Seeing the world’s fastest runners up close, volunteering at the New York City Marathon
I’ve run in six marathons and watched several others, but never before volunteered until Sunday. Wow! It was almost unfair the access.
I was right in the middle of Columbus Circle where the runners make their final turn back into Central Park before the several hundred yards to the finish
Check out the videos below to see the top finishers. The runners may go past too fast to see in the videos, but they pass maybe a meter from me and I could see the expressions on their faces. Even being in the race, I can’t see the determination, grit, and yet relaxation in the faces of people reaching the pinnacle of human achievement.
Four big observations:
One: The difference in level of relaxation combined with effort from the top finishers to the people close but not contenders was big, then between the near-contenders to “merely” very fast runners, then between them to sub-three hour finishers, and so on was intriguing to observe. They’re running different races, doing different things in their lives.
Two: I’ve written lately about how my body takes longer to recover, that I can’t do things I used to and so on. Age does change one’s body, but I saw plenty of runners older than I am now with times significantly faster than my best in my 20s and 30s. Seeing them reminded me of how much more potential I have in me. I can enjoy life more.
Three: I was surprised at how choked up I felt. I wondered if my body produces more oxytocin, less testosterone, or some changes that lead me to feel more connected, less protective. Or maybe it’s just the marathon’s intensity and my being so close to the fastest people in the world I could touch them. I obviously didn’t touch them, but I could see the pores on their skin. I could see the look in their eyes.
Four: I also write a lot about how much I see humanity living contrary to our values. I use the words corrupt and capitulate a lot. They’re accurate, but the marathon gave me a big dose of people reaching their potentials, including beyond what I’m reaching myself. It felt like and injection of hope, valor, grit, and determination. No one could take one step for any of the runners and they took 26.2 miles worth of steps. Some clearly ran through injuries. Some were blind or deaf. Some went by wheelchair.
I recommend volunteering at the New York City marathon!
Here’s another view looking down Central Park South from Columbus Circle, showing the approach of tens of thousands of runners.
