It seems like I’ve been planning this race forever. As with all my big races, I impulsively sign up way in advance (and then often regret it LOL).

I ran the first annual one in 2019. Due to COVID, in 2020, I ran the race virtually and in 2021, I ran it on a completely different course (a hilly one).

So I signed up for 2022 Helderberg to Hudson Half Marathon as my 58th Half Marathon for several reasons:

• FOMO. Many of my running friends were doing it.
• It’s local. I can sleep in my own bed.
• I am familiar with the course.  I run on it often.
• It’s a downhill course. (470 ft elevation loss)

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 February 27 in NYC. An then a virtual one on March 19.

On weekdays, I try to run 3x… Since this week I ran Sun, Mon, Tues and Wed (4 days in a row), I decided on two rest days before the race (so nada on Thursday ad Friday.)

and then on the weekend, I do my long run, if possible.

Pre-Race Activities and Preparations:

I picked up my bib (and Sherry and Stan’s) after work on Thursday at the race finish (in between rain showers).

and then had pasta for dinner on Friday.

I checked the weather and

So what do I wear?

Race goals?

The same as usual. Finish happy with no injuries.  I have realized that having a time goal is difficult at my age. Having any expectations of a PR or even a course PR is unrealistic, as well.

 

That being said, since this race did not have the hills of Central Park or the bridges of Florida, I was hoping to have a faster finish time than my last three half marathons … but again, anything can happen on race day.

Race Day:

Since I had run this race before, I was familiar with the start and finish logistics. But they still were tricky. There was a bus from the finish to the start (and no parking at the start). However this year, I  knew when to get there and whereto find nearby parking.  Over 2,000 runners had signed up for this race!!!

Well, I woke up to 50 degrees and no rain!! What??

I wore Plan A and added two throwaway shirts and gloves.  I even decided against bag check.  There appeared to be a change in the forecast.  No rain until afternoon.  I was hoping they were right!!

I arrived around 6:00 am, found parking in the lot near the finish. I met Stan and Sherry there and we walked to the bus.

We arrived at the bus location and there were many buses.  We wound up getting the last seats on Bus #1.

Our bus got lost and we arrived after bus #2 and # 3 but we were plenty early.  The race did not start until 8:30

We waited and chatted with many other runners.

There were so many familiar faces.. from former running groups, training groups, other races, etc..

I was a little chilly and wondered if I made the right decision about what to wear. (I did!!)

Believe it or not, the sun came out.  What?  Glad I grabbed my sunglasses.

Eventually, it was time to go to our corrals. There were 4 and I was in the last one.

It appeared to be warming up a bit so I tossed both of my throw away shirts but kept on my arm sleeves and gloves.

Anyway, here’s how the race went:

Course Map:

Miles 1-5:

The course started in the park and then we ran just over 2 miles on the roads of Voorheesville so runners could spread out before they got on the rail trail. There were some steep downhill sections and I am sure that I ran them too fast.

From there, the course headed east for about 9 miles into Albany on the rail trail. If you read my blog, you may remember that this is a trail near my home and that I run on often. It was nice to only have to run on it one way…going downhill.  It was not steep and I was able to run at a comfortable pace.

The problem was that it was HUMID and the temps were rising.  The sun even peeped out.  I rolled down my arm sleeves, then took them off and eventually just tossed them. I also tossed my gloves.

But I was THIRSTY… I think there was a water stop at mile 1 or 2 but I skipped it and the first water stop was not until around 3 miles.

Dying… I also walked for the first time (I always walk at the water stops).

There were clocks at each 5k.  I saw when I passed the 5k mark that I was running too fast. I slowed down a little but obviously not enough.

My breakfast was at 5 am so I was getting pretty hungry.  I was hoping that there would be a water stop soon… Nope not yet…

The great thing about a local race was the the crowd support and volunteers.  Many called my name and it was so welcome.

Here are a few pictures from previous runs on this same trail:

Miles 6-9:

So the race continued on this same trail.  The elevation felt a little steeper on this portion but my legs felt more and more tired.  Or should I say my quads were complaining from running downhill. The sun was getting stronger. Finally around mile 6, there was the water stop. I walked even longer than before and ate a GU.

At the 10k clock, it was obvious that I slowed but probably not enough.

What was nice about this race was that I knew so many of the runners.  They kept passing me by. Some just waved, others slowed and ran with me for a while. I also had some friends along the course who cheered me on.

Hundreds of candid photos were posted on FB for sharing.  Here’s just a few:

I saw my running friend Barbara around mile 7 or so.

I hate to be a Debbie Downer… I have run 4 half marathons this year already with zero foot pain.  Well, my luck ended around mile 6 or so.  My neuroma started to throb.  Yes, I can run on it but it made me very nervous that my foot pain had re-surfaced.

In hindsight, I think it was a combination of wearing older worn shoes and running downhill… (We’ll see how it goes in future runs/races.)

I walked (too long) at the next water stop around mile 8  and ate my second GU.

More pictures from previous runs:

Miles 10-13.1

The foot pain eased up and then I started getting a blister on the other foot. (No, I didn’t tape it and forgot that my previous races were run in frigid temps, humidity makes a big difference. D’uh)

The rail trail finally ended and we were heading into Albany. This was my least favorite apart of the course – not scenic at all – running through the city (and not the nice part) and then along a busy road. With the smell of a sewage plant.

My quads were toast at this point.  My lower back ached and I just wanted to be done.

A few more water stops and longer walks.  The clock at the 20K mark indicated that a PR was out of the question but surprisingly I was still having a decent race.

The last few miles seemed endless. It was no longer downhill. In fact going to the finish line was slightly uphill.

I walked a few more times and tried as best as I could to sprint through the finish.

I saw the clock ahead and I hoped to finish under 2:12:00…and I did NOT!!

But thumbs up! I crossed at 2:12:24. My fastest 13.1 miles since this one in 2019!!!!!

Post Race Activities:

I got my medal, some water and of course, took some pics.

I chatted with some other runners who had already finished and took some more pics.

I checked the results. Nope, no age group award. I was 4th.  But I wasn’t even expecting to do that well.

There was the usual food box for this race and chocolate milk.

There was also beer. Nah. Too long a line and too early in the day for a beer!!

I texted Stan and Sherry and we met up and ate our lunches together while re-capping our race experiences.  Consensus: Downhill races are hard!!!

Eventually after all our friends had finished, we limped back to our cars.

Final Stats:

Splits:

Additional Race Reflections:

I have yet to figure out how to negative split a long race. Maybe I need to train better (You think??)

My finish time was way faster than my previous three half marathons. (2:26:02, 2:20:55, 2:21:29).  I am thrilled about that.

In 2019, I wanted a sub 2:12 finish so I would qualify for the 2020 NYC Half Marathon. And I did!! This year, I had no glorious expectations. Yet, surprisingly, I was only 24 seconds off!!  No worries for the 2023 NYC Half, I am already in after running it virtually this year.

As you can see from the stats above, I went out too fast. And my lack of training caught up to me after 10 miles. I was on track to PR, the first half of the race.

The bad news is that my foot is sore.  My quads are achy.

I have confirmed that downhill races aren’t as easy as you may think. Rolling hills are actually easier on the body. (We runners are never satisfied)

The Good:

• Lots of race info emailed and on website including runner guide and spectator guide.
• Easy packet pick-up. Neat race-related items.
• Registration options – cheaper without a hoodie.
• Free bus from the finish to the start.
• Many porta potties at the start. Long lines but they moved quickly
• Bag Check. Well organized before and easy pick up at the end
• Downhill course (except for first and last 2 miles)
• Water and Nuun stops.
• GU available at several water stops
• Decent crowd support
• Well marked course for each mile
• Clocks at 5k, 10k, 15k, 20k
• Very cool medal.
• Great post race refreshments
• Immediate electronic race results
• PR bell
• Free photos
• Nearby – no transportation or hotel costs.
• Support from friends

The Bad:

• Not enough water stops. I think they should be at least every 2 miles esp with humid temps.
• The boring, unscenic last 2 miles.
• Fat-free chocolate milk (I deserve the real thing after 13.1 miles)

The Ugly:

• Pain 😦

Would I recommend this race?

Yes. Yes. Yes. ARE did a fantastic job attending to every detail.  I may even do it again next year.

Next Up:

A few shorter races – 5m, some 5ks.

Then:

and finally:

Happy Running!  Did you race this weekend? Do you have a big race coming up? Please share.

 

 

 

 

 

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: