点评:The New York City marathon is a race like no other. From getting out of bed at a crazy 3am and taking a bus to the start line to the two mile zombie walk at the finish, the excitement never fades.
The race started in Staten Island at Fort Wadsworth military base. As i line up in your corral the cannons exploded and the sound of New York, New York filled the air as athletes rushed towards the start line and begin their pilgrimage across the five boroughs of NYC to the finish line in Central Park. Crossing the Verrazano Narrows bridge gets the highest elevation of the race out of the way first, it is always so spine-tingling as thousands of runners who have trained for months begin their pilgrimage across day of all days to receive their reward, which is way more than a shiny gold medal. But don’t get too excited because I promise you the worst is still to come!! It is a day where the world unites and the best of the best share the streets with 60,000 runners of all abilities, and everyone is a winner of their own race.
As I approach mile two of the race and enter Brooklyn the atmosphere is electric and the crowd is a carnival of joy and celebration. So much noise and cheering made me feel like a mega star. People line the streets in their thousands, and wave signs of encouragement and support. The corrals merge at mile 8, so there’s a lot of congestion, especially when the excited crowds fill the road and you push your way through as they chant your name, it’s a literal block party as far as the eye can see! As I ran through Williamsburg the party subsided as the Jewish community got on with their day around the bustle of the marathon. The streets are much quieter here, though kids line the way and quietly support the runners as they pass by. This is one of my favourite parts of the marathon as it really does give you an immersion into a cultural experience otherwise not visited on a typical trip to NYC.
I crossed the Pulaski Bridge into Queens and pass the half way point of the marathon where the crowds hand out welcomed gifts of sweets, fruit, and water. It was a good time to psych myself for what is to come in preparation for what I think is the transition point of the marathon at mile 16 - the Queensboro Bridge. This is my absolute favourite part of the marathon. The bridge feels like it lasts forever, with the ascent going on for what seems like miles, and the eventual descent still feeling as steep as the ascent! This is the only part of the marathon where spectators are not permitted, so it is a wonderful time to regroup yourself and take a deep breath to enjoy what you have accomplished so far, and to reset your mind to prepare for the experience which lies ahead. The rhythmic sound of footsteps and heavy breathing is all that you can hear as every runner drinks in their surroundings. It is a huge mental and physical test of personal strength and there are many tears shed by good men and women on that bridge, mine included. I could hear First Avenue long before I saw it and I have to have a lot of self control to hold back from sprinting as we descended into the sharp corner which heads into the giant wall of noise from a million screaming spectators that awaits you as you enter Manhattan for the first time. This never fails to take my breath away, I had tears as I turned the corner and immediately I could hear many strangers calling my name, wishing me well and telling me to run faster (I wish I could!). The crowds carried me forward like magical wings despite feeling so tired and ready to walk, it’s almost impossible to stop because the joy from the crowds lifts you up. I stopped to take many photos of signs, dogs, costumes and people and enjoyed energy boosting shots of fireball and beer from well-wishers in the crowd. My shoulders were beginning to hurt from hi-fiving so many thousands of people and my face ached from the constant smile. I could feel the hill in my legs, but my heart carried me all the way up and over the Willis Avenue Bridge where there was a man rapping into a loudspeaker and called out as I ran past “head up, you’re in the Bronx baby, now get on out of it!” It made me laugh and I carried on one foot in front of the other. We pass a monumental milestone in the Bronx, reaching the 20 mile point- now the marathon game is on and it’s a game of wills to get to the finish line. I love passing this point, you know that you’re definitely going to finish now- only two more parkruns to go!! Skipping onwards I made it to the Madison Avenue Bridge, which is affectionately known as “The Last Damned Bridge!” A spectator named Emily who I have met now on four editions of the New York marathon stands with her sign and gives the best encouragement for the remainder of the race. This year, she asked for runners to dedicate a memorial to loved ones and friends no longer with us, so I dedicated a star to my friend Pete, who never made it to the New York marathon. I cried so hard when I saw his name on that bridge, such a beautiful tribute and huge bolster of strength for my last 10km. From there we headed into Harlem and onto Fifth Avenue. Ah, Fifth Avenue- the gift that keeps on giving. I sent a text to Richard which simply read “this f-ing hill” and I could hear him laughing at it in my minds ear, knowing that only a few hours earlier he’d probably said the same thing out loud as he passed it at a much faster pace than I. Eventually, after what feels like a millennium of time, I reached Central Park. I rejoiced, and then I remembered that this race wasn’t finished with me just yet. Oh no, there are still so many what feels like massive hills to climb and descend. The sun was beginning to set on this glorious day and I still had so far to go. The crowd turned it up a notch and I push on, digging as deep as I could to make it to the end. I saw my beautiful Richard smiling at me at mile 25 and he gave me some ice cold Coke, probably the best I have ever tasted. He gave me a positive pep talk, instructed me on where to find him at the end ,and a long hug then sent me on my way to find the finish line. As I approached Columbus Circle my emotions overtook me and the tears fell down my face. I saw myself on a gigantic screen which made me cry again, then hurriedly plant a smile on my face. The band was playing “this girl is on fire” and it made me feel like I was on top of the world. I ran back into the park and around and up the final hill which brought me onto the parade of national flags and as I passed the Australian flag I stopped to pause and give thanks for this incredible opportunity, and to straighten my top and hair ready for my finish line photos! Then, with 200m to go I gave it everything I have and I ran for the finish line. I crossed it with my arms in the air, jubilant and exhausted, and so very proud. The New York City marathon was mine, and the city had another piece of my heart. It was absolutely amazing, breathtaking and exhausting, and I would 10/10 do it all over again. After the finish line, the marathon is far from over. You stop and take a photo and then you have to keep on moving. A wonderful volunteer drapes a medal around my neck and pulls me in for an unexpected but very welcome hug, she must be the most hugged person on the planet today. I walked further and was gifted a bag with food and drinks that felt as heavy as my legs, and then finally a volunteer with a snails as warm as the sun enveloped me in a warm and fleecy poncho- the best thing after a marathon! We had to continue walking for an age until we were finally out of the park and I could make my way to the meeting point. The zombi walk competed and my day done.
翻译:纽约马拉松是一场独一无二的比赛。从凌晨三点疯狂起床,搭乘巴士前往起跑线,到终点线那两英里的“僵尸行军”,兴奋之情始终未减。
比赛从史坦顿岛的沃兹沃思堡军事基地开始。当我在起跑区排队时,礼炮齐鸣,纽约的呐喊声响彻云霄,运动员们冲向起跑线,开始了穿越纽约市五大区,最终抵达中央公园终点的征程。首先要跨越韦拉扎诺海峡大桥,这是比赛中海拔最高的一段。成千上万训练了数月的跑者在这一天踏上征程,最终抵达终点,获得远超一枚闪亮金牌的奖励,这种感觉总是令人脊背发凉。但别高兴得太早,因为我保证,更刺激的还在后面!这一天,世界团结起来,顶尖高手与六万名水平各异的跑者同场竞技,每个人都是自己人生的赢家。
当我跑到两英里处,进入布鲁克林时,气氛无比热烈,人群熙熙攘攘,欢声笑语,热闹非凡。震耳欲聋的欢呼声让我感觉自己像个超级巨星。成千上万的人挤在街道两旁,挥舞着鼓励的标语。八英里处,各个起跑区汇合,所以非常拥挤。当兴奋的人群挤满道路,你奋力挤过去,他们高喊着你的名字,那简直就是一场绵延不绝的街区派对!当我跑过威廉斯堡时,派对的气氛渐渐平息,犹太社区的人们在马拉松的喧嚣中继续着他们的生活。这里的街道安静了许多,孩子们依然在路边默默地为跑者加油助威。这是我最喜欢的马拉松环节之一,因为它能让你真正沉浸在一种文化体验中,而这种体验在一般的纽约之旅中是体验不到的。
我穿过普拉斯基大桥进入皇后区,经过马拉松的中点,那里的人群会分发糖果、水果和水等贴心小礼物。这是个好时机,让我为接下来的挑战做好准备,因为我认为16英里处是马拉松的转折点——皇后区大桥。这绝对是我最喜欢的马拉松环节。这座桥感觉仿佛没有尽头,上坡路似乎绵延数英里,而最终的下坡路段也和上坡路段一样陡峭!这是马拉松唯一不允许观众入场的路段,所以这是一个绝佳的机会,可以重新调整状态,深呼吸,享受自己迄今为止取得的成就,并调整心态,为接下来的挑战做好准备。耳边只有有节奏的脚步声和沉重的呼吸声,每个跑者都在贪婪地感受着周围的一切。这是一场对个人意志和体力的巨大考验,许多善良的男男女女在那座桥上流下了眼泪,其中也包括我。我还没看到第一大道,就已经听到了它的声音。当我们冲进一个急转弯,进入那片由数百万尖叫的观众组成的巨大声浪时,我必须极力克制自己,才能不让自己冲刺。当你第一次踏入曼哈顿时,这声声浪就在那里等着你。每次看到它,我都感到无比震撼。转过弯角的那一刻,我的眼泪夺眶而出,立刻听到许多陌生人在喊我的名字,祝我好运,并鼓励我跑得更快(我多么希望自己能跑得更快!)。尽管我感到筋疲力尽,只想走着,但人群却像神奇的翅膀一样托着我向前,几乎无法停下来,因为人群的喜悦会让我精神振奋。我停下来拍了很多照片,包括标语、狗狗、奇装异服和人群,还从人群中热情的人们那里喝到了提神的烈酒和啤酒。跟成千上万的人击掌后,我的肩膀开始酸痛,脸上也因为一直咧着嘴笑而酸胀。我能感觉到腿在爬坡,但我的心却支撑着我一路向上,最终跨过威利斯大道桥。桥上有一个男人对着喇叭说唱,在我跑过时喊道:“抬起头来,宝贝,你现在在布朗克斯,快点儿!” 这让我笑了起来,我继续迈着步子向前跑。我们在布朗克斯区跨越了一个重要的里程碑——20英里处。现在马拉松比赛正式开始,这是一场意志力的较量,看谁能坚持到终点。我喜欢经过这个点,你知道自己肯定能完成比赛——只剩下两次公园跑了!!我轻快地继续前进,来到了麦迪逊大道桥,这座桥被人们亲切地称为“最后的该死的桥”!一位名叫艾米丽的观众,我已经连续四届纽约马拉松都遇到她了。她总是举着牌子,为跑者们加油鼓劲,鼓励他们完成比赛。今年,她呼吁跑者们为已故的亲人和朋友留下纪念,于是我为我的朋友皮特留下了一颗星星,他没能参加纽约马拉松。当我看到桥上刻着他的名字时,我哭得泣不成声。那是多么美好的纪念,也给了我最后10公里巨大的力量。之后我们进入哈莱姆区,来到第五大道。啊,第五大道——真是个惊喜不断的宝库。我给理查德发了条短信,内容只有简单的一句“这该死的坡”,我仿佛能听到他在心里嘲笑我,因为我知道就在几个小时前,他可能也曾大声抱怨过这句话,而且他跑得比我快得多。最终,感觉过了好久好久,我终于到达了中央公园。我欣喜若狂,但随即意识到,这场比赛还没结束。哦不,还有那么多感觉像是要爬上去又要下坡的陡坡等着我。夕阳西下,美好的一天即将落下帷幕,而我还有很长的路要走。人群的欢呼声更加热烈,我奋力向前,竭尽全力地冲向终点。在25英里处,我看到了我亲爱的理查德,他正对着我微笑,递给我一杯冰镇可乐,那可能是我喝过最好喝的可乐了。他鼓励了我一番,告诉我终点在哪里可以找到他,然后给了我一个长长的拥抱,送我继续奔向终点。当我接近哥伦布圆环时,我的情绪彻底失控,泪水夺眶而出。我看到自己出现在巨大的屏幕上,再次泪流满面,然后我赶紧挤出一个笑容。乐队正在演奏《This Girl Is On Fire》,这首歌让我感觉自己仿佛站在世界之巅。我跑回公园,绕着公园跑了一圈,爬上了最后的小山坡,来到了各国国旗的游行队伍前。当我经过澳大利亚国旗时,我停下来,感谢这难得的机会,并整理了一下上衣和头发,准备拍终点线的照片!然后,在距离终点还有200米的时候,我拼尽全力,冲向了终点线。我高举双臂冲过终点线,既兴奋又疲惫,但同时也无比自豪。纽约马拉松属于我,这座城市也再次俘获了我的心。这绝对是一次令人惊叹、叹为观止又筋疲力尽的体验,我愿意再来一次,满分十分!冲过终点线后,马拉松远未结束。你停下来拍张照片,然后还得继续前进。一位可爱的志愿者将奖牌挂在我的脖子上,给了我一个意想不到却又无比温暖的拥抱,她一定是今天地球上被拥抱次数最多的人了。我继续往前走,有人送给我一个装满食物和饮料的袋子,感觉和我的腿一样沉。最后,一位志愿者用一件温暖如阳光的羊毛披风把我裹了起来——跑完马拉松后最棒的礼物!我们不得不继续走很久,直到终于走出公园,我才能回到集合点。“僵尸漫步”结束了,我的一天也圆满结束。