The New Jersey Marathon had about 11,000
runners with both full and half (Long Branch Half) options with a 2 man half
relay option. The half and relay started about 2hours ahead of the full. It was
an A to B course that started at Monmouth Race Track and ended ocean side at
Pier Village in Long Branch. From what I gather, the course had changed
slightly due to boardwalks still being damaged from Super Storm Sandy six
months ago. The mottos for this race were ‘Run, Restore, Rebuild’ and ‘Up and
Running’, which took on an even greater meaning with the Boston Marathon attack
happening less than a month before race day! It was a mix of emotions for
everyone, but there was a definite pride, passion, and strength in just about
every one of the runners, as well as spectators!
My weekend started with flying in the
day before the race. As we came in for a landing at Newark, I caught a glimpse
of not only the cool NYC skyline, but the Statue of Liberty in the distance.
What perfect symbolism for the weekend!
I headed straight to the Expo which
was held at the same location of start, Monmouth Race Track. With it being
Kentucky Derby weekend, the place was packed inside and out. Mint juleps, hot
dogs, big hats, bet placing, tv watching… it was a whirlwind inside and out and
nothing nor no one was guiding the runners to the right area. After finally
stumbling upon the Expo, I found myself even more overwhelmed. It was too
crammed packed to even get in the right mindset to shop. Maybe it was the early
morning flight and getting lost on the way that soured my attitude, but all I
really wanted to do was grab my packet, shirt, and GU and get out.
With making a last minute hotel
change from only 2miles from start to now 30 minutes away (all the hotels near
start were ridiculously overpriced for what and where they were …ie LaQuinta
and Holiday Inn Express wanted over $200 even for a travel agent rate!) and
running late after getting lost, I decided to head straight to Pier Village and
have a very early dinner because I had a feeling once I got to the hotel, all I
would want to do is pass out! A Lobster BLT is what I decided on at Mcloones
outdoor patio. I then took a stroll on the boardwalk and came across the finish
line and medals. It was interesting to see all the chain link fences put up around
the last quarter mile of the race. Even condos were being fenced out. They had
a security eagles nest set up as well. Oh, how things are changing for the
racing industry!
I finally made it to my hotel by
about 630p, laid out my running gear, and was in bed by 7, planning for eyes
shut at 8….but that didn’t come until after 9. Race start was set for 640 (sun
rise 550a) yet, several warnings about traffic advised to get there between 430
and 5. A bit ridiculous for a non morning person! But I was hoping to be up by
430, out by 5, arrive by 530 latest. I made good time and was in the parking
spot by quarter after 5. No problems with traffic. I think the majority of the
problems (what I gather from all the bickering) is from the early marathoners
who have to come in mixed with the late comers of the half. There were still
several half marathoners that were running from the parking lot to get to the
start, after the gun went off. I hear there are several entrances to Monmouth,
but I36 is the most popular. I also hear that street parking is legal (and free…as
the race charged $5 to park). Future runners should do some research on that.
The parking lot was huge and there
were several porta potties in the lots, as well as in the starting area. No
worry for long lines there. They also had the race track clubhouse open so the
majority of the people were crammed inside trying to stay warm. They did
announce there would be food/coffee/water, yet I never found it and the people I
asked had no idea either. ??
I sat in my car for a good while
staying warm with my car rentals heated seats! YES! I stood outside for a bit
and realized I was under dressed. I decided to add pants and gloves…good thing I
brought them! By the time I got to the gear check (btw, they only allowed clear
bags), I decided I didn’t want to forgo my jacket I was wearing and was also to
wear as my dry clothes at the finish. I
really didn’t think I was going to sweat with the wind! It was a bit brutal.
Little did I know I would be taking it off at M4. I didn’t want to part with it
(hey, this traveling runner is one broke runner too!), so I tied it around my
waist. The gloves stayed on until about M6. The jacket was put back on at M12
at the boardwalk!
The corrals and start of the race
were pretty organized. In fact everything about the race is very well organized
and well communicated! Probably the best I have had yet. There are several
updates on Facebook. Questions are all answered. And Race Director weekly emails
are sent out as well as posted on the website. They also did an excellent job
of handling and communicating all new security features after the Boston
Marathon attack.
The race ran a little late, about 5-10
minutes…no explanation, but that’s Ok. There were bomb sniffing dogs, lots of
checking of bib numbers, lots of officers, and lots of checking to make sure
you did not have a bag except the clear one provided. There’s still some things
that were a little off….as in a police officer told a man he could not bring in
a fanny pack, so the man said he would just leave it in the bushes and the cop
said that was fine, but he was not responsible. Really?!
There was also lots of Blue and
Yellow, lots of Boston Strong, lots of Jersey Strong, and even to my surprise
lots of Pink in the neighborhoods! I found out later May 1-31 is Paint the Town
Pink Month for breast cancer awareness in Jersey. I even ran with a man wearing
a lot of pink for the majority of the race. There also were gorgeous Cherry blossom trees
everywhere you looked! The neighborhoods were in full bloom for Spring!
They didn’t let anyone line up until
about 10 minutes before start. The bag drop was literally right next to the
corrals. Helicopters were flying over head (was this the usual
news/photographers, or was this security?) Spectators were not allowed at start….but
instead were allowed right outside the Race Track…literally yards away…I find
this strange too. Same went for the finish line….spectators not allowed at the
line, but just a short distance over they were permitted. Spectators were not
allowed bags in either location.
A moment of silence for 26 seconds
was done for Boston followed by the sing a long of Sweet Caroline. The National
Anthem was sang, and we were off.
I placed myself ahead of the 2:20
pace group. Going into the race, my goal was to take it easy, as Ive had a
behind the left knee pain the past month and half, which meant there was very
little running since the last race. It
was a lot colder than anticipated, about 45, windy, and cloudy. Even completely
dressed, I was too cold for a start. I didn’t do a warm up besides walk nor did
I stretch other than the little bouncing around in the corral. I knew my
muscles were tight from the cold.
I did try to start out slow but still early on
got a pain from my butt, knee, to calf…I believe this is a sciatic nerve issue
which I haven’t felt in several months now. Thankfully it quickly went away in
the next couple miles. I never felt a real ‘pain’ behind the left knee. I thank
my brace and my strength to hold back on training for that. I did however get a
pain in the front of the right knee about M6 or so. But looking back at my
times, M6 was my fastest mile, so that could be a reason.
That mile I found myself completely
in a zone I have never felt before. There were lots of people loudly cheering
us on. I had my IPOD pumped up (this is the first time I have ran with music in
several months). I was staring straight ahead, yet staring at nothing. As I checked
people off one by one (passing) I couldn’t even feel my feet hitting the
ground. I felt nothing. I thought nothing. It felt good. When I realized I was
doing it, it stopped. I tried to get mad, as emotion helps with speed work...and
I wanted that zone back!
I got mad at the Boston Marathon
attackers who, whether we admit it or not, have officially changed racing
forever. Its not fair! I got mad for the dementia my mom is currently battling
at such a young age and whether I admit it or not, things will never be the
same. Its not fair! I got mad that although early detection, better drugs, and
gene testing has all helped to increase survivorhood for breast cancer victims,
we still do not have a cure! It is not fair!
It felt good to run and to run fast.
It had been too long. It didn’t last long, as I mentioned above my right knee
started acting up. So much so, I rounded a corner and my body just stopped. As I
walked a couple steps, weirdly the pain completely subsided. Other than that I
made it 8 miles without walking. My endurance just wasn’t there with all the
time off, but I was still amazed at what
my body was able to accomplish!
I took in 2 GUs for the race…about M8
and 11….the race did not provide any, except for the full marathon. The
hydration stations were properly stocked though. Plenty of volunteers, and they
had the Gatorade before the Water…and in different cups. BIG Kudoos! They even
had someone on a loud speaker as you approached each station to announce what
was ahead. There was also good signage for the separation of the marathon as
well as the relay.
There were a lot of
spectators/supporters cheering us on the entire race, which is always nice, but
this time it had even more meaning as they too were not going to be stopped
from continuing life and supporting the running community! Someone even made
about 10 signs with awesome quotes on both sides of the road.
My biggest crash was about M11 in
which I struggled for the last couple miles. The last mile was on the
boardwalk, which was nice and scenic but VERY windy. You could see a little of
the destruction from Sandy, but not much. For some reason the boardwalk was barricaded
to only access half of it, which made it very difficult to pass anyone, and/or
walk. It probably kept me running a little bit more than usual however. As we
approached Pier Village, they had a band, and even more State Troopers lined
up. There were still a ton of spectators.
The shuttles were delayed due to
street closures of the full marathon. We all were warned of this, so I just
made my way to a restaurant next door for food and beer! Beware with the
shuttle system, there is quite a hike to get to the bus and then get back to
your car.
The super early arrival, race, and
then timing for the shuttles made for an extremely long day for a half
marathon. I was so beat when I got to my hotel, I soaked in the hot tub and
then napped til dinner.
My total distance on the Garmin was
13.23. At 13.1, I had a PR of 2:23…yet crossing the finish line meets my best
at 2:24. :/
All in all, I would recommend this
race because of its flat, scenic course, excellent communication and
organization skills, and community support. Also, keep your eye out of
extremely cheap early bird rates!
