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Tips for Team McGraw in NYC

Diane Bier — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 13:24:31 GMT

Hi All,

Here's some tips for running the NYC Marathon. They are not in any order - sorry I'm not that organized this year!

You wait several hours in a running holding area in Staten Island (only runners..it is exciting)...so dress warm...bring extra clothes...and maybe some snacks. They have snacks there but the lines tend to be long. There's have a Church service (no demonition) in the morning under a tent. You can package clothes up at the race start area to have them waiting for you when you finish the marathon (they have all these UPS trucks waiting to take your bag). It is amazing how well organized they are. I was glad to have some warm dry clothes waiting for me at the end of the line. Wear some old stuff at the Fort and you can shed the old clothes just before the race gun goes off. It's so funny to see all the runners tossing clothes to the side when the race starts (and can be dangerous if you trip over the clothes. The scattered clothes are collected and given to shelters.

It is tradition that if you are running your first marathon (even if it's not your first - do this) to put your name somewhere on your shirt. The crowd along the way knows this tradition and will give you extra cheers and support..they call out your name...it is exciting to hear someone cheering for you. I'm decorating my shirt again this year.

If you can run teh upper level of the Verazanno. It's very cool. If you run the lower level, stay away from the water edge side of the bridge. Men on the upper level will stop to go to the bathroom instead of using a port-a-potty.

When you're on the Verazanno, you'll hear teh roar of the crowds, be prepared for that. It's very exiciting to hear the people cheering "Welcome to Brooklyn, 24 miles to go". Stay relaxed. The crowds in Brookly are incredible. They will be high-fiving you through-out Brooklyn.

At the end of the race, you'll get pictures taken, a medal, a goody bag with food, wrapped in a silver blanket for warmth and expect to walk for at least 20 min before you can go to the Family Reunion Area.

Pack clothes to change into for after the race - it will make you feel better.

Give your race/chip number out to your family and friends. They can track you during race. They also have athlete tracker where you can put in cell phone numbers/email address and your family/friends can how you're progressing throughout the race.

If you're planning on meeting family during the course, plan on places after the first 8 miles. Brooklyn is very crowded. The place that you set up to meet people, dont' change it or you will end up missing each other. You will also need to specifiy the side of the street that you're on right/left etc. Decide ahead which marker miles to be at and decide if you will be on the right or the left hand side of the road. Family members may want to hold a huge sign or a flag or balloons...something that stands out so that the person running can spot the family member. I think it is actually easier for the runner to spot the person than the other way around. Your family/friends can get aroudn teh city by subway. Get a map and plan it ahead of time.

Throughout the entire race there will be spectators on the entire course except for the bridges. It's not just 1 or 2 people, we're talking 10 deep, crowed, etc. You will occassionaly see someone cross the street, (I know, crazy) so be prepared for that.

Be careful at the aid stations. Cups get thrown down, it's sloppy, and SLIPPERY. So slow down through the aid stations.

Bring a small camera or a disposable camera to take pictures.

Try to stay relaxed and run your own race.

Meet your family/friends at the letter T for Team McGraw. Don't meet at the letter of your last name - you'll have more walking to do.

Have a great run, a safe run, and enjoy the day, the crowds, the cheering and of course the sore muscles!

If I think of anything else, I'll add it.

Diane

Team McGraw.... Who's joining us in Nashville for the Country Music 1/2- Marathon?

Christine K. Donovan — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 17:06:55 GMT

Just two weeks until Team McGraw takes to the streets of Music City! Are you excited? Nervous? Confident?

Are you walking? Running? Doing a little bit of both? Cheering Team McGraw on from the sidelines?

I look forward to meeting all of you in Nashville and wish you well, in your final weeks of training. If you have any questions about anything, contact Coach Kevin. He's very supportive, a great resource, experienced runner, and overall great guy! Don't be hesitiant to ask for help.

Ya Gotta Believe!

Christine Donovan

Joggin for the Noggin 5k this weekend!!

kevin leathers — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 22:08:06 GMT

If you are anywhere near Palatine, IL this weekend make sure you run or walk the Joggin for the Noggin 5k with Jenny McDevitt and several hundred of her friends! If you cannot make it you can always make a donation and run in spirit on Saturday morning. Jenny, a brain tumor survivor and all-around stud has raised thousands of dollars for the Tug McGraw Foundation and brain tumor research. Ya Gotta Believe!

Click her for race info: Joggin for the Noggin website

Click here for today's newspaper articel on Jenny and the race:

Daily Herald News August 12, 2009 - Jenny McDevitt

New York City Marathon - Kevin's Course Preview

kevin leathers — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 15:04:13 GMT

My notes on the NYC Marathon course. Hope it is helpful.....

http://community.active.com/blogs/coachkevin/2008/10/24/new-york-city-marathon-kevins-course-preview

Doing Nashville 1/2 in April; need to know best place to stay

dmaddyd56 — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 01:21:02 GMT

Hi! I signed up for nashville in April and will be doing it to support Team Mc Graw. This will be my first trip to Nashville and don't know where to stay. Want it relatively inexpensive but safe and would prefer to be closest to start line than to the finish line. Would appreciate some suggestions. thanks! Maddy

A few pictures from NYC Marathon

AleshaW — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 14:45:06 GMT

Chloe and I arrived right before mile 17 - we missed a good bit of the team so I apologize that we didn't get your pictures. We then went down to right before mile 25. I am so incredibly proud of you all. I can't tell you how inspirational and emotional Sunday was for me. I had such an amazing time cheering on perfect strangers.

Here is right before mile 17

Team McGraw: Find Us on Facebook

Team McGraw — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 14:30:18 GMT

For those of you that often find yourselves poking around for friends and photographs on Facebook, you can now find our “Team McGraw” group page alive and well inside the popular social network.

Many of our runners from previous events have already found their way into the fold, sharing their links to their own pages and favorite shots from past team events. Others are currently training to meet an upcoming athletic goal as a part of Team McGraw. Still others have not yet donned the red-and-white regalia that distinguishes those that have laced up their shoes with us before...and we are happy to share our “home away from home” with them and appreciate their support!

Click here to find us on Facebook and add us to your profile! We’ll see you there!

New York City Marathon - Team McGraw meets Rod Dixon!

kevin leathers — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 14:17:45 GMT

Coach Kevin had the pleasure of meeting and chatting with running legend Rod Dixon at the Race Expo. Rod is a NYC Marathon hero after winning the 1983 race in 2:08:59 after chasing down the leader in the last 1/4 mile. His finish is captured in the iconic marathon photo below. Rod also won the Bronze medal in the 1500 meters at the 1972 Olympic Games. He is the rare runner to have been amongst the best in the world at the mile and the marathon. He is closely associated with the Los Angeles Marathon and invited Team McGraw to bring our group to LA!

Team McGraw Off To A Running Start in 2009!

kevin leathers — Fri, 08 May 2009 15:20:17 GMT

Team McGraw's 2009 season got off to a fast start at the Country Music Marathon in Nashville. We were joined by 40+ runners for a great weekend. The weather was perfect... for spectators. 80 degrees and sunny! Our runners persevered in true Team McGraw fashion. Congrats to all of our runners. We saw some Team McGraw -veterans and welcomed some new members to the "family". Team McGraw has strong ties in Nashville and it showed. At our Friday night "Bowling for Brains" party we were entertained by Lance Miller, the Warren Brothers and Tim's band: The Dancehall Doctors! In fact, two Dancehall Doctors, Jeff McMahon and Deano Brown, laced up their shoes and completed the half-marathon on Saturday. Blaine and Dane, two contestants from this season's "The Biggest Loser" tv show also dropped by to carbo load and enjoy the music and fun. Mark McGraw, a special advisor to Team McGraw and Tug's son, competed in the half-marathon a week after his latest film "No Boundaries" was featured at the Nashville Film Festival. We were also excited to have Tug McGraw Foundation President, Jennifer Brusstar, run with Team McGraw for the first time. There are pictures from Nashville posted on the Team McGraw Facebook page: Team McGraw on Facebook

The rest of 2009 is going to be just as exciting for Team McGraw. Take a look at our race schedule: Team McGraw 2009 Calendar

Heads up: general entry into the Bank of America Chicago Marathon is FULL already. Team McGraw applications for Chicago slots are rolling in so do not delay if you want to run this awesome marathon with us in October!

YGB

Coach Kevin

"Bowling for Brains" Before Country Music Marathon

Team McGraw — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 05:24:27 GMT

Team McGraw will host a warm-up party to celebrate all of our upcoming Country Music Marathon and 1/2 Marathon runners on Friday, April 24 from 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm at Tusculum Lanes in Nashville.

Runners and supporters alike will not want to miss this exciting event to celebrate with Team McGraw in Nashville the night before the 10th Annual Country Music Marathon. The evening will include bowling, an incredible silent auction featuring guitars signed by Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, a "carb-out" pasta and potato bar, as well as entertainment by the Warren Brothers, Lance Miller, McGraw's road band the Dancehall Doctors and special guests to be announced.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.tugmcgraw.org for $10 to $25.