It is always hard to watch the ING New York City Marathon from the sidelines, but it always brings back fond memories of my first experience running the marathon in 2009.  As I look back at my first New York City Marathon experience I remember a few tips that I would like to share to help you on your run into Central Park.

My best memory of the New York City Marathon is the start, which I believe is the greatest starting line experience in any race, anywhere in the world.  My first tip: Soak it in.  You only get to take in the starting line once and it will be something you remember for the rest of your life, so rather than being preoccupied with the 26 miles ahead or being eager to get on with the race, soak in being a part of one of the greatest spectacles in all of sport.

Now, down to some nitty gritty tips: Not to burst your bubble, but don't be surprised if you're running slower than you feel like you should.  Going into the 2009 race, I felt like I was in the best shape of my life and even though I had previewed the course on a number of occasions I still felt like I could run a very fast time.  I had prepared super-hard back in Mammoth Lakes, California, on tough, hilly courses at 8,000 feet. I felt ready to fly.  I remember being frustrated at mile 18, when I came through the checkpoint just a few seconds faster than my best time in practice (usually my race pace is considerably faster than the paces I train at in practice).  So if you feel like you're running fast but your watch is telling you otherwise don't freak out.  You are running well.  New York City is deceptively hard; it doesn't feel considerably hard when you are out there, but you will probably notice your mile splits being slightly slower than they usually feel.

Lastly, run the race as you would run a cross-country course.  If you have never run cross-country then let me share with you the best piece of running advice I ever got for running cross- country and hilly road races such as New York City: Put together five to 10 quick steps at the top of every hill and around every corner.  Maintaining your pace for an entire marathon takes focus and on hilly courses everyone slows down going up the hills and around sharp corners. The key is getting back into your pace as soon as possible.  Don't settle into the slower pace that the hills and corners have inflicted on you.

One last thing: I always like to run the hills controlled because no one gains that much time by running the hills hard; you just tire yourself out for the rest of the race. However, if you get to the top of the hills with some energy then you can fly down the downhill sections and make up a massive amount of time.  Use the downhills to generate momentum and to get back into a fast race pace.

Above all, have fun and encourage some people out there.  I'll be watching, jealous that I am not out there to share the road with you — at least not this year!

—Ryan Hall, Record-breaking marathoner