Dornois Patrick Naudeau returning from the New York Marathon: “I did it! »

Dornois Patrick Naudeau, 52, judicial police officer and police major in Moulins (Allier), has just lived a big dream by participating in the New York marathon, how it was prepared. It was November 6th. He wore bib number 12.332.

The cross-country skier had already run nine marathons since 2013: eight in La Rochelle, plus the one in Paris, last April, with a good time: 3:20. Every week he travels 60 km, to reach 2,000 km a year.

New York was “a lot of emotion on the starting line. I said to myself “here, there they are”. Already almost nostalgic. It was all so perfect, up until that very moment where you have to start. »

It’s warm. Then Patrick focuses on remembering to hydrate regularly. “My partner Fabienne and my friends and teammates from Athletic Entente Moulins / Yzeure / Avermes (EAMYA), Farida and Dada, are going into another airlock. Until the last moment, we stayed together, welded. »

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There is a lot of atmosphere, spectators come to support the participants. Club friends follow on WhatsApp app. “He gets up, I take pictures. After 1 km I find my rhythm, which I hope to keep until the finish line. »
In the middle (21 km), he has to face the facts…

“Not good legs”

“Despite my training, I didn’t have good legs that day. I slow down and decide to take advantage of it”. But at the thirtieth kilometre, the famous “wall” is there, “the one without petrol! I’m not used to catching it so early and the last twelve kilometers are just aches and pains. I keep telling myself to enjoy myself but tiredness takes over. The finish line (42.195 km) is looming, joy and emotion return.

“I did New York! Reached an honorable time (3 h 52′). My teammates finish too. We are happy to have realized this dream and this endurance performance, also happy with our stay. »