Official BIB # 39615

Check it out folks! my Race day BIB # is 39615

General Start # 2 - start time 10:00 am

Since the majority of you can not be here to cheer me on, I wanted to give you some logistics for race day. Below is my projected marathon pace and finish

Please follow me through this journey, you can track me using the following alerts:

Athlete alert provided by Time Warner Cable. Follow the link below:

http://www.ingnycmarathon.com/athlete_alert.htm

The other option is Athlete Race Tracker, which is a website that is only available on race day, while the race is in progress. You don’t have to sign up for it. go to : http://www.ingnycmarathon.org/

For my Cheer Squad, I have a few rules for you:

1) I need to see you more than once

2) Give me lots of words of encouragement - even if I look like I want to stop

3) I want to see posters and signs

4) Water/Gatorade and or PowerGels are welcomed!

5) You must come meet me at the finish

... and last but not least

6) Have fun! Enjoy this day as much as I am!!

oh

and 7) have a drink for me during the parties!!!

So from all the hoopla I hear about marathon day, these are the recommendations given for good Spectator locations:

Manhattan, East Side, First Avenue: First Avenue might be the craziest, most crowded place to watch the race -- the sidewalks can be packed more than eight people deep. The runners are 16 miles into their race at this point and appreciate the roar of the crowd as they come off the Queensboro Bridge. (At First Avenue and 59th Street, Food Emporium will be sampling food and beverages from Emerald Nuts, New York Apple, and Poland Spring, while Clear Channel Radio will have a DJ playing tunes. At 96th Street, you can be part of the T-Mobile Thumbathon and race against other "thumbs" to see who texts the fastest for a chance to win a Blackberry. At 119th Street and First Avenue, BP will set up an Invigorate Station with giveaways and photo opportunities.)

First Avenue is one of the best places to see runners twice: You can see them run up First Avenue, then walk west and see the runners on Central Park South or, if you're farther north, on Fifth Avenue above 90th Street. Harlem: On race day, the sidewalks on Fifth Avenue between 135th Street and 110th Street are filled with people coming from church, going to brunch, and cheering for runners. Some gospel bands play live on the course (look at 135th, 125, and 117 streets). Marcus Garvey Park, between 120th and 124th Streets, is a leafy respite with bleachers set up for spectators.Manhattan, East Side, Fifth Avenue: Emerald Nuts, a marathon sponsor, is marking Mile 21.2 with a sampling and interactive photo opportunity for spectators. The runners stay on Fifth Avenue and run along Central Park until 90th Street, where they turn in.

Central Park: Central Park is an ideal place to watch the race; just be aware that moving around the park can be difficult on race day. Good spots include: Park Drive between 90th and 86th Streets; Park Drive below 72nd is often more crowded. You can cross the park on either the 85th Street or 65th Street transverse roads. You cannot cross Park Drive, but you can go under it: Try the arches at 80th Street, 73rd Street, 67th Street, and 62nd Street.

Central Park South: This part of the course can be crowded; spectators might find it easier to access the south side of the street than the north side. Look for Continental Airline's entertainment zone at Columbus Circle, where the course turns into the park for the final time. Street teams will also be handing out Emerald Nuts on Central Park South.

There are a few strategies you can attack to see me more than once. So, see below my pretty pictures of the Subways along the marathon route and some strategies.

Strategy # 1 :
- Take the R Train to any stop in Brooklyn along 4th Avenue (station #'s 3 - 11):
- 77th Street - 45th Street - Prospect Ave.
- Bay Ridge Ave - 36th Street - 4th Ave/9th Street
- 59th Street - 25th Street - Pacific Street
This allows you to view the runners between miles 3 and 8, but note that until mile 8, runners wearing orange
bibs will be on the left side of the road and all others on the right side.
- Take the R Train back into Manhattan to station #22 (Lexington Ave/59th Street)
- Walk East to 1st Avenue and view the runners between miles 16 and 17
- Walk West to Central Park to see runners complete mile 25

Strategy # 2:
- Take the R Train to any stop in Brooklyn along 4th Avenue (station #'s 3 - 11):
- 77th Street - 45th Street - Prospect Ave.
- Bay Ridge Ave - 36th Street - 4th Ave/9th Street
- 59th Street - 25th Street - Pacific Street
This allows you to view the runners between miles 3 and 8, but note that until mile 8, runners wearing orange
bibs will be on the left side of the road and all others on the right side.
- Take the R Train back into Manhattan to station #22 (Lexington Ave/59th Street) and transfer to the 6 Uptown
train to stations #26-28 (96th, 103rd, or 110th Street).
- Walk East to 1st Avenue and view the runners between miles 18 and 19
- Walk West to Central Park to see runners at around mile 23

Strategy # 3:
- Take the R Train to any stop in Brooklyn along 4th Avenue (station #'s 3 - 11):
- 77th Street - 45th Street - Prospect Ave.
- Bay Ridge Ave - 36th Street - 4th Ave/9th Street
- 59th Street - 25th Street - Pacific Street
This allows you to view the runners between miles 3 and 8, but note that until mile 8, runners wearing orange
bibs will be on the left side of the road and all others on the right side.
- Take the R Train back into Manhattan to station #40 (57th Street/7th Avenue)
- Walk North to Central Park South to see runners between miles 25 and 26

Also, Team for Kids has organized cheering zones if you want to hit those up:

Brooklyn (Just before Mile 8) – 4th Avenue at the corner of Pacific Street, 1 block from Atlantic Avenue and Flatbush Avenue. The cheering station entrance is near the N, R train on the Southeast corner, by P.C. Richard. Take the D, M, N, R to Pacific Street. Staff: Eugene Johnson. Please arrive by 10:15 am to cheer Team for Kids runners; come earlier (8:45 am) to see elite athletes race by the station. (according to my pacing sheet, I should be at this point 11:15’ish)

Queens (Just before Mile 15) – The foot of the Queensboro Bridge at Crescent Street and Queens Bridge Plaza South. Take the 7, N or W to Queensboro Plaza or the E, R, V to Queens Plaza. Staff: Lyncia Beggs. Please arrive by 10:45 am to cheer Team for Kids runners; come earlier (9:10 am) to see elite athletes race by the station. (according to my pacing sheet, I should be at this point around 12:20’ish)

Bronx (About Mile 20.5) –Graham Triangle–138th Street and 3rd Avenue. Take the 6 to 138th Street and 3rd Avenue or take the 4, 5 to 138th Street and Grand Concourse. Staff: Barton Adams. Please arrive by 11:30 am to cheer Team for Kids runners; come earlier (9:30 am) to see elite athletes race by the station. (according to my pacing sheet, I should be at this point 1:05’ish)Harlem (Mile 22) – Marcus Garvey Park (West 122nd Street and Mount Morris Park West). Take the 2, 3 to 125th Street and Malcolm X Boulevard/Lenox Avenue or take the 4, 5, 6 to 125th Street and Lexington Avenue. Staff: Nakia Alston. Please arrive by 11:30 am to cheer Team for Kids runners; come earlier (9:30 am) to see elite athletes race by the station. (according to my pacing sheet, I should be at this point around 1:20’ish)

If I stick to my guns, my competitive nature, and my goal, I should cross the GLORIOUS FINISH at Taveron the green around 2:00pm!!!

after crossing that finish, getting wrapped in my blanket and given my medal, I will be escorted over to Cherry Hill where we have a VIP TFK spot in the park. Please come celebrate with me there!! I want to see everyone who came out to support me!!!

OMG!! SO CLOSE I CAN TASTE IT!!! see you all on Sunday!!!!!!!!

xoxoxo

Lee