Marathon Sunday has arrived in New York, with nearly 60,000 runners taking on the five boroughs. Among them are five Business Insider staffers, from first-timer Zak Jason, Discourse executive editor, to Anthony DeMaio, a sales leader running his 23rd NYC Marathon and roughly his 40th overall.
The newsletter’s author trained with help from Muse, Meta’s AI agent, using it to map long runs and shape a race plan. After last month’s Staten Island half marathon, it asked him unprompted how it went.
Running the NYC Marathon With an AI Coach in My Ear
He has also given Muse his bib number, hoping for real-time pacing feedback through his AirPods. But he says no AI can replace advice from real people.
Noah Sheidlower urges runners to live in the moment, high-five spectators and enjoy the community celebration. Kathleen Elkins says to write your name on your shirt and soak in the cheers, since New Yorkers return the energy you give them.
Zak Jason says to trust people who have done hard things, and adds he was told it’s fine to pee yourself during the race. DeMaio calls the marathon a celebration of preparation and says running is a team sport.
The author’s own tip: the first five miles can make or break the race, so go slower than planned, then slower still.
