Join us as we follow Annie Nussbaum, Perioperative Medicine Service Manager in the Department of Medicine at HSS and first time marathon runner, through her training for the TCS New York City Marathon. This is the third installment of a series documenting her journey, read the first here and second here.
The days are getting shorter and colder, which means the TCS NYC Marathon is right around the corner. I recently went for a physical therapy consult to make sure my Achilles problems from the summer were gone. He tested my strength and observed my running. The good news was that he saw no signs of an Achilles problem. However, he did notice that I have weak hips and glutes. Because of this, I tend to over pronate as I get tired during my runs. He suggested a number of strengthening exercises for my hips and glutes to concentrate on in the next few weeks, along with my regular strength training, foam rolling and stretching routine.
The marathon training is pretty much over, and I’m now just winding down and tapering so my legs will feel well rested come marathon day. I completed my longest run, 20 miles, last weekend and felt pretty good. I took the advice that many people have given me, which is to go at a relaxed, comfortable pace so that you have energy left at the end. It worked well and I even had some energy left for the last mile and a half. I’ve perfected my marathon dinner (linguini with shrimp), my morning breakfast (bagel and peanut butter), and my in-run eating choices (chews and pretzels). I bought a second pair of running shoes so they’ll be broken in for the big day. I’m even prepared to run in the rain, after two Saturdays in a row of rainy long runs. Hopefully there will be no rain on Sunday.
I’m feeling pretty good about my preparation, but you still never know how it will go when the big day comes. Will I really be able to finish? I know that I can get myself to the Bronx (20 miles), but will the excitement of the day and the thousands of cheering fans be enough to get me through the additional 6.2 miles to the finish line in Central Park? I hope so!
Annie Nussbaum is the Perioperative Medicine Service Manager in the Department of Medicine at Hospital for Special Surgery. Originally from Washington, D.C., she has lived in New York since 2008. She is currently training for her first marathon. When she?s not running, she enjoys yoga, traveling, and reading.
