Race Recap: Kaitlyn DiBello at the NYC Marathon 2022
Marathon Week in NYC is an early Christmas gift. The excitement of the city along with the beloved blue line, route flags and extra excitement is magical. Just like every year, I was beyond excited to lace up and make the yearly trip to Staten Island. Normally the weather is perfect and the 26.2 block party is a blast. This year though, Mother Nature decided that summer should stay a little longer. I was still positive that I was going to hit my A Goal and was still in high spirits. That was until 5:00 when I boarded the bus and noticed how warm and humid it was. But no fear! I was prepared (thank you 6 liters of water the day before). As Alena and Sarah Murphy had told me, my marathon had been blessed by the queen of marathons herself, Des Linden, who I had almost run into/knocked over the day before while doing strides.
The bus was smooth and easy, and I felt calm as we arrived in Staten Island. I quickly found the LC Corral and upon entering [the tent] found the man, the myth, the legend that is Gregg “Baldy”! Seeing him made me calm down and I quickly exclaimed how excited I was to run with him and be best friends for the next three hours. He said he was too and I quickly thought “ok phew game plan is still a go”.
After a few hours of chilling and laughs we quickly made our way to the bottom level of the Verrazano. Soon enough the cannon was blasted and “New York, New York” was being sung. I quickly found Baldy and glued myself to him. Mile 1 was a 7:10, thinking “perfect right where I want to be”, before we flew down the bridge. At mile 2, the watch read 6:09 and I gulped too fast. Why wasn’t Baldy talking to me, we had this planned. Then I noticed the guy next to me wasn’t Baldy. I swore under my breath (sorry mom!) and slammed on the breaks while having a momentary freak out and then settled down to a slower pace.
Around the 5k I took my first gel and realized there was not fluid at the K markers. Ok, no big deal, just adjust the game plan slightly. At mile 4 Toby spotted me. Upon seeing him I yelled “I messed up already, I lost Baldy, help”. Luckily Baldy was right behind me and we were back on pace. Game plan reactivated. Unfortuantely by the 10k however, our band of fighters was broken up. I continued to chip away the miles at a steady pace and it felt good, but I knew the heat and humidity would take its toll and it worried me. Around the 15k, I saw my Brooklyn Running Co coworkers who gave me cheers and the motivation to get up a small hill.
Soon enough we were cruising towards my favorite part of the course, Williamsburg. The NBR cheers increased and I heard more cheers for me specifically. Along mile 11 we saw the rest of my lovely BRC coworkers and soon enough hit the cheer squad at North 10. Soon I spotted Sara and Paul losing their minds and cheering me on. We were about the hit the biggest hype spot of the marathon, the creme de la creme of water stations, Mile 12, NBR’s spot. At this point a small gap had opened between me and the group ahead and group behind which was just what I wanted. The moment I hit our water table, it was like I had won an Olympic gold medal. The cheers were deafening! Seeing friends jumping up and down screaming my name cheering me on and pushing me forward made me cry. These people are my second family and they believe in me more than anything. Alright buckle down, refocus, you can do this.
I thrived on the cheers from them all the way through Williamsburg, over the Pulaski and into Queens. In Queens, the heat and humidity started to get to me. This is what I was afraid of, I don’t do well in hot humid weather. Is this the end of my journey? Is my body going to shut down? Worry started to creep into my head. All of a sudden, around mile 14, off to the right I saw them. My north stars, knights in shining armor waiting for me with an open water bottle. Alena, Sarah Trigg, Sarah Murphy, Tiffany and Kat are waiting and waving at me with water and a massive sign. Like a moth to a flame, I ran to them. Seeing them was exactly what I needed.
My “water bottle heroes” re-energized me and gave me the strength for what lay ahead. A few minutes after leaving them I turned into the belly of the beast. The infamous Queensboro bridge. Ok time to dig deep. As we climbed the bridge the 3:00 group passed me. I let a small cry escape me. My A goal, what I had trained endlessly for, was now gone. My heart sank. I knew I could hit it, I knew what shape I was in, but the weather had a different plan.
Soon we had conquered the beast and were onto First Ave. I quickly began scanning the sides for my parents and sisters. Due to a glitch I almost missed them but luckily my dad saw me last minute. Family spotting part one done. I quietly thanked my family in my head for being there knowing that looking for them was what kept me controlled on First Ave. Soon enough though, the weather and distance showed its ugly head. First Ave is usually vibrant with life and energy on Marathon Sunday, but today was a scene out of a war movie. Dozens of people walking and several collapsed on the side. I knew this would be a fight.
Around mile 20, I saw my time and pace was still good and my hope was restored. I spotted a medical tent that was handing out ice and pulled what will forever in my mind be referred to as the “Molly Seidel”. I grabbed a bag of ice, tore it open, and dumped it down my sports bra, then seeing the look of the man next to me, handed him the rest and picked up the pace. Soon I was back into Manhattan and what should I see in front of me but a hot dog. Mr. Hot Dog became my new target. Toby saw me again at 22, just in time to see me trying not to vomit my final gel. I yelled at him “I will not lose to a hot dog”. Despite his look of confusion, I kept going. I knew what lay ahead. The cruel ever-tough 5th Ave hill.
I hit the base of the hill and saw the sight ahead of me. It was the walking dead. More people were walking than running. I felt good so I played a game of how many people can we catch. I took it one block at a time and kept my eyes peeled for my dope ass cheer squad of water heroes. At the top of the hill, they waited like a beacon of hope calling me home, the star on top of a Christmas tree, they called me to them. Sarah handed me another water bottle which surprised me but I grabbed it and took a sip. I quickly realized it was Maurten and decided not to mess with my stomach and tossed it to the side.
As I entered Central Park I began to scan for my family. I knew they would be soon. I spotted them right around the 40k and took the water that my dad offered me. As we exited the park I spotted a woman ahead of me dressed all in white with streamers. My first thought was that someone was dressed as a bride and my competitive side took over. As I pulled up next to her I realized in shock that it was Alexi Papas. I had to force myself to get going and not ask for an autograph.
As we approached Columbus Circle I had one thought, “don’t slip on an ice bag.” I luckily avoided the mine field of discarded bags and soon was racing home to the finish line. I crossed in a 3:06:58, my third best time. While I missed my A Goal, I am proud of this race. Not only did I see that I could run tough and succeed in uncomfortable conditions, but I also finished in the Top 100 women marking my best finish. NYC I still love you and I’ll be back for redemption. My heart is full of love and gratitude for this team, my family, Toby, and my friends for being out there to support me and keep my spirits high.
