Last Minute NYC Marathon Tips!

It’s NYC MARATHON WEEK!!! Yahoo!

Here are some last minute tips for avoiding anxiety, kicking ass & having some fun on Sunday!

Before the race:

• Have a full weekend plan. Before heading into the weekend have a plan for all the things! Especially all the non-race essentials. Some items to include for sure: when you are going to the expo, what you’re doing & eating on Saturday, how you’re getting to/from expo, and time to set out all your race gear/essentials. If you’re traveling to NYC for the race and aren’t familiar with the city, this might be extra important to figure out in advance. It will reduce last minute nerves if you know you’ve already figured out all the non-race aspects to running the NYC Marathon. Do whatever you can in advance, so you can focus on the important stuff (RACE DAY!). If you have any questions— shoot me an email. I’m happy to share my thoughts and experiences.

• My favorite Saturday activity for pre-marathoning is going to a matinee on Broadway. This is a great way to be OFF your legs for a few hours, and to take your mind off the race/calm nerves. You can get great last minute tickets on TodayTix app or at TKTS. Once the show lets out, you're set up for a nice early dinner and an early bedtime.

• Plan your spectators. Know where your people will be, so YOU can look for them. They will NOT be able to find you- unless maybe if you're in a full T-rex costume or something equally absurd. Make sure they have the app downloaded to track you and know your estimated pace. Having folks shortly after the 5K markers is always helpful- as they can get an alert when you cross a 5K point and know that you'll be passing them soon. If you are open to taking calls throughout the race (and are using at least one headphone with a mic), let them know to call you but not to text you. You can much more easily pick up a quick call than dealing with reading/responding to a text.

And for race day- aside from all the race basics you'll hear from everyone else (nothing new on race day, eat breakfast, etc):

• The journey to the start line can be quite arduous- sit whenever possible. If you're waiting for your ferry time, sit. If you're cramped in one of the busses from the ferry to the start, sit (I have sat on the floor of this bus... it won't kill you and you will not regret it). You might think, oh I'll only be here for a few minutes, standing is fine. No, you will be there for much MUCH longer than you anticipate, and your legs have bigger and better tasks for the day, let them rest whenever possible.

• Once your corral starts moving towards the start- go to the bathroom one last time. Again, you won't regret it (but there is a much greater chance you will regret NOT doing this). You might be nervous once people start moving (who am I kidding- you WILL be nervous), but you won't miss your spot in your corral.

• One headphone in, one out- this is my go-to for this race. There may be times when you want to hear and feel the energy of the crowd (BROOKLYN, for sure!!), it's true. But there might also be times when you want to zone the fuck out and not hear the drunk people partying on 1st avenue screaming your name obnoxiously. (okay, maybe that's just me).

• Know exactly where your friends/family/spectators will be along the course. You need to spot them, there is little to no way they will be able to find you. Plan this in advance (see above)!

After the race:

• If you are not getting a poncho, whether you have baggage or not- you're supposed to walk to the (much further exit). I have volunteered at the finish line multiple times, and will be there again this year (say HI if you see me). There is a short cut, that often NYPD and volunteers will let you take (after the ponchos exit, but before baggage starts). If you did not check a bag, you might get lucky if you ask to exit early. No guarantees, but it is worth asking if you don't need to pick up a bag. If you get stuck walking to the last exit, don't fret- walking is good for you and will likely make you less sore later on (#winning). Just make sure to eat something from your post race goodie bag.

• Speaking of your post race goodie bag. If this year's is similar to the previous 5 years. There is a delicious (and very necessary) protein drink- that has multiple wrappers that need to be peeled off before consuming. It is literally the hardest to open protein drink I have ever seen. Please ask a volunteer to open it for you- we will.

• Taking the subway or need to get down any other stairs- walk down backwards. It might look silly, but it will feel better. And you won’t be the only one doing it.

General rule for the day: any time you see a photographer (before, during, after the race) snap a photo. Even if you don't think you plan to buy the pictures after. Because if you do end up buying the photos... it's the same (exorbitant) price whether you have 4 pictures taken or 40. So, take 40!!!

Have a kick ass day Sunday! I’ll be at the finish line, and cannot wait to cheer and congratulate all of you.

If you have any questions before Sunday- as always, feel free to reach out- and I’m happy to share my thoughts and experiences, or help calm any nerves before the cannons go off and NEW YORK, NEW YORK plays on the loud speakers!

Brittany Runs a Marathon.... and could she use a therapist?

I’m a therapist who loves working with 20 (and 30)- something new Yorkers working to make changes in their lives.

Basically, Brittany would be a perfect client. I’d love to meet her.

As a therapist and a runner (and having seen the movie already twice in the theater, haha), I’ve had some Therapy For Runners-type reflections.

No big* spoilers… but by the end of the movie, Brittany has figured a lot of shit out. She’s gotten her goals and priorities in line and, at the core of it all, has realized how to trust and rely on others. Oh, and she ran a marathon.

*okay, maybe some general theme spoilers. But the title of the movies says she runs a marathon, so I figure that’s a given.

While watching- and as one of the 50,000 people in the movie shown actually running the 2017 NYC Marathon (and contrary to the news reporter in the movie, the runners did NOT love the rain. smh)… there’s a lot the movie gets right. As a therapist in Brooklyn, there are definitely some parts that are a bit of hollywood magic. I tell my clients (and remind myself, regularly) that there is no easy button. I’ve seen a lot of blow back in various running forums online about the movie not being very realistic in terms of Brittany’s transformation. Going from barely running one block, to running a marathon… in that timeframe, may be a bit of a stretch. But in those scenes, there’s a lot that IS CORRECT. At least for a runner like me (and maybe for a runner, or future-runner, like you). I was never athletic, running did NOT come naturally. Since I’ve been running now for about 7 years, and have done 2 marathons and more halfs than I can count… I had forgotten what getting started was like. But the movie brought it all back. I remember downloading one of the couch to 5k type of apps, leaving my apartment in Bed-Stuy and slowly way walk-running maybe a 4 block radius. It was slow, not fun, scary, terrible and overwhelming and all.the.things! But I did it. And each day I went out there, maybe I went a bit further, or it felt a bit easier… maybe.

Making a big change in your life (whether it’s starting running, or making other changes) is never a direct A-to-Z line. It will be all over the place. Sometimes going forward, but many times going backwards or in ever-frustrating circles. There will be challenges, barriers, successes, distractions, good days, and bad days. Many days when you won’t want to trudge through the hard stuff. A lot of days when it would be easier not to have to do it all alone. That’s where I feel like there could have been a good role in Brittany Runs A Marathon for the support of a therapist. [raises hand, I’ll be your therapist, Brittany].

Brittany was a clear success story in the movie. She gets fit & strong, changes her life, improves friendships and romantic relationships, AND runs a marathon. I’m not saying that I think all of that is impossible, I know for sure that it’s not. I just know that it’s a hell of a lot harder than the movie makes it seem. And I’m gonna keep working to motivate myself to make positive changes in my own life, and keep working with people to help them be more of the self they really want to be.

I’m really excited about the future of Therapy For Runners, and some new ideas that have been percolating. A lot of what’s in the works is a better way to help support more people enact these big, positive changes in their lives. Stay tuned for more information coming soon (before 2020). Feel free to sign up for the newsletter below (I don’t send a lot of emails, don’t worry). As always, feel free to reach out to me anytime.

If you have no idea what I’m talking about above… here’s the Brittany Runs A Marathon movie trailer:

And for fun, here’s a before & after pic from my 2017 marathon day:

10 days to go!!! SELF CARE CHALLENGE!

10 days til #tcsnycmarathon = 10 days of self care!

November 5th is almost here (insert: panic & excitement! AHHH). For those running, I’m sure you are going through lots of different emotions right now- I know I am. After spending 5 months focusing on one thing, one goal, one day... the realization of all of that’s about to happen is starting to sink in. Marathon blues, are definitely a thing. I used to think they’d just pop up post-marathon, but I have been feeling them this week. Tapering is different for everyone, but I spent the first part of this week feeling highly unmotivated- not getting out of bed in time to get the miles on my training plan in, and then beating myself up about it. I realized Tuesday of this week that I was being a bit silly. I’ve followed my training plan (for the most part, very closely), had a great 20 mile run & even felt really good about running the last 10 miles of the course on Sunday. However, for some reason Monday-Wednesday this week felt like I had lost all focus & motivation.

So, with 10 days left to go, I’ve decided I’m going to focus (even more than usual) on SELF CARE.  I’m a big believer in self care & also know that most of us do not do it enough. Living in this city is hard enough. It’s been an incredibly hard year in the world. People have jobs & family & responsibilities & so many stressors... all.the.time! Throw the insane idea of training for & running a marathon on top of that. It’s a bit crazy. So, yes, self care- it’s important & necessary! And, trust me, it doesn’t just happen naturally (unless you’re some sort of magical human with lots & lots of resources). But for most of us, it’s extra time... extra money.... extra focus.... and all of that can be hard to come by most days.

So, for the next 10 days leading up to the TCS NYC Marathon, I’m going to focus on one thing (self care-related) each day. And I encourage you to do the same!! I’ll be posting on Instagram & Facebook. I love the running community & think it’s a great place to get support and connect with others! So, if you’re down for the self care challenge please post along the way and add the tags:  

#therapy4runners

#10daysofselfcare

#nycmarathonselfcareclub

I hope with using the hashtags, people will be able to get new ideas of self care! Either to do in the next 10 days, or even better- to turn into a sustainable self care practice. (Remember: nothing new on race day!!)

What if...
I’m not a runner but want to join in....
I’m a runner, but not running the NYC Marathon this year...
I’ve never focused on self care before & this is scary and weird....
I have no time/money/energy to do something self care related each day....

PLEASE JOIN US!
...start small (5 minutes/day counts!), support others, try something new... and, best of all, take care of yourself!!!

And for the 50,000 rockstars doing the marathon next week... enjoy the next 10 days! Enjoy every moment (and every delicious carb) that will get us to the Verrazano bridge.  

If 10 days of self care seems like a lot... know that you've already come this far, you are capable and strong and determined, and fully deserve to treat yourself to some TLC!

Happy tapering, folks! I look forward to sharing (and learning) new self care tips & ideas in the next 10 days!

Finish strong! 

~katie