Since my last post in early May, a lot has happened on the fitness front. Consistency has been key - but also some fun surprises thrown into the mix.
I ran my 5th consecutive Brooklyn Half, participated in my first Duathlon, repeated the Wounded Warrior ride with friends, and just 'checked off' a life goal of riding to Montauk (70 miles!) There's also some vacation running in Italy to brag about - scenic ports, the smell of pizza, through ancient ruins.
I also celebrated a decade plus of CrossFit Murph...but it didn't go well this year. Yes, I completed it. But I seriously injured my right arm. My guess was there was some weakness already developing and the intensity and repetition of the workout blew it out. I knew within minutes that something was wrong, but I kept going 300, 200, 100 reps later. I had some serious swelling and loss of mobility for a few weeks, but I'm feeling much better now. Recovery included active rest, lower weights, and lower risk taking for a few months. I just started building up and feeling confident again in CrossFit this week.
At least an arm injury is new for me - how exciting!
Additionally, I've been ramping up my long runs as part of my training for the Suffolk Marathon on October 18th. This coming weekend my long run will be 18-miles in Central Park as part of a NYRR training series. Potentially followed by 15, 8, and then the Staten Island Half the week prior to the marathon as my last run - which I will need to treat very casually.
New Marathon, New Me. I don't know what to expect in comparison to 3 years of back-to-back NYC Marathons. Besides the obvious fact that NYC is a World Major and Suffolk is a local race, there are other factors that will affect my overall experience.
Less People
While NYC has ~55,000 runners, Suffolk will only have ~300. Additionally, the entire NYC course has giant crowds of spectators, and Suffolk is mostly a solo run. NYC is a giant block party, while for Suffolk I might see some deer and birds!
Different Course Terrain
The NYC course is known for rolling hills, major bridges and elevation climbs, varying surfaces across five distinct boroughs, and crowd squeeze points - making it a tougher test of endurance.
While Suffolk is mostly flat with a signature climb over the Robert Moses Causeway, offering sweeping views of the Great South Bay. It's known for being a good PR course, though weather can derail that if there are strong coastal headwinds.
Less Resources and Aid
NYC has a ridiculous amount of aid stations for water and fuel, as well as stations for medical and other needs. It takes thousands of staff and volunteers to run this major world event.
From my understanding, I should expect to carry a lot of what I need for Suffolk, especially during some of the more remote parts of the course. This will be challenging and new for me.
Simpler Logistics
NYC requires rigorous logistics, including very early morning transport to the Staten Island and hours of waiting in the Athlete Village.
While Suffolk is much closer to home - I'll just show up in the morning!
One Start - All together
NYC has 5 waves, 3 colors, and A-F corrals. Very complex - because it has to be. These assignments are extremely competitive as they affect your overall race experience.
Due to a dramatically smaller field, Suffolk does not utilize staggered wave start times. It also starts much earlier in the morning - more closely mimicking long runs during training.
I know, I'm really selling the idea of Suffolk! However, at the end of the day. NYC is well...New York. It's once in a lifetime (or three times for me). It's a privilege. It's earned, not given. It's an experience that spans several days - and it fills your heart with humanity while simultaneously challenging your grit to levels you didn't think possible
That being said, I'm very excited to see how I'm feeling during my Suffolk recap in just a few short weeks. Also the beach view and vibes will be a nice touch!
