How Not to Train for a Marathon – The Finale
By Patrick Chang 
March 1, 2011 
13 Comments
Sorry for the delay! I’ve started this immediately after the marathon but never had a chance to finish it. Here is the long overdue recap (4 months overdue!) A special thanks to Matsuri and Marwan from Meze Grill for each donating $200 respectively to my marathon cause; I could not have done it without the support from these highly delicious establishments!
All good things must come to an end. It’s been a good run (pun intended) but my “How Not to Train for a Marathon” series has finally come to an end. On November 7, 2010 I completed my very first marathon (on a STRESS FRACTURE) and as many of y’all know I raised over $3,300 for StreetWise Partners . First off, I cannot thank everyone enough for their support. Y’all were with me the entire way!
Through all these weeks of “How Not to Train for a Marathon” I always started off writing about how great a nonprofit StreetWise Partners is and how they are making a difference directly with low- income individuals. Last week, I mentioned that StreetWise Partners not only allowed me to grow in helping others but also helped me make some great friendships that hopefully will last a lifetime. But I am most thankful to StreetWise Partners for introducing me to one of my best friends ever, Sherry Li, the co-founder of Appetite for Good. Without StreetWise Partners , Appetite for Good may never have begun.
I truly believe that this marathon is definitely a once in a lifetime experience. It was definitely one of the greatest experiences of my life and I highly encourage everyone to try (but I would never want to do another one!).
The day got off to a bad start. I stayed up late posting an article, Post 101 SS Sweets and Stress-fractures . As the 3rd snooze on my alarm rang at 6:00am, I shot out of bed realizing I only had 20 minutes to shower, get dressed and get on the subway to make it to the Staten Island Ferry by 7:00am. Grumpy and tired, I was already negative about the experience. Running a marathon on 4-5 hours of sleep was not going to be fun. Fast forward to the marathon village, my heart started to pump and the adrenaline was flowing. I was excited–so excited I had to pee 5 times. (I also had to wait in those long, long urinal lines!)
As we lined up heading toward the start and the Verrazano Narrows Bridge, I remember feeling like this was the beginning of a battle!
Mile 1: I kept thinking, “Are we really doing this? Am I really running in the New York City Marathon?” As we started to run, Karine said, “This is so awesome–we are all running together!” I replied, “Yeah!” and then hopped into the shoulder lane and took off. (Karine reported later that people all around were wondering, “Why is that guy sprinting in the first mile? He’s never going to finish!”
Mile 2: Oww! Didn’t ever train for a mile downhill. Whoops. My shins started cramping, and I was thinking this is going to be a really bad marathon. One of my energy gel packs fell off my waist so I caught the other one and ate it just so I didn’t have to hold it anymore.
Mile 3: I saw Chris Kill! Woohoo! I was really happy to see my first supporter so early on!
Mile 4 – 10: Wow, Brooklyn is really big! I didn’t think it was ever going to end.
Mile 13: Exhausted, I thought, “This is only halfway? I’m beat!”
Mile 14: At this point, I could see the bridge and I began to get excited to run across.
Mile 15: This bridge was incredibly crowded. Having complete silence the absence of a cheering crowd made a huge difference. This was my least favorite part of the marathon. Dark, cramped, and silent!
Mile 16: ! But coming into Manhattan was the best part of the marathon! Coming off the bridge almost brought tears to my eyes. I never felt more like a rock star than this moment. The hoards of people cheering multiple rows deep looked like a sea of people on both sides of First Avenue. The energy was ridiculous. I thought to myself, “Yup, I’m a badass.”
Mile 17: I completely passed the StreetWise Partners Cheer section, but quickly ran back to give a wave and to give Sylwia R. a big sweaty hug. The turnout was great and it felt good to know so many people within the organization came out to support the runners.
Mile 18: Time to POWER UP! This part reminded me of eating a mushroom in the Super Mario Brothers video game. Representatives from Powerbar were giving out Powerbar gels and I decided to try a strawberry banana. But I wondered if this would really refuel me for the next eight miles? We will see!
Mile 19: Yay, saw Sherry and had a mini photo op! I saw my personalized fan section with super awesome posters! I can’t ever thank Sherry enough for coming out and taking pictures and also running alongside me as I was fading. I felt this was the beginning of a painful ending.
Mile 20-21: Cramps began to slowly set in. As we ventured into the Bronx, I could see people on the bridge and on the sides stopping and stretching. I began to get slightly nervous.
Mile 22: Sherry and the gang cut across Manhattan to catch me again! But this time I was barely trotting along.
Mile 23: I completely hit the wall. I’ve never gone above 21 miles. My calves completely gave out on me and cramped up. I stopped for a split second and they locked up. I knew when I felt it come on that if I stopped I would be done. I had to run through the cramp and keep moving.
Mile 24: I begin to hear ecstatic voices shouting “Patrick! Patrick!” as if I was at an Justin Bieber concert. With the miniscule amount of energy I had left, I looked up to find more great friends and supporters, Francesca and Stephanie cheering me on and recording this video.
Mile 25: So close! almost there! I can taste it.
Mile 26: “There it is!” I thought. “I am about to cross the finish line! Oh, wait, no I’m not–it’s a trick! Those banners in Columbus Circle do not mark the end! I have .2 more miles to go!!!”
26.2: VICTORY. This was the most painful part, the walk out of the park. Like cattle, we were herded out of the race and forced to slowly crawl out of the park. My legs were wobbly and all I wanted to do was sit down, but luckily they forced everyone to continue walking. I got my snack bag and chugged down all the water and Gatorade in the bag. It was a bad idea to copy my training regimen of not drinking water or Gatorade during the race. After getting out of the park, Sherry helped me walk through the city as my crutch. It took us over 30-45 minutes to leave the park to get to the after party where after one beer and a glass of champagne, I was completely donezo.
I am glad I can finally say that …
I am a marathoner!
A couple months ago I could barely run 1 mile without getting bored but now I have completed 26.2 miles!
Thank you again to everyone who supported me through this marathon journey and supported StreetWise Partners by raising $3,300! I realized how true this year’s slogan was: “I’m in, We’re in.” It wasn’t just me on the course but all my friends and supporters who cheered for me on their laptops, phones, or in person. I would not have been able to complete my goal of finishing in under 4 hours with a stress fracture without the support from everyone.
Post Marathon Epilogue:
Legs were Jell-O for the next 2 days.
My experience was featured in New York Daily News
The stress fracture is currently healing nicely. The post-marathon MRI showed no additional damage since the pre marathon. THANK GOD!
I haven’t run in the past 4 months and have already gained 15 lbs! 
Sherry is running the half marathon!
Photos by Sherry Li for Appetite for Good.
Related Posts
Author
WOOO! Congrats again!
Thank you again! for being super awesome
and for the awesome video
What an amazing accomplishment. Great job Patrick!
thanks!
“One of my energy gel packs fell off my waist so I caught the other one and ate it just so I didn’t have to hold it anymore.”
This logic = bulletproof hahaha.
haha i was thinking hmm i probably need this later… but this is annoying ok im going to eat it now haha
Congrats Patrick!!! You ROCK!
noo you rock! we need to cook again
This recap is fantastic! Congrats on the marathon and being featured in the paper!
Thanks! i cant wait to read your recap this year
Thanks so much again Patrick for running to support StreetWise Partners! You were amazing and should be so proud of yourself!
Awww youre too nice and amazing! Thanks for the opportunity. I’m going to miss you!
Well done Patrick, I was wondering what had happened to you. Meanwhile, I have signed up for my first marathon – eek ! It’s known as the UK’s most beautiful marathon in Kielder near Scotland. Fortunately it’s not til October- wish me luck !