TCS NYC Marathon 9.2.2014

Never have I been so overwhelmed about running. I could run for hours.  However,  the sight of the NYC skyline looking back from the Verazano Bridge during the bus ride to the start line just made me hold my breath. My name is Carl Javier. I am a runner. And I am about to embark on one of the most exciting adventures in my life. It's 7am in New York City on November 2, 2014. In a few hours I will be running the TCS NYC Marathon.

I get off the bus at approximately 7:30am at the Staten Island end of the Verazano Bridge, about 1-1/2 hours after my father and mother dropped me off at Bryant Park. Little did I know after arriving at the Midtown Bus pickup location, that a long line had already formed around Bryant Park.  I got nervous so I started running.  I thought about the tendon on the inner side of my left ankle and how I stretched it a week earlier. As I ran to the end of the line, I prayed that I wouldn't feel the pain in my ankle throughout the race.

The sound of a blast fires once, Boom! Half a second later another blast fires, Boom! Two shots? The second was probably an echo.  And why such a loud sound? It was a cannon. A gun shot probably won't be hard by the thousands runners.

At the quiet of the storm, awaits a more exciting event.  9:40am my wave starts lining up into the corrals.  A huge line had already formed in front of the entrace to corral F.  It's going to take a while to get through all these people. As I am surrounded by excited runners I expect to feel warmer, but legs are still shivering.  Thank goodness for my mylar blanket.  The line starts moving. A few feet from the gate, everyone stops.  I ask around what the hold up is. They say they were waiting for wave 3 to start. But why are they stopping. I, am in wave 3.  The lady infront of me sees my bib and finally gives way for wave 3 runners to get through.  Ignore their stupidity and lack of consideration.  The race is about to start. Cannons fire! And wave 3 has officially started.  I text my family, "The Marathon has started. Love you all." I jog uphill to the start line as I take off a couple more layers of clothing.  There are so many clothes laying around the sides of the street. I ask a runner if she could see my name written across my Patriotic American flag bandana that I wrapped across my forehead and over my backwards facing hat from New York running company.  I cross the start line and the race had officially begun. Running into the lower section of the verazzano bridge, with the road dividers on my right side, winds immediately rush across my face.  I look to my left, and I see the new york city skyline with the world trade center tower 1 standing proud and tall. I was going to make it there on foot and I was exhilarated.  I keep a slow and steady pace. I don't want to burn out too quick. But how could I go slow if it would be better to escape the cold rush of winds on this bridge as soon as possible.  Keep it steady, and improvise for nature's tests. To prepare for the next gust of chilled air, I put on my gloves.  And again I was tested. As I covered my face with an open palm on the left side of my nose and mouth, my bent arms created a flag on my side and as the wind blew, I was pushed towards the road dividers. Keep moving and run with the wind. Let it push me, at least it wasn't against me.  With each gust of air, I shouted, "Yeah, yee hoo!" It echos. Everyone shouts out their own words. The bridge finally slopes down. And you could see the road filled with runners. What a magnificent sight! Cue in music with building climax.  At the end of the bridge, the road opens up the upper level road diverges. You could see the heads of the runners bobbing up and down on the ramp above. The upper level road slopes down everyone is now in sight. Hoorah! It's going to be a great race!