47,000 runners are scheduled to start the NYC Marathon on Sunday, November 6, 2011. A few do it for the more than $600,000 in prize money, but most want the chance to run in the media capital of the world before two million cheering spectators and 315 million worldwide television viewers. Getting in to the NYC Marathon is tough work. Some people apply for multiple years knowing that after 3 rejections they will finally have the chance to race. Others trained hard to meet the qualifying standards. Some have already raced 15, so they can automatically get in and of course NYRR members have special qualifying activities. As with many races you can also get in by raising money for various charities. Last April 27th was opening day - the lottery placements were announced. So for many training began on April 28th. Unfortunately they are hundreds of people who thought they would be running on Sunday, but are now injured or not recovered enough from an injury or maybe not trained enough to complete the race. Right now the only way to cancel is in person - from November 3-5, cancellations will be accepted in person at the ING New York City Marathon Health and Fitness Expo. Once runners have picked up their race number they cannot cancel.
So how do you deal with the race when you thought you would be running? Some runners look to other events and plan to run in 2012. Some head to NYC to volunteer instead. Others will hole up someplace depressed.
Injuries are tough to deal with and can be tough to bounce back from. For most runners the physical injury can be rehabbed, but the mental setback can affect future performance. We know from research that injury will set you back physically, but there is less of a focus on the mental side. Do not underestimate the effect of not running (or doing another sport) because you are injured. Very often you can find some way to cross train. You also need to cross train your brain. Hard core recreational athletes (especially those training for and competing in endurance events) tend to base their identity on their sport. Yes, you are a runner and have 26.2 and 13.1 and runner girl stickers all over you car, but now maybe you can expand that identity. Maybe you can give back to your sport by volunteering at a race. You can share your knowledge of the sport by blogging about your running. You can take your break from the sport as a chance to learn more about how you should be training. You can evaluate how the sport has framed you and your family. Oh and what a great chance to get caught up with and focused on your family. Give other aspects of your life some focus. Take your break from the sport to set some new goals for yourself and your family.
For many athletes sport is a great stress reliever. Make sure you have a new way to relieve stress. Don’t isolate yourself from athletes still training - they can offer you support and great knowledge on coming back from injury. You can’t change the fact that you are injured so look for the silver lining. Maybe being on crutches will force your two boys to start pitching in more around the house. Maybe your injury will let you try a new activity or sport. Maybe your injury will allow you to focus on building your body back stronger.
Cory Metler and Jessica Gallo had both planned on racing on Sunday, but injuries have them staying at home. They will be cheering on Laurie Scheuing, Tyler Stewart and other lucky runners.
Tyler Stewart, a triathlete with the World Record for fastest Ironman bike split (4:42.40), is running on Sunday. She is fresh off a tough race in Kona, but ready to fly on the streets of NY. Tyler will have lots of support from a family/friend CT contingent as well as any triathlete who manages to get a glimpse of her! Tyler’s brother Ben, who lives in Hong Kong, convinced her to try to get into the race. Her run splits from Ironman races were fast enough, but Dave Monti, elite coordinator, told her she had to run a sub 3 race to get in. Well don’t throw a challenge like that in front of Tyler and not expect her to step up. She ran the Santa Rosa Marathon on Aug 28 in 2:45:14 placing second. That time qualified her for the marathon Olympic Trials, so she will also run in the Olympic Trials marathon in Houston on January 14. The LUNA Chix in Albany will be cheering extra loud for their teammate. Karen Casper, a LUNA Chix tri team member, was out in Kona and saw Tyler. This weekend she will be in Manhattan cheering her on once again.
New York fans can cheer on fellow statesmen in the pro race. Katie Aldridge is a 37-year-old veteran marathoner and mother of four from Ithaca, N.Y. Michelle Rorke, from Bronxville has already had some top marathon finishes. On the Men’s side Ed Moran was born in Staten Island is running in his first NYC Marathon and looking to the Olympic Trials in June on the track. Ryan McDermott ran at Duke and is originally from Long Island.
If you want to track a runner sign up for the mobile spectator app. Available for download for $2.99 at the iTunes App Store and Android Market. You can track up to ten runners at a time.
The race will also be televised on NBC4 live starting at 9am in NYC and on NBC National from 2-4pm. In the US viewers can access the 5-hour live broadcast online free of charge at beginning at 9:00 a.m. EST. Tune in live to follow all of the action of the main race, pro men's, and pro women's races, and the awards ceremonies.
Didn’t get in to the race this year? The qualifying standards have changed - more on that to follow.
Good luck to all in NYC.
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