Race-cations have been an annual tradition with my running friends since 2017. We started in Corning, NY and then traveled to Montreal, and Brooklyn, NY. We’ve also rented houses in New Hampshire (2x), Maine, Finger Lakes, Cape Cod, Lake Placid and this September, it will be in MA.

However, last year’s DC race-cation came about by accident. I was having a beer with a former co-worker and a runner that I recognized was seated at the next table.  She asked me what race I was training for and I replied: “NYC Marathon.”  She said that she wanted to get into the lottery for the NYC Half in March but if she didn’t she was considering the Rock ‘n’ Roll DC Half.  I replied: “Let me know because I’d never run in DC.”

To make a long story short, she didn’t get in and texted me that she (Gail) and two other runners (Val & Ginny) were going to run the DC race and asked if I would want to join them.  I, of course, said: “Sure” without even thinking.

A few weeks later, I mentioned this race to a friend (while volunteering for STEM) and she (Sue) said that her brother and sister lived there and she liked to go.  The more, the merrier I thought. And a local running buddy, Jenn, who had moved to the DC area, said that she planned to run it, as well.

It worked out so well (except the flight on the way home) that we decided to do it again and we both agreed that we like to visit Asheville.

So I signed up for the Asheville Half Marathon for several reasons:

• A race-cation.
• My friend Sue would be racing with me  again this March.
• A New Race.
• A New City
• After the March 15 HM in NYC, I’d be trained already.
• Carpe Diem

Half Marathon Training:

If you follow my posts, you also know that I am not strict about following a training plan. But I do run shorter distances several times during the work week. My weekday runs are often solo but lately I’ve convinced Jenny to join me.

Just one run this week:

And on the weekends, I try to do my Long Run. Usually most of my miles are with one or more of my running friends. For this race, however, I felt like I was just on recovery mode from my last half marathon 6 days before.

Pre-Race Activities and Preparations:

Well, a big difference in the weather compare to what I had been running in…

My friend Sue and I took an early flight to Asheville (through Charlotte) on Friday.  No drama or delays (A miracle!!) Sue’s online friend picked us up at the airport which was very nice.

We stopped for a delicious lunch at a brewery.

We got dropped off at the hotel and after we checked  in, we headed to the expo (which conveniently was in our hotel).

It was small and we just picked up our shirts…

and bibs and got some logistical info for the next day.

We hadn’t rented a car and our hotel was in a convenient for the race but nothing else.  Luckily we were able to Uber/Lyft everywhere all weekend.

Our first Uber trip was to explore the downtown… Loved all the varied shops, restaurants and architecture

and eventually have some dinner… before Ubering back to the hotel to get ready for the next day.

Race Day:

As usual, I didn’t sleep well but had my standard race breakfast of oatmeal and coffee in my hotel room.

It was chilly in the morning but according to the forecast it would warm up big time so I wore my usual race outfit and added some throw aways.

Our hotel had a shuttle to the start.  I think the first one was at 5:30 am but since the race didn’t start until 7:30, we opted for one around 6:45.

And it only took a short time to get there.

It wasn’t as cold as I thought so those throwaways didn’t stay on long..

We immediately spotted the start line..

We were in downtown area where we had been the day before…

There were about 2000 running the race (half marathon and marathon).  Small compared to my race of 31,0000 last week end in NYC. My biggest critique would be that there was only ONE line to the portapotties..

That being said, the line moved very quickly…

I decided not to throw away my clothes but to bag check them instead. And we headed to the start line…

Both the marathoners and the half marathoners started together. Sue and I started at the same time but made plans to meet after the race

Sorry to be a broken record about not having a time goal. But my goal for races these days is to FINISH happy (that is not injured and ready to do another.)

So if I had to guestimate my time, it would have been between 2:35 and 2:45 but hey, it could be in 3 hours if my foot or back hurt or the hills killed me or I had to walk most of it.

My maps:

Yes, there were NO FLAT sections!!!

I usually recap my races mile by mile or 5k by 5k.

All I have to say was that the course was relentless hills.  Some just gradual. Some so steep that I had a hard time walking up them. At my pace, everyone else was walking up the hills as well. We all chatted and complained about the hills.

But I loved the course.  There were some out and backs so you could see the faster and slower runners. The scenery was so varied… we ran in town, in rural areas, viewed the mountains, river, mansions, Arts District, etc.

This is a fairly new course because a good part of the city was destroyed a few years ago during the hurricane.  Much has been rebuilt and this is the first year for the marathon (which apparently is flat and along the water in part). Still there is a lot of rebuilding to be done.

Thanks to Asheville Citizen Times for posting so many great photos of the course:

 

So how did the race go for me?

I made a conscious effort not to start out fast.

It was warm so I also planned to stop at every water stop and not forget to take a GU at mile 4, 8, and 12 (or there about).

I guess I am used to NYRR races where there is water at every 1-1.5 miles. There were FOUR water stops (maybe more after 13 miles):  Miles 4, 6.5, 9, 11.5 & 12.5.  I was very thirsty on this warm humid day by mile 4!!

I ran/walked every uphill and that was A LOT and I’m sure I got slower and walked more often as the race went on.

I tried to make up time on the down hills.  Why does there never seem to enough of them or as long as the up hills.

I started with the 2:30 pacer (I’m always optimistic at the start.) I quickly lost him.  I spotted another pacer without a sign.  She said that she was 2:30 but too slow today and thought she’d finish around 2:35.  I stayed near her for most of race and eventually lost her too.  The runners were very supportive and we kept each other going.

I did eat all 3 of my Gus at the appropriate times and stopped at all the water stops (but refrained from Gatorade and the snacks there.) Although it was warmer and more huid that I’m used to, I felt ok.

No pain for the most part.  My lower pain ached a little toward the end (but better than in NYC) and of course, my feet were a little sore. And I actually did not feel any after effect from running 13 mile 6 days before.  I think I felt stronger… (but those hills ate me up and spit me out!!)

It was new place and one that I wouldn’t ever visit again so I did not worry about pace and enjoyed the scenery.

Some official pics of me:

Post Race Activities:

As soon as I crossed the finish line, I grabbed my medal,

got a beer and waited for Sue.

I grabbed some snacks but didn’t eat anything since we would be going out to lunch. Then I grabbed my bag from bag check.  I was sweaty so I did put on my jacket.

We hung around until the awards ceremony.  There’s an advantage to being old.  I cam first in my age group and Sue came in 2nd.

The race finish was near the River Arts District so we walked there, had lunch, strolled the gallery (and shopped).

We headed back to the finish to catch the shuttle to our hotel.  The marathoners were still out on the course…

One good thing about taking it slow in a race is that nothing is sore and you still have plenty of energy for the rest of the day’s activities.

Afte a long hot shower, we ubered to the Botancical Gardens…

and eventually to downtown where we enjoyed a celebratory dinner…

Sue left early the next morning but I stuck around and did some more sightseeing via a trolley tour.

Additional Race Reflections:

It was so fun to be out there and soaking up the racing atmosphere. It was even more fun to run a race with friends.

Of course, initially I may have wanted a faster finish time…

I am competitive but I realized quickly that it was much more important enjoy this time with my friends and also not to be in pain.

And such a challenging course, I had no glorious expectations.

I felt fine during and after the race.

Positives:

Negatives:

• HILLS!!!!!!!!!!
• Not enough water stops for the half marathon
• Long line for the portapotties pre-race

Would I recommend this race?

Yes. yes. For all the reasons mentioned above.

Final Stats:

All in all, I was happy with my results. Yes, it was one of the slowest half marathons that I’ve ever done. My expectations have dropped significantly and I ain’t getting any younger.

Next Up:

Half Marathon #3 of 2026 and #78 lifetime. #6 for this one (but #4 on this course).

Happy Running! Have you run a 2026 big race yet? If so, how did go? Are you planning to run one? Any race-cations planned? Been to Asheville? Please share.

 

---

Since today is Tuesday, I’m linking up with Jenny (RunnersFly) and Jenn (Runs with Pugs).

---

and tomorrow:

I’m also linking up with: co-hosts Coach Debbie Runs, Confessions of a Mother Runner, Mile by Mile, and Runs with Pugs

 

I was hoping to run this race back when the course was only through Manhattan. (Now it starts in Brooklyn.) And I had entered the lottery several times in the past but never got in.

I finally time qualified for a guaranteed entry and ran it in March 2019.

I qualified again for 2020. Due to the Pandemic, it was cancelled and so I ran it virtually with two friends. I opted for a refund instead of a deferral.

I entered the lottery in 2021 and 2022 but didn’t get in. Instead I paid to run the Virtual NYC Half Marathon in 2022 so I would have a guaranteed entry into this race for 2023.

Then during my February vacation in Florida, I broke my foot.

It was mostly healed by race day but I wasn’t trained and so I decided to cancel and spectate my friends who were running it.

Then in 2024, I had badly sprained my ankle in December. It was healed by race day but I really didn’t feel adequately trained… and I struggled during the race.

I didn’t register for the race in 2025 (and Sherry & Stan deferred their entry).  Instead I ran the Rock n Roll Half Marathon in DC.

So, I signed up for the 2026 NYC Half Marathon for several reasons:

• I got a guaranteed entry (from my 2025 H2H finish time).
• I love NYC.
• I had almost enough pts for one free hotel room.
• It’s such a prestigious race. How could you not?
• I wanted a healthy re-do from 2024.
• For a limited time, this course would be going over the Brooklyn Bridge (this was my main reason).

Half Marathon Training:

Sickness. Freezing Temps. Snow.

Yup, these were all my excuses to not being adequately trained to run this race.  I even wondered if I should skip it…. I didn’t want to jeopardize my half marathon the week after.

In the end, I decided that since the train and hotel were booked and there was no refund if I canceled the race, I’d join Sherry and Stan.

There would be walkers finishing behind me, right?

I could just take it slow and enjoy the experience of my LAST NYC half marathon.

At least, I somehow got my long runs (9, 10, 11, 12) done..

with a taper of a 10k race.

I  didn’t get in many miles in during the work week …

So I guess I’d have fresh legs…

Pre-Race Activities and Preparations:

On Saturday I took an early train to NYC with my running friends Stan and Sherry who were running the race.

We were all staying in the same hotel (in the Financial District.)

After checking in, we had quick bagel lunch and then headed to the expo to pick up our shirts/bibs.  This year for the first time, the expo was held at the Javits Center (like for the NYC Marathon.) There were to be over 30,000 runners. Holy cow!

We were in and out in no time.

The obligatory wall pic:

And the shirts were lavender/light pink!?

We still had lots of time before dinner so I strolled along the East Pier.  The sun was shining brightly (and besides gusts of wind) it was a beautiful day.

Finally it was time to carb load on pizza or pasta. We took the subway to:

I don’t normally do this before a big race but we had drinks with dinner. (This was going to be a fun race, right?)

Since our restaurant was near Times Square, we got tix to the new One Times Square viewing platform.

Then we headed back downtown to our hotel to get ready for the next day.

#flatme:

Race Day:

I brought my usual race breakfast of oatmeal and coffee with me and got up around 6:00 am. I quickly put on my race outfit… Added two jackets & DIY arm sleeves as throwaways.  We decided that we’d be warm enough with the foil sheets after the race and not to check a bag.

At dinner the night before, we decided that we would take the #2 or 3 subway.

So we met in the lobby at 7:00 am and walked to the subway station which was minutes away.

We didn’t have to wait long and as you would expect the subway was packed but we all squeezed in.

This year there were 4 waves instead of 5 and we were all starting in wave 4 (the last one). We were told to get off Subway 2/3  at Grand Army Plaza and arrive by 7:20.

First you had to go through security and then find the corral entrance. Waves 2 & 4 went through security in one place and waves 1 & 3 in another (Their subway stop was 2 later, Franklin Ave).

The lines were long and they didn’t move.  I mean we stood there for almost an hour.  And it was COLD!!!!! (Everyone complained and I’m sure they will change this for next year). The only thing good was that we got to see the wheelchair racers and the elites go by as they started the race…

Our wave (4) was scheduled to open at 8:10 and close at 8:25. We made it in time.

There were tons of port-a-potties with no lines.

We started moving not long after we entered the corral but it took awhile to get to the start line being at Corral D..

I’ll do my best to recap the race below. (Warning: it’ll be long…)

My plan, as usual, was to stop and walk briefly at every water stop (so I wouldn’t get dehydrated). And of course, walk up all the hills.

Anyway, here’s how the race went.

Miles 1-5:

I immediately threw away my outer jacket and kept on the other one.

Of course, the start was very crowded and slow going at first.  In fact, I was surrounded by runners the whole race – the benefit of a big race with over 30,000 runners.

The start line was in the middle of Center Drive. We started by heading east and after a slight downhill on Center Drive, we took a sharp left onto East Drive.  We quickly reached the main hill, commonly known as “Prospect Park Hill” or “Battle Pass Hill.” I had run quite a few races in this park so I was familiar with the hill(s).  And I was feeling strong at this point but still I didn’t want to waste my energy so I ran/walked up it. I stopped at the both water stops but forgot completely about eating a my Gu.

Though I was freezing while waiting to start the race, as soon as I started running I was warm.

We exited the park at Grand Army Plaza and took some sharp turns onto Flatbush Avenue.  We were on Flatbush for the next 4 miles.  First there was a downhill along the park and then we returned back up Flatbush, through GAP, and onto a long downhill.

Eventually I did throw away my jacket and ran the rest of the race in just a long sleeve shirt (It was perfect).   I rolled down my arm sleeves and took off my gloves.

There was timing mat at 5k point and happily I couldn’t really tell my pace (since it was time that the race had started).

The tail end of mile 5 was the beginning of our approach to the Brooklyn Bridge and—yep, it went uphill. But it was the part of the race that I was looking forward to the most…

Miles 6-7:

This was the beginning of what made this race so scenic and iconicly New York. It was hard. Probably the hardest part of the course. I seemed like we went uphill forever and minimally benefited from the downhill.

But the views from the bridge were amazing. I tried to focus on all my surroundings – Freedom Tower, Empire State Building, etc. to get me over this bridge.

 

All of a sudden, I realized that I had never eaten my Gu (I usually eat one every 3-4 miles) so I ate one at the next water stop.

When we got off the bridge, we had finished more than 6 miles. The hard part over, right?

Not quite.

The start of mile 7 included two sharp turns: first onto Canal Street and then immediately onto Allen Street, where we hit the 10K timing mat.   Allen Street was surprisingly downhill as well as scenic, and this portion of the course gave us a perfect view of the bridge we just conquered.

At the end of Allen, we turned left onto South Street and ran for half a mile before merging onto FDR Drive.

Miles 8-10:

At Pier 36, we began our 8th mile and merged onto FDR Drive. This 3-mile stretch was mostly flat but included some up/down ramps. Compared to the sections both before and after, this stretch was a welcome reprieve from serious changes in elevation.

Around this time (mile 9ish), I took my second Gu at a water stop.  I walked again for too long.  I had been stopping at and walking briefly at almost every water stop.

This was only part of the course without much crowd support. The crowds were awesome throughout the race. NYC running fans rock big time!!.

The signs were awesome as well.

I loved FDR Drive for its scenic views of the Manhattan and Brooklyn skylines as well as the UN building. Every time I see this building, I recall my childhood dream of working there someday (Even my majoring in languages in college did not get me that job.), But boy, did it seem long….

We crossed our next to last timing mat at 15k.

Finally we turned onto 42nd street.  It was uphill too. Ugh.  My legs were starting to get weary. The highlight of this section was at 3rd Avenue with the iconic Chrysler Building just ahead.

Miles 11-12

The beginning of the final 5K started a gradual uphill climb all the way to the finish! There were some ups and downs. But I focused on taking in all the sights around me -—the Chrysler building, Grand Central, the New York Public Library, and Bryant Park, etc.

When we turned right onto 7th Avenue, we were running down the middle of Times Square, a magical and memorable experience. While this was also steadily uphill, I didn’t mind. The energy was positively electric.

The highlight was that Cari and her friends were there… and although I was dragging while running down 42nd, my energy level rose just in case I spotted them in the crowd on 7th Avenue.

I did not but they did me.  I heard someone yelling my name so I turned and waved.

We hung a right onto Central Park South as we finished up mile 12 and entered the park at the southeast corner—the same corner you exit in the final stretch of the NYC Marathon.

I was glad that they eliminated most of the hills from the end of the race – No Harlem Hill or 3 Sisters. Still, my legs were toast by this time. I couldn’t wait to be done!

Mile 13- 13.XX:

We turned on the 72nd Street Transverse and would finish at the same spot as the NYC Marathon, between Sheep Meadow Park and Tavern on the Green.

There were still minor ups and downs, particularly at Bethesda Fountain,  Well, actually they all felt like ups. I walked a few extra times trying to save up enough energy to sprint through the finish line.

800m to go…400m  … 200m – it seemed endless. I kept mumbling “WTF is that finish line??”

Excited but dying…

Dead…

Yes, I dragged those legs across the finish line.

Post Race Activities:

I immediately got my medal and posed for a quick pic.

I kept walking and texted Stan (who had already finished) where I was. We met and waited for Sherry who finished just a few minutes later.

We all headed for the exit and grabbed a bag of food (filled with water, Gatorade, apple, pretzels, protein bar, etc) and a foil blanket.

It was an easy walk out of the park to Columbus Circle where we hopped a crowded subway to our downtown hotel

After a very long HOT shower, we went out for a stroll (with Stan’s son and granddaughter).  It felt great to be walking around.

And later we met for drinks (and medal pics…)

and then dinner where we celebrated with Italian food, wine and desserts.

We all agreed that it was a great day…

Additional Race Reflections:

It took me awhile to start this recap.  I wanted to make sure I focused on the positives.

Now looking back on race day, besides getting sick, missing a NYC 10k and weeks of running, I wouldn’t change a thing.

I enjoyed the day before the race.

Remember my lower back pain that had disappeared… well, it reared its ugly head right from the first step (and ended when the race was over.) I doubt that it had any negative effects on my race time but it did affect my mood.  I tried throughout the race to run with correct form but… it still ached no matter what I did…

Perhaps I shouldn’t have cancelled that last Chiro and PT appts. (Lesson learned??)

I walked at the water stops as I had planned and ran/walked all the hills (and it seemed to be mostly uphills). I tired during the last 3 miles and walked often but such is life.

The weather was perfect for sightseeing while running the course.  I didn’t miss a thing because I wasn’t concerned about my finish time.

And sharing a race with friends was the best!!!!!

And no, I have zero desire for redemption and will not run this race again!!!

It obviously is not in the cards to having a good training cycle.

The Good:

• Easy packet pick-up. Organized expo. Not too large and overwhelming.
• Bus from Mid-town to the start (if desired)
• East access to the start by subway.
• Many porta potties at the start.
• Bag Check.
• Water and Gatorade stops at almost every mile or so.
• Gels (SIS) available at several water stops
• Many porta-potties along the course.
• Music at various points along the course.
• Awesome crowd support (except FDR Drive, obviously)
• Well marked course.
• Clocks at 5k, 10k, 15k, 20k
• Pacers (useful only if you started in the correct corral). The 2:30 one was using run/walk intervals
• Gender specific long sleeve tech shirts.
• No lines for post race refreshments (gave you a bag immediately)
• Foil blankets after.
• Lots of photos (through MarathonPhoto)
• No blisters or foot pain.
• Good running weather.

The Bad:

• Time waiting on Security line!!!
• Cold early morning temps
• Long Brooklyn Bridge climb
• Hills at the end in Central Park
• Lower Back pain
• The course was LONG (at least on my Garmin))

The Ugly:

• Nothing 🙂

Would I recommend this race?

Yes. Yes. Yes.

Do it if you can.  You won’t regret it.

No, it’s not an easy course. More than 30,000 runners are there so it is crowded. But running from Brooklyn to Manhattan is such a memorable experience (maybe I’m biased?)

Try to do it before the Brooklyn Bridge is replaced by the Manhattan Bridge…

Final Stats:

Next Up:

Happy Running!! Have you run this race?  Do you prefer big races or small ones?  Pleases share.