When I said I wanted to celebrate my birthday crossing the NYC marathon finish line, I didn't know what I was going to experience. NYC marathon was my 10th marathon and it fell on my 65th birthday. The greatest birthday celebration ever. From start to finish, NYRR does it right. The expo is so big and there is so much to see. The speakers they had on their stages offered so much wonderful advice on how to insure you made it to the finish line whole and still smiling. NYC had so much to do all weekend long that my biggest problem was trying to pick just a few without overdoing it. The bus to the start line was so easy. I stayed at the Distrikt Tapestry Collection near the Library which was a short 2 block walk to the bus shuttles. They were filled and moving so quickly. Yes, you get to the start very early but there is plenty of room to sit around. Dunkin Donuts offers free hats, coffee, hot chocolate and there were bagels to fuel with before hand. SIS also was giving out free fueling before. Porta potties were in abundance and the volunteers were extremely knowledgeable. Despite getting to the start at about 7 am and not starting until 11:35 am ... the energy made the time fly. The feed in to the waves and corrals was so organized. Once the cannon went off and we were on our way the energy was contagious. It was unbelievable! I felt like I was flying. Had to remind myself that I had 26.2 miles so I had to slow it down. The birthday celebration wouldn't be complete if I didn't cross that finish line. As for the spectators ... oh my God! Talk about an energy booster. The entertainment, the music, the cheers, the signs, the burroughs welcoming the runners, the security, did I mention the spectators ... a 10+++++. Was it hard ... heck yeah. As I crossed the finishline with tears in my eyes thinking of my favorite run partner/my son Justin and all the people back home who were cheering for me, thinking of my husband and my dad who cheered on me from Heaven, and the tears were flowing. When I saw the hill to get out of the park, I thought one and done. My quads were burning. Yet, as I packed to come home and relived NYC marathon, I am ready to do it again. This was definitely the experience of a lifetime that I hope to be able to do year after year. New York City was unbelievable. Not a quiet moment, aside from the bridges, on that course. 26.2 miles of people cheering on complete strangers and helping us all get to that finish line. Hills ... yes, but that finish line and that medal made every ache and pain worthwhile. Thank you NYC ... this Boricua is ready to come back!!! Thanks for giving me a birthday celebration that I will never forget!!!!! Proud to be a part of the We Are NYC Running Club and major kudos to our capitan @Cesartrelles. Still reliving NYC and will until next year.