My Thoughts on NYCM after the Hurricane
If the New York City Marathon is cancelled, I won’t be disappointed one bit.
I’m torn about the whole situation. Part of me feels it’s ridiculous to even be thinking about running 26.2 miles just a few days after NYC was devastated by hurricane Sandy. There are people with needs and a city that requires immediate love and attention.
The other part of me knows that this is a city that prides itself on resilience. The marathon would be a sign of it’s strength and fortitude after a tragic event. The revenue will be needed for sure the spirit of the marathon might be a much needed positive energy force.
On a personal level it’s been hard seeing the complaints of many runners who are upset about not knowing if they will be running on Sunday or not. I get that people have to travel in from out of town and risk losing money for something they have vested in for nearly a year. However, I really expected more compassion from my fellow runners.
And as far as how I feel about the possibility of not running a marathon in a few days after a year of preparation and not being able to run it last year…
It’s about the journey, not the destination.
Marathon or no marathon this journey has been more than I could have ever asked for. I met and trained with some amazing women and did things I didn’t even know were possible.
This entire year has been full of run happy moments, which was my ultimate goal from day one.
*This post originally appeared on this site when FCITC was down.
Perfectly said. I agree 100%
That’s amazing perspective Jess! I totally understand the disappointment though and am guessing it’s hard for people outside the city to understand what it’s like in NYC right now. Hopefully this mess gets cleaned up soon for everyone, including the marathoners. Good luck with your final preparations.
I’m curious about NYCM too. I live in Jersey City and there won’t be trains to Manhattan for 7-10 days, so if the race goes on I wonder what type of efforts will be made to get people there? Your attitude about the race is great.
I’m so happy to finally hear someone’s empathetic and rational perspective on the NYCM. I too have been so disappointed in hearing fellow runners’ complaints about the possibility of cancellation. I suppose that if you do not live in NYC and have not seen the destruction first hand, it may be harder to grasp. But still, I expected so much more from the running community, and most of the responses I have seen have been selfish and angry. When nearly every media outlet is reporting Hurricane Sandy as the most catastrophic weather ever to hit the northeast and the most significant event in NYC since 9/11, you would think our running community could swallow its pride and show some compassion. It is truly disappointing.
Well-said, Jess. While I’m not running the marathon, I’m volunteering as an Italian interpreter at the finish line and was very excited about it. But it’s been the furthest thing from my mind; I spent the storm in soho at my parents’ place in order to not be alone on the UWS and we were without power, hot water, or cell service since Monday night. Luckily we were not in a flood zone but the area is still without power. When I came back to the UWS yesterday afternoon it was like a different world! I can understand how easy it is to forget that other parts of the country or city – even other parts of the borough – are without power when nothing changed in your neighborhood. Downtown is totally silent with people just milling aimlessly through the streets (in the daytime) but uptown is alive and relatively unaffected. It’s pretty surreal. Hopefully runners trying to get here from far away can remember how much parts of the city are still suffering and that NYRR really is trying their hardest to keep the marathon on schedule.
VERY well said my friend.
My heart goes out to everyone impacted. It’s devastating. Thank you for such a poignant post and putting things back into perspective. No doubt if it’s cancelled many will be disappointed, I cannot imagine.
I’ll be thinking of you!! Sending you well wishes!
Beautifully said but I’m glad that you will have the opportunity to run after all. You’ve earned it and it will be a special race. xo
Great thoughts! I’ll be watching from here in MO if they do go ahead with the race.
This is beautifully stated.