Countdown to the 2011 NYC Marathon

I did a short run through Central Park this morning - the lower loop. I wanted to familiarize myself with the last few miles of the course, which I know will be the toughest for me. As you might know, there was a snowstorm that blew through this past weekend and did a lot of damage to the Park. As many as 1,000 trees were damaged.

They've put all the cleared branches to the side of the road, but it goes for quite a bit. Along Central Park South, it really does change the view from the Park. Anyway, I kept trying to imagine what I'd be feeling like at miles 24 and 25, and part of the reason I wanted to run this portion, besides keeping my runs this week short, was to really prepare myself for when I do hit miles 24 and 25. I figure at that point in the run I'll be bargaining with myself, and it's much easier for me to do when I know what's up ahead, to know that when you think you're turning to the finish, you're really not, you've still got about half a mile until you turn into the finish. I'm preparing myself mentally... until I see this:

(except I imagine it will be much more crowded). Then I will be very, very, very happy! It was fun to see the race preperation. They even built a walkway over the course on the 72nd street traverse. Now, I think it would cruel, though, to make marathoners walk up 2 flights of stairs and then down 2 flights to cross the street. I'm hoping that's for spectators. One scary thought, though, is I read it will take an hour from crossing the finish to getting out of the park. This marathon will be a full day event!. I just hope I won't need one of these at the end.