I am working in NYC this week and will be back there several more times before the end of the summer.
I could go on and on about what I love about the city but the Fit Five Friday format is great for this so I will this week jump right to
MY FIVE FAVORITE RUNNING ROUTES IN NYC
THE HIGH LINE
The High Line closes at dusk and it is VERY crowded at certain times of day. Though I have never done this, I would think the best time to run on it is in the early morning hours. It is a very interesting place to run/walk.
2. ALONG THE EAST RIVER
It’s quite a hike for me to get there (2 miles through the streets of the city unless I take the Crosstown bus) but it is worth it. It is lit up and many runners and bikers use this path. There are also water fountains. The views are pretty all times of day.
along the East River, NYC
along the East R
running along the East River
3. RIVERSIDE PARK
Another great place to run but not that populated in the evening. It runs parallel at points to the path along the Hudson River.
Riverside Drive
4. ALONG THE HUDSON RIVER
Another route that is lit up at night and very popular with bikers. You can combine this run with the High Line as it is nearby.
along the Hudson R
5. IN CENTRAL PARK
This is the BEST place to run. It is lit up and always filled with runners. You can choose many different paths so it accommodates any distance. I always take the subway to Columbus Circle and start there but there are a lot of other entrances to the park.
Happy Running! Anyone else run in NYC? If so, where do you like to run? Please Share.
The race took me past the highlights of the city (Eiffel Tower, Trocadéro, Arc de Triomphe, Bois de Boulogne, Roland Garros, Maison de la Radio, Grand Palais, Tuileries, Pont Royal, and left banks) but obviously I couldn’t stop and soak it all in.
So I’m due to go back, right?
I might even take a running tour this time.
Happy Running! Where is your dream running location? Have you run there yet? Have you ever run in Paris? Please share.
Sunday –I thought about a run since I had walked the 5k with my friends the day before…
But I decided to keep my plan of Sunday morning at the gym.
The weather was great again and I booked a site on another island on Lake George in advance so we could barbecue. The best part of the day (besides the food and the ice cream later) was that I was able to read a whole book (The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah)…
Monday – I had enough time to run before work…
took a different route as my neighborhood gets boring…
Tuesday – Again I started the day with a run …
a friendly cat on the rail trail
and then after work, I met friends to go for a long walk on the rail trail.
Wednesday – DAY OFF!!
I forgot that it was Global Running Day and instead of a run, I went to the gym…
A few tennis friends and I planned a day trip today to the NY Botanical Gardens to see:
transforms the Garden through the sights, settings, and scents of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
It was so beautiful there.
check out my FB page for zillions of pics
Thursday – I had to teach live today so I rushed out in order to try to get some miles done before our trail night but had to sit in my car for an hour during a torrential rainstorm.
Fortunately, it stopped in time to get in our trail walk.
Friday – Another live teaching day so nothing but mah jongg in the evening my hair appointment.
Saturday – Long Run Saturday and Brunch.
There was brunch and a run with my friends but the runs don’t get long for a few weeks.
and it rained for the last 3 miles… (if you can’t tell, that’s a wild turkey and her babies)
Sunday – Hopefully my regularly scheduled program: GYM, day on the lake (but maybe not since the forecast calls for rain…)
This Coming Week on the Run –
Monday – train to NYC, run
Tuesday -run?, Broadway show
Wednesday – run?, dinner with a college friend
Thursday – run?, dinner with a running friend
Friday – train home
Saturday – Valley Cats Home Run 5k Race
Sunday – GYM, boating (weather dependent)
This Coming Week on the Blog –
Tuesday – Dream Running/Racing Location
Friday – 5 Favorite Running Routes in NYC
Happy Running! Training for any big or small races this summer? Any travel plans? Please share.
I encourage you to do the same. Grab the graphic, drop your link on the host blogs and play along! Please be sure to always comment on the HOST’s blogs, as well as visit and comment on as many other blogs as you can.
time to join up with Coco & Deborah for their ultimate coffee date.
You will forget abut your finish times or your running pace but the memories that you make while running or racing will last forever!!
1.Over coffee…
I’d tell you that I have no long races for 3 months!!
next one…
I even skipped at 10 mile race that I’ve enjoyed in the past. Of course, I had major FOMO reading everyone’s social media posts but I know I made the right decision.
racing 10 miles or this?
2. Over coffee…
I’d tell you that I panicked when out of the blue, I had a sharp pain in the thigh. It hurt to run and walk up/down stairs.
I imagined abductor or quad strain and even stress fracture.
Immediately I called my chiro for an appt. and walked a practice 5k.
3. Over coffee…
I’d tell you that after a painful ART session on some trigger points around my IT band and quad, the pain disappeared.
It happened so quickly that I wondered if I really had the pain.
Would it have gone away on its own?
4.Over coffee…
I’d tell you that I almost cancelled my second chiro appointment.
My leg felt normal but I wanted to see what she said (She’s my original doctor, not the one I went to first.)
She agreed with the diagnosis and said I was good to go (IOW run the 5k the next day),
5. Over coffee…
I’d tell you that I didn’t run that 5k.
In fact, it was the THIRD 5k that I’ve walked this year!
Yes, me!
One because of a sprained ankle,
another as a mentor to runner who preferred to walk
and lastly due to a case of food poisoning the night before the race.
It is definitely less stressful and lots of fun especially if you do it with friends.
7 of us walked the entire race (until we got near the finish line and then we ran)…
This is the only race that I’ve run every year! This was my 17th time!!!!! (In 2020, it went virtual so actually my 16th in-person FRW race.)
It has always been held the Saturday after Memorial Day except in 2021, when due to COVID, the race was moved to September. In 2022, it again returned to its regular date.
on their webpage…can you spot me in the pink cap?
My first FRW was in 2008 (my first year of running). At the time, it was the farthest I’d ever run:
I mentored a beginning running group of moms in 2010 which was very rewarding:
Unfortunately, I’m the only one from this group who still runs.
In 2012, it was my first run after serious ankle surgery:
and this photo made the cover of our local paper.
I even ran it in 2013 after breaking my foot at mile 1:
And in 2019, it was the last race for my VT friend Andrea (who died of cancer).
As you can tell, there is a lot of history attached to this race for me.
In 2020, I was named an Ambassador. That honor continued through 2022.
Believe it not, I even chose to skip my high school reunion in 2022 in order to run this race!!
This year, however, I wasn’t as excited about the race as in previous years… sprained ankle, several slow half marathons and lots of doubts about fitness/racing. Especially shorter races since my last 5k were weeks ago…
And they changed the name of the race!!
It’s now called the Sara Lee Delightful Run for Women.
Nevertheless, I knew that I would do this race (no matter what they called it). I’m pretty sure I will always do this race!!
Pre-Race Preparations and Activities:
As with this race every year, I never know what will happen… I could break my foot again (as I did in 2013) or could have a course PR as I did in 2018. Most likely, it will just be a fun run with lots of women.
And this was also my ninth year participating in the Freihofer Training Challenge (TC).
photo from 2022
This year, I decided again to become a Mentor. I wanted to support all the runners who would be finishing their FIRST 5k. And connect with my “past TC” buddies, as well.
I volunteered on Wednesday evenings on the rail trail near where I live.
Many years ago, the day before I would walk to the Empire State Plaza concourse at lunch to go to the expo and pick up my race packet. They used to have a really big expo with vendors and health-related exhibits. But the past few years, they have held it at a local college.
As I did last year, I signed up to volunteer on Friday evening at packet pick-up
I was able to get the bibs & shirts for 7 of my running friends
even though the race name changed, we still get Freihofer cookies (along with Sara Lee bread)
and then I skipped playing mah jongg in order to prepare my #flatme.
Cat-approved outfit
If you read my WRD, you know that I had food poisoning that night and was very doubtful about running the race the next day.
Race Day:
I hate parking garages and traffic so I usually parked on the street and walked to the start. However, with the new(er) course, it was an even longer hike. Like almost 2 miles!
But I used to love to run down Madison Avenue and see the race banners and see the giant poster on the bridge.
pics from 6 years ago…
They changed the course nine years ago. This course is supposedly faster…less congested and has a less steep hill at the start and finish.
course map
elevation according to my Garmin
I did run the newer course the past eight years and I also liked it better than the original..
heading downhill to the finish line
This year, my running friend, Deb, offered to drive as for work she has a nearby parking space. I gladly accepted.
As I mentioned above, this was my 17th year for the race and I really wanted to continue my streak. Plus, I had my friends’ bibs.
I know it sounds crazy but I decided to go to the race. If I felt sick, I would hang out in the TC tent (near the porta-potties) and if I felt ok, I would WALK the race.
Obviously, running the race was out of the question…
So we met at 7:15, Deb drove and then from the parking garage, we walked to the start area. I quickly found the TC tent…
I got there in time for the photo (missed it last year. LOL).
just the “mentors”
Though, I didn’t enjoy mentoring as much as I thought I would, I was happy to be part of this amazing group of women.
I still had time to chat with many runners and meet up with my local running friends.
we call ourselves the “Sole Sisters”… Barb’s daughter and Heidi’s MIL joined us.
I was scheduled to start in corral 3 but since I was walking, I headed toward the back of the pack. I was lucky that several of my friends had decided to walk too.
Mile 1:
It is usually very crowded during the first mile but this year were fewer runners than in previous years. I never really had to weave and had plenty of space to walk comfortably.
The race began with a long steep uphill. I remember it being hard when I was running but walking and chatting, I barely noticed it.
The best thing about walking was that I could take in the scenery and take lots of photos.
And we were so slow that the lead runner was heading to the finish before we hit mile 1.
Keira D’amato leading the pack
Mile 1 continued as we turned left and entered the park (and the hill ended).
There were rolling hills throughout the park. They were not bad.
The worst part were all the potholes and cracks in the roads…There were cones over the potholes but you had to weaving back n forth to avoid them and you had to keep your eyes pealed to ground to make sure you didn’t trip.
Then again, we were walking so much fewer issues with the state of the pavement.
1 mile done
Mile 2:
There was a water stop around mile 1.25. It was warm out and I would have stopped had I been running but today, there was no need.
More rolling hills during this mile as you went around the park circling the lake. Only one of the hills was steep but it was very short.
We tried to pick up the pace for the second mile.
But we were having so much fun that I doubt we got much faster.
Soon we were getting toward exiting the park.
2 miles down
Mile 3-3.1:
There was a second water stop around mile 2.5 but again, none of us needed to stop.
Finally we left the park and headed toward the street we started on.
always stop and pose when you see a photographer…
It was a long downhill and I remember it being longer than it looked.
notice how fast my friends walk… and the 80 something is leading the way…
Eventually I saw the 3 mile sign.
Heidi’s MIL (who was in her mid 80’s) wanted to finish under 60 minutes.
It would be close so we all started to RUN!!
And we did it!!
and since we started after 9:00, we were even faster than the clock.
Post Race Activities:
We got our medals and some water and then headed toward the refreshments.
The lines were very long so we decided just to head out and go out to brunch.
Additional Race Reflections:
Many runners were excited about their PR or their first 5k.. I may not have run but I still really enjoyed myself.
It was different this year. If I had raced, I would have been chatting after the race with my racing friends and we would have discussed our finish times and age group awards..
Of course, I had FOMO. It would have been more fun to have run but sometimes life gives you lemons. And so I made lemonade.
Today was about friendship which is more important than pace.
Besides I can never remember my finish times. I looked up my recent ones after the race.
2014 – 28:51
2015 – 29:22
2016 -28:50
2017 – 27:48
2018 – 27:37 (PR)
2019 – 27:47
2021- 28:16
2022 – 28:24
2023 – 29:41
20:24 –
stiff competition
Well, there’s always next year…
Positives:
Ample parking.
Well marked course.
Lots of familiar faces.
Interesting course (through a beautiful park).
Downhill finish.
Friendly and abundant number of volunteers.
Two water stops (for a 5k)
The electric atmosphere.
Virtual option.
Free finish and start photos
Immediate results
Nice Swag for a 5k (tech shirt, medal, cookies, bread)
Cool medal
All women – all ages, all paces…
Many free photo stations
Negatives:
Uphill first mile.
Uneven pavement in the park
Long line for the refreshments
Name change (it will forever be called the Freihofer race)
Would I recommend this race?
Yes. Yes. It’s a great local race. And having it be ALL WOMEN makes it even more special.
Final Stats:
So FRW #17 is in the books!
The tradition is still alive! It was again a great local race with many women running or walking it. Can’t wait to do it again next year and RUN it.
Next Up:
June 15
Happy Running! How was your weekend? Did you race? If so, how did it go? Do you have a favorite race that you run every year? Do you prefer 5ks or longer races? Ever walk a race? Please share.
With my half marathon training over, I thought that I would work on some speed…
But then I had some mysterious thigh pain (which luckily was short-lived).
And yesterday my favorite 5k took place.
So was I fast? What do YOU think?
Last Week –
Sunday – First day of boating season. The weather was great and I booked a site on an island in advance so we could barbecue.
Of course, I had FOMO as I was hoping to have run a 10 mile race that morning but we had a nice day and rain was predicted for the next day.
Monday – It threatened rain but I went out for a run anyway.
It didn’t rain but I was hoping it would as it was sooo humid.
I did more gardening (never ending, it seems) and still no rain (even the sun came out) but it was quite windy.
Since I thought it would be a rainy day, I had made plans to meet a friend for a late lunch and then go to the movies. Perfect planning as it poured while we were in the theater..
it’s about tennis, love, friendship, competition and more…
Tuesday – First thing was a gym visit and then after work, I met friends for a walk on the rail trail (we are trying to make this a weekly date.) since my walk got rained out, I visited with my granddaughter.
she’s getting so big… crawling everywhere
After that walk, I met my BFF for a walk at the mall.
Wednesday – I actually ran before work…
a pink day!!
and then after work, I went to a dinner that was held to thank the race volunteers.
Thursday – Early work stuff forced me to postpone my run until lunch.
channeling the roses to get me moving…
In the evening, the first ARE Trail run of the season was held. It’s supposed to be a run but as you know I am NOT a trail runner so I enlisted a friend to walk it with me.
a perfect night on the trails… the cider was great too.
Friday – Back at the gym before work and then a trip to see my chiro.. My thigh felt normal but I figured I’d go one more time.
Instead of mah jongg, I volunteered at the race expo after work and into the evening.
And then I went home to get together my outfit for the race:
#flatme + my cat
It was too late to order pizza (my usual pre-race meal) and I heated up one that I had in the freezer.
It seemed fine until around 2am when I got deathly ill. I won’t go into details but it was the sickest I’ve ever been.
Food poisoning!?
Saturday – Race for Women 5k.
Year #17 for me!!
I really wanted to keep my streak and I had the bibs for 7 of my friends.
I wasn’t sure what to do. I felt better but I was nervous about my stomach.
Most people would have called it a day but I decided to go. I met the friends that I was carpooling with.
If felt too sick, I’d wait in the TC tent until my friends finished. If not, I would just walk. There are a lot of walkers in this race and several of my friends had decided to walk too.
It was a beautiful day to run but I thought it was too dangerous to try.
And so I walked 3.1 miles, chatted with my friends, took lots of photos and ran through the finish line.
not as much fun as running the race but better than staying home
Sunday – Hopefully my regularly scheduled program: GYM, day on the lake
This Coming Week on the Run –
Monday – run
Tuesday -run, walk with friends
Wednesday – Day at the NYBG
Thursday – Trail run/walk
Friday – GYM, hair appt.
Saturday – Long Run and Brunch
Sunday – GYM, boating (weather dependent)
This Coming Week on the Blog –
Tuesday – Run for Women 5k Race Recap
Friday – Ultimate Coffee Date
Happy Running! Training for any big or small races this summer? Do you like 5ks? Please share.
I encourage you to do the same. Grab the graphic, drop your link on the host blogs and play along! Please be sure to always comment on the HOST’s blogs, as well as visit and comment on as many other blogs as you can.
It’s that time again. Time to get things off my chest with Marcia’s Runfessions at Marcia’s Healthy Slice…
1.I runfess…
I had planned to seriously train for my recent half marathon but I skipped too many long runs and I felt guilty signing up for one the weekend before the race.
10 painful miles… at least I had company.
There was serious FOMO since there were TWO races that weekend that I wanted to run.
Prospect Mountain Run
Summer Smith 5k
2. I runfess…
It’s a work in progress but I’m still struggling with accepting my slow(er) pace for short races.
I thought some speed would return…
PW but still had fun… and won my age group
3. I runfess…
Back to #1, I am happy that I did run those short races instead of those long runs.
Bacon Hill 10k
Races are much more fun than 11 & 12 mile runs (esp. if you win your age group.)
4. I runfess…
Now that I’m done with half marathons until September, I can relax…
NYC
Brooklyn
That is only until July 9 when marathon training officially starts.
5. I runfess…
Yes, marathon training starts but there are so many short races that I want to run.
I already signed up for three four.
Help!! There are so many more…
Happy Running! Anything to runfess this month? Please share.
This was my third time running this half marathon. I ran it in 2018 in the pouring rain… I definitely did not get to enjoy my post-race Coney Island experience.
I ran it again last year and the weather was exactly the same.
So I signed up to run Brooklyn in 2024 for these reasons:
I love NYC (and Brooklyn).
I surprisingly got a guaranteed entry.
My two local running buddies were running it too.
I ran a local half marathon a month before so I was sorta trained already.
NYRR races are so well-organized.
Who wouldn’t want to finish at the beach on Coney Island?
It was on a Saturday so I would not have to take the next day off from work.
I wanted to re-do on this race after the wet ones in 2018 AND 2023.
Half Marathon Training:
If you follow my posts, you also know that I am not strict about following a training plan. I ran my last half marathon on April 13.
Since then, I have completed easy SHORT weekday runs and a few longish runs on most weekends.
Though I don’t usually care much about my short runs, I usually like to get in a 10, 11 and 12 miler before each half marathon.
I got in a 10 miler after the half marathon but I skipped the 11 mile run in favor of a 10k race.
2024 – 3rd H2H HM
After the 10k race, I went to Florida and skipped my 12 mile long run in favor of a 5k race (in the heat/humidity.)
And then I tapered with a SLOW (hard) 10 miler.
Obviously I was a little worried about my endurance. However, I didn’t expect to run the half marathon at a PR pace anyway. I was running it purely for the experience. I was very excited to be out there racing with friends.
Pre-Race Activities and Preparations:
As I did for the NYC Half Marathon, I planned this race with my two local running friends Sherry and Stan.
Stan’s friend, Lisa, also decided to come along and support us even though she was not running the race.
We all took the train to Manhattan early Friday morning.
Once we arrived in Manhattan, we took the subway to our new hotel (we decided not to stay in Brooklyn this year but in the financial district of Manhattan), left our bags and started carb loading at a nearby restaurant.
After lunch, we walked to the Brooklyn Bridge and then over it.
The bridge is my favorite in NYC but the highlight was seeing Denzel Washington and Spike Lee filming a commercial for their new movie (High and Low)
From there we walked to the Pre-Race Party location at Pier 2…
view from Pier 2
to get our shirts and bibs.
Of course we took the prerequisite photos:
and then headed back to check into our hotel.
After we checked into our hotel and unpacked, it was time to head out again for a pre-dinner snack
relaxing at the rooftop bar
mocktails!!
followed by dinner – carb loading on pizza at a nearby restaurant.
Back at the hotel, I laid out my outfit and tried to get to bed early.
with added throw always for the AM
Fortunately, our friend Lisa agreed to meet us at the finish and carry everything we would need for after the race -for all three of us.
Race Day:
Alarm set for 5:15 am. Since we were staying in Manhattan this year, we had to take a subway to the start.
I brought my usual race breakfast of oatmeal and coffee with me and ate in the hotel room.
We were all in Wave 2 and so we didn’t start until 8:00 am. We met in the lobby at 6:15 am.
The subway was only minutes from the hotel and everyone on the train was going to the race. This year you started in two different locations depending on your assigned corral (corrals A-F and G-L) hence two different subway stops. I was in E, Stan in F and Sherry in I. We decided to get off at the stop for Sherry’s corral -Grand Army Plaza. I think we were there by 6:30.
Everything was very organized… the security line moved very quickly.
There was an abundant number of porta potties and minimal lines. But it was the same situation in the individual corrals so I waited.
We decided to all wait in Sherry’s corral (I).
I considered doing run/walk intervals with Sherry (since we did ALL our long runs like that) … but in the end, I decided to move up (to corral G) and do my own thing. Stan did the same.
There was quite a wait for my corral to start, at least 20 long minutes.
And the weather? No rain this year.
However, it was warmer, NOT CLOUDY and very humid.
I immediately got rid of my throw away shirt (and there was no need for Lisa to bring jackets to us after the race!!)
But you can’t change the weather, you just deal.
My plan for the race, as usual, was to stop and walk briefly at every water stop (so I wouldn’t get dehydrated) and to stop and walk longer to eat a GU at every 4 miles or so. And then basically walk whenever I needed to. Based on my training runs, that would be pretty often.
Lisa, Sherry, Stan and I planned to meet at the finish and return to the hotel together.
Anyway, here’s how the race went
Miles 1-3:
Eventually we started to move. And long walk it was to the start line. Some runners actually ran but nope, I walked until I hit the start line.
It was quite congested in the beginning of the race. Did I mention there were 28,000 runners who started this race (the largest half marathon in the US) and half were in Wave 2? I may have started middle of the pack but moved into BOTP by the 2nd half of the race.
For the first 3 miles, you ran outside of Prospect Park and there were minor ups and downs in the elevation.
My plan to stop at every water stop slowed me down because in this race, they were at every mile (not every 2 miles as I am used to.) I stopped anyway even though I wasn’t thirsty. They were a tempting opportunity to walk and so that’s what I did.
Miles 4-6:
At mile 4, you head into the park. It starts off flat and just before Mile 5 comes the biggest hill on the course which is not as steep as some of those Central Park hills, but seems like it will never end. I continued my water stop walking and used the one at mile 3.5 to eat my first GU. Thankfully as you loop around the park, you discover what goes up must come down and you get to enjoy a nice downhill. This was my favorite part of the race.
Miles 7-9:
As you come through Mile 7 just outside the park, you head to Ocean Parkway with a quick dip down and a steady bump in elevation on the entrance ramp.
I tried to think of this as my final stretch to the finish line. I ate my 2nd Gu around mile 7.5
It felt like Ocean Parkway would never end. Until this point in the race, I was feeling strong. My lack of long runs really reared its ugly head at mile 9. My lower back starting aching and then the bunion on my right foot started feeling funky. As a result, walks at the water stops were getting longer. To make things worse, it was sunnier. There were lively crowds all along the course…and music. That helped a lot.
The best part was all the hoses that sprayed water on us poor runners.
Miles 10-12
Still running down that endless Ocean Parkway. At mile 10.5, I ate my final GU and walked what seemed like forever hoping to get some zip in my step. Finally as you run South, the Avenues go in order from A to Z then you make a right hand turn onto Surf Avenue where you can see the roller coasters up ahead. But by mile 12, I barely had any energy. I just willed myself to continue. I knew the end was near.
At this point, a lady ran up to me and asked me my age. When I replied, she said that I was the same age as her mother. Anyway, we continued chatting until we saw the finish line encouraging each other.
she’s in the blue shirt
Mile 13- 13.25
Soon I saw the sign that said “800 meters to go” and then I was finally on the boardwalk.
The finish line seemed so far away but all of a sudden, the race was over. I crossed….
Post Race Activities:
The volunteers pushed us along and finally I got my medal.
I got my bag of snacks (water, Gatorade, pretzels, an apple) and waited for my friends to finish.
I saw Stan first.
we definitely look better than we felt
I started to feel dizzy so I sat down and ate the pretzels.
Eventually Sherry joined us and we went off to the stadium to find Lisa.
My plan was to hang around, go to the After Party (where you got beer, pizza, Nathan’s famous hot dogs, etc.) and maybe walk along the boardwalk (dip our feet into the ocean, etc.)
But we were so sweaty and tired and with thousands of runners, it was too crowded to do anything but head to the subway.
Happy to be done!!
As soon as we found Lisa, off we went.
As you would expect, the subways were jam packed. We squeezed in but had to stand… for 16 stops!! And it was HOT!!
It almost got ugly. I started to feel faint and nauseous. I asked a guy to get up so I could sit. Stan did the same.
Phew!!
After a long hot shower and some food, I felt much better.
We probably should have taken a nap but instead we took the subway uptown and walked around before eventually we had our celebratory dinner at an Italian restaurant.
Final Stats:
Additional Race Reflections:
Though there were timing clocks at every mile during the race, they started when the elites of wave 1 started so I really wasn’t sure how I was doing. I tried not to look at my watch. I knew that my pace was slowing down and my walks were getting slower and longer as the race progressed.
I wasn’t really disappointed with my time. I thought I would finish much slower. I knew I would not come close to my 2018 time of 2:11:23. However, I did finish faster than 2:27. That is the qualifying time for my age group for the NYC Half, Brooklyn Half and NYC Full Marathon in 2025.
I do NOT plan to run any of these races again. (Maybe I should have run 11 seconds slower so I wouldn’t be tempted. LOL)
Well, this was a bucket list race for me. And I got my wish for a dry weather race.
It was not my slowest half marathon. And as I mentioned above, it was faster than I expected (based on my long run pace).
I didn’t use run/walk intervals but I did stop and walk at EVERY water stop and the 2nd half of the race, I walked several times between water stops.
Maybe if I didn’t take 4 weeks off from running due to a sprained ankle and trained harder, I would have run this race more confidently and had a better finish time.
Then again, maybe not.
But it is what it is and I am truly grateful to to able to race again.
I don’t regret running the race. The hills weren’t as bad as Central Park or the NYC bridges. More than 28,000 excited runners. So much energy. NYRR puts on a first class event.
And running a race with friends made the experience even better.
The Good:
Easy organized packet pick-up.
Lots of information from sign up to race day
The excitement and energy
Prospect Park part of the course
Ending on the board walk of Coney Island
Hot Dogs and Beer at the Post-Race Party (even though I didn’t have any)
Water & Gatorade Stops at every mile (many tables of cups and many enthusiastic volunteers)
SIS gel at several water stops
Crowd Support and Music throughout
Hoses of water sprayed on the runners
Having friends to train with and spend the race weekend
The Bad:
Running down Ocean Ave for so long was a little boring
Pre-Race Party was disappointing – very few vendors, no freebies
Prospect Park hills (since I didn’t train on hills)
The Ugly:
Almost passing out on the subway
The 13.1 mile strugglefest (why did it feel so HARD??)
Would I recommend this race?
Yes. Definitely. For the enthusiasm and the organization. NYRR always puts on a great show!
Next Up:
10 MILER – May 26, 2024 I decided to skip it this year
5K – June 1, 2014
Happy Running! Have you ever run this race or any NYRR races? Do you prefer large races or small ones? Does the heat affect your running? Please share.
Miles On The Mohawk – this was the 4th year of this 10 mile local race. Did I run it?
The blog post title gives you a hint to the answer.
Last Week –
Saturday– After most likely too many miles on the legs on Friday…
we walked to and over the Brooklyn Bridge and then to the expo
Today my two friends and I dragged ourselves out of bed early to run the RBC Brooklyn Half Marathon along with 28k other crazy runners.
Getting to the start was easy peasy from lower Manhattan by subway.
The weather was warmer and sunnier than predicted so we struggled to get to the finish line in Coney Island. But we did it!!
The long crowded subway ride back to the hotel was no fun but we recovered with a hot shower then brunch.
We should have taken a nap but instead we headed uptown and walked around until our celebratory Italian dinner.
Times Square…and unfortunately the Dublin-NY Portal was not working
Sunday – Recovery Day in NYC.
I felt fine so my roommate and I got up early and walked 5 miles around the area.
Then we met our two running friends for brunch.
Everyone had to leave so I was solo. I considered a museum but it was so nice out that I decided to take the ferry to Governors Island and stroll there until I had to head to the train station to catch my train home.
the financial district, Battery Park, South Street Seaport, WTC and more…
Monday – Day Off.
I started the day at the gym and when my lunch date got cancelled, I decided to spend the day weeding and planting….
That is hard work!!
I thought I’d go for a walk/run since my legs felt fine but I decided to give them another day’s rest.
Tuesday – I was tempted to go for a run before work but I waited until lunch.
I should have gone earlier… it was quite warm but I did miss the rain that started soon after
It was also my hubby’s birthday but we decided to wait until the weekend to celebrate.
So I met a friend after work for a walk.
it started out nice but then all of a sudden the skies opened up… we got drenched (even with an umbrella)
and since our walk got shortened, I stopped on the way home to get my hubby an ice cream cake. (He loved it!!)
Wednesday – I started the day at the gym. Continued my workout in the garden at lunch.
Summer has arrived!! Like to the tune of 90 degrees!
Today was week 10 of the TC and a trial run of the course was scheduled.
mostly walking due to the heat… (and this mysterious thigh pain)
Afterward, we all gathered for dinner/drinks.
Thursday – Live training got cancelled so I was WFH… that gave me a chance to do more gardening at lunch.
My thigh still ached when I went up or down the stairs so I called my chiro and got an immediate appt.
She was out on medical leave but I saw her sub. Long story short was that she thinks it was caused by the ankle (caused by either my recent fall on the tennis courts or sprained ankle not healing properly). She did some painful ART on some trigger points on the IT band.
She said that I could run but gave me things to after (foam roll, clamshells, etc).
ran some but walked often…
Friday – Back at the gym before work and amazingly the pain had disappeared.
wearing my race shirt in hopes of being able to run the race next Sat.
More gardening and finally back to mah jongg in the evening.
Saturday – I met my friends for a long run run and brunch. Since I just ran a half marathon last weekend and I was worried about that thigh pain, the run wasn’t very long or very fast.
6 miles and NO PAIN!!!
As usual, it was great to catch up with everyone at brunch.
Sunday – Miles On The Mohawk.
I made the tough decision to skip this race. I have always enjoyed the 10 mile distance but decided to save $$ and my body (see Wed).
I’ll add it back to my racing schedule next year.
The good news is that we plan to take our boat out on Lake George today.
pic from last year’s first boating outing
This Coming Week on the Run –
Monday – Holiday DAY OFF – run
Tuesday – GYM, walk with friends
Wednesday – run, volunteer dinner
Thursday – run, ARE Trail run/walk (first one)
Friday – GYM, chiro appt, volunteering at the expo
Saturday – Run for Women 5k
Sunday – GYM, boating (weather dependent)
This Coming Week on the Blog –
Tuesday – RBC Brooklyn Half Marathon Race Recap
Friday – Runfessions
Happy Running! Training for any big or small races this spring? How’s the weather where you live? Ever get running burnout? Any exciting plans for the long holiday weekend? Please share.
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My First 5K and More... 