Running the 2023 New York City Marathon with New Balance
Some of the best runners and humans that we could assemble for a team
New Balance SC Trainer v2, New Balance More v4, New Balance SC Elite v3
The peak weeks are upon us, the longest runs of falls, the true test of endurance for the 2023 TCS New York City Marathon that has us wondering: can we really do this? We can, of course. We’ve done it before and we’ll probably do it again. It’s all about having faith in the training, in the stacks upon stacks of mileage. One ingredient at a time, preheating the oven while it all comes together. And on Sunday, November 5, we bake a grand ol’ cake.
This week truly felt like fall here in the Mid-Atlantic, with morning temperatures dipping into the much-coveted 50 degree range with low humidity. It’s the kind of stuff runners dream of. Some of us pushed the mileage up an extra tick just because we wanted to hold on a bit longer. The whole thing is exciting enough to push us into the second half of training, as both leaves and temperatures start to fall and our fingers get cold before they thaw.
It’s coming, and so is race day in New York City.
Check out each individual’s current status and follow along each week to see how we’re holding up!
NYC colorway of the SC Elite v3
Feeling 🎢
Sixty miles was not the plan this week, but a strained calf muscle forced me to take a couple days off from running entirely. It’s not ideal timing, but I did a treadmill test this past weekend and everything feels good. Hopefully I can get one more solid week of training in before the taper to Chicago…
Total miles this week: 60
Leading the crew
Feeling 🥴
Believe it or not, I felt a little bit up after the 5th Avenue Mile, and I’ve had a nagging Achilles thing that changes my run gait and affects other stuff. So I took a couple days off after that before getting back at it. I was aiming for around 38 miles this week, but I ended up setting my alarm for Wednesday and I woke up later for my long run on Saturday.
I couldn’t extend or push it back either because I had a funeral I had to attend at noon, so I ended up only doing 11 miles. But it was a great 11 miles, on a perfectly crisp morning as the Faster Bastards and A Tribe Called Run combined to do a preview route of the Baltimore Half Marathon (which is on October 15). Looking to get in the mid-forties next week.
I also feel that going alcohol-free during this block has really helped in terms of sleep and motivation, so it’s been a good month since I kicked off that streak. Though I’m 100% breaking it at some point since the Orioles just made the playoffs, which means it’s party time as soon as my feet enter Camden Yards in October.
Total miles this week: 28
Did a long run in the SC Trainer v2
Fueled by bagels
Feeling 🐷 & 🍪
Really wanted to hit 40 miles for the week, but in the grand scheme of things, resting the Achilles and hitting the week refreshed is more important. Really proud that I tackled more elevation this past week than I have all training cycle, thanks to a tough 12-miler on Saturday. The grocery bill is getting insane, I’m annoyed with how much I’m eating. My brain wants salad, my body wants cookies!!
Total miles this week: 36
Feeling 🎃
Fall is back, babyyyyy. Shockingly, training has felt smooth this week. I had my first Wednesday workout in a while and I crushed it. Then on Saturday the long run was 17 miles. I finally decided to buy nutrition gels as opposed to trying to eat a Kirkland brand chewy bar mid run. It helped… a lot. Maybe there is some science to these gels?
Total miles this week: 42
New Balance SC Trainer v2
Feeling 🍁
Ran yesterday through the local park. Felt easy until the last few miles but still happy with the run. Training is always a fun work in progress and I am excited to get on the line and see what I have got for the NYC Marathon! I’m loving this crisp fall air.
Total miles this week: 4
Feeling 🙂
Happy that I am managing to maintain my (adjusted down) miles despite the injury setback. Pleased with a 16-mile long run with half at target pace ahead of the Berlin Marathon this weekend. I am going to reassess everything once I cross that line in Berlin and see how I feel. I do not plan to run it hard, it is just a through race with more focus on a LSR than anything else.
Once again this week I plan 35 miles which is about what my body feels it can take at that moment. I am super excited about hitting the streets of Berlin with so much buzz around the event and a possible world record on the line! Wish me luck!
Total miles this week: 32
Feeling 🍁
Cooler temps this week made training feel spectacular. I don’t know if it’s me getting older or what, but the humidity has kicked my ass this summer. This week felt so much better. I nailed the speed workout/long run that my coach gave me and I’m pretty freakin’ pumped about that. Fingers crossed the weather has taken a turn for the better!
Total miles this week: 39
We don’t stop at crosswalks
Feeling 🫡
Okay, guys. I’ve been tired! Also, slightly unmotivated but we know that discipline trumps mojo… right?? Right?? Right. So I’ve been getting the work done anyway. Some (maybe TMI?) relieving news is that I got some blood work done recently and it came back with very low ferritin and thyroid issues so that is making my extreme fatigue feel validated. Anyway, getting it done and trucking along. WE GOT THIS.
Total miles this week: 59
Probably having too much fun
Feeling ⭐️
Another great week with some progressive runs and hill work. This journey is something I will never forget, with some amazing runners who motivate and support me each week. The weather is changing in Texas! No more 100-plus degree days so the runs feel so much better. This month is almost finished and I will get another 100-plus miles in! Let’s keep the streak alive. Have a great week everyone and thank you for reading.
Total miles this week: 32
Feeling 🧱
Had my first 20-mile long run of the cycle this weekend and was pleasantly surprised at how well it went on a hilly course (over 800 ft of gain and loss respectively to get prepped for a hilly NYC Marathon!). I ran a nice big negative split for the cherry on top!
Overall intensity was down this week coming off of a half marathon but recovery from that went well so I was able to continue to build mileage (I like to call this stacking bricks). The legs are feeling good and I’m looking forward to another big week on deck!
Total miles this week: 57
Feeling 🚀
The time for running is still difficult. Work has been hella time consuming. I’m supposed to be at 45 miles/week but I’m at 30. Loving the weather though! And running has been feeling great. Just need more time. I’m still putting 160 miles/week on the bike and a couple hours in the pool. So cross training is there.
Total miles this week: 30
Feeling 🤔
The goal was more than 20 miles this week but weekend plans and work varied the plan. I’ve found it hard to stay consistent while training for this marathon and as the runs are supposed to get longer I am trying to find a way to get those miles in before work.
I’m going into next week with the word “adaptability” in mind. The goal is to work around work and other scheduling things to prioritize my longer runs for the week. A highlight from this week was getting to go to the Diamond League final in Eugene, Ore., at Hayward Field and watch Faith Kipyegon, Yared Nuguse, Jakob Ingebrigtsen and many other amazing athletes compete!
Total miles this week: 20
Feeling 🤝 🤘
Fell short a few miles this week but I did crush a 10-miler with the Tribe x Bastards run club preview of the Baltimore Half Marathon. I also hit a 9-miler today to close out the week. Speed work was phenomenal on Tuesday but I felt some tightness all week in the hamstring. I’m not sure if it was the squats or speed workout but I’m going to keep a close eye on that. Two more hard weeks ahead for the taper and I’m ready!!
Total miles this week: 33
Feeling 💥
Fun little down week that ended with a 4-second 10 mile PR at the Bronx Ten Mile. I had this race planned since April (before I knew I’d be running the marathon) and wasn’t sure I’d be able to swing it until last week. It was a nice surprise to be able to run so fast on tired legs! Previewed 6 miles of the marathon course on Saturday too and now I’m hype for November!
Total miles this week: 54
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