NY Marathon Race Report

NEW YORK MARATHON 2007

Pre-Race: The week after Marine Corps wasn't too bad. A little stiffness, only 10 shows this week, and my cold had been conquered. What I didn't expect was the extra drama that would ensue. On the Tuesday morning show I proceed to hit my head on a metal beam in on of the boxes on stage. For those who have seen the show, it was during the Hamster Rap. (If you didn't see it and you're confused, you should be) It wasn't just a tap, it was a NFL helmet to Hamster helmet hit. The concussion type. After writhing in the wing, I go back on stage, dizzy and finish the show. EMS was there after the show and deduced that, "No, I did not have a concussion. But, yes, that I was stupid." Being cleared to continue, I finished out the week with a bump on my head and some tightness in my neck. No big deal, I'm tough. Right?

Thursday rolls around and all I have to do is two shows, catch the 2pm bus, pick my number up, buy something at the expo and take the bus back. Well, with a 12:30pm show starting 5 minutes late, I arrive at the bus station at 2:03pm. Just in time to see the bus back out of the parking spot. Perfect, I actually made it. I run outside wave to the driver to indicate I'm on that bus and he then proceeds to give me the "neck slashing" move that all the NBA players were fined for a couple of years back. Evidently, I didn't know I was playing a game, but nonetheless, I was just given my 2nd technical and tossed out of the bus riding game. The driver stares forward and refuses me entry in the lane and drives away the win. So much for goodwill.

Game plan change: The 3pm bus won't get me there until 7:20pm, 20 minutes after they close. And if I drive, which would suck, I couldn't guarantee my arrival due to traffic. Plus I would have to park, get gas, etc. The only option that might work is the train. So $117 later, I catch the one-way train and arrive in NY at 6:30pm with half an hour to spare. (Though it was expensive compared to the $35 round trip bus, having an electrical outlet and room to use the computer was incredible. I got so much work done.) After dashing off to the Convention Center, I get in line behind a couple other people at the Achilles Track Club table to register.

SIDE NOTE: The Achilles Track Club (ACT) is an organization that provides disabled athletes the opportunity to race. And with there partnership with the NYC Marathon they recruit runners to be guides for athletes in order to provide safety, help getting drinks and food, and additional assistance when needed. The deadline to sign up as a guide was back in September, but since my friend (who was the understudy for my show) works for them, once she found out I was a good runner, gave me an application to fill out and personally handed to the head honcho in her office. For your assistance you get to run the race for free, a finisher's medal at the end, a T-shirt to race in and the regular runner's goody bag (Official race shirt included). You can check them out at http://www.achillestrackclub.org/

So though Janet got me in, I was only given a "Standby" slot, which meant if someone didn't show up or needed additional assistance, I would step in. Plus, there are guides at the halfway point to assist other guides and athletes should they need extra help as the race goes on. So I wait patiently as another worker chats me up. Asked if I was a guide and I said yes. Asked if I run a lot....yes. Just ran MCM. How'd you do? 3:03. What? You did a 3:03? Yeah...." This conversation becomes important very soon. Finally, the woman processing the ACT guides and runners gets my confirmation letter, sees that I'm a standby and starts to run down the list of things a standby does when all of a sudden you sees my name. "Oh, you're KIP!" "Yes," I replied...worried what that excitement meant. And then I found out. I, Kip PIerson, went from DC Tri Club guy and 3:03 marathoner to rock star status in a flash. The entire crew went into hyper-drive. They were making phone calls, checking lists, checking them twice, having covert conversations all while I stood right there. My picture was being taken...I didn't understand what was going on. And then it hit me. I was to be paired to one of there special athletes, Laura, who's 18 and doing her first marathon with a goal time of 3:15. WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!! A 3:15? Are you kidding me? There's no way I can do a 3:15 after MCM. I yelled, "Are you CRAZY!?!?!?!? (on the inside) and just nodded my head as if everything was just fine. What had I gotten myself into? I'm screwed! I got my bib number, all the information packets on what's expected of a guide and was determined now to spend some money. If I'm doing a 3:15 in NY, you better believe I'm getting some merchandise to boot. After dropping $200 and perusing the all the vendors and headed out the door to catch the 9pm bus back home only to get stuck in traffic and arrive in DC around 2:30am. So much for resting up for Sunday. Yet, despite it all, I was truly excited about the whole thing...from running the course, being the NY, helping out....I couldn't have been more excited. Except maybe the 3:15 part.

After an extremely easy 7 mile run on Wednesday and taking it easy down at Hains Point Thursday morning, I closed my show with two performances on Saturday and caught the 6pm bus up to NY. On the way, I phoned Karen Lewis (the woman who best knows Laura) and she told me that 3:15 was no longer an option and that we were now looking at a 5 hour marathon. Whew!!! But still, five hours on your feet running is probably longer than I've ever run before in my life.

Got into NY just fine, headed out to Brooklyn to stay with a friend and before you knew it 4:30am was here. Thank God for Daylight Savings Time--I needed the extra hour, which made about a total of 4 1/2 hours of sleep. Got dressed as fast as I could and headed out the door to 36th and 5th Ave. by 5:30am. Met up with Laura who's a sweet girl from Orlando, FL and her Mother. It turns out Achilles has and Achilles Kids Program as well and Laura is the first one to do the marathon. She also lost her father a year or two ago and was dedicating this race to him. Even though I may not be religious, I am spiritual, and couldn't help but pray that everything would go well for us both.

Luckily, Laura was in great spirits as were the rest of the guides and athletes, which provided me the opportunity to relax and ask questions that were on my mind. If she has to use the restroom, what do I do? Are there handicap port-a-johns? Should I help at all? Push? Encourage? Get water/gatorade for her? I hadn't a clue, but everything would known soon enough. And if I didn't know, someone else could help me understand.

The ride out to Staten Island was great. It gave us time to meet and chat, tell some good jokes and become familiar with one another---and by the time we got off the bus, I could time she was nervous, but glad I was going to be with her the whole way through. I couldn't help but get excited myself. I was like a kid in a candy store. 5 boroughs, 5 bridges, one of the most spectacular races in the marathoning world and we would get a 2 hour head start. How awesome is that? You get to traverse these bridges by yourself. I can't tell you how excited I was. There were so many parts of NY I had never been to before and now I had the chance to soak it all in. No pressure. No worries about breaking 3:00. Just enjoying my time out there with Laura and helping her cross the finish line.

RACE:
8am came soon enough, and this time there were no long lines for me at the port-a-johns, so we were good to go. We had already straped her in and were ready.The gun went off, camera crews were everywhere and the ATC Athletes were stars.

8:03am The realization that the Verazanno Bridge is a mile uphill sinks in. I notice that her big ring is in the lowest gear, but her small ring is in the largest gear. I try to suggest that maybe she could go lower, but she says it's as low as it can go. Oh well, it just might be a long day. I'm thinking maybe 6 hours. Plus, it is damn cold on that bridge! Laura is having issues getting up the bridge, but we keep telling her that she's halfway there and this is the hardest it will be. With a little help here and there we near the top and you must remember what goes up must come down. I surge ahead in an effort to make it to the bottom before she does---fat chance---and by the time we hit the bottom were 2 miles down and already 40-some minutes into the race. At this pace, we could be out here for a long time. Laura's friend and fellow hand cyclist Nadine (see picture), checks in to see how we're doing and I relay the whole lower gear issue. She tries to explain it to her, but to no avail. Looks like we're doing this whole race in only 3 gears. Shit! This is going to be tough on her.

9:00am Nadine has bike malfunction. Her right handle which is made specifically for her paralyzed hand in order to strap it in---snaps! She has a guide of her own and knowing we were struggling to begin, we forge ahead knowing she'll catch up.

9:30am Nearing the halfway point of Brooklyn, Nadine catches up to us---her right hand strapped in with medical tape. A poor man's fix, but what are you going to do---complain or play on? Nadine choose to play on, even though it was painful and meant it wasn't going to be easy. It's around this time the crowds start to show up in larger numbers and Nadine is great about cycling ahead and telling the crowd that "Laura's coming! Laura's coming! Let's hear it for Laura. It's all about Laura today!" And the crowd would respond. It was good thing I had my orange shades on---I couldn't help tear up. She was right, it was Laura's day and the crowd was cheering for her and her alone. Who else could they be cheering for? I noticed her smile would brighten and her pace would pick up too. TIP #5: If you're not racing, be a spectator. The love, time and energy you give is immeasurable. It could be your scream, your yell, your words of encouragement that make the difference. I realized for the first time, it's not just you who's racing. You have a whole slew of teammates 26.2 long, and you bet your ass they are with you no matter what. Be a leader and cheer. It was also around this time we went by Paul and Mariana. I can't tell you what a joy it was to see them out there that early. I know it wasn't for us, but it was great. (Thanks for yelling guys!)

9:45am The elite wheelchair athletes came flying by----flying by. The returning champion had a huge lead followed by another gentleman and then a flock of 6-8 more who were tucked in and drafting. Did I tell you that they were flying? Fun little fact: I never knew that the wheelchair elite have guides too. But their guides are guides in the pure sense and on actual road bikes flanking each one and blowing their whistle to ensure their safety.

10am We near the halfway point and Nadine has already given me the sign to help out Laura. Though one day I may have thought it was cheating or unfair, today I felt compelled to give her my all so she could continue. So with a low seat back, I bend down and push her up the hill. Like the burning in your legs from tough squat workout or a ride up Mt. Weather, my legs winced and yelped for forgiveness. I silently answered grunts of apologies, but trekked along. I knew at this point, every hill from here on out she was counting on me.

13.1 miles into the race and I get some relief. Nadine has dropped her guide miles ago and now I'm watching out for both of them while periodically having pulling Laura over to readjust her in the seat. It appears the leg harnesses are too long and every couple miles we must pull over and correct the problem. So out come 3 more guides from the tent, one for Nadine and two for Laura. Though I didn't need help, I wasn't about to shun them away and at the very least they could help take turns pushing her up the hills. Oddly enough though, at this point the in the race, Laura was my athlete and I was hers. We were in this together. As they would help I ran up ahead to each corner pointing which way to turn. Yelling if she needed water or gatorade and dashing ahead to cut down on time lost. I even made her eat some food. Without it we would be sunk. Tip #6: Carry extra salt tablets and Gu's with you. Most AWD don't know nearly about nutrition as they should, especially having to be out there for several more hours than we're use to. Though they might be weary of "new" things, they need to eat something. Try to carry multiple flavors.

Mile 16--We near Manhattan and as we attempt to take the bridge the elite women came by us neck and neck. Apparently, from watching the replays, they were like that the whole way. It was amazing! You normally see them at the start and BAM! there gone. But actually being on the course run alongside them gave me such an appreciation for their level of talent. As we headed into Manhattan I instructed the other two guides to run ahead, because this bridge was a long one. And no sooner had we reached the top, she was gone. So what else is there to do but run? And run I did. As I made to the bottom of the bridge, turned the corner and hit the straightaway (which was flat if not slightly downhill) I caught Laura nearly 1 1/2 miles ahead of me. SHIT! Ok, here we go. So I ran, and ran, and ran...and wouldn't you know it--I was running with the elite women---not the elite-elite, but 15-30th place. How awesome is this! And I was holding my own, not for 26.2 miles, but right then and there. As I caught back up to Laura, Nadine had checked to see if Laura was in good hands and I said, "Absolutely." Nadine's hand had begun to numb and she could no longer keep the slower pace that Laura was achieving. As more and more elite runners had passed I would look over and yell some words of encouragement to them and to my surprise they did as well. I was dumbfounded, these women may not have been leading the race, but they were close enough in my book---and to take the extra effort to say "Ditto," "You too," "Nice job!" "Let's go Achilles!"----it was inspiring. TIP #7 Sometimes the bigger you are the more impact your encouraging can have. Just ask Laura and I.

Mile 18--Sirens are blazing, horns are honking and a pack of motorbikes are forming behind my left shoulder. The lead men. Not one, not two, not three, but 9 guys came rolling by. I've never seen such fluid movement in such a large mass. It was like that old Nike commercial with the runners moving as if they were a flock of geese. It was simple and elegant. Truly, a work of physical art.

12pm---We hit the Bronx and I can tell Laura is fading. I have to remind her on the hills that she needs to help me out and she obliges. The further we go the more comfortable and faster I get at readjusting her. I point out every downhill so she has an immediate goal insight. She knows we getting near the end. And thank god for the rolling hills. Not for me, but for her. I can push her up and once she's down onto the next hill I follow shortly behind. I've become her Calvary on every uphill.

Mile 22--We can smell the barn, the crowds are getting larger and we're loving. At one point Laura yells, "Is that the park? Oh my God, that's the park. I can't believe we're already here." But with the park comes more hills and it's going to take everything she's got to finish.

Mile 23--We drop our two extra guides. They can't keep up. There's no holding us back. I surge up the hills and as she's flying downhill and take off to catch up to her yelling "Cycle on your right, cycle on your right!" People must think I'm crazy. And as I'm running I notice I'm keeping up with these runners and I have been for a few miles. Not only that I'm passing them on the downhill. Not only that, as I push Laura uphill we're passing everyone. What is going on here? It's about 40 extra pounds I'm pushing and we're passing people? This is crazy. I wave my hands in the air and the crowds are going crazy for Laura and for me. I could have stayed like that all day long.

Mile 24 1/2--Downhill almost turns into tragedy. I can only yell so far and as she takes off downhill runners are getting in her way as I frantically scream "On your right!" The turn is up ahead and she's hit. Her one wheel comes off the ground and the corner is to sharp for me to see anything. I haul ass down the hill passing everyone to find Laura not at the corner but up ahead. She made It! I don't know how, but she made it through. And as I passed it was a spectator on the road she hit--Not a runner. TIP #8 If you are kind enough to cheer others on, get the FUCK out of the road. When cops and officials say stay on the sidewalk--that is why they say it! She could have seriously been injured.

Mile 26--As we near the end I'm amazed at how much I have in the tank after only a week of rest. A PR at MCM and I'm running 6:00-6:20 miles at the end. Again I push her up the last hill as I wave my arms in the air and the roar of the crowd explodes for her. I give her one last surge and sprint ahead riling the crowd up with 100 yards to go. I look back and scream at her to push hard. You're almost there. I'm jumping up and down like a damn hyena and I feel no pain and neither does she. I'm practically bursting with emotion and then it happens. Laura Arocho, 18 years old from Orlando, FL becomes the first Achilles Kid to ever complete the NY marathon in 4:54:04. And I can proudly say that this was one of the coolest things I've ever done in my life. Completing IMAZ, qualifying for Boston and now this. On so many different levels, I had the time of my life.

Post Race:
I got up early and went to the merchandise store at Tavern on the Green--not to buy anything else, but for $20 I got my name engraved on my medal and under time it says "Guide." I love that medal.

I'm going back next year. I had the option to sign up for IMFL yesterday and I said no. Why go down to the muggy FL temperatures and kill yourself in a race when you can come to the cool autumn skyline of NY and kill yourself for someone else.

I encourage us all to go. You have a fall marathon you say, make it Chicago, you'll be rested by then. If you're doing Philadelphia, look at it as a training run. And if you're doing MCM, just be dumb like me and give it a whirl. It will be the smartest dumb thing you will ever do.

Laura Arocho
Bib # W524
Chip Time: 4:54:04
11:13 mile/pace