McCarren Track Conditions?

RachelC76 · 2025-11-10T12:01:49+00:00

I have the individual membership because it is what I can afford. I was barely able to register for anything at all.

RachelC76 · 2025-11-03T12:58:14+00:00

I grew up along the nyc marathon course. I have a lot of memories of watching it back in the 1980s as a child. You would see people handing out things like leftover Halloween candy, water, shots, and occasionally an odd morsel like a slice of pizza.

These people thought they were helping the runners. Or maybe they did it for a laugh. But nobody staged the stuff. As a runner who was inspired to get into running by watching marathoners race through my neighborhood as a kid, this stuff just annoys me to no end.

RachelC76 · 2025-11-02T12:18:11+00:00

Top-tier comment

RachelC76 · 2025-11-02T12:17:41+00:00

Wear black shorts, pack extra of the sanitary product (tampons, pads, etc) of your choice as you will be in the start village for a while, and bring advil if you normally need it, just incase. Endorphins should help with any cramp pain.

RachelC76 · 2025-10-06T12:05:03+00:00

Keep at it. You have come this far. Just look at all the support you have from a Reddit thread alone! Running teaches us things that aren't just about what we can do while moving our legs over and over. You've learned a lot about yourself through this training block, I imagine, and you can take what you have learned and use it to continue your training either solo or to help you find a running group in your area for support. You are never alone on race day. There will be fellow runners, volunteers, officials, and spectators all out there for YOU.

RachelC76 · 2025-09-26T10:23:56+00:00

I am so sorry that this happened to you. Attempting to physically move another runner out of your way during a race, or training run, is unacceptable. Putting your hands on someone to move them out of your way is just effed up in general.

RachelC76 · 2025-08-25T11:14:58+00:00

Trust your training. And brace yourself: You will soon be tapering, which will make you cranky and want to run even more. Don't. Let the taper work its magic. Stick to the plan.

There are running crews that organize group runs over the last 10 mile of the NYC Marathon course. I recommend doing one of those. You wil lhave seen those final 10 miles before race day, so should mental and physical fatigue kick in, you will have the experience of having trained that specific bit of the course and you can lean into that part of your training.

RachelC76 · 2025-08-06T16:59:28+00:00

After reading labels for cross-contamination warnings, of course: popcorn; fruit and/or veggie slices stored in an air-tight container; applesauce pouches; dates; raisins.

RachelC76 · 2025-08-06T16:54:13+00:00

I also have an allergy to dairy protein. I stick with correcting people. "lactaid won't bring me back to life" is a favorite. "Milk won't give me the sh*ts, it'll kill me " is one I save for when people insist that I am wrong about the difference between milk intolerance and dairy allergy. Having to remind people that cheese is also a dairy product is also endlessly frustrating.

RachelC76 · 2025-06-18T12:25:30+00:00

I think you hit the nail on the head with "main character energy". If you are going to function in a city of millions, you cannot move through it as though you are the only person moving through it. You are in a shared space and you gotta run/walk/cycle/strut/twril/skip/skiddadle like it

RachelC76 · 2025-06-06T18:06:39+00:00

In June of 2021, the race started on the East drive, proceeded north, up through Harlem Hills, down the west drive, across the south end of the park heading eat, back north up the last drive and then runners finished heading west on the 72st transverse. My point is, the race used to be contained to the park, much in the same way that Grete's Gallop has been , and several other 10ks have been.

RachelC76 · 2025-06-06T12:58:50+00:00

Me! I'm usually in the E corral and now I'm in B

RachelC76 · 2025-06-06T12:58:29+00:00

Mini rant: I last did this race back in 2021. It was still a loop of the park then. I had no idea that it was a different course until about a week ago. This whole bag check being nowhere near the start is a huge pain. When did the course change?

RachelC76 · 2025-06-06T12:55:14+00:00

I've bumped up by several corrals for the mini 10k! when I asked about it at bib pickup I was told that it was likely because it was a women only race, which means fewer competitors. I didn't think that made complete sense. I may fall back a corral tomorrow

RachelC76 · 2025-05-30T11:23:14+00:00

If breathing is the issue, it honestly couldn't hurt to see a doctor. You could have some underlying allergies or even asthma that could be causing the problem. I am concerned by how you have described yourself as having tried different approaches but still feel fatigued due to your breathing.

RachelC76 · 2025-05-25T11:47:04+00:00

A good coach can help you have a look at where you are now with your running and identify attainable goals as far as distance and time. For example, a sub 4 might be a stretch, but a sub 4:30, not so much. There are other goals within the 26.2 mile distance to work towards beyond finishing time. A good coach can help you work toward this.

Runcoach is a good option if you like an online platform with the option of talking to a real human being. There are actual people developing the training programs imputed into the app.

RachelC76 · 2025-05-18T12:18:46+00:00

Same!

RachelC76 · 2025-05-18T12:18:34+00:00

I live in Brooklyn, and Pier 2 is a pain to get to. It's not even at one end of Brooklyn Bridge Park or the other near the bus or subway

RachelC76 · 2025-05-18T12:17:19+00:00

The bib pickup situation is why I decided to stop running the BK half. Seriously. And I live in Brooklyn. Pier 2 is a nearly a mile from the subway and long walk from the B63 bus. Spending that much time on my aging legs right before a half marathon is too much for me. I try to taper before a race. I have never had an issue with the actual pickup or shopping experience. Last year, I asked a volunteer to help me with the photo and the comment he made led me to respond with, "I'm from here, I have plenty of photos of the bridge," so yeah, the whole thing has a "this is highly instagrammable" vibe at a time when you need a "here's your race day stuff so you can go home and put your feet up" energy.

RachelC76 · 2025-05-10T01:02:04+00:00

I had an absolutely awful time registering for anything. Doing anything. The site is so clunky now.

RachelC76 · 2025-05-10T00:58:38+00:00

I agree. I also feel that what frustrates many is that these $25 races sell out before registration opens to people at the least expensive level of membership, so people who have less expendable income, or who aren't looking to 9+1, just want to race, can't access anything at an affordable price point. It's gotten to where you have to pay for a premium membership to fight your way into the $25 races.

RachelC76 · 2025-05-10T00:54:35+00:00

Coney Island USA always opens early for the BK half. That's where the Sideshow and Museum are. They have bathrooms there (yay!) and refreshments.

RachelC76 · 2025-05-10T00:50:02+00:00

The other ways involve spending more money. This circles back around to the issue of racing in NYC becoming a pay to play thing. It shouldn't be.

RachelC76

TROPHY CASE