Last weekend, I, physical therapist Hiroya Kosaki, ran my first NYC Marathon. It was an unforgettable experience that reminded me why I love both running and helping others move better through physical therapy.
The day started early. At 5:00 AM, I took a shuttle bus from Bryant Park to the starting point on Staten Island. Because of the large crowd, the bus didn’t leave until about 6:30 AM and arrived at Staten island around 7:30. After waiting through long lines for bag inspection, I finally reached my corral at 8:30 AM and quickly got ready for my 9:10 AM start.
Bryant park shuttle bus station
The race began on Staten Island, crossing the Verrazzano Bridge into Brooklyn. From there, we ran through Brooklyn and Queens, where countless spectators cheered for the runners. The crowd’s energy was amazing!! Their support gave me so much motivation. I ran the first half almost at the same pace as my personal best for a half marathon.
Start point at the Staten Island
However, after crossing the Queensboro Bridge into Manhattan, I suddenly felt cramps in my calves. I took energy gels and stretched several times along 1st Avenue on the Upper East Side. By the 30 km mark, I started to think I might not make my target time of sub-3 hours. But thanks to the incredible cheering from the crowd, I managed to maintain my pace and finish under 3 hours.
Crossing the finish line was the happiest moment!! I felt proud of my effort, and deeply grateful to everyone who supported and encouraged me along the way. I couldn’t have done it without them.
Many of my FuncPhysio Running Club members also ran this marathon. I hope each of them had an amazing race and learned more about their own physical and mental strength. Next year, I look forward to seeing even more of our members at the start line.
At FuncPhysio, we continue our running club activities every week to encourage people to stay active, prevent injuries, and improve running form. As a physical therapist in New York, I believe that consistent movement, proper training, and good recovery habits are key to preventing running injuries and enjoying the sport for years.
I hope our team’s participation in the NYC Marathon inspired others to run, move, and live healthier.
Thank you so much for supporting our running club and cheering us on!
