Do marathoners improve with age?

Based on my personal empirical evidence it would seem so.

Last year I ran the marathon in 4:30:04, a very respectably time for a first time runner in my age group. This year I was worried that my time would be slower because I was unable to train as consistently as before because I was back working. However, and despite stopping and/or walking several times because of late mile cramping in my legs, something that didn't occur in 2010, on a day that saw the course record broken by two and a half minutes, I shattered mine by running the course almost a full 22 minutes faster, crossing the finish line in 4:08:09. If I can keep this rate of improvement I'll be competing against the elite men in a couple of years!

In all seriousness, this years race was - once again - an amazing experience. Not only did I run it faster than I expected, or could have anticipated, but thanks to the generous support of so many friends and family, along with donations collected by the other 216 members of the Team this year, we raised close to $800,000 to support the family of Hole in the Wall Camps. A truly remarkable amount by any perspective.

The race itself couldn't have taken place on a more perfect day. Without a cloud in the sky and balmy temperatures in the high-50s to low-60s, the course was exceptional. It was probably thanks to the amazing weather and a familiarity with the course, but my pace started quick, something in the range of an eight and half minute mile, and continued at that until around about mile 21. Over the final 5 miles, however, my pace began to suffer as the accumulated effects of the day built up in my legs and my thigh muscles began cramping up on me. The cramping was in addition to a developing pain in one knee caused, I believe, from an an abrupt lateral movement to avoid a fellow runner who tripped in front of me around mile 8. These combined to force me to walk at times and even stop completely in order to massage and stretch my muscles. Were it not for the fatigue, I was on pace to run a sub-four hour time, which would have literally floored me. As it was, I finished just slightly longer than that but in a fantastic time nonetheless and one that I am exceedingly happy about.

The gorgeous early fall weather also made for exceptional conditions for spectators, and they were out in absolute droves. Portions of the course that weren't very crowded last year were lined with people and sections known to be popular viewing spots, such as Fourth Avenue in Park Slope, First Avenue between 59th and 96th Streets, and Central Park, were absolutely overflowing with people. In fact the "canyon of sound," just after the Queensboro Bridge, known for attracting some of the largest crowds along the course, was lined almost 10 people deep.

The only downside to my pace and the day was that because I was running more quickly than expected, my friends and family, who saw me on 4th Avenue in Park Slope and planned to see me again on 111th and 1st and then once more on 107th and 5th, missed me those other times because I already passed those points when they got there. Of course if the reason I missed them was because I was running faster than expected, that wasn't such a bad thing in the end. After all, I got to see them at the best part: at the post-race finisher party with my finisher medal around my neck.

So now I'm already thinking about next year. Who would have imagined I'd go from running one marathon to preparing for a third. And, once more, I expect to run for Team Hole in the Wall and hope to have your support.

Thanks to one and all and stay tuned for pictures.

Bib Number 44578

For those of you who don't know, I'm running the NYC Marathon again this year and the race is only a couple days away. I want to thank all those who contributed generously to Team Hole in the Wall, the charity that I am running with again this year, and to let you know that although I've reached my minimum it is never too late to make a donation. Please click here to be directed to my fundraising website.

One of the amazing things about running the marathon is seeing the thousands, if not millions, of people lining the route cheering us along. But while the throngs of supporters is motivating, nothing compares to seeing familiar faces in the crowd. If you're going to be among the crowd and want to better your chances of seeing me, or want to track my progress from wherever you are, you can click here to see the various options available to track runners in near real time using your cell/smart phones. I will once again be wearing my Team Hole in the Wall jersey (white with green sides and sleeves) and my bib number this year is 44578.

However, one thing I learned from 2010 is that it is far easier for me to find you than it may be for you to spot me among the 47,000+ runners passing by. So if you do plan to come out, please let me know where you'll be, which cross street and side of the course, and I'll keep an eye out for you. Also, while places like the areas along 4th Avenue in Brooklyn, First Avenue around the 59th Street Bridge, and Central Park are the popular sites for fans to gather, stretches in northern Manhattan and through Harlem (approximately mile 18 - 22) have way less spectators - making it easier to spot people - and is where support was most important for me last year.

Thank you all once again for your continued support and I'll be looking for you along the course.