This past weekend we went down to NYC for the 40th Annual NYC Marathon. This is the third year in a row we went. I say we, as I’m talking about myself and my girlfriend, Anita. She is the runner. I am the spectator. It’s debatable who enjoys the marathon more.

This is Anita’s 18th marathon – no, that’s not a typo. If you had to define her in one word, it would be “runner.” She has run some of the toughest marathons in the world (including Boston 3 times), and runs them very well, breaking 3 hours on several occasions. I’ve had the honor of being with her for 4 of those marathons and I’ve always enjoyed being on the sidelines, watching her progress. This is the first year I was able to share the experience through the web. Below is my tweet-by-tweet commentary of this world event. Here it is:

Friday, Oct. 30, 2009:

1:58 PM ‘On way to NYC for marathon. Anita running… And I’m not.’

Saturday, Oct. 31, 2009:

6:29 AM Something very NYC about waking up garbage trucks

6:31 AM That’s waking up TO garbage truck noises. Too early for tweeting?

7:42 AM Gonna go check out the expo

8:47 AM Expo http://twitpic.com/no5hh

9:46 AM Anita will be on fire tomorrow http://twitpic.com/nocze

12:06 PM Some people prepare for marathons differently http://twitpic.com/np0th

4:46 PM Great campaign in subway for marathon http://twitpic.com/nqp17

4:47 PM http://twitpic.com/nqp4j

6:17 PM Small meal and early to bed. Happy Halloween all.

Though I didn’t go to bed at 6:17, Anita crashed around 8pm for an early wake up. It was silly for me to stay up late as I went with her to the start.

Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009 – Race Day:

4:35 AM Up at 4:30 to catch bus to staten island

Mile 18

5:50 AM Off to start http://twitpic.com/nuo4v

9:21 AM Gettin ready to go up to 86th to watch. Decent weather for running 53deg overcast.

9:41 AM Guess I should have signed up earlier for athlete status. Damn thing is locked out-full capacity.

10:01 AM Thanks @joeromanelli for helping with tracker. Anita at mile 2 just getting under way…

11:00 AM At 10k – 45:23 – 7:18 pace.

11:05 AM At 15k – 1:07:55

Mile 24

12:01 PM Just saw her at mile 18, looked good. (picture @ right)

12:46 PM Saw her again at mile 24. Looked strong. (picture @ right)

1:09 PM Finished 3:16:06

3:42 PM Finally got a chance to post this. Anita at the finish. http://twitpic.com/nwtng

3:51 PM First US man to win NYC marathon since 1982

5:22 PM Celebretory dinner http://twitpic.com/nxbjw

Overall, very exciting stuff. Anita did very well with a finishing time of 3:16:06, 183rd out of ALL women who ran. That’s in the top 1 percentile of all woman. After the race she enjoyed her bison burger and fries with 2 well-deserved hard ciders and a slice of chocolate cake. I enjoyed mine with a couple of IPAs, slightly less deserved.