Susan Koenemann's Staging Area

Agreeing with the other reviewers, this was definitely one of the most challenging races I’ve ever experienced. I also am not a great marathoner, so my struggles to finish were the result of age, inexperience, and ability. Although I did miss the seven hour cut-off time, I was able to finish at 7:45 and still medal, thanks to some encouraging words from fellow late finisher, Steve Hill from England, who pep-talked me through the final two miles in afternoon, hot, 108 degree Jordanian heat!
Walking through the siq, a very famous “Indiana Jones” pathway past the famous Petra Treasury, was how our early morning began. Group photos and final instructions took us to a starting point towards the “back” of Petra. Right away the terrain was sandy, rocky at times, and hilly as we left the park and entered its surrounding desert. Our first half was run on a mixture of sandy trails and paved roadways, definitely warm but a beautiful beginning!
I was glad I had worn my water belt and ball cap when it got brutally hot as the morning wore on. Remember, this is a desert run, combined with steep hills and dry heat, with NO shade ever. At each stop I drank delicious coca-cola and also refilled my personal bottles. I was able to make the halfway check mark where you received an official “I’ve made it” bracelet before turning around and backtracking a few miles in the course. I did manage to clear the 30k mark under required five hours (with seven minutes to spare) and was allowed to continue-so exciting! BUT, it wasn’t long till I realized the last eight miles involved walking up a mountain for half of this distance, because it was too difficult and hot to run this section of the race. I found myself having to stop often just to rest, even sitting down once at a tented water stop and chugging coke, which I highly recommend!
Once through the climbing portion I was briefly quizzed by a doctor before being allowed to begin the descent to the village. I felt like the care and concern for each runner was admirable, and really appreciated it. I also was offered several opportunities to quit by course officials driving by in jeeps, so I never felt alone. It took me quite a while to finish the last two miles due to the mid-afternoon sun, heat, sandy and rocky terrain, and maybe even a little delirium. But I did it!
Although the officials had shut down the majority of the finish area after the seven hour cut-off time, my cheering friends (and another very nice doctor) helped me feel like a true winner! It was a great accomplishment for this not-so-great runner, and I still cherish the memory.

Such an amazing, adrenaline-pumping experience! The 2015 NYC Marathon was EVERYTHING I thought it would be, including one of my worst fears – bonking before the end. This race was my 2nd real marathon (Chicago two years ago, and Machu Picchu quite a few years back which was more of an endurance day-long walk run so I don’t count it). Having been a half-marathoner up to this point, I’ve been trying to “graduate” to the big girls’ club and the 26.2 mile run! So though I was very happy to be there, admittedly I was pretty nervous about finishing well.

Waiting at the staging area was easy compared to other years, I’ve heard. Transportation was a cinch booked through Marathon Tours; we rode on a private bus with our friend Donn through the city until we reached Fort Wadsworth on Staten Island. We took our own blankets and throw-away sweats and sweatshirts expecting to be freezing, but it was a beautiful day. The sponsors served ton of coffee, tea, donuts, bagels, energy bars and fruit and we definitely weren’t hungry. With three different corrals and 3-4 start times this race went off without a hitch! Walking through the corrals to the start line was very fun with a small spectator crowd and loud race music (they even have port-a-potties walking in the corrals).

The race – From the initial one mile climb up the Verrazano Bridge in a tight, crowded group, it was such an exciting day! Although hillier than one would think with quite a few inclined bridges, this race is mostly running through neighborhoods of friendly, partying Brooklyn-ites, Queens folk, Bronx natives, Harlem well-wishers and of course, Manhattan-ites. These people and the NYPD along the entire 26 miles were the most uplifting and entertaining fans I’ve ever seen, and they made my day! Every borough in NYC was alive and partying, every street and street corner packed with lively families and well-wishers. Thank you, New York!

My boyfriend-trainer and I ran a fairly fast-paced (for me) 18 miles and were determined to not walk until at least mile 21 if at all. It was rewardingly fun also to see my sister, brother-in-law and brother at the appointed 18 mile mark we had planned out the day before. I’ve never experienced family on the sidelines so this meant so much to me and had been a great goal up to that point! However, just past this mark, I found myself walking suddenly through a water top, very dizzy and cramping. I have never cramped before and wow, does that hurt! My months of training definitely came into play, helping me to persevere and push through a painful, zero-electrolyte spiral downward for miles 18-24. Following this slump and thanks to pounding energy drinks and random pretzels and bananas from the generous sideline crowd, I was able to reach my middle-of-the-road goal of finishing under 5 hours by picking up speed the last two miles in the park (gorgeous and largely downhill!) and sprinting up the final hill to the finish, with ten seconds to spare – lol! I ran with my boyfriend, Jeffrey, who thank-goodness stayed with me the entire race and pulled me through my “crazed” 6 mile struggle with a walk ten-run 20 type approach. I also had fellow Antarctic racer Karen P. to thank, whom we also covered a few miles with during my bonk.

Overall, the entire race was super-organized, from the start to finish, and the medal is beautiful and such a wonderful reward for the work! In the end, I was very happy with my finish and already planning new strategies to prevent future salt deficiency!