The 2013 New York City Marathon Expo

It's safe to say my NYCM expo experience was A LOT better this year.

Spoiler alert: the race wasn't cancelled! 

With that being said, I think a lot of my nerves were actually PTSD from last years expo experience. Say what you want about me, but I took the cancellation really hard. Not because it was cancelled, but WHEN it was cancelled: Friday night, while I was at the expo 5 minutes after I picked up my bib. I had finally allowed myself to get excited that it was actually happening. . . and just like that, it wasn't. To be honest, I didn't realize that was still affecting me. I was sad that I didn't have my biggest supporters with me this year (Fred, my sister and B were all with me last year- Thank Baby Jesus!- getting there from Brooklyn without trains running and all!) but I was glad I went alone. A lot of emotions I wasn't expecting hit me as soon as I walked in the door. 

If you were scheduled to run in 2012, and deferred to this year, you could pick up a souvenir medal. They were giving them out at tables after the tshirts. Apparently, NYRR sent emails to those people eligible. I thought it was a nice touch. No worries, though, I already had mine ;)

I got my bib and my shirt and proceeded to the official merch area. I fell in love with 2 shirts on top of the earwarmers and must-have backpack. oops. But hey, how many time are you going to run your first only first official New York City marathon? 

This photo does NOT do the beautiful blue color of the shirt justice.

It's a great shirt.

Race swag!

After seeing them on instagram, I became obsessed with the special edition Sweaty Bands and needed those in my life. The official ones aren't at their specific booth, but at the Foot Locker set up- but don't worry, I stopped there, too. They had left over special editions from last years race and I needed some of those, too. I know. I have a serious problem. But hey, they're cheaper than a tech tee and take up less space! 

All of the big brands were represented at the expo and everyone had special edition race shirts. Some of the running stores in the city were already selling them and I'm sure they'll have some if you missed them at the expo. I do suggest if you have a favorite brand that isn't Asics, they'll probably have something race related. 

I didn't do a full rotation of the expo, because the first time I went it was during lunch and needed to get back to work. I didn't even know runDisney was going to be there and almost missed them. As luck would have it, I decided to walk over to see if they had any of the newly revealed medals- and they did! (Check out all the photos here.) 

I did have to get a picture of the medal I'll be getting in January! 

So excited my favorite character gets her own race.

I decided to go back after work to exchange my shirt (PS- they run smaller than they did last year) and the crowd wasn't as insane as I was expecting. There was a rush right after work, but then it died down. I do suggest if you don't have to bring a large back in with you, don't. The security line for that can get long. I'm glad I'm a local and don't have to wait until the weekend- 40,000 people is a lot even for the Javitts Center! 

So, now we wait :)