. Couldn't ask for better!
Thank you for Friday thread, I was missing it. I’m running NYC marathon in 2026 - got in through the virtual lottery and running the marine corps marathon (which was last Sunday with glorious weather even though I did not achieve my time goal). Super excited about NYC, and any advice on the marathon would be much appreciated - it will be my first out of state marathon!
I'm so excited for you, Rupa!! And by the way, what amazing luck in getting in through the lottery -- from what I understand, that's *really* hard to do! (I've been missing the Friday threads too -- sometimes I have a hard time coming up with questions/topics -- love any ideas you have on that!)
I know, it was super lucky! On Friday threads, I like all the random topics we’ve had. One question i do have is views on marathon training programs - they mostly peak at 20 miles but don’t most average runners bonk in the last 10k? While I was able to run through most of the 10k in last w.e marathon it was 30-40 seconds slower per mile. Could be a topic of discussion for future!
NYC is my favorite marathon. I ran in 2018 and again last year. This is one that I will try and get in every year. I have run for charity and also did the virtual option. My advice for this one is to train for hills. This is a difficult course, and hill work will have you properly prepared. Don't be attached to any aggressive time goals. This race can get congested, especially if you are a mid-pack runner. Plan to start slow. The first mile on the Verrazano-Narrows bridge is all uphill. Go slow to conserve energy. You'll need it for those rollers in Central Park at the end. Relax and enjoy the experience. If you are planning on trying to do a lot in NYC, plan to stay after the race to do/see what you want. NYC requires a lot of walking to get around and you don't want to tire your legs out before the race.
Great advice thanks Stacy! Hills are my weakness so definitely good to know what I need to overcome one year ahead!
Great to see this Friday thread as always, Terrell. Thank you for all your inspiration. I will be running NYC this weekend after a 23 year break to focus on family and career. At 58 years old, the training is not as easy, but has still been as transformative as I remember from past marathons.
Last night I went to the expo and was blown away by how big it's become. When I ran in 2002, there were maybe 20,000 runners. I now see race numbers stretching past 70,000! I'm always amazed at how organized New York Road Runners is at pulling off these events, not just the marathon, but all the races. A truly exceptional organization.
Although the field has exploded in terms of numbers, what hasn't changed is the energy. The positivity that's generated by all elements of the NYC Marathon - the expo, the smiles, the diversity, the gear, the reels, the support - is all still there just as I remembered.
I can't wait for Sunday to have the chance, once again, to run through the patchwork of neighborhoods in the greatest city on the planet. Cheers to my fellow marathoners, and runners of all distances, locations, and lifestyles.
I'm really, really excited for you, Jonathan -- and jealous! I think I applied (and maybe even got in) to the NYCM back in the 90s, but for a variety of reasons ended up not running it. The race wasn't nearly as big back then as it is now (though it was already a big, special event) and I too have been blown away by the lengths to which they've taken it. Hats off to the NYRR big time. Be sure to share with us how it goes -- can't wait to hear.
Today’s the day I take my mask off. It’s horrifying, so I’ll put the mask back on tomorrow morning.
I scheduled a full marathon for April 11, 2026. I have run eight half-marathons in the last four years, and I have yet to finish without muscle spasms in my calves in the last two or three miles. I have ended each of my races with a slow walk/run, always frustrated with some amount of pain. I trained hard for my October 12 half-marathon, and I thought this will be the time my calves don’t fail me. But it happened again. I left the race discouraged about running, and doubting that I can run a full marathon. I’m going to train for the full, but if I haven’t made some strides by February, I will switch to the half-marathon. Words of encouragement would be appreciated. Happy Halloween.
🤣🤣🤣! (on the mask)
I know the feeling -- running those longer distances has definitely gotten tougher for me too! Which full marathon will you run next April? Also, have you ever run a full before? I might recommend training with a coach, or a group that includes coaches. I did that with my first marathon and it helped tremendously.
The Horse Capital Marathon will be my first full marathon. I have been looking for running groups in the town I live, but I have found none. I will look in Lexington, but time becomes a factor. It’s a good idea to be part of a running group.
Good luck to all of you. Next race for me is end of January in Charleston 🤞🏻🤞🏻
Gad the see the Friday Thread again!
I ran the NYC Marathon in 1985 - what a thrill. All the talk about New Yorkers being unfriendly did not apply to runners - I had more "Good Luck" comments from people in the city than any other marathon I've run. Also, the crowds were fantastic - coming off the bridge and then under to come out on 1sr street - the roar of the crowd drew me like a magnet! The only other marathon that approaches NYC is the Marine Corps. Even LA couldn't match it.
This reminds me that I ran NYC ten years ago. I got in through a little known option of running a qualifying half marathon. Then I trained with an online coaching program with NYRR which was excellent and really improved my pace. I nailed my predicted finish time. NYC marathon is just amazing for the panoramic experience of the city. I will never forget taking the ferry to the race start and going by the statue of Liberty with mist rising off the water. Magical!
I’ve run NYC marathon 7 times and it is my favorite. Not running this year but I am running the Abbott 5K the day before and cheering on the runners on Sunday!
Wow, 7 times! When did you run them?
I’ve run 11 over the last 20 years. My last one was in 2023 when I ran Chicago and then NYC a month later at the age of 71.
I'm at work, it's Friday and can't keep focus. Thinking of all the kids coming for candy, hanging by the bonfire with friends and that 12 mile run tomorrow. Sunday is a day of rest.... right? Happy to say our weather in the Midwest is cooperating!! Happy Halloween 🎃
Right back at you, Theresa! (And I'm having that problem too at work... though I have it every day! 🤣)
Hi. I have enjoyed and benefited from your postings over the last couple of years.
Your advice may have even helped me get faster despite my age- I’m 69 now and running my best ever.
I am running in the NY marathon this year - my 5th, and shooting for a PB ( under 3:43).
If you’re interested, here is my Substack - about the 2024 marathon, complete with hidden history of all the neighborhoods we traverse. Enjoy!
kineticsky1.substack.com
Thank you, George! And good luck this weekend -- I can't wait to hear how it goes! (By the way, the time you're going for at age 69 must put you at or near the top of your age group, right?) That's awesome!!!
Value your opinion! BTW - my time got me into Boston - 3rd time!
Read my article- I val