NYC with MEB: The Start
When you’re training for a marathon, it’s 90 percent physical, 10 percent mental. On race day, it’s 10 percent physical, 90 percent mental. One of the biggest mental challenges is managing your pace in that first mile — the adrenaline of the starting cannon is very real, and it’s hard to conserve your energy with that excitement pulsing through your veins.
Fortunately, the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge can help keep you honest. The incline may make you feel like you’re going too slow. Push that thought out of your mind. Now is not a time to worry about your splits! Don’t work too hard as you go up that hill, find a natural pace, and save your energy.
Here are Coach Ben’s and my biggest tips for you related to the start:
- Nothing new on race day. However, you trained to get to the Verrazzano, that’s what you should do today.
- Don’t start out too fast. Slow your pace and enjoy the view. The bridge will give you great views of the Statue of Liberty, the New York City skyline, and the harbor.
- Don’t race before the race. When you get to the start villages, try to relax and be calm, and enjoy the community of fellow runners! You want to be ready and energetic when you toe that start line.
Stay tuned, runners! I’ll be back next week with my tips for running through the Borough of Kings, also known as Brooklyn.
Check out previous episodes of the NYC with MEB video series:
