I was frustrated when I found out the "discounted" rooms were $399. On top of the plane tickets, it would be another 1200 bucks for the 4 nights (I'm flying across country now, time change and I've never been to New York need to look at the course at least once before the race). Only the "A" guys get a meal stipend too.
THe ironic part is most of the "A" guys would get the trip paid for anyway, the "B" guys would benefit most from travel paid. Shit, I PAY for my running shoes.
But, the beauty of running is you just run faster and things should happen. Also, most people on this message board are passionate runners and we would run if we had to pay money just to walk out the door to train. Those things I mentioned are simply frustrations when I think about them, they don't change my love for the sport.
The lack of water stops could be a disadvantage. For example, putting some erogenic aid (like in accelerade) in your personal bottle could be something you do, not now. Or changing the carbohydrate blend to something that may work better for you versus what is used in Gatorade etc, not now. Or adding protein....whatever.
I noticed a few guys said they just used water or whatever during their marathon and they did just fine. I the marathon I hit the standard in I didn't know what I was doing and just used whatever they had at Twin Cities. I don't even remember (powerade) but it messed up my stomach pretty bad during the race, I didn't even get under the standard time until the last 2 miles, between 10- 16 miles I thought I was going to shit myself. Now that I'm specifically training for a marathon I keep making little changes in the concentration etc of a drink during training to get something that will work. Now will this cause me to run a 2:08? Hell no, talent,hardwork and opportunity will. But it is one less thing over 26 miles up and down hills that I may not have to worry about.
It makes me wonder if the USATF people become disconnected from the sport, or they just don't care.
I'm also in for a one of those shirts, I have no club or sponsor so I'll just wear the thing as a uniform.