Yes another half marathon in February and another one in CENTRAL Park!!

I signed up for the Central Park Half Marathon as my 56th Half Marathon (and third of 2022) for several reasons:

• I love NYC.
• I love running in Central Park.
• I had enough pts for a free hotel room and free train ride.
• I had thought my NYC BRFs Cari and Elizabeth may be running it too or at least we could meet up during the weekend.
• It kept me doing weekend long runs during the cold temps of upstate NY.
• The Frozen Penguin Half Marathon in January got cancelled and there was NO REFUND option.
• I had run a half marathon two weeks before in Florida so I was sorta trained.

Half Marathon Training:

If you follow my posts, you also know that I am not strict about following a training plan.

As I said above, I had just run a half marathon. So I just needed to continue my weekday short runs

and complete a taper long run the weekend before.

Again I would not be surprised by the giant hills since I have run in this park and I ran the Shape Half Marathon which was also several loops of the park (but different start and end.)  I also ran a similar course a month ago and in January of 2020 for the Fred LeBow Half Marathon.

Pre-Race Activities and Preparations:

So I took the train to NYC early Saturday morning. I dropped my bag off at my hotel. I stayed in a different hotel from January (on 35th rather than 39th).

For this race, NYCRuns (not NYRR) had mailed out the bib before the race.  That saved time in having to pick it up before the race.  Safer too.

As I did for the last race, I made sure to have something to do instead of tiring out my legs by walking around the city.

I got cheap tix for a Broadway show.  This time: MJ: The Musical

But Cari suggested that we go to Governor’s Island to see the Ice Sculptures. That’s seemed safer (as we’d be outside) and more fun so I cancelled my show tix.

So after a quick lunch, I hopped the subway and met Cari at the ferry (actually at Pier 11 where she got off the ferry from her apt.)

We spent the whole afternoon walking around the island…and the weather was delightful.

Of course, I had my pre-race pizza dinner and after an early evening walk, I went back to the hotel to plan my #flatme. The forecast was for cold temps, breezy but with sunshine.  I wore a similar outfit as for Fred Lebow so I figured I’d be fine.

Race Day:

I brought my usual race breakfast of oatmeal and coffee with me and got up around 6:00 am.  It was chillier than I hoped so I put on my throwaway shirt, jacket, DIY arm sleeves, grabbed a foil blanket and called an Uber. (My hotel was on West 35th and it would be a long walk to the start.)

I entered the park at E.102nd St because I wanted to check a bag (for after the race) and just followed the other runners into the park.

I was also able to get my race shirt and add it to my bag.

The race didn’t start until 8:30 and I was there around 7:10..  This was way too early and so I was freezing. I just paced around the area with the other runners trying to stay warm.

Eventually Cari arrived and we meandered over to the start. (too cold for a pre-race pic.)

The race began on West Drive near 96th Street, completing about two and a half loops of the park across 72nd Street and up Harlem Hill before finishing on the 102nd Street transverse.

It had the same finish location (E 102nd) as Fred LeBow but a different start (W 96th). The race also started 1/2 hour later too since there was also a 5k that started at 8:00 am.

My goal for all my half marathons seem to be FINSH SMILING and NOT INJURED!  This was especially true for this race.  I have never run two halfs just two weeks apart.  I always worry about foot pain and anything else that may occur that could interfere with future racing.  And those hills!!! I do not train for them…

But for some reason, I was very relaxed before the race.

Anyway, here’s how the race went:

Miles 1-5:

This race was not nearly as crowded as those organized by NYRR.  1500 vs 5000 runners.  Definitely a more low-key race. There were corrals organized by pace.

Cari and I agreed to run our own races but meet at the finish line. I started in the 10 min corral.  I knew that it would be appropriate for the first few miles of the race.

It took only a short time to get to the start line.

I threw away my jacket but was too cold to get rid of my throw-away shirt.

Although I have run these hills several times before, this course was new to me.  We started on the West side and ran into the wind (brrr).  There were rolling hills but I felt great (IOW ran too fast).

There was a timing clock at each mile and water stops at every 1-1 1/2 miles.  I skipped for first water stop because I was chilled but by the time we headed toward the East side,  I realized that I was indeed perfectly dressed.

At the 2nd water stop, I even took off my throw-away shirt.  Eventually I took off my gloves but held onto them the whole race.

The sun felt great and on the East side, the wind was at our back.  But the East side brought our first major hill – Cat Hill around mile 2.

I ran up most of it (slowly) and made up time on the downhill.

I was getting pretty hungry so I ate my first gel at the next water stop (Honey Singer Honey – blech) and continued the loop passing by the Fred Lebow Statue and the path leading to the finish line.

The loop around the park continued with rolling hills and soon we encountered the biggest hill in the park – Harlem Hill. I remember it fondly (since I ran up it thee times in the last half marathon here).

I ran/walked up it until we were on the West side again.

I stopped at every water stop. I have no idea where and when they were. Around mile 8, I ate my 2nd gel (Clff Shot Expresso = instant stomach cramps)

Miles 5-10:

One Loop down, 1 1/2 left.

Now the course repeated itself .. exactly.

I ran comfortably but slowing down and walking more but mostly at the water stops until the last few miles. Nothing hurt which made me very happy.  There was lots of crowd support cheering the runners on (even in the cold).

Cat Hill was harder the 2nd time around, of course but I was running next to a runner with speaker connected to her phone. Instant entertainment. I thanked her.

I saluted Fred again and then headed up the dreaded Harlem Hill. At this point, I was running with a young runner (like college age) and we laughed and dragged each other up that hill. At least for this race, it was the last time up that hill. Yay!

We were back running into the wind and rolling hills on the West side .

Miles 10-13.2:

Second Loop done and 1/2 to go.

We continued on the West side and eventually we approached the East side which meant the end of the race, right?

Unfortunately we had to run up Cat Hill for the THIRD time…

I was ready to be done… but the race was not over yet. We passed Fred one last time.

I stopped for one more gel (GU salted caramel my favorite finally!) so I could at least have enough energy to sprint across the finish line.

We turned left and finally there it was!!

And I did cross it… smiling!

Post Race Activities:

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

I grabbed a bagel, fruit cups and hot chocolate and headed to bag check.

I was chilled and so happy to have my down jacket to put on.

I waited at the finish line for Cari.  She looked so happy!

We congratulated each other and of course, got our picture taken.

Then we headed out of the park..

and shared a long post-race brunch.

Additional Race Reflections:

As you can see from the stats below, my usual positive splits. I expect nothing different.  I started out fast, slowed down as the race went on… walking more frequently especially on the uphills.

Enough whining…I am so grateful to be able to visit NYC and run a race. I am unbelievably happy that after the race, my foot did not hurt. In fact nothing was sore.  My legs felt great. Zero DOMS!!

I admit that I enjoyed this race a lot because of my lack of expectations. I was super pleased that my time was much faster than Lebow (though this course was a tad easier.) Though Cari and I did not run together, it was awesome to share the race experience with her before and after the race itself.

That’s wrap for now on Central Park half marathons –

• April 2017 – Shape Women’s Half Marathon – 2:20:29
• January 2020 – Fred Lebow Half Marathon – 2:26:31
• January 2022 – Fred Lebow Half Marathon – 2:26:02
• February 2022 – Central Park Half Marathon – 2:21:29

Positives:

• Bib mailed.
• Vaccination required for ALL participants
• Many porta potties at the start. and finish.
• Bag Check. Well organized before and easy pick up at the end.
• Shirt pick-up either before or after race.
• Water and Gatorade stops every 1-1 1/2 miles
• Many porta-potties along the course in addition to real CP bathrooms
• Corrals by pace at the start
• Well marked course.
• Decent crowd support despite the cold temps and wind.
• Nice gender-specific tech shirt.
• Timing clocks at every mile.
• Very cool medal.
• Heat sheets at the finish.
• No lines for post race refreshments.
• Hot Chocolate at the finish!
• Free photos.
• Blogger meet-up with Cari.

Negatives:

• Loops!!!
• Hills in Central Park.
• 10 year age group awards (I just prefer 5 years)

Would I recommend this race?

Maybe. For the price ($80 vs $35) and the beanie, I would recommend Fred LeBow (run by NYRR).

But if you want to run a smaller but well organized race in Central Park, this is one to consider.

Final Stats:

Splits:

Next Up:

 

 

 

 

 

It seems like I’ve been planning this race forever (since February 2019, I believe).

So this year, I did run the Publix Florida Half Marathon as my 55th Half Marathon for these reasons:

• A warmer weather race-cation opportunity.
• I had a enough frequent flier miles for a free flight.
• I had enough points for the night before in a hotel.
• It was advertised as a scenic course with ocean views.
• I had run this race before in the POURING RAIN. I wanted a re-do.
• I had four friends that lived nearby (for the winter.)
• When I originally planned to run it in 2020, my SIL & niece lived here (and I would stay with them).
• I had gotten BOTH of my COVID vaccines and the booster so I felt safe (even in Florida).

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 three weeks prior, a cold hilly one, in NYC.

As with all my half marathon training, I did not really care about my week day runs. They were usually 3 easy miles.

However, I do try to do longer runs on the weekend. I did manage ALL year to run 8-10 miles every weekend.  But with the change in my NYC half marathons, I had run one three weeks earlier.  So I just recovered and then tapered.

Adjustment from freezing temps to humid Florida temps would most likely be my biggest issue.

Though I did feel somewhat prepared to run 13.1 miles, my goal for this half marathon was still to just finish and to ENJOY RUNNING A RACE with warm temps and ocean views!!!

Pre-Race Activities and Preparations:

Although the half marathon was scheduled for Sunday morning, I arrived (with no flight drama) in West Palm Beach on Thursday afternoon. I rented a car there and drove Delray Beach where I spent the next two days staying with a friend.

I got to hang out with several friends while visiting the beaches, gardens, bird/turtle/fish sanctuaries and outdoor restaurants. I thoroughly enjoyed my time there.

On Saturday afternoon, I left Delray and headed up to Palm Bay (3 hours away). I stopped at a favorite garden in Vero Beach on the way.

After checking into my hotel, I headed to the expo in Melbourne to pick up my race packet and figure out the parking logistics for the next morning. Th expo was quite small but you could buy essentials and pick up freebies.  This year, you did not get a race shirt unless you paid extra.  They were long sleeves and gender-specific but still I did not need another shirt.

It was still early so I stopped on my way back to the hotel and visited a nearby nature preserve.

For dinner, I ate my usual pre-race pizza.

And I headed back to my hotel in time to organize my usual race outfit (tank, skirt, cap) and hit the sack earlyish.

There’s always a chance for RAIN in Florida.  Fingers crossed that it would not happen until after my race if at all (although the forecast indicated otherwise.)

Race Day:

I brought my oatmeal and coffee from home with me and got up around 4:00 am to get ready and have breakfast in my hotel room.

I left early to make sure I got parking close to race start/finish area. (There was a parking garage but it was quite a hike).

And yes, it was raining.  I did find a spot in a nearby lot and stayed in my car for awhile to stay dry.

Eventually I did venture out to use the rest rooms.  There were multiple canopies to wait under

in addition to inside the building where the expo was. Here there was also bag check.  I did check my Oofos, a jacket and umbrella for after the race.

The marathon started at 6:30. am, then the half marathon at 6:40 followed by the 5k and 10k at 7:00 am.

We were soon told to line up with the pacers.  I reluctantly took off my rain poncho and throw-away.  It had been pouring but now it was just a welcome drizzle.

I started with the 2:15 pacer but knew that I would move up and then back down (And I was right.)

Elevation:

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 to stop and walk longer to eat a GU around every 4 miles.  I planned to walk whenever necessary and NOT RACE it. I was obviously not acclimated to the weather.

Around mile 4, I took my first Gu and then at mile 5.5 we hit the first causeway (Eau Gallie Causeway) and DAMN, in addition to being long and steep, the wind picked up and we were running into the wind (of course).  I ran and walked. I wanted to save my legs for the rest of the race. I was looking forward to passing the guy playing the baby grand as in all the past race photos.

Miles 6-10:

Yes I tried to look happy for the photographer but we were running UP over that bridge.

Going down was fun, though.

For awhile, we ran by some crazy, gorgeous homes that were right along the water. I was surprised at how many spectators were cheering along the course, even in the rain.

I continued to slow down as the miles wore on but I only walked at the water stops.  I ate my second GU around mile 8.

Miles 10-13.17:

I was slowly losing the 2:10 pacer, then the 2:15 one but still held on to not being passed by the 2:20 pacer.

In spite of the weather, there was a lot of music along the course – either digital music played through speakers, or drive-by tunes from motorcycles as well as many live musicians playing under canopies.

I admit that at this point, it was getting hard.  Nothing hurt but I was losing steam.  I kept pace with a woman doing intervals for a while. I got ahead when she walked and then she passed me when she ran. We kept cheering each other on.

I took one last gel around mile 12 – a honey stinger… blech!!

Then at mile 12.5 (how cruel), we hit the 2nd causeway – the Melbourne Causeway. It seemed like an eternity until we reached the top.

Fortunately what goes up, must come down.

Not as much fun as the first bridge due to cramping legs.

And there went the 2:20 pacer.  Not that it mattered but there were no clocks on the course, only mile markers. (I never looked at my watch until after the race.)

Finally we headed toward the finish line and I dragged my cramping legs as across it as fast as I could.

I crossed at 2:20:XX. Injury-free and smiling!

Mission accomplished.

Post Race Activities

I was immediately handed the finisher medal. The food table had bananas, tangerines, donut holes.  I ate a banana which seemed to alleviate the cramps.  I ate a few donut holes, as well.

It was raining pretty hard now so I made a beeline for bag check to get my umbrella and change out of my wet shoes.

Frank Shorter was waiting to give out awards.  I scanned my bib and as expected, I did not win one so I walked to my car and headed back to the hotel.

I felt pretty good after a hot shower.  I quickly dismissed any negative thoughts about the race and focused on the rest of my vacation,

On the way back to Boca Raton, I stopped off to visit an old friend who lived in Jensen Beach.  We had lunch together.

Afterward, I drove to my final destination, my college roommate’s home. She winters in Fla (and lives on LI the rest of the year.)  She kindly invited me to stay with her for two nights.

The rest of my race-cation included a trip to Miami to see South Beach, Immersive Monet exhibit, Wynwood Walls and Little Havana.

and finally a run with fellow blogger, Jenny.

Additional Race Reflections:

The Good:

• Easy packet pick-up.
• Small expo
• Sufficient number of port-a-potties at start/finish and along the course
• Real restrooms at the start/finish
• Bag Check
• Beautiful course. Water views throughout.
• Water stops at every mile (with Gatorade, gels, tangerines, pickle juice)
• Friendly staff, participants, volunteers, residents.
• Pacers.
• Walker friendly – 6 hour time limit for the half marathon.
• Several distance options – full, half, 10k and 5k
• Legendary Frank Shorter was there handing out awards (and he ran the 5k)
• Big coconut themed medals (recycled metals)
• Free Photos
• Race Hats with the Coconut Themed Logo to all runners
• Music played throughout the course
• Brews courtesy of Florida Beer to runners

The Bad:

• No shirts – purchased separately (maybe that’s a good?)
• Bridge crossing at mile 12.5!
• I had no friends running this with me.
• My SIL no longer lived here (a long drive from where I was staying).
• the RAIN (felt good but limited the entertainment and post race festivities)

Would I recommend this race?

Yes. Yes. Yes.

It was super well-organized.  The course was beautiful. And if the sun comes out, it will be even better.

Final Stats:

Splits:

I am so proud that my body can run even when the conditions are not optimal.

A far cry from my 2:06:52 PR in 2017 and my NYC qualifying time of 2:11:15 in 2019.

This old broad will just have to be content finishing upright from now on, I guess.  And three years after I ran this same course, I was only 26 seconds slower!!

Next Up:

 

 

 

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My fifth and final half marathon for 2021.

I signed up for the Upstate Classic Half Marathon for several reasons:

• I had run the course twice before so I was familiar with the hills.
• It was local and I could sleep in my own bed the night before.
• It was local so I would know a lot of the runners.
• I had run a half in September and October so I was sorta already trained.

Half Marathon Training:

If you follow my posts, you also know that I am not strict about following a training plan. For 2020, I had the ambitious goal of running 12 Half Marathons – one each month. The pandemic wrecked those plans.  For 2021, it was just race whatever half marathons were available.  As a result, I was lucky to have already run FOUR this year.

The difference in the training cycle for the race this year was that I didn’t have to run all my long runs solo.

Pre-Race Activities and Preparations:

I did some short runs during the week prior to the race: Tues, Wed, Friday:

Packet pick up was easy peasy.  I just went to the race headquarters on Friday, drove in, gave them my bib # and they handed me a hoodie and a bib.  All was done outdoors.

I skipped my long run on Saturday and walked with friends and then after, I met those who ran for brunch.

My usual carb loading dinner was pizza, of course and then I tried to figure out what to wear.  It was forecast to be cold and cloudy. Similar to the weather in my last race but we would be at a higher altitude. I hate being overdressed (and was tempted to even wear a skirt) but I reluctantly chose a beanie, 2 long sleeved shirts, DIY arm sleeves, capris/skirt, compression calf sleeves and gloves.

My biggest dilemma was what to do about water.  I hate to carry my water bottle but there would be no cups of water provided on the course, only table to fill up your own bottle. In the end, I grabbed a paper cup, flattened it and put that in my pocket, as I have done in other post-COVID races.

Race Day:

I woke up early and looked outside and it was SNOWING!!  It did not stick but I re-thought the race outfit and switched from a skirt and compression socks to tights (under a skirt).

I had my usual pre-race breakfast of oatmeal and coffee. The race didn’t start until 8:30 am but I was ready so I left at 7am. I thought about my race plan on the ride …

So what was the plan???

• HM PR – 2:06:52 – no way!
• Last HM – 2:16:05 – doubtful!
• H2H April 2021 – 2:22:51 (same course)
• Upstate Classic Nov. 2020 – 2:23:37 (same course but no watch)

Just finish.  No time goal!! But I would love to have improved my time on this course (so under 2:22:51).

The course:

A loop starting and ending in the same location.

and not flat… at all:

I got there an hour early and parked in a muddy parking lot and then sat in my car.  It was in the low 30’s and I wanted to stay warm until the last moment especially since there was no bag check.

Around 8am, I dragged myself out of my warm car toward the race start.

Brrrrr! I shivered but I got to connect with many runners that I knew. I was especially glad to see Alyssa whom I used run and race with all the time.

There was no staggered starts this time.  They called runners to the start line by pace.  We waited until they said “Everyone else” since it was chip timed anyway.

Anyway, here’s how the race went:

(Some pictures are from a previous race since the course was identical.)

Miles 1-3:

I started running with Alyssa so we could chat and catch up on things. I was familiar with this course since this was my 3rd time but obviously since we were running on roads, there were cars. You were supposed to run on the shoulder but it was slanted and I found it awkward. So I ran toward the middle of the road until a car came by.  I was more comfortable that way. But the negative was not running the tangents. 😦

I lost Alyssa (whose asthma was bothering her) but continued to run with some other friends.  So far the hills weren’t too bad. I could even run up them.

Miles 3- 6.2:

I skipped the first water stop. I had a paper cup in my pocket but it was a pain to get it out and I wasn’t hungry or thirsty yet.

Around mile 4, we passed by Indian Ladder Farms and the smell of fresh cider donuts filled the air.

I started to get hungry about that time and ate a GU but boy was I wishing I had some water.

The rolling hills continued.

The hills ceased to roll and started to become steep hills.  Those type of hills where it was even hard to walk up them.  But walk I did and trying to pick up the pace on the downhill.

As soon as the big hills started, I lost my friends. And they continued to get farther and farther ahead.

I kept repeating to myself “Run your own race.” and “One foot in front of the other.”

Miles 6.2-8.75

Every now and then I would glance at my watch.  My pace was by no means fast but considering all the walking, it was not as bad as I feared.

The second water stop was around the 10k point and this time, I did stop and had my paper cup filled.

The big hills seems to more frequent the second half of the race.

Miles 8.75 – 11.1

It think there was another water stop around mile 8.75. I’m sure that I stopped and refilled my cup. I also ate another GU.  I never really felt hungry during the race but knew I should fuel.

The race continued the same way.  The amazing thing was that my feet did not hurt.  (I had decided for the first time not to tape them and to risk getting blisters.)  My quads were getting achy from all the hills.  It’s always something. So I focused on the scenery which was very pretty…farms, mountain views, etc.

The course marshals were very enthusiastic. I knew many of them.  There were some families camped out in their driveways.  But for the most part, we were running on the roads in the country… no place for spectators.

But surprisingly around mile 10.5, there was table of guys giving out bottles of water and alcohol.  It was one of our boating friends. He asked me if I was coming back around.  I yelled “Hell no!”  (This race had a marathon too…two loops of this insanely hilly course.)

Miles 11.1-13.3

More hills. They never seemed to end.  And one last water stop.  I just wanted to finish but I decided to fill my cup one last time.

Mile 13 seemed like a full marathon.   My legs just died. To make matters worse, there was one hill after another.  I walked most of this mile so that I could sprint across the finish line and not embarrass myself.

We were also running in a more trafficked area. It was annoying to keep moving over.

But eventually we turned into the fair grounds  And like that I was done.

I sprinted through the finish line and RD who was the announcer said a lot of cool things about me as I crossed the finish line.

Post Race Activities:

I immediately got my food – a boxed lunch but there was also a table of refreshments that looked more appealing – pastries, quiche, bread, etc.

That I went to see my results and found out that I came in 2nd in my age group.

Alyssa had also finished so we hung out at a picnic table and ate.  The sun had come out and it was a perfect Fall weather day.

Additional Race Reflections:

It seems that my recap above was a bunch of complaints.  But on the whole, the race was a really good experience. I have zero regrets in running it. And if you never run on hills, they are HARD. I walked them so I wouldn’t get injured. And I felt fine after the race.

In fact, my time was a lot better than I expected. In fact it was course PR – more than 3 minutes faster than in April on the same course.

It gives me hope that I could improve upon it on a flatter course. (It was more than 3 minutes slower than my last half marathon. lol)

The Good:

• A Live Race!!!
• Connecting with local runners.
• Felt safe with the provided restrictions.
• Decent post race food. (box lunch of pre-ordered sandwich, apple, brownie) and a table of other refreshments (quiche, bead, pastries)
• Well organized.
• Lots of pre-race information
• Easy packet pick up
• Ample parking
• Enthusiastic volunteers (even with the cold weather)
• Live tracking for others to follow runners and runners to get immediate results
• Free photos
• A live race!!!

The Bad:

• Hilly Course.
• No water provided (unless you carried your own bottle).
• Most of my running group did not participate.
• Not trained for hills or racing (my fault).
• Traffic during the last mile or so.

The Ugly:

• Nothing really

Final Stats:

Splits:

Would I recommend this race?

Sure.  Pretty scenery and the perks mentioned above. But TRAIN ON HILLS before you run it!!

Next Up:

A Thanksgiving 10K

A fun local 5k.

Then in February, I will be running a half marathon in Florida.