13.1, Halfway Done: View From the Pulaski Bridge

NYC Marathon Course Section: The Pulaski Bridge, Miles 13-13.5

The halfway point of the New York City Marathon occurs on the Pulaski Bridge halfway between Brooklyn and Queens. The bridge connects Greenpoint in Brooklyn with Long Island City in Queens over the Newtown Creek. Brooklyn takes up nearly half of the race so leaving it is a big milestone. Being a bridge, the Pulaski is another noticeable hill along the course. It offers a breathtaking view of the Midtown Manhattan skyline. So as long as your race is going well, the context cancels out the feelings of fatigue from the hill. Knowing it’s the halfway point of the race makes it a truly memorable landmark.

Marathoners Rocking New York Song:

Track #8: 13.1, Halfway Done*

Time: 1:03

Tempo: 180 bpm

Treadmill Elevation: 4.0

NYC Marathon Course Section: Miles 13-13.5, The Pulaski Bridge

“13.1, Halfway Done” is a fast rock’n’roll, guitar driven track on Marathoners Rocking New York. Sheena is still feeling good as she takes in the skyline and mentally prepares for the second half of the race.

Download “13.1, Halfway Done,” on iTunes

13.1, Halfway Done Lyrics:

CHORUS

Thirteen point one halfway done

What more could I ask-i than to cross the Pulaski?

Thirteen point one halfway done

What more could I ask-i than to cross the Pulaski?

VERSE 1

Manhattan I see you, my favorite view

What can you do? Because you’ll be mine when I cross the finish line

CHORUS

BRIDGE

Oh it is such a thrill, to make it over this hill

Cuz now I’m halfway done, but I’ve got another half to run

CHORUS

Hey x 9

Marathoners Rocking New York is the rock’n’roll-fueled journey of a 70’s punk loving young woman named Sheena. She’s on the cusp of turning 30 with nothing to show for it. Her rock star dreams are not coming true. She succeeded at the downtown party lifestyle but not at keeping a band together. After stumbling on the New York City Marathon with friends, Sheena accepts a drunken dare to run it the following year. To her surprise, and everyone else’s she actually does the training (with a little help) and makes it to the start line on time.

Sheena runs the marathon without music, so Marathoners Rocking New York is the guitar-driven soundtrack going on in her mind as she navigates the course. The songs are influenced by the early punk movement in 1970’s New York with bands like the Ramones, Blondie, The Patti Smith Group, and Television. The album is in an excellent tempo for running playlists and a useful tool for marathon training that can be downloaded through iTunes.