CAFOD blog

I woke about 5am and then just dozed until it was time to get up. I had my pre-race breakfast and then after saying my goodbyes caught a taxi down to catch the ferry to Staten Island.

At that time of the morning the streets were quiet, but the sun was shining and I was feeling excited, the day had come.

The journey to the start was ok, a few queues but everyone was talking to each other and the atmosphere was buzzing with anticipation.

The starting area was a bit like a festival minus the music, with people all over the grass, in black plastic bags sitting on cardboard. Luckily I did not have a long wait before it was time to put my bag on the bus and head into the staring corral.

The sun was shining, the sky was blue and my fear was that the day was going to be too warm for the marathon. I just kept telling myself to enjoy it, to start slowly and to stick to my plan.

So my orange start moved down onto the bridge and then the music started - “New York, New York” was being played over the PA system.

We all started singing along, shedding the last of the clothing required to keep you warm. And then the cannon fired! It started! We moved very slowly to start, shuffling along, and then we managed to walk and then jog and then run!

The view over the Verazanno-Narrows Bridge was spectacular, I had to be careful to look where I was going and not to just admire the view. I kept singing “New York” to myself and, without realising, the first mile had gone.

Along the whole course the support from the New Yorkers was amazing, the bands playing, the cheering and celebrations that were going on. It certainly gave me a lift and kept me entertained.

The next part where the views were fantastic again was the last part of Queens, before coming over the Queensborough bridge to arrive in Manhatten.

I took the uphill part of the bridge slowly, although over half way now I didn’t want to use up my energy and stamina just yet. On arrival in Manhatten the crowds were even bigger and noisier!

We then turned onto First Avenue, which was almost four miles long and, if you looked ahead, all you could see was runners streaming into the horizon.

So I looked around and just absorbed the atmosphere and looked at the buildings and crowds.

Then it’s into the Bronx, albeit briefly and the 20-mile marker! By this point I had not suffered the dreaded “wall”, my knees were sore but mentally I felt good. I told myself that six miles is nothing, I do that all the time.

So I dug in and kept going, so much of this is mental strength. The last six miles were not the easiest. I found the Central Park three miles the worst of the whole 26.

I was pushing on, other people were slowing down, it was tiring dodging runners, the road was undulating and the downhill sections that I normally enjoy were more painful for my legs.

I know that looking back I do not have memories of what Central Park looked liked. I was concentrating on my running.

Then with just over two miles to go I knew that I could finish in under four hours. I started chanting to myself, “pain is temporary, finishing is forever!”.

Then 26 miles passes by and that final 0.2 uphill seemed so long. Then hands aloft I cross through the banner. I’ve made it!! I’ve made it….

The next part is a bit blurry, it hurt more on finishing that doing it. Someone puts a medal around your neck and congratulates you. Someone else wraps you in a silver blanket, you get a bag with water and bits in, but a bagel and an apple were not appealing.

It seemed to take ages to walk up past 70 buses (that is so cruel) to collect my bag with my post race kit in. I’ve never felt like that, a heady mixture of exhaustion, weariness and elation!

Finally I get my bag, and I can put on warm, dry clothes, make up my special recovery drink and think about meeting my family.

Back home I can remember an amazing experience, I am so glad I did it. I learnt things about myself, it was a journey of self discovery.

For once I am proud of myself. I am grateful to all the people who have made this possible, from family and friends and to CAFOD for selecting me to represent them.

I know that the money I have raised will make a difference to others and that is the point of it all.

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Posted by BeckyW