New York Marathon 4/11/07
This is probably one of the only times when I have participated in a race where I wasn’t at all bothered about my time. After the success of Loch Ness, I decided that 4 weeks later, there was no way on earth I would be able to better that time and so just to go out there and absorb the amazing atmosphere.
There was a 3 hour wait in the freezing cold before the start, which wasn’t ideal. Just as I way queuing for the loo for the final time, I noticed the familiar ‘Stornoway’ running vest, and there was Jim Bruce a few places ahead of me. It was good to see a friendly familiar face so far away from home.
I was fortunate enough to get a qualifying place and start right at the front with the first 1000 ladies. I was right at the front on the top bridge at the start. Small world again, as I noticed the lady beside me was wearing a Balmoral 10k T Shirt. She was from Arbroath. We looked around in disgust as loads of the ladies started to squat down and take a final pee. One even hooked her cycling shorts to the side and did it standing up. I couldn’t believe it as she splashed my legs! ‘You wouldn’t get that on the track at Meadowbank’ I said to the lady beside me, as she had also done Edinburgh North Berwick this year.
I set off at what I thought was a comfortable pace, although hitting 5K at 21 mins, clearly I wasn’t taking it easy. I spotted Jim Buick at about 4 miles and ran over to briefly say ‘Hi’, then backed off as I could tell the pace was too fast.
I was running for Breast Cancer Care and had my name on the vest. All the way round people were shouting, ’Go Sally!’. It was fantastic and I spent most of the race waving in appreciation, wasting energy I think.
Once again, despite the Immodium, I was plagued with stomach problems, I think due to the late arrival on Friday night and one day to acclimatise. I had to take a risky stop on a side street in the Bronx. As I ran back to the route, a couple of people clearly thought I was cheating, and taking a short cut (through the Bronx??) and shouted ‘Oh no you don’t!’ They couldn’t keep up with me though.
I really enjoyed running without racing against the clock. Finishing in 3.37.36, exactly 24 mins slower than Loch Ness, but atmosphere was amazing and it is an event I will never forget.
Report Sally Scott
