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NYC with MEB: The Finish Line

NYC with MEB: The Finish Line

Oct 25, 2022

Welcome to the finish line, future marathoners!

I’ve crossed this finish line 12 times, and each time, no matter where I was in the pack, it felt like a victory.

That’s what I want you to remember as you approach the finish line of the 2022 TCS New York City Marathon. It will be a major moment in your life that you’ll never forget, so, no matter how you’re feeling as you run those final steps, embrace the celebration of the moment.

For more tips on how to cross the finish line and what to do immediately after, watch the eighth and final episode of NYC with MEB:

Here are Coach Ben’s and my key tips for recovering from your 26.2-mile journey through the five boroughs of New York City.

First, remember that recovery begins right away. Top priorities after you cross that finish line: refueling and hydrating. You’ll receive a TCS New York City Marathon Runner Recovery Bag Presented by Hospital for Special Surgery and in it you’ll find everything you’ll need. Even if you’re not feeling hungry or thirsty just yet, your body does need nutrition and fluids, so try to get some food and drink in your stomach right away.

You’ll also receive a poncho. Put it on. It can be chilly in New York in November and your body will start losing heat quickly.

Second, when you get home, I recommend taking a bath with Epsom salts and maybe even get a massage.

Third, wait until you start missing running before you lace up your sneakers again. Your body and mind need a break after all that training and exertion. Don’t be nervous about losing fitness. You’ll know when it’s time to get back out there when you start to miss it. That might be a few days, a week, or a month. Listen to your body and get the rest you need.

And most importantly, celebrate! You’ll have accomplished a major feat that most people in the world never do.

Good luck, runners! We’re almost at race day. I can’t wait to see you all making your marathon dreams into a reality.