NYC MARATHON RACE DAY STRATEGY
Pre Race Prep
When to Eat
Packet pick-up
Be sure to pick up your race bib and bag full o’ goodies at the packet pick-up, which takes place at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, Hall 3B, Eleventh Avenue at West 36th Street (Map) at the dates and times in the table below.
Date: Thursday, Oct. 29
Hours: 10 AM – 8 PM
Last Time for Number Pickup: 7 PM
Date: Friday, Oct. 30
Hours: 10 AM – 8 PM
Last Time for Number Pickup: 7 PM
Date: Saturday, Oct. 31
Hours: 9 AM – 5 PM
Last Time for Number Pickup: 5 PM
For more information visit the TCS NYC Marathon Race Week Expo page.
Weather
As of right now it looks like it will be a pretty warm day in the mid 60’s, but make sure you check on the weather closer to race day.
Transportation
Check (and double-check) your transport arrangements. Traffic will be heavy.
Staging
The NYC Marathon pre-start has 3 ‘stages’.
Warming Up
Because of the coral system, you won’t have much room to warm up. As you move to the start line, if you find space to warm up, you may also find yourself at the back of your wave. Plan in advance how much warm-up you need and how you can achieve it in limited space.
Bridges
The bridges during the marathon can be awesome. Use the quiet to check on your strategy and form. Look around and enjoy the views. Each bridge represents a checkpoint, and an opportunity to focus on your strategy for the next segment. Check on your nutrition to make sure you feel energized.
Specific bridge focus points:
GPS Watches
Your GPS may lose satellites on the lower deck of Verrazano, on 59th St. bridge and in the crowds on 1st & 5th. Have a backup plan to use the mile markers with your ‘total time’ screen.
Passing Runners
Be patient as you move past slower runners. Running side-to-side wastes energy.
Aid Stations
If you hold out until the last third of the aid stations, you will find that your transitions will be much smoother in and out of them. Safety, of course, come first though, so if you feel you need to stop, do so.
Essential Items
Somewhere to store your belongings.
If you decide to check a bag according to the TCS Post Finish Page “you’ll retrieve your Official UPS Bag at your designated UPS truck in Central Park. Trucks will be identified by bib range. After you retrieve your bag, you’ll exit Central Park at 81st Street or 85th Street; you’ll reach these exits up to 60 minutes after you cross the finish line. Family and friends will not be able to meet you at these exits.”
As you can see, it’s a bit complicated to retrieve your bag. So be sure to carefully follow directions on the TCS Post Finish Page.
Note: All baggage unclaimed by 6:00 p.m. will be moved to the West Drive and 72nd Street Cross Drive in Central Park and will be available until 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 1. After 7:00 PM, all unclaimed bags will be available on Monday, November 2, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the finish line.
THINK POSITIVE
Your body is capable of going 50% longer than your longest run. If you can do 2.5 miles or more, you are capable of running a 5 miles! (USA Track and Field Guidebook). Think positively about your race. Negative thoughts cause stress which wastes energy that you need for race day.
HAVE FUN
Don’t forget to take in the energy and have fun!
Are you ready for the NYC Marathon? As the NYC Marathon approaches, make sure you’ve planned your race day strategy!
Coach Jose Miranda is a USA Track and Field Level 1 certified coach. Since the age of 12 he has ran at a competitive level in events ranging from the 200 meters to 8000 meters.
He cofounded Educated Running with the intention of helping runners reach their full potential, and learn about their sport.