By Erica Agran

Everyone has a thing. Mine is the New York City Marathon. These are my top NYC Marathon tips. I ran the New York City Marathon for the first time in 1996, and this year will be my 24th time running the iconic November race. I’m a 15+ runner, which means I ran 15 times before 2014, so I’m guaranteed entry for life. This also makes me an excellent resource for first-time NYC marathoners. I’m sharing my top 5 NYC Marathon tips – actually, it’s more like five sections of tips, as there are plenty of ways to prepare for marathon Sunday, from the start line in Staten Island to the finish line in Central Park.

NYC Marathon Tips to Have Your Best Race Day

1. Pre-Race - Sleep in the City that Never Sleeps...

Chill out. The city never sleeps, but you should. It’s so tempting to walk all over, see everything, eat everything, check out the course... you get the picture. Just relax. The city is a concrete jungle with many inclines and downhills. If you walk all over, your legs won't be fresh.
Shake it out. If you would like to do a shake-out run on Friday or Saturday, join me at a Runstreet shake-out run. It’s totally chill, a great way to meet other runners and get epic photos for the gram.
Forget to bring anything? You can get it at the New York City Marathon Expo or near your hotel. If you need something like a Gatorade or protein bars, there are bodegas (small convenience stores) on almost every block in NYC, and you can get fuel, bagels, or a lot of other things you need there. You can also go to one of the many pharmacy chains in the city to stock up on energy gels or other gear that you may need. Pick up or bring a trash bag or old blanket to sit on and/or wear, and don’t forget your throw-away clothes so you have extra layers to stay warm before the start of the race.
Need some extra cheers? Write your name on masking tape and put it on your shirt or bib above your bib number (if you haven't already gotten a fancier version made).
The wait is long before the marathon, so pack a magazine or newspaper. Some toilet paper and tissues will also come in handy.
Know where your friends and family will be specifically. Know the mile/corner/side of the street. Memorize your fan locations – it gives you something to look forward to!
Lay out your clothes, shoes, bib, chip, and everything you need the night before. If you plan to use the bag drop, make sure your checked bag will have everything you need after the race and also is in keeping with the race guidelines. You don’t want to be looking all over for things in the morning. It’s an early start to get the Staten Island Ferry.

Related Post: How to Run a 4-Hour Marathon

2. Race Morning. Be Like a Scout - Be Prepared, Alert, and Friendly...

Set an alarm and a back-up alarm. It is daylight savings time, but don't risk it.
Don’t try anything new! Wear the shoes and gear you use for long-run training, and use the gels that you normally run with.
Have a plan for getting to the ferry or bus. If you are not familiar with it, practice it beforehand.
Find a buddy. If you are going to the race alone, make a friend on the bus or ferry. It’s easy. Runners are nice, and everyone is jazzed up.
Go early but not too early. For the first wave, I typically take the 6:00 or 6:15 ferry.
Pay attention to signs, find your start area, porta-potties, and place to sit/relax. Listen for announcements. When they say to get to the corral - go to the corral even though it seems too early, the queue will form quickly.

3. The Course. Know Before You Go and Watch Out For Common Pitfalls.

The first mile will be slow (uphill) on the Verrazano Bridge, and the second mile will be fast (downhill) - don’t worry about it. Then, from mile two on, watch your pace. It’s easy to get excited during the first half of the race, and you’ll pay for that in the last 10K at the end of the race!
It’s easy to get pulled in the beginning and feel like you are slowing down with people passing you. Pay attention. This will matter in the second half. Ask me how I know.
Mile 8 after the merge in Brooklyn is the BEST! Enjoy my favorite mile.
There are no spectators on the Queensboro Bridge. The 59th Street bridge is quiet and stoic. Take a moment to feel centered. Take some deep breaths. Work on a steady pace. Use your arms. Channel your training. Passing instead of getting passed on the bridge always makes me feel amazing.
Watch your pace on First Avenue (miles 16-20). When you come into Manhattan, the crowd is amazing, and it is easy to race up 1st Ave. It’s slightly uphill and easy to bonk if you overdo it, so just cruise and take in all of the energy. I sometimes run in the middle of the street if I get too overwhelmed by the crowds.
Watch your footing. The course is crowded, and the roads are not always well-paved.

4. The Head Game. Don’t Forget: “Whether You Think You Can, Or You Think You Can’t, You’re Right.”

Have a mantra. This will help you get in a good rhythm. Mine is "My kind of race. My kind of day."
Enjoy the tone and tenor of the crowd. It’s different by borough. You’ll see some cool stuff. Brooklyn is really a melting pot!
If you get discouraged, talk to someone in the race, look around, remind yourself of why you are there, and just keep going!
Smile! When things feel really tough (and they will), smile. There’s scientific evidence that smiling lowers the perception of exertion. Try it! It works!
The most important marathon advice I’ve ever received is “HAVE FUN!!” Remember, you paid for this. They did not pay you to run this major marathon. Keep your focus on why you're doing the race.

5. Post Race. Savor Your Success!

You have to walk really far after you cross the finish line. You’ll be grateful for it the next day. I promise. Just. Keep. Moving.
Pick a meet-up spot to connect with your friends or family. Be specific because Columbus Circle and the whole Central Park South area get very crowded on marathon day. It’s great to pick a bar or coffee shop so spectators can stay warm and you can get warm (and get a celebratory drink or treat.)
Congratulate other runners and enjoy the love of New Yorkers. It’s the best day in the city, and you are one of the heroes of the day! New Yorkers are very supportive of the NYC marathon runners.
Celebrate! You did it! New York City is not an easy course. It may be your best, your worst, or somewhere in between. Now is the time to celebrate your accomplishment. You can do the post-mortem later.
Get ready for next year! As you know, it takes lots of planning to run the New York City Marathon. I hope these NYC Marathon tips help you make the most of one of the best days of the year.

Good luck to all of the runners, and thank you to all of the supporters along the way!

If you need a marathon training plan to slay your next race, visit the Runstreet Training Center. Whether you want to PR in the marathon or finish your first race, Coach Marnie can help you become your best running self. Marnie has helped hundreds of runners run races ranging from 5Ks to the Boston and New York City Marathons. Her years of experience, background in running and weightlifting, and attention to detail in creating training plans will help you run your best race.

Erica Agran is the blogger behind Erica Finds. She’s an avid runner, traveler, and healthy “finder” living in Chicago. She’s run over 51 Chicago Marathons and more than 20 NYC Marathons. Check out her @EricaFinds Instagram for running inspiration, the best new healthy products and great views from her window.

NYC Marathon Tips From a Veteran New York Marathoner