Obviously I signed up for this race because there was ice cream.

Well, only partly true.

• I had a free hotel room that was going to expire.
• I could combine this NYC trip with a visit to my roommate who lives on LI.
• I like Governor’s Island.
• It offered a 10k option and there are not many 10ks.
• Yes, ice cream.

I’ve actually run a race before on Governor’s Island. Back in 2018.

And I have already run a NYCRUNS Ice Cream Social race. Another 5k and it took place in Brooklyn. And also in 2018.

Just last month, I spent the day on Governor’s Island with a friend and so I was familiar with the logistics and the ferry.

Pre-Race Activities and Preparations:

The day before the race, I arrived by train in Manhattan and took the subway to my hotel in the Financial District. I chose this hotel because it was near the ferry to Governor’s Island.

It’s been a hot, humid summer and  today was no different. I decided to head to Brooklyn (by subway) and visit the Brooklyn Museum.  Museums are air-conditioned, right?

I thoroughly enjoyed it there as there were several great exhibits.

But it was still early and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden was right next door so I thought, why not?

Beautiful but HOT HOT HOT.

Cari got out of work early and so she took the ferry to meet me (back near my hotel). We chatted and had pizza (carb loading for me) and ended our visit with drinks at the rooftop bar of my hotel.

Don’t ask me how many miles I put on my legs .. LOL.

I got my stuff ready for the next day.

Here  is the description of the race and the course map:

Treat yourself to two laps around Governors Island, and we’ll treat you to a well-deserved post-finish ice cream. Talk about a perfect summer day.

Entry to the NYCRUNS Manhattan Ice Cream Social 10K includes a ferry ride, your race entry, a tech shirt, and post-race eats (the aforementioned ice cream!)

They also mailed you your bib several weeks before the race.

I tried unsuccessfully to get a good night’s sleep..

Race Day:

I got up before I needed to and had coffee and oatmeal in my hotel room. Although the race did not start until 9 am, they suggested that you take the 7 am or 7:30 am ferry.

I left my hotel around 6:45 am and arrived to a long line at the ferry.

The sun was now out and it was starting to get warm. UGH!

I just missed getting on the 7 am ferry (it only hold 290 persons) but that was fine since I was planning on the 7:30 one.

The line got longer and longer (we joked that it may have stretched to the Brooklyn Bridge since there were about 900 runners for this race not counting families and spectators).

It was a nice quick ride.

As soon as we arrived, we noticed that there were real restrooms.  Always a great race perk.

Then I followed signs toward the race start.

It wasn’t a short walk but lots to view (old buildings, forts, Manhattan skyline).

Eventually I arrived at the starting area.

I picked up my shirt (You could wait until after but doubtful to get your size).

Bag check was very organized so I left my shirt there…

Then I walked around checking out the logistics

and eventually taking a seat and chatting with other runners while waiting for the race to begin.

I had loved the course in the past and was excited to do this race…

As you can see from the map, the course winds around the island.. TWICE.  There were rolling hills throughout but nothing steep.

Yes, it was HOT… HUMID… SUNNY and NO SHADE!!!

I knew that it would be hard and I would suffer but it was worse than I thought!!

I am not going to give a mile by mile recap of the race (as I normally do). Suffice it to say, that I felt defeated by the heat but tried to enjoy the race as best as I could.

From the get go, I was sweaty…

but so was everyone else…

I ran the first mile (what I thought was slowly). I normally only drink water but today luckily every water stop (and they were almost every mile) offered Nuun and I drank that in addition to water.

The hills as I said were not steep but annoying because it was so sunny and the trees provided zero shade.

As a result, I ran slower each mile and really thought of quitting after 3 miles.

But obviously I did not and I just walked A LOT.

The views were great and island scenery varied.

And I finished!!!

Post Race Activities:

I grabbed some Nuun and water, retrieved my race shirt and of course, looked for the ice cream.  There were pretzels and Haagan Dazs ice cream cups and ice pops.

I grabbed a cup and ate it as I headed back toward the ferry.

I quickly checked the results to see if I won an award. And I did!! (They usually mail the award several weeks after.)

Honestly, I felt shaky (like I did after the Brooklyn half) and so I grabbed a seat on the ferry. On the way back to my hotel, I grabbed a bagel and a Starbucks cold brew…

Phew! Much better…

I showered, changed, checked out of my hotel and arrived in plenty of time at Penn. Sta. to catch the train to LI.

I quickly erased my 10k experience from my mind and enjoyed a few days with my college roommate.

Additional Race Reflections:

Definitely a tough one but hey, I did it.

Racing for me is always enjoyable (at least a few hours afterward.)

Positives:

• 10k and 5k on separate days (less crowded)
• Bibs mailed.
• Free ferry.
• Shirts distributed before after the race.
• Real restrooms,
• Organized bag check.
• Nuun at the water stops.
• Water Stops at each mile.
• Well marked course.
• Scenic views.
• Ice Cream after the race.
• Free Massages after and before.
• Free MarathonFoto pics.

Negatives:

• 10 year age group awards
• Little shade
• Warm temps (but hey, it’s August!)
• Having to rush back to my hotel

Would I recommend this race?

Yes. And if I lived in NYC, I would run it again in the FALL or SPRING.

There was a lot of enthusiasm and runners of all ages.

Final Stats:

Heat is not my racing friend!!!