Marathon Day

Yesterday we ventured down to LIC to converge on the area around Queensboro Plaza to watch the NYC marathon in the hopes of catching our friend Jessie run by. It had been two years since we've watched and cheered the runners and I have to say I always enjoy this chance to see the city coming together around such a special event.  Since I was coming from a photo shoot over at Hunters Point South, I joined up with Carmen to take the train back and we found Nacho within minutes of exiting the station. Irene and Jose were also coming off the subway at the exact same time, so we all made it to the street and texted Amanda and Gina to find out where they were. A few blocks down and over we caught up with them and staked out our spot for the race. It's sometimes hard for the kids to get a good view, but thankfully a nice police officer didn't seem to mind that they congregated inside the tape lines. The kids danced and sat, played and cheered as the runners zoomed by. And with warmer weather, it wasn't too hard to hang out for a while waiting to see Jessie. The TCS NY Marathon app on our phones also made it possible to know exactly where she was on the course, so most of the guess work was taken out and we only had to bide our time. As we did so, I of course couldn't resist snapping a few pics of fellow race watchers as they greeted their friends and loved ones. The marathon is such an emotional event for runners and spectators alike and it always makes me so happy to capture a few of those moments and send them along in photos. One moment I remember from this year is seeing a family member shouting, blowing a whistle and doing everything she could to get her friend's attention and yet, she couldn't reach her. She was running too far to the other side and seemed to have her earphones in and her eyes on the road ahead. I wanted to jump in there and tap her on the shoulder myself. Ugh. What a missed chance to perk up in the long run...oh well. Fortunately we had more success catching Jessie and the look on her face as she recognized us was priceless. It wasn't a long rest for her, but she gave us some high fives, squeezed the girls and kept on running. I was shooting it from further down to get a better angle and by the time she looked up as she passed, there was a moment of oh-you're-here-too! Ha, too much. I was elated to see the bounce in her step and she seemed like she was in good shape for the next few miles. Luke and the boys were waiting just a little further up closer to the Queensboro Bridge and though I missed photographing that encounter, I was glad we spread out all our love. Jessie really inspired all of us yesterday with her determination, her stamina and her joy.  I hope she knows how much.