A FLYER'S RITE: LTR

David G

6:30 AM Saturday, the sun is up, yesterday's steam barely worn off and we prepare for another assault from summer. It's early in Central Park and Jo Ann M takes her place at the NYC Marathon Long Training Run (LTR) pace group leader table. She's dealing numbers, excellent singlets and instructions. An LTR fixture, we assume that Jo Ann will be at her station, year in and year out.  Many thanks to Jo Ann and Ed A for all of the detailed work behind the scenes and at the event to ensure that everything would run smoothly.

Flyers drag in, not so far removed from Friday night fun and the Olympics opening ceremony. We stayed up late to watch, but we're ready for this. I feel a little nervous, as I always do for the LTR, having signed up for 16 miles at 9:30 pace. I have run this distance in the past few weeks and I run this pace and faster all the time. There is something different, though, when you commit to it for your club and you have 40 people nipping at your heels. You can't let them down, can't let the Flyers down, and you never know when you might have an off day.

I think of 2005, when I was preparing for the Portland (OR) Marathon, where I would first break 4 hours. I signed up for the 2005 NYC Marathon Long Training Run and maybe a few hundred other runners showed up that day. My group was led by John W, a New York Flyer; and John led us well and provided friendly, helpful chat along the way. He assisted me in completing an important long run and I made my mind up to join the Flyers.

The LTR remains a different NYRR run to this day. It's not a race and there is no chip. We know what is in the participants' heads. They look up to the leaders and it is the Flyers turn to shine. We project an image of reliability, even invincibility, and the many first time marathoners feel just a little more confident with us around, peppering us with questions.

This morning, Ed A is barking out instructions, setting off each group on their first lap. The fastest groups skitter off - how can these guys commit to 20 at 7 minutes? 7:30, 8:00.  NYRR CEO Mary Wittenberg waxes poetic about the Olympic Marathon as we hold our groups at bay, preparing for our own Olympic effort.

7:30 Minute/Mile Pace Group:
DJ Van H, Bobby O, Mary D and James D

At last, 9:30, and there are so many runners that we field 3 groups at our pace. I'm paired with Denise I, Kettia M, and Khris D P. We take off, not quite sure of the pace, perhaps a bit quick. Mile 1 and we are 20 seconds too fast. It takes a few miles and we finally settle in, giving the extra time back on the way up to 102nd St. Our group is so compliant! Always a couple of folks staying ahead, but this time it seems to be just a few who need a little space. They are not pressing the pace, so we let them stay a bit free form. Behind us, lots of doubt, some deciding that 9:30 was too ambitious and others digging in for the long morning with us.

Kettia M, Khris D P, Denise I, and David Gaines

Summer training and it is humid. There is a fog over Columbus Circle. We are soaked with perspiration quickly and appreciate the two misting stations. We thank the volunteers and, as always, marvel at the beauty of our Central Park.

Back at the start after 6 miles, Dave K is on the microphone gathering the groups ahead for their next lap. One thing we know is that laggards get left behind here. Linger in the Port-O-Let and you can join the next group. We are off again on loop 2, now confident in our group and our mission. Colleen R joins our pace group for this loop, providing a breath of fresh air, and Denise continues to carry the load answering the questions of our runners and advising of upcoming water stations. I am so grateful to them both; they are pacing me.

Kettia M and Khris D P

The chatter and the questions tail off and we all start to go inward. I think of my own races this fall - we are training for our own challenges, not just helping our pace groups. Can't wait for a 45 degree start.

Two laps in, 11 miles and a few people declare their day done. I hear Ultra Claudia O announce that her long run is tomorrow - what's this??? NYRR is handing out nectarines, bananas, gels, pretzels and we are soaking them up. We've been lapped along the way by the speediest (Eric F, Sean J, Leslie L), which never ceases to amaze. It always freaks out the first timers ("What's their PACE?!?!?!).

Eric F, Sean J, Leslie L

All runners grow silent now and our group is smaller on loop 3. It's a grind at 90% humidity. I slip behind to patrol the back of the pack and ask how everyone is doing - no answer. I don't think they would be doing as well without us.

Done with lap 3 and I have satisfied my commitment. My toes are sore as usual, ankles feel beaten up like always, but I know there's 18 or 19 in these legs now and 20 will be coming in a couple of weeks. Off goes my group, finishing the 20. They are tough as nails and I feel a little guilty just hanging around the finish area. People are stumbling around, crawling off to get their baggage, and I admire both the 7 and the 11 minute runners. This is far and don't ever think it's not. It will always be far and today's runners needed us to get through.

Flyers LTR Organizer Jo Ann M Displays
Group Leader Singlet

As I walk away with my Fellow Fantastic Flyer brunchers, so many eyes are focused on the Group Leader singlets that signify some undeserved super-human status. They'll see that shirt again sometime in the park and they will remember back to when the Flyers got them through. Do they know that being a pace leader helped to get me through too? Maybe, but I ain't talking.

-David G