➤ Do you want a checked bag waiting for you at the finish? Figure this out and if you do, you must drop your bag at the bag drop in Central Park no later than Saturday afternoon. That means you probably don’t want to check your phone like I used to do back in the day. That means thinking about: Are you going to run the marathon with your phone? Are you going to lee it at home/the hotel and find a way to get home with no cell phone once you’re finished?
I know. It’s a lot to decide. But you he to figure it out now. I’m leaning towards running with no phone but I he my morning commute locked in. It might not be smart to trel alone with no phone. Do you he the gear you need to run with your phone? Keep in mind, hydration bladders or backpacks are not allowed in the starting area, so you’re looking at a running belt, pocket, or bra as your options for phone transportation.
➤ Where/what/when will you eat throughout the weekend? He it planned in advance. Every meal. Decide where you’re going to eat the night before the race, as well as the afternoon/evening afterwards. Especially if you’re treling with friends or family and looking to go somewhere special– get your reservations in now.
New York City is an exciting but exhausting place to visit. Carry water and snacks and carbs and salt on you at all times so you can sip on hydration and oid depleting yourself before race day. (Somewhere Meg Featherstun is reading this and clapping!)
See the finish before you finish
DON’T OVERTHINK YOUR PLAN JUST BECAUSE SOMEONE ELSE HAS A DIFFERENT ONE. Yes, all caps again because I mean it.
In my opinion, this marathon in particular can be one of the most overwhelming and intimidating marathons, and I’m not even talking about the marathon itself. This is a major marathon in a major city that requires high level organization, planning, and logistics. There are many ways to plan. Just because someone has a different plan than you, do not assume their plan is better. Make your plan. Make sure it works for you. Then study it and stick to it.