Marathon #39: TCS New York City Marathon

I am so happy to share that I recently finished the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon! Coming just two weeks off of the Detroit Marathon, this was my 5th marathon completed this year and 39th overall! This marathon was also a special milestone race as it was my 10th New York City Marathon! This is always my favorite race to run and I plan to keep running every year that I can. My hometown race is a world major, with the best crowds, and the most exciting course. I am thrilled to be able to run it every year with the NYRR 9+1 Program, and this year was no exception!

With this race so close to my last one, I knew that I would not be setting any records. I had a loose time goal in mind, but was really treating this like the fun run it is. My main goal was just to finish, and enjoy the experience, but was hoping to get less than a 03:10:00 time while doing so.

• Goal: Finish
• Stretch Goal: sub 3:10:00

Starting off at 9am, the weather was perfect on race day. It was 49° and sunny, very little wind, and relatively low humidity. It rose to about 56° by the end of the race, still very comfortable for running.

I took it pretty easy out of the gate, going slower up the Verrazzano Bridge than I normally would, and just soaking in the atmosphere. My first mile was 07:39/mi pace. The bridge was packed, excitement was high, and I was psyching myself up for the rest of the race. Unfortunately there is only one photo of me on the bridge, and I had my eyes closed! ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

After the bridge, I found myself feeling great, running freely and aligned with the 03:05:00 pace group. I knew I wasn't going to be able to stick with this pace the entire race, but I thought I would stay with them as long as I could. Turns out that was for about 19 miles!

Brooklyn is always really fun to run through. I always high-five the kids, tap the power-up signs, smile and wave to the crowds when they cheer me on, and just enjoy the energy. The course is lined with tons of spectators almost the entire borough.

Despite the energy I get from the crowds, and my love for the support, my absolute favorite part of the race is the Queensboro Bridge as it is completely silent. No spectators are allowed on the bridge, so it is just you and your thoughts. I always use it to check-in with myself, find my focus, and make adjustments to my plan as necessary to finish the last 10 miles of the race as strongly as possible. On this particular day, I still felt great crossing the bridge, and decided to go a little stronger.

On 1st avenue I felt incredible. In years past, I have hit the wall here, or had a tough time on the slight 1st Ave incline, but this year I was flying. I was passing people left and right, and feeling really strong. Miles 17-19 were my fastest miles of the day, averaging a 6:30/mi pace.

The New York Harriers had a big cheering section on 1st Avenue around mile 18, and it was so exciting to see them! I took that energy into the Bronx and was hoping to ride it out to the end of the day, but my body had other plans…

On the Willis Avenue Bridge between Manhattan and The Bronx, I started to feel a little uneasy. Perhaps I drank too much at the last few aid stations, or maybe I had too much energy gel, but I started to feel some nausea coming on, and ultimately had to vomit a bit on the bridge. Not fun, but it did help me feel better after getting it out of my system.

I lost about 2 minutes with that stop, but felt instantly better and was able to keep running. I kept up that fast pace for another mile, but started to feel some more nausea coming on at mile 22 so decided to not push it super-fast anymore, dropping my pace and just trying to get to the finish line.

I saw some Harriers on the 5th Avenue climb on mile 23 which is always a much-needed boost on a tough part of the course. I never recovered my top pace, but still finished those last 4 miles strong, and with a smile on my face the whole time.

In Central Park, I saw my family, which was another great boost right near the end. I was starting to feel great again, and picked up the pace just for the last 0.2mi to the finish line.

I finished with an official time of 03:08:54, well ahead of my stretch goal!

Outside of the Covid years, I haven't missed a single New York City Marathon since my first one in 2015, and I plan to keep that streak going while I can. No tattoo yet for this marathon, but I will be sure to get one soon and increment the tally!

Next up is marathon number #40 on November 30th in Seattle. Stay tuned!