Race Report: The Tale of Two Halfs at the Jersey City Marathon

Last weekend was my main race of the spring – the Jersey City Marathon.

It’s the third time that I’ve run this race.

The first year, things didn’t go so well. They started off ok, but things completely unraveled in the end – capped off with a minor hamstring pull.

The second year, things went much better. I fell off the pace a bit and suffered in the homestretch, but I did PR. It was also a BQ – albeit not enough to make it in under the cutoff for 2025.

This year I was ready for redemption. I’m in great shape, and based on my training I thought sub-3:00 was a legitimate possibility. This was supposed to be a big PR over my performance in Chicago – and a solid BQ-5.

But alas, it was not meant to be.

Training Recap and Strategy

After wrapping up some fall and winter races, I took a little downtime and picked up training in earnest at the end of December. My race schedule included three big races – Fred Lebow, the United NYC Half, and the Jersey City Marathon.

Fred Lebow went ok, but those hills were tough. I think I overcooked myself a bit between the hilly long runs leading up to the race and at the race itself.

It took me longer than expected to fully recover from that race. So while I put in the mileage – including four weeks at 75mpw, along with a couple 20 milers – I struggled to hit my workout paces. Things were just starting to look up the week before the United NYC Half, but I don’t think I was fully ready for that race. It went well enough, but not as good as it should have.

The weeks since the United NYC Half have been great, though. I had two races that I used for marathon pace workouts – one 10 mile and one 15k. In each, I was able to easily sustain 6:45-6:50/mi throughout the race and push the pace at the end. And I tacked on enough warm up and cooldown miles to make them solid long runs, too.

If there was something missing from my training, I’d have to say it was a) practicing with gels and b) not enough threshold workouts.

My race schedule threw things off a bit. My longest long runs were before the United NYC Half – at the end of the winter – and it was cold enough that I wasn’t worried about fuel much. And frankly, I didn’t want to carry water to take 4-5 gels when it was < 30F.

And since the United NYC Half, I dropped the Thursday threshold workouts to make sure I was fully recovering – opting for a ~10 mile progression run instead. I probably could have used a couple more workouts instead – and gone easier on the 10 milers.

Pre-Race and Race Day and Logistics

We drove in the night before and stayed at the Courtyard right by the start line. After the first year, I’m never going to drive in to that parking garage on race day again.

We got delayed a bit on our way in, and then my GPS routed me to a parking garage in Hoboken instead of Jersey City. I got there in time, but by the time I got to the expo it was 4:30 – and they were about to start closing up. I think they had run out of branded bibs at that point, because mine was a generic Compuscore bib.

I found what looked like a nice casual Italian spot, but it turns out it was just a counter serve pizza joint. So my wife, my parents and I ended up going to Cheesecake Factory instead. Some bread and shrimp scampi made for a nice pre-race meal. Got back to the hotel, had a final beer while we watched TV, and turned out the lights between 10 and 11.

I slept fairly well, and morning came quick. Popped up at 4:55. There was nowhere around to get a bagel from that early, so I ate a Clif bar that I got from the lobby the night before. Drank my coffee and looked out from my balcony at the starting area. It was dark, and people were just starting to arrive.

After drinking a second cup of coffee and using the bathroom a couple of times, it was 6:30. I planned to go down to the start and jog around for 5-10 minutes to loosen up. But on the way down, the elevator was super slow. One of the elevators wasn’t working.

By the time I got downstairs, I was short on time. So I just did a couple minutes of jogging, then I went back upstairs to fetch my wife and tell her it was time to go. One final bathroom stop, and I thought I was all ready to go.

I was supposed to meet up with my teammate Donny at the start. On the way to the corral, I heard someone call my name – and it was his wife. I waved and headed into the corral. I looked around, but I didn’t see him anywhere.

Finally, with about two or three minutes to go, he spotted me and waved me over. He was standing under the 2:55 pacer. There was no 3:00 pacer. But he had formed a little group of his own, and he introduced me to a few guys that we’d be running with.

Then … we were off.

Start to 10k: All Systems Go

The start is crowded. There weren’t that many guys targeting sub-3:00 for the full, but with the half marathon starting at the same time the course was pretty full early on.

We chit chatted for the first few minutes and rolled along with the crowd. Somebody called out from behind me (Josh?) that he followed my blog, and I gave him a fist bump. I waved to my family as we passed them early on. I missed the first mile marker, but one of the other guys in our group yelled out that we were on pace.

The next two miles loop through downtown a bit. The streets are kind of narrow, and there are some potholes. But I managed to avoid stepping in one and causing a catastrophe. At one point, the crowd split apart – revealing some fencing that was set up to prevent runners from running into the parked cars around the corner. But instead, I heard a bunch of people behind me dodge at the last minute to avoid the fence – which had become the main obstacle.

I spotted the second mile marker and lapped my watch. We were a few seconds off, but close enough for the first two miles. In the third mile, I pushed the pace a little bit and got back on track. Split it in 6:45.

Around this point, I heard somebody yell, “Hey, guy with the website!”

I turned around and met Lou. Found out he was also 41, with a similar PR, and also targeting sub-3:00. We chit chatted for a few and ran together for the next mile or so.

As we approached the turn-around point before mile four, I started to drift away from Donny and our little crew. I was never really sure how far behind they were, but I didn’t think it was far.

After I turned around the cone, I heard someone else yell my name. I looked back, saw somebody wave, and then I realized it was Grace from Threads. Hey Grace!

The field started to thin and string out a bit here. We turned right and headed onto the long road alongside Liberty State Park. A third guy – Chuck – came up from behind me and mentioned that he followed my blog. Gave him a fist bump, “Good luck, Chuck!” and he pulled away ahead of me.

The tall buildings were gone, so the instantaneous GPS was more accurate here. I missed a few mile markers, but I was cruising along at ~6:45/mi. I felt like I was floating on air. Everything was going great!

My split for the first 5k was 21:28 – a tad behind the 21:20 per 5k I needed for 3:00. But not far. Over the next 5k, I more than made up for it, with a split of 42:35 at the 10k. Right on target.

10k to 20k: Settling In, But Signs of Trouble

The next few miles felt good, and I kept cruising along.

We got to the end of the long stretch along Liberty State Park and turned right. There’s a short incline here, and I eased up. I usually charge up the hills – and pay for it in the end – but I was really intentional to take it easy.

A little further on, I felt a little gas. Let out a belch. Totally normal for me, and I didn’t think anything of it. A guy with a Prospect Park Track singlet made a comment of approval.

Eventually, we got to the southernmost part of the course and turned back north towards downtown. There are a couple rolling hills here, starting around mile 8. I eased up, and then I heard a familiar voice behind me. It was Donny, joking that he wasn’t sure if they should let me back in the group.

Over the next mile, that original crew pulled back even with me and I tucked in. Every time somebody got antsy and went a little hot, Donny reeled us back in. My split for the next 5k was 21:20 – perfect – for a cumulative time of 1:03:55 at the 15k mark.

I took a Gu (my third) as we approached mile 10, and I grabbed a cup of water. I’d taken two gels already – miles 2 and 6 – with a goal of taking one every four miles or so. My only problem was that the water stops weren’t positioned quite where I expected them, so I ended up running for a bit before we actually got the water to wash it down.

We got closer to downtown and followed along Grand St as it veered east. Just before mile 12, we passed by where our running club was standing. There had been a much smaller crew the first time we passed them, but at this point there were a good 10-15 people. Donny and I pulled over, traded a bunch of high fives, and kept on running.

At this point, I noticed for the first time that my stomach was a little off. Nothing was urgent. But I had a feeling I would need to make a pit stop before too long. I wanted to hold off a little and save that for later in the race – after the halfway point – so I skipped the porta potty at mile 12.

We rolled into downtown and got closer to the halfway point. I was beginning to regret not stopping at that last porta potty. Things were starting to feel urgent. But I was still on pace and right with the crew when we passed my family around the 12.5 mile mark.

We took that 5k a little fast – splitting 21:07 – for a cumulative time of 1:25:02 at the 20k mark.

20k to 30k: A Rocky Road, But Holding On

The course split here, and the half marathoners pulled over to the right and finished. Every time we passed someone in the crowd who yelled, “You’re almost done!” we let out a collective groan.

We rolled through the halfway point right on target – about 1:29:45 or so.

I knew there was a water stop and portapotty coming up somewhere, but it seemed much further off than I remembered. Finally, at the very end of the northern out and back, I saw the bathrooms in the distance. I told Donny I needed to make a pit stop and that I’d catch up.

I pulled in, and what a relief. I felt so much better after making that pit stop, and I hoped the worst was behind me. In my first two marathons, I had to use the bathroom, but once I stopped – I was great for the rest of the race.

I took a fourth gel, which didn’t go down so well, swished around some water, and zoomed off. The course does a little loopdy loop here, and as we headed back south through downtown I was back on pace. I looked at my watch and saw 6:50-7:00/mi for the pace, and the expected finish time was 3:02. If things continued at this rate, I’d still score a great PR – even if I likely wouldn’t break 3:00.

I passed back through the starting area, saw my family again, and zoomed back through downtown. There’s another weird little out and back loop through downtown to add mileage before the course gets back to Grand Street.

My time at the 25k mark was 1:49:39 – a 24:37 split. Not good on paper, but I was feeling ok – and back on track.

We got back to Grand St and turned west. Time for the final loop out and back. Less than 10 miles to go. I can do this.

The course doubles back on itself here, and the slower runners are heading downtown for the end of their first loop. I heard somebody call my name – I didn’t see them, but I think it was one of my teammates (Gail?). A little further on, I heard somebody else call me name, and I spotted my coworker Ted.

Didn’t even know he was running today. This is the same exact spot I saw him in this race last year!

I passed by the cheering zone from my run club one more time, gave them a smile and a wave, and continued on.

My split from the 25k to 30k mark was pretty good – 21:38. Slightly off from my original goal, but close enough that I was happy with it. At this rate, a 3:03 finish was quite possible.

30k to the Finish: Watching It All Unravel

That feeling didn’t last much longer.

Somewhere around mile 19, my stomach just dropped. I felt an urgent need to go again, and there was no bathroom in sight.

I stopped and took a quick walking break. That should help with a reset. Then, I heard somebody call my name from behind me – it was Lou, who I’d met earlier on.

I must have passed him at some point, but then he caught up when I made the previous pit stop. I got back up to pace and ran with him for a minute or two. But it wasn’t long before I had to pull up again.

At this point, I was pretty sure my race was over. I wasn’t going to DNF. But I definitely wasn’t going to finish close to my goal. I’d be lucky if I made it to the next bathroom, got back on track, and hit 3:05.

I eventually made it to the water stop after the 20 mile mark. Like a mirage in the desert.

Opened the door, and there was no toilet paper. Huh?!? Checked a few. Nothing.

There were more porta-potties up the street on the other side. Same thing.

At this point, I gave up mentally. Texted my wife to tell her I’d be jogging it in – 3:20-3:25 – and not to worry that I was late.

The next two miles were tough. I alternated jogging and walking – because running for too long upset my gut again. I passed a table outside of a church with some goodies, including a box of tissues, and I grabbed a few tissues just in case the next porta potty was also out of stock.

I also passed a couple of people who looked like they were standing outside of their homes. I considered asking to use their bathroom but decided against it.

Finally, I made it to the next aid station – mile 22 – and pulled over. Relief.

I felt a lot better, and I set on towards downtown to finish up. But I’d totally lost my momentum, and my legs were starting to feel really heavy thanks to all of the starting and stopping.

I wasn’t trying to race, but even pushing the pace down to 8:00/mi was tough. I took it about a half mile at a time, jogging for a bit then taking a quick break. At first, my expected finish time was still ~3:15, and I thought I might get in under 3:20. But that slowly ticked up.

I breathed a sigh of relief when we passed the 24 mile marker. Almost there.

Over the course of the next mile, two different people gave me compliments on my hair. One of them joked, “What kind of conditioner do you use?”

I kept trudging along, head down, focused on finishing. I heard my name, looked up, and saw my teammate Jackson on the sideline. Mustered up a smile and continued on.

The view here is great – downtown Manhattan just emerges from between the buildings. I picked up a little steam as we turned north towards the finish.

Somebody was riding on a bike alongside the course, cheering on one of his friends. That guy cheered on another runner who was walking, and the two of them forged ahead.

I saw the Double Tree and then the Westin come into view, and I knew I was almost done. The crowd around the finish was thick, and there was a ton of cheering. I was zoned out and focused on finishing – and for once I didn’t even notice where my family was.

I crossed the finish line just after 3:25. That was a long second half.

Post-Race and Recovery

I stopped my watch and ambled through the finish area. My wife text me to let me know where she was waiting, and I told her I’d eventually make my way over there. Grabbed a bag of goodies and immediately cracked open a water to start drinking. I realized I hadn’t snapped any pics before the start, so I took a few after I caught my breath.

I reunited with my family, and we chit chatted for a bit. They all congratulated me. I was bummed that I hadn’t hit my goal, but I’d had plenty of time to come to terms with it out on the course. For now, I put all that behind me.

I ran into one of my other teammates, Ed, who had ran the half marathon. We talked for a bit and took a picture together. Then, I went inside to get warm and take a shower. All of the sudden, the wind seemed terrible and the weather seemed much colder.

My family and I went across the street to a Mexican restaurant for lunch. My stomach was still a little uneasy, not unusual for post-marathon. But I stomached some tortilla chips and a few tacos. And of course some beer.

I felt better after a nap, and we eventually left for home around 3:30. Pro tip: the streets start to re-open around 2:00pm. Once the finish line is broken down, it’s super easy to breeze out of town. But if you try to leave before that, traffic is hell.

In the morning, I had to be up early to catch a flight to California for a work conference. But, as usual, I wanted to get in thirty minutes the morning after my race. So I rolled out of bed at 4:55 again and hit the road in the dark.

Although the first steps were heavy … my legs felt surprisingly good. I slowly shuffled through the first two miles. I took a short break, and then I jogged the final three quarter or so miles home. For the morning after, it was perfect.

Since then, recovery has gone really well. I’ve been out for 3-4 miles each morning, and I’ve walked all over San Diego for this conference. My legs feel great, and I’m already feeling some life in them. Still, I’ll take it easy for another two weeks or so before I start to incorporate a little speed and start prepping for my summer races.

Reflections and Looking Ahead

What went wrong?

Who knows.

In retrospect, there were signs something was off the day before. My heart rate and Garmin stress levels were a little off. Maybe my breakfast Saturday morning (shredded wheat) had been too big. Or maybe dinner didn’t sit right. Or maybe the Clif bar in the morning was a bad idea. Or maybe the time between eating the gels and getting to the water stops did me in.

Or maybe I just had a low grade illness of something that hadn’t really shown up. My throat has been a little scratchy since I’ve gotten out to California, and I’m unsure if it’s allergies or something else. I’m not sick … but I’m definitely not at 100%.

One way or the other, my body betrayed me during the race. I had put in the work, I executed a solid plan, and it all fell apart.

And it’s a good reminder that sometimes … things just don’t go your way. A lot of things have to go right for you to have a great race, and there are a lot of things that can go wrong to make your race not great.

Roll the dice at enough marathons and you’re sure to crap out eventually. You just need to dust yourself off, get back out there, and take the next shot.

The good news is, I’m still in great shape. I’m really proud of the first half of the race. I’ve been recovering well. I’ve got some shorter races on my calendar for May and June. So I’m going to enjoy them.

I’m bummed about not having a BQ for 2026. At this point, I might just accept it – and sign up for Jersey City again next year. But I’m also considering returning to Erie in September and banging out a sub-3:00 there.

I don’t really want to, because I’m already signed for Twin Cities a month later. But I’ll think on it for the next month or two and make a decision by July 1. We’ll see what the future holds.