So… I’m in the green start. That’s the odd one out - the other two merge after about three miles, I won’t join in until mile seven. You know, that might not be such a bad thing, limiting the crowds for the first few miles (to a mere 12,000 or so). Anyone know if I’ll be on the top or the bottom of the bridge? Actually, on the map it looks as if the green start is the odd one, but on the writeup below it claims that its the orange start. I guess I’ll find out more when I get there.

By the way, there’s a wonderful course writeup available at the official marathon site. Here’s a particularly worrisome excerpt:

The five bridges along the course offer uphill climbs ranging from a quarter mile to a mile followed by a downhill of roughly equal length and grade. The problem is, you lose more time on the ups than you gain on the downs. In addition, from 8 miles on there are several moderate inclines of a quarter mile to a half mile (in addition to the bridges), which tamper with your quest to stay on pace.

The toughest hills aren’t even the toughest. At the end of the marathon even the slightest inclines take a toll. And there are several ascents in the last 3 miles that make the going plenty tough at a time when the distance to go is enough of an obstacle. You start a moderate incline just past 110th Street on Fifth Avenue, which gradually increases until you turn into Central Park at 90th Street. The climb is relentless, and lasts almost a full mile. And there are still more hills to abuse your tiring legs in the final mile. The two long blocks up Central Park South don’t look so bad to the spectators screaming at you to pick up the pace. But after more than 25 miles that moderate incline is a challenge for sure. And wouldn’t you know it—the last quarter mile is up a more-than-moderate uphill. Whose idea was that?

They even suggest adding a full 10 minutes to your “standard” marathon time for the course. Hmm. Its a great writeup, well worth reading in full if you’re going to be joining me in November.

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