UPDATE: MONDAY 2 NOVEMBER 2009, BACK IN THE UK

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Well, I ran all the way this time and managed to improve that personal best by over 28 minutes.  I had a few targets – 03:38:14 (previous marathon) then 3h30m, then 3h21m (qualifying time for the Boston Marathon) then 3h15m (London Marathon).  But on my Friday training run around Central Park, I acquired another target from a lady runner who’d been stalking me for a few hundred metres.  I ran the last mile and a bit of that run with her and she encouraged me to aim for 3h10m.  On Sunday she became the first lady over 50 to break 2h50m on the NYC course but she’ll be forever remembered for winning the first women’s marathon at the 1984 Olympics – Joan Samuelson nee Benoit.  Thank you, Joan.

I left the apartment over 4.5 hours before my 9.40am start time to catch a cab to the Staten Island Ferry terminal.  After the bus transfer from the other end of the ferry, there was still about three hours to kill in the start village by keeping warm and fuelling up.  The first mile was uphill onto the Verazzano Narrows Bridge, supposedly the longest climb of the race although the Queensboro Bridge onto Manhattan around mile 15 seemed a longer uphill slog.  First mile pace was slow but steady enough due to the uphill and the close proximity of other runners.  Second mile, I realised that I was getting a little carried away with the downhill so reduced to my target pace.  For almost all of the 11 miles through Brooklyn, crowds and bands lined the route and gave fantastic vocal support.  In fact, apart from the bridges, the entire 26.2 miles saw great support whether the crowds were ten deep or a person every few yards. 

Gatorade endurance formula at all but one or two drink stations meant that I only had to use two of the five carb gels in my belt.  There’s a couple of dead straight 4+ mile sections of the course but fortunately the undulating road generally means that you can’t see how far you’ve still to run.  Also, the Empire State Building is so big that it looks closer than it is which is a huge help up another hill along Central Park East before the route enters the park itself.

Somehow I managed to keep going and I’d known for a long way, maybe since before the start, that I’d stop my watch at 03:09:59 which transpired as I crossed the finish line.  My official time is 03:10:01 which makes things a little less freaky.

Many thanks to those of you who have already donated to the cause I chose for this event, the 3rd Sevenoaks (Riverhead & Dunton Green) Scout Group.  This incredible organisation organises fun and exciting activities for well over 200 young people from age 6 to 18 in the Beaver colonies, Cub packs, Scout troops and Explorer units.  The success of the group relies on over 30 volunteer leaders, quartermasters and other helpers and also on funds to purchase and maintain all the equipment needed for the huge range of activities.  The group website is here: 

http://www.3rdsevenoaks.org.uk/

If you can still donate, then it’s dead easy here at JustGiving as well as being fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me.  3rd Sevenoaks will receive your money more quickly and, if you are a taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.  Higher rate taxpayers can also reclaim the difference between basic and higher rate tax via their tax return.  Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails.

Many thanks for your support.

David