Priya Krishna
Me and my friend Priya after completing the New York City Marathon in 2018.
- I ran the TCS New York City Marathon in 2018.
- As someone who does not consider myself a skilled runner by any stretch of the imagination, it was my first-ever marathon.
- Here are 13 tips that helped me survive the New York City Marathon - which ended up being one of the best experiences of my life.
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I am not a runner.
I am very slow. I am easily distracted. I don't even like running that much - it's just cheaper and more convenient than other types of workouts.
But, in 2018, my friend Priya convinced me that we should run a marathon. At that point, we had successfully - albeit slowly - run a number of half-marathons together over the previous five years.
In an emotionally vulnerable state after moving apartments, ending my and Priya's long-term cohabitation, I agreed to sign up for the TCS New York City Marathon. It was a decision I immediately started second guessing. As previously stated, I do not consider myself a runner by any stretch of the imagination.
It seemed inevitable that something terrible would happen. I had a vision of myself running six miles, then - in front of crowds of cheering onlookers - simply laying down in the middle of the road, unwilling and unable continue.
Instead, running the marathon ended up being one of the best experiences of my life. I literally teared up with joy while running. As someone who has cried tears of rage while jogging a 5K, this was very far from my expected outcome.
Actually enjoying the marathon took a lot of preparation. In the months leading up to the race, I asked everyone I knew for advice on how to survive. Here are the best bits, plus a few things that I wish I had known before I signed up to run.