Bundled up in the hotel lobby ready for the excitement of the day to begin!

After our pre-race dinner with our team on Saturday night, the girls spent the night with my mom in her room. We got all of our things set out in our room and triple checked to make sure everything was in order. I don't know what we were so worried about...all we really needed was our shoes :) We were up by 4am before the alarm and full of nervous energy! I was really worried about getting cold before the race started, so I had on my race clothes, arm warmers, two sweatshirts, sweats, a headband, tall socks, and gloves. I looked like a marshmallow man! Brad was also really layered up. We met the team in the lobby just after 5 and then caught the subway to Battery Park where we made the short walk to the Staten Island Ferry. The subway station, the streets, and the ferry terminal were FULL of runners. It was so exciting. Brad and I grabbed a spot outside on the ferry (we had enough clothes on for subzero temps, so it felt fine) and as we pulled away from Manhattan, the sun was just starting to rise. It was breathtaking. We sailed right in front of the statue of liberty and as the Manhattan skyline became smaller, we realized just how far we had to run! When we arrived in Staten Island, thousands

of runners left the ferry station and walked towards hundreds of waiting buses. It was about a 20 min bus ride through Staten Island to the waiting area near the Verrazano-Narrows bridge. It was crazy!! There were nearly 50,000 runners all trying to keep warm, preparing for the run ahead. We found some of our team members and a spot on the grass to hang out. It was 8am and our start time was 10:10, so it seemed like we would have to wait forever. However, before we knew it, it was time to strip off the excess layers, drop our bags off, and find our starting corrals. Again, it was nuts!! We heard the gun go off for the first wave of runners and a cheer went through the crowd of runners. Next thing we know, we are walking to the starting line! It is a total sea of people and the energy was through the roof. America the Beautiful was played followed by a little Sinatra to set the mood and all of sudden, the gun went off for us, and the crowd started moving! It took a couple of minutes for us to cross the starting line, but soon enough, we were crossing the largest suspension bridge in the country with tens of thousands of other runners. We warmed up immediately so we took off the arm warmers, gloves, and ear warmers. The bridge was covered in clothing!

Once across the bridge, we were in Brooklyn. What a spectacular place! The streets were lined with supporters, cheering for us, literally. We wrote our names on our shirts and the fans yell for you like they are your friends. It was unbelievable! I kept thinking that the race crowd might break up a bit, but it didn't, not for 26.2 miles! Brooklyn was incredible. We ran down tree-lined streets with leaves falling in the sky, and there were fans everywhere. At one point, we came up on an intersection that was totally jam packed with people. There was big fire truck parked and all the firefighters were sitting on top of the truck. The streets were lined with trees, the music was loud, and it was one of those life moments and feelings you know will never forget. We had planned to run together for between 3-5 miles and then Brad would pick up the pace and run ahead. We were both feeling really good and running at a good pace (a little faster than my goal pace and little slower than his) so we ended up running 8 miles together. It was

so fun. After the first 8 miles, we separated and continued on through Brooklyn. The people there were so great and at one point, so many people were yelling my name that I felt like I had 10,000 friends cheering me on.

At mile 13.1 we crossed another bridge and ran into Queens. More music, more people and an entire new vibe! At mile 15 we entered the Queensboro bridge which is a covered bridge. This was a tough stretch for both of us. No crowds, no music, and tired feet. We both commented on how suddenly we noticed the sound of everyone breathing and the pounding of footsteps. The anticipation of coming off the bridge, was huge because we knew that Manhattan was waiting. Close to end of the bridge, I said out loud, "bring on Manhattan". The guy next me to said "No f***ing kidding!" Just passed the mile 16 marker we turned, ran under an over pass and onto 1st Ave!! Talk about amazing. The street was lined with people screaming and cheering. It was wild. Brad was able to spot my mom and the girls at about mile 17, but I missed them (so sad). I met up with another runner from our team, and we journeyed up 1st Ave together. The energy was crazy. Music, people, camaraderie. Our bodies were both feeling worn and tired by mile 19 when we crossed another bridge. The bridges were tough because they were hills! The thought of leaving Manhattan to go to the Bronx was daunting because I felt like I was getting farther away from the finish line!! However, the second we stepped into the Bronx, a new energy was found. We were greeted by loud "Welcome to the BRONX!!" The music was LOUD and the vibe was yet again unique. We turned a corner and some people were playing Empire State of Mind on big speakers. The girls sang this song the week before we left for NYC, and as we approached the corner, Alicia Keys belted "New York, concrete jungle where dreams are made of...these streets will inspire you..." The timing could not have been better and I felt a new energy build to keep plugging. By mile 21 we had crossed another bridge and were back in Manhattan for the home stretch. We started an uphill climb up 5th Ave. Again, the people were so awesome. After getting water at mile 22, I look to my left and Brad is there running with me. I was so happy to see him. He had been about 4 minutes ahead of me and waited there so that we could finish together. Again, one of those

feelings I will never forget. So, together, we charged up 5th Ave and eventually into Central Park, which was spectacular! In mile 25, we were able to see Kelli and Sonny Newman and my mom, Elene and the girls again. The next thing we know, we passed under the 26 mile banner! We were both cheering and laughing and soaking in every emotion of the moment. Next there was a sign that said 100m and we looked at each other and said "we just ran the New York City Marathon!" The finish line was ahead and we crossed together, arm in arm. There are no words to describe the emotion of that moment and to be able to share this experience with each other is something we will forever be thankful for. Both of us thoroughly enjoyed every step of the run. The people, the runners, the setting, everything was truly magical.

A few other highlights: --The race has an incredible international flair. We saw runners from France, Italy, Sweden, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Ireland, Canada, England, Puerto Rico, Japan and more. --The number of causes that people run for is awesome. We saw shirts supporting the fight against cancer, diabetes, eye sight research, drug addiction, lots of childrens organizations, and so much more, (I wish I could remember more of these) --There are a lot of older runners who were wearing bibs that indicated how many NYmarathons they had completed...I saw as many as 32! Inspiring. --We cannot say enough about the people of NYC who watch this event. For hours and hours people watch runners go by and cheer and yell and call out names. There are families handing out bananas, kids handing out suckers, musicians playing in the street, and signs like you could not believe! Some of our favorite signs were "Worst Parade Ever" "Toenails are Overrated" "Hurry up, the beer is almost gone" "You are the 1%". We even saw a huge banner in Central Park with a marriage proposal on it!

Walking into the Staten Island Ferry Building

Skyline shots of Manhattan at sunrise.

Brad soaking in every moment of this experience.

Runners leaving the ferry station to get on a bus to take us to the starting line.

In the waiting area, trying to stay warm! The VerrazanoNarrows bridge is waiting for us in the background.

At the starting line waiting for the gun to go off! (dont mind the creepy guy in the background)