to join up with Coco & Deborah for their ultimate coffee date.
The NYC Marathon Edition….
1.Over coffee…
I’d tell you that I am excited about running my FIRST full marathon and I am glad that I chose NYC. It’s only a train ride away, I have free pts for my hotel and most importantly, I do LOVE NYC and know my way around this city.
after the Poland Spring Race last October. Who knew??
If you have run a marathon (or half), which one was your first and why?
2.Over coffee…
I’d tell you that recently I met up with two college roommates.
We reminisced about our last meet-up. It was in NYC in 2013 the day before the NYC Marathon.
I had them take a picture of me at the finish line.
And now 6 years later, I am running that race.
Do you believe in serendipity? Have you had a similar experience?
3.Over coffee…
I’d tell you that unfortunately my hubby will be in Palm Springs that same day competing in a national tennis tournament. Yes, what are the odds that it would be the same day as my first marathon?
Back in 2014, he did come to a race.
I was sad that he could not come since it is my first (and most likely my last) marathon.
Some of my running friends have expressed interest in coming down to NYC for the day to cheer me on. But the logistics are not easy. I doubt they will be able.
I think a few of my tennis friends may come…. (Fingers crossed.)
If not, I will gather energy from the thousands of cheering fans that I do not know personally.
Do your family and friends cheer you on at big races?
Anyone coming to cheer? If so, let me know where you will be?
4.Over coffee…
I’d tell you that there are quite a few current and former bloggers who are running the NYC Marathon. Hopefully we can arrange a meet-up.
Anyone else coming to run? If so, when can we meet up? I’ll be at the expo on Sat.
5.Over coffee…
I’d tell you that I have zero time goals for this race. It is my first full as I have mentioned. My longest run was 20 miles and it was very painful. I did run two 14 milers, one 16 and one 18. I did not increase my mid-week runs due to job commitments. My weekly mileage was only usually in the 20s.
So do I think I can finish?
YES!!!
Will it hurt?
YES, most likely.
My goal is to run the first half SLOWLY, enjoy the WHOLE experience and get my MEDAL at the end!!!
Do you have a time goal for your big races or do you just do it for fun?
It’s also Friday so I’m also linking up with Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday Five linkup! Join in! Don’t forget to link back to your hostess and visit some other bloggers.
Happy Running! Got anything to spill? Share it here!
Thanks to Laurie from Meditations in Motion, I discovered a new link up started by blogger Heather Gerwing. The fourth Saturday of each month, Heather invites other bloggers to share their “Four Somethings”: Something Loved, Something Said, Something Learned, Something Read. If you are a blogger, you may post your Four Somethings too!
I realized that I haven’t done this since JULY!! It’s time even though it’s Tuesday LOL
Something Loved.
Broadway Musicals.
I recently saw Hadestown.
This musical tells a version of the ancient Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, where Orpheus goes to the underworld to rescue his fiancée Eurydice. I thought it was fantastic.
In a few weeks, I’m treating myself to Hamilton. Can’t wait!!!!!
There are few new ones on my list like Moulin Rouge, Jagged Little Pill, Tina, West Side Story…
Darn. I wish they were not so expensive.
I am scheduled to work in NYC in December and January. I’m sure to try to snag some cheap tix while I’m there.
Something Said.
Actually read these somewhere:
I haven’t run my marathon yet, but I did do a 20 miler. And yes, the last 6 miles HURT…a lot!!! But I’ve never been prouder.
I definitely need to remember this!!!
And this…
Yup, 18 weeks of training and it comes down to ONE day.
Something Learned.
I trained for a marathon and it did not take over my life as I feared. (Well, maybe I didn’t train well enough. That shall remain to be seen on Nov. 3.)
I ran 7 races. I went on our boat every weekend possible. I spent a weekend in RI with a college friend, a weekend away with tennis friends and another with mah jongg friends, saw a Broadway show in NYC, met college friends In Poughkeepsie and on and on.
I never refused anything because I HAD TO RUN. I just fit it all in. No rest for the weary as they say.
Something Read.
I’m taking a break from running books. This book was a mystery and I couldn’t put it down.
All I will tell you is that an artist shoots her husband 5 times and then refuses to speak. A criminal psychotherapist is determined to get her to talk.
No work travel again this week. Just the normal stuff.
And it’s taper time for my NYCM training.
Last Week –
Monday – I met some friends after work on the rail trail. They walked and the reason for our meeting was to say good-bye to one of the group who was leaving for Florida and would be gone until spring. I ran some and walked some.
I ran 2, walked 2 and ran 1.
Tuesday – Rest day due to some rain. I had errands to do anyway.
Wednesday – An after work run on the Corning Bike Path. I was exhausted and really did NOT feel like running but I had to agreed to meet a friend. I walked more than usual but it was great to get out there on this beautiful fall weather evening.
Thursday – For today’s after work run I had two friends to run with and we were back on the UAlbany campus since it is convenient for all of us. Karen is also running NYCM so you can guess what we chatted about while we ran.
and it was almost 70 degrees!!!
Friday – Rest Day and mah jongg night.
Saturday – Last long run before the marathon. If you can call it “long.” I only had to run 8 miles. My running friends were busy and I was solo so I decided to go to a place that I hadn’t run in awhile. Luckily I did find three runners that I knew to run with (from another running group) there. I ran 4 miles with Nancy, Barb and Sue and then 2 more with Barb. I planned on running 8 but Barb showed me a new path and we just wound up running 4 more. The scenery, the weather and the conversation were great.
near Peebles Island/Waterford
I had planned on running around Peebles Island originally but instead I decided to take a walk around the island before heading home .. best decision!! I forgot how beautiful it is here.
We finally went out to dinner to celebrate my stepson’s birthday in the evening. Let the carb loading begin…
Sunday – Today I signed up to volunteer at a Trail Race. I didn’t plan to run it and I do not volunteer often enough. It took place at Thacher Park, which I love. Forecast was for heavy rain and wind… and I woke up in the middle of the night with an upset stomach. A Big DNS. Sorry, ARE. I promise to volunteer at a future race!!!!
Finally watched (for the first time) Spirit of the Marathon and the Fred Lebow Story. Cried during both.
This Coming Week – Marathon Training Week 18
Monday – run 4 mi., dinner w/friend
Tuesday – run 3 mi, mall walk w/BFF
Wednesday – run 2 mi.
Thursday – rest day, hair appt
Friday – rest and pack
Saturday – rest day, train to NYC, expo, carb load
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.
Happy Running! How is your running going? What’s new with you? Please share.
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 wore brand new running shoes out of the box for my 20 miler.
It was during a 7 mile re-race run followed by a half marathon. And they were the same as shoes I had previously wore out — just a new pair. I was in pain but it was NOT because of the shoes LOL
happy to be nearing the finish line (and my cheering friends)
Anyone else race in new shoes?
2. I runfess…
I skipped one of my long runs in favor of a 10K race.
It was supposed to be a 14 miler but I did walk 8 miles that day in addition to the Grete’s Great Gallop 10k race in NYC.
a fun time in Central Park
Anyone else not worry about getting in ALL their long runs?
3.I runfess…
I signed up for a race the day after my 20 mile training run.
I planned to walk it. I was in a lot of pain during the second half of the run (and after) but the next morning all the pain was gone. I was good, though and walked MOST of it. Check out that 5k finish time LOL.
Anyone else recover from a long run or big race with a race?
4. I runfess…
I also signed up for a 15K race the week after my first full marathon.
I was at a recent expo and there was a discount. Again, I can take it slow if I am still sore, right?
during last year’s Stockade-athon
Anyone else race right after a full marathon ?
5.I runfess…
I also may run a 5k race (tomorrow the week before my full marathon and add on 5 miles before or after.)
It’s for a great cause and my running friends are busy this weekend. Why not race/run?
Oct. 26, 2019 9:30 am
Anyone else like to race all the time?
It’s Friday so I’m linking up with Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday Five linkup! Join in! Don’t forget to link back to your hostess and visit some other bloggers.
Happy Running! Anything to runfess this month? Please share.
It wasn’t much of a race for me. But I’ll review it since other runners may be interested.
I signed up to do this race the DAY AFTER my 20 miler…
Crazy, right?
It was not too far away. Only cost $10. It started at 10 am and I had the day off from work. There were a BBQ after the race. Several of my friends expressed interest in doing the race.
So why not???
I was VERY sore after the 20 miler and even my hubby doubted that I could even walk 3 miles.
But I woke up feeling NO PAIN. I mean, I felt like I had NOT run the day before. Go figure.
Even so I was planning to be smart and walk most of the race.
I wound up going with Judy since she did not want to go alone. We arrived very early and got a great parking spot (in a small lot).
We got our bibs and walked around waiting for our friends to arrive.
Eventually they did and we discussed our plans for the race. There was 5k and a 5 miler. We all had signed up for the 5k. (The 5 miler apparently had steep sections and was more technical.)
Some of us thought they may run it. Jan and I agreed that it was too treacherous to do that and we would walk most of (and try not to get lost.)
The course looped around the start and along the lake a few times at the beginning. I think Jan and I missed messed up one of the last loops. (But we didn’t care.)
For the rest of the race, we ran on the trails. They had lots of roots and leaves so we walked mostly but at times if it were clear, we ran.
It was so nice to relax during a race and look at the scenery and take pictures.
The weather was picture perfect.
And we never got lost and we weren’t LAST.
As I approached the finish line, I heard our other friends cheering.
So I had to sprint and try to beat Jan. LOL.
And we beat our goal of 1 hour!!
Everyone got a homemade medal.
As soon as we finished, we were treated to cider donuts!!
And then we went inside to get some food. There were chips, cider, hot dogs, veggie burgers, caramel apples. Not bad for only $10.
Afterward, there was a fall festival there with lots of activities for kids.
So it was fun-filled morning. I recommend the Lawson Lake Trail Race. I may do it again if I have the chance.
No work travel this week. Just the normal busy stuff.
Now that I have free time during the week to actually to do my training miles, it’s taper time for my NYCM training. It figures….
Last Week –
Monday – Even though it was the day after my 20 miler, I signed up for a race, Lawson Lake Trail Run. I had the day off and it was only a 5k trail race. I planned to just walk it. After experiencing lots of discomfort the previous day, I was surprised to wake up feeling as if I had NOT run the day before. Still I walked most of it and It was a fun time. The weather was awesome, the course scenic and some of my friends came as well.
probably less than 3 since Jan and I made a wrong turn
After the race, my hubby and I decided to make one last quick trip to the lake. We even made our last trip to Martha’s for ice cream (sorry no pic)
Tuesday – With rain in the forecast for the next two days, my running friend and I headed to run the UAlbany loop after work. We ran in the opposite direction from last week and discussed alternate places to run. Afterward I met my BFF to chat and walk around the mall.
Wednesday – There was a scheduled SOAR run today after work on the rail trail. But it was raining so I bailed.
Thursday – Long work day and it rained all day and night but it was not raining when I left work so I ran on the Corning Bike path. I had the company again of a friend. Definitely made the difference.
Afterward I rushed off to have dinner with some tennis friends.
delicious dinner…miss these ladies since I don’t play tennis anymore
Friday – Rest day…Chiro appt and then time to relax and play mah jongg.
Saturday – Only a 12 mile run for this week. Start of my TAPER! We chose the local rail trail and the weather was PERFECT!! (cool and sunny). I ran the first 5 miles solo, then the last 7 with Barbara and Judy and joined the others (Sherry, Chris, Jeri) afterward for brunch.
so lucky to always have friends to do my LONG runs with (and brunch with)
No rest for the weary. As soon I was done with post run brunch, I drove with a college friend to meet another college friend for a mini reunion on the Walkway Bridge Over the Hudson.
friends since 1973….. ❤ ❤ ❤
Sunday – Rest Day and no boating… just nothing. Aaaah.
(Actually laundry, cleaning and errands…pretty tiring …on 2nd thought…rather go running lol)
This Coming Week – Marathon Training Week 17
Monday – run
Tuesday – rest day
Wednesday – run
Thursday – run
Friday – rest day, mah jongg
Saturday – LONG RUN – 8 – Maybe a 5k race (+ 5)
Sunday – rest day, volunteer at ARE Trail Race
I am linking up with Kim and Deborah for
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.
Happy Running! How is your running going? What’s new with you? Please share.
It seems like I’ve been planning this race forever. I registered for the NYC Marathon and then when I looked at my race training plan, my 20 miler was scheduled for this weekend. I ran this race back in 2013 (post broken foot) and since I run on this route often, I wasn’t particularly enamored with the race.
However, I did run the Hannaford Half Marathon as my 39th Half Marathon for these reasons:
Many of my running friends were planning to run it. (Though in the end, they could not).
It is a popular local race and I would know many runners.
I needed a long run as part of my NYC Marathon training. so I could just add 7 to it
I found out that blogger and skirt sister Cari may be running it.
It is a “relatively flat course.”
Most importantly, I needed company for my 20 miles (and it turned to be the right decision since my running friends decided to race the day before.)
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 in September. I started a 18 week training plan to be ready for the NYC Marathon on Nov. 3.
As with my half marathon training, I did not really care about my week day runs. They were usually 3-4 miles. However, I did try to do longer runs on the weekend.
So I actually was not training for this half but preparing for Nov 3. Technically I was scheduled for a 20 mile run but just adapted the long runs to make this work.
The goal for this half marathon was finishing!! Not to race it and not to get injured!!!
Pre-Race Activities and Preparations:
I learned some valuable lessons about pre-race prep during a previous race-cation — rest the legs and fuel adequately the day before the race.
So I went to the expo early to pick up my bib. I met a lot runners that I knew and scored some good deals ($5 compression calf sleeves). For a small race, the expo was pretty decent.
Then the hubby and I drove to Lake George to spend a relaxing day on the boat with our friends.
carb loading, of course
We came home pretty early and I got together my race outfit.
Another restless night. I have not been sleeping well lately 😦
Race Day:
I’ll do my best to recap the race below. (Warning: it’ll be long…)
Since the race was supposed to be the last 13 miles of my 20 miler, that meant I had to get to the race start by 6 am and run 7 miles.
So 4:30 am wake up with my normal oatmeal and coffee pre-race meal. It was in the 40s and pretty chilly so I added my DIY arm warmers and gloves to my race attire.
It was pitch black when I started running on the trail and even with my knuckle lights, it was creepy.
So after a mile, I opted for plan B and ran along the main road for the next five miles, watching the sun come up.
Eventually, it was light enough to continue on the trail back to my car.
I ran the 7 miles way too fast since I was anxious about getting back in time, meeting friends, checking a bag. But it turned out that I returned in plenty of time.
While I was running, I warmed up but now sweaty, I put my arm warmers and gloves back on. Brrr.
I chatted with many runners that I knew. This was a local race and it is very popular.
Soon I connected with Cari who was also running this race since she was here to visit her brother.
We hung out for a while and then headed to the start line.
My plan for this 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 other water stop. I planned to walk whenever necessary and NOT RACE it.
Cari and I lined up together but I lost her right away. The race started in Colonie Town Park and we ran around the park for most of the first mile. It was a bottleneck and you really could not make any headway. And this was the only hilly part of the course. So after 7 miles, this was a perfect start for me.
After we exited the park, we were running for many miles along the bike path. The foliage was beautiful and it was a slight downhill.
And as you can tell, I started speeding up and I was running TOO FAST!!
Miles 5-8:
10:30, 10:24, 10:49, 10:57
I stopped briefly at each water stop but by mile five, I was getting pretty hungry so I ate a GU and walked longer.
Eventually we left the bike path and entered the ugliest part of the course. We ran through Watervliet, along the noisy highway and past the Arsenal.
I was feeling great and sailing along until mile 7. That’s when EVERYTHING started to hurt – my legs, feet, lower back and hips.
So I just painfully trudged along…I was not having fun.
Miles 9-13.2:
11:25, 10:52, 11:11, 11:32, 11:11, (.2 – 8:37)
I stopped around mile 9 for another GU and walked for a bit. It was still painful to run but I knew I had to finish so I just pushed through it.
At least now we were on the Corning Bike Path with beautiful foliage and views of the Hudson River.
I chatted with a woman feeling the same way but she started walking so I continued on without her.
Finally with a little more than a mile to go, my running friend Chris appeared. She had volunteered to run me in. I told her that after 18 miles (my longest so far), I would no doubt be struggling. And I was.
She ran with me but I stopped and walked quite a few times. The finish line seemed to so distant.
And then I saw it and my running friends with cowbells, cheering me on. It definitely lifted my spirits and I got a second wind.
I tried to sprint as much as I could (after 20 miles) and I crossed at 2:22:05.
Much faster than I had planned. I was thinking that at marathon pace, it would be around 2:45. It was also a course PR.
After getting my medal and some water. I headed to bag check to put on my race shirt and then to get some food.
I got an additional medal because I ran the Helderberg to Hudson Half in April.
I ate a banana with some chocolate milk and posed for the obligatory medal photo.
I bumped into another friend who is also running the NYC Marathon. She had a PR and was then adding her 7 miles afterward. Yes, of course, this is what I usually do and the thought did cross my mind so I could have a decent finish time (and win an AG award). But I do think I made the right decision. I was glad to have my 20 miles done.
I headed back to my friends and I celebrated my run with this:
Additional Race Reflections:
The Good:
Easy packet pick-up.
Decent expo for a small race.
Lots of parking.
Sufficient number of port-a-potties. At the start and along the course.
Sufficient number of water/Gatorade stops) – 1 had Gu
Bag Check. Easy pick up at the end.
Well marked course.
Free Massages at the finish
Clocks at several points in the race.
Very cool medal.
Chocolate milk at the finish.
Shuttle bus from the finish to the start.
Great weather.
Beautiful course in spots.
Extra medal if you ran the Helderberg to Hudson race in April.
The Bad:
The middle of the course was pretty boring.
The course was a little long.
The Ugly:
Nothing 🙂
Would I recommend this race?
Yes. It was well-organized. The course was mostly flat and scenic at the beginning and end.
Final Stats:
I have yet to figure out how to negative split a long race.
My finish time was the slowest I’ve had in many years. But not a bad time considering it was a training run. Definitely not complaining. No injuries. (But my first post race discomfort.)
Work Travel Again. But it’s the last trip (for a little while, I hope)
A Half Marathon happened at the end of the week as part of my 20 miler.
Almost taper time for my NYCM training.
Last Week –
Monday – Work trip to Sullivan County. It was supposed to be raining in the am so I didn’t plan to run before leaving. Of course it was not. But it rained the rest of the day. And hard. I had no choice but to run on the hotel treadmill. I was alone and there was TV but still hated it.
Tuesday – After a long work day, I went back to my hotel to change in search of some place nearby to run safely. I discovered a rail trail not too far away and headed there. The foliage colors were awesome and though I was tired, this run energized me.
Mountain Dale Rails to Trails
After 4.5 miles, I headed off the trail to get to 5 miles. My reward:
Wednesday – It again was supposed to rain but I changed into running clothes just in case. I had hoped to run on a rail trail that I had passed on my way Monday. It looked like it was going to rain soon so instead I found a trail near work. It turned out to be too muddy and full of roots to run on. Instead I walked. Almost got lost several times but I made it all around the lake before the rain.
Hanofee Park
Thursday – Back home and able to run after work with a friend. For convenience purposes, we hit the UAlbany loop.
we verged off the loop to run around Indian Pond
Then I went to the movies with friends (I skipped the restaurant dinner in favor of a run…it was a HARD decision.).
Renee Zellweger was fabulous but such a sad story.
Friday – Time to rest, unpack and play mah jongg. But first a quick run on the local rail trail (nice weather and there aren’t too many of those in the future.)
loved the wall art and the many painted rocks along the course
Saturday – My friends were running a race today. FOMO since it is one race I’ve done every year. Instead I started the day with a trip to the expo to pick up my bib for Sunday’s half.
Then the hubby and I drove up to Lake George for our LAST boating day of the season. The weather was again PERFECT and I spent a relaxing day with our friends.
Sunday – Yes, today was the day of the 20 miler. My only one during marathon training. I drove to the start of the Hannaford Half Marathon and in the dark ran 7 miles. (I started out on the trail but it was too dark so I ran on the road and then returned to the trail once the sun came up.)
Then I ran 13.2 more miles as part of the race. Being a local race, it was nice to see so many familiar faces. (Even met up with Cari from NYC who was visiting her brother.) The first 6 miles went very well. Maybe too well. The last 7 were very painful…everything hurt. But I was lucky to have a friend run the last mile or so with me and to have my running friends cheer me through the finish line, So it was harder than I thought but the 20 miler is done. Bring on the taper!
This Coming Week – Marathon Training Week 16
Monday – DAY OFF – TRAIL 5K RACE (walking it as recovery)
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.
Happy Running! How is your running going? What’s new with you? Any big races on the horizon this fall? Are you sad to see summer ending? Please share.
It’s Friday so I’m linking up with Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday Five linkup! Join in! Don’t forget to link back to your hostess and visit some other bloggers.
So many people ask me when am I going to retire? They frequency say that they can’t believe I can keep up with this crazy work schedule.
Yes, traveling 8 out of the last 9 weeks.
Sleeping in hotels, eating in restaurants and often driving all over the state.
All while training for my first marathon.
But with the Bad comes the Good.
So Why Is My Glass Half Full?
1. Airline miles, hotel points, train and car rewards.
And you know what all of them will be used for.
Race-cations. Woo Hoo!
I definitely would not be doing a lot of these races without these work perks.
Poland Springs 10k
RnR Montreal Half
2. Meet ups with friends.
I have been able to meet up with fellow ambassadors in Rochester and NYC.
with Kim
with Elizabeth
with Cari
I have able to catch up with high school friends on LI.
None of these occurrences would have taken place without work travel
3. Running in interesting places
In addition to amazing Central Park in NYC, I have discovered the Erie Canal trail and Lake Ontario trails in Rochester.
And Onondaga Lake State Park in Syracuse.
And recently the Vestal Rail Trail in Binghamton and Blydenburgh Park on LI.
Sometimes your running can get stale if you run on the same local routes.
Not me.
4. No Cooking and Cleaning
I admit it. I am secretly enjoying this.
Unfortunately this too shall pass.
Back to domestic bliss. Lol.
5. Meeting new people.
Yes, like the guy on the hotel elevator who has run the NYC marathon many times
And the cafe owner on the Vestal Rail Trail who has run many marathons but hopes to someday get into NYC.
And the desk clerk at my favorite NYC hotel who has started running because I inspired him.
And the guy on the subway to Brooklyn who travels and looks for races everywhere he goes. Like moi.
It’s amazing how a race shirt is always a conversation starter.
met a local runner at a Brooklyn race because of his shirt.
Happy Running! How could YOU not dwell on the bad stuff and focus on the good? Please share.
If you read my blog, you may know that I LOVE races in NYC especially ones in Central Park. (Even though, they are HILLY!)
France Run 8K
Dash to the Finish
Poland Spring Marathon Kick-Off
The Grete’s Great Gallop 10K race takes place just FOUR weeks before the New York City Marathon and covers 6.2 miles of the roads of Central Park, passes the Marathon finish line and ends near where it started.
Click here to read about Grete’s amazing career but to sum it up, she ran her first marathon (NYC) in 1978, won it and then won it again 8 more times. She’s an icon for women’s running in NYC.
I was scheduled to meet my tennis friends for lunch on Saturday, October 5 (the same day as this race) and then go to a Broadway show afterwards (an annual thing).
So it was a no brainer to sign up for this race. Plus, another Skirt Sport Ambassador, Elizabeth, was planning to run this race, as well. (Unfortunately, she was unable to run it.)
Luckily I signed up early because the race sold out pretty quickly.
Thank to numerous trips to NYC for work, I had enough points for a free hotel room.
I knew that the race would be a hilly one (see map below) but I did run a 5 miler there last year and a 8K there in August of 2017 so I thought that the course would be similar in difficulty.
Unfortunately, I had had a pretty off running week. I was driving in traffic all week and training on my feet all day. I only ran 3 miles on Monday and 3 slow TM miles on Thursday. So with Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday as rest days, I should have been pretty well rested for the Saturday race.
So I took the bus to NYC on Friday. After I checked into my hotel, I headed off to pick up my race packet. Normally I might have taken the subway to rest my legs but this was just a fun race so I walked and met my friend Cari (sorry no pic).
cute top – amazingly so many runners did wear this shirt on race day
Cari and I walked back toward my hotel and then I went out for pizza and ice cream (carb loaded like it was a marathon LOL). I still was not tired so I walked around Hudson Yards.
over 7 miles walking
When I got back to the hotel, I tried to plan out my race outfit for the next day. This is always difficult for me at this time of year. Capris or skirt? Short sleeves or long sleeves?
decided on a skirt, compression calf sleeves, short sleeve top with DIY arm warmers
After a restless night, I got up the next morning around 5:30 am and had my usual oatmeal and coffee pre-race breakfast.
It was in the 40s with a possibility of sun. I added gloves and a throw away shirt to my outfit . What I forgot again was a heat blanket. DARN!! I decided against bag check (to save time after the race) and hoped that I wouldn’t regret it.
I normally would again try to save my legs and grab a subway to Central Park. Not this time. Marathon training! I left at 6:30 am and walked the 3 miles to the start. And it was windy and COLD!!! Brrrr!!!
I wasn’t sure exactly where the start was but saw some runners and knew they were all headed to the same place so I followed them.
I got there very early. There were many runners just running. Probably warming up for the race or doing their long run before the upcoming marathon.
There would be almost 8000 runners in today’s race and the air was buzzing with excitement (or for NYCM).
It was still pretty early and I just walked around trying to stay WARM!!
Finally I headed toward the race start.
I sat on a bench and wound up befriending two other (older) ladies. We chatted and chatted until it was time to get in our corrals.
We lost one lady in the corral behind us so the just Lori and I waited and shivered together (I decided to ditch my long sleeve shirt and lost an earring in the process) until it was time for our corral to get to the start line. It was probably only 10 or 12 minutes but felt like forever. Brrrrr!
So what was my plan for this 10k race?
I had done a 14 mile training run last weekend and 18 the weekend before. I spent most of this week working and stressing. Definitely not feeling my best today…the cold windy temps certainly did not help.
No plan. Finish strong. Not get injured. Walk up the hills. Have fun! (Spoiler alert – I ran the whole thing except for water stops and enjoyed it immensely.)
Course Info
The course is slightly more than one counter-clockwise lap of Central Park’s six-mile loop.
Mile 1: 9:38
We started on East Drive near 69th Street (the east side of the CP loop) and headed north. It was a bottle neck at first which helped to slow me down. Cat Hill greeted us fairly soon. Cat Hill is about a quarter mile and not as steep as the north end’s Harlem Hill, but it’s a decent hill. I usually walk it but strangely I felt like running. I made it up the whole thing without walking. The rest of mile 1 was relatively flat, and I felt strong, like I could probably keep up this pace for another 5 miles. Maybe. Anyway, what that pace was, I had no idea since I did not look at my watch and the clocks at each mile were 11 minutes or so ahead of my actual time (no idea.) Toward the end of each mile, there was a water/Gatorade stop. I ignored most of them as it was pretty chilly and I was not sweating.
Mile 2: 8:57
We continued along East Drive and passed the Reservoir on the left. This mile supposed included the easiest section of the loop: the ultra-flat stretch that runs along the east side around 90th Street. I guess that explains my fastish pace.
Mile 3: 9:25
This mile was at the northern end of the loop. We first passed the 102nd Street Transverse on our left and descended down a steepish hill (YAY!) followed by a flat stretch. The second half of the mile was going up Harlem Hill, the steepest hill on the course. I am proud to say that I RAN up the whole thing (slowly, but not walking). At this point, I was getting pretty hungry as my 5:30 breakfast was long forgotten (I had planned to take a GU before the race but I was chatting….). I willed myself to wait until the next water stop. We continued past Lasker Rink. I tried to focus on the sites of the park and not my feet or my hunger.
Mile 4: 10:10
This mile and the next went down the west side of the loop and started by heading south on West Drive. There were a few rolling hills here. Compared to Cat and Harlem, these hills were no big deal. My legs were tiring but I was able to run up them. It helped that I walked for quite a while, eating a Gu and drinking water. Although there were almost 8000 runners in this race, I’m happy to say that there wasn’t really any crowding on the course, at least not around me. I passed some runners and some passed me. But there was always enough space to run and take the tangents as much as possible. The sun warmed the air. I rolled down the arm warmers, took off my gloves and even the wind died down. I smiled often as the it was PERFECT running weather.
Mile 5: 8:58
This mile continued down the west side (south on West Drive), passing the 72nd Street Transverse, and completing the lower loop of the park before the course turned back onto East Drive. Of course, there weremore rolling hills, up and down, up and down. I pushed a little harder here, as I knew I only had two more miles to go. I tried to make up time on the downhills and I am pretty slow running uphill. It is kinda a blur now. I think I stopped for water but only to grab a sip, not much walking. I just wanted to be done.
I took these pics during my walk out of the park after the race
Mile 6: 9:18
We continued north on East Drive on the south loop of the park. It seemed to be a relatively flat stretch. We passed the start line at 69th Street and then turned left at the 72nd Street Transverse and headed toward the finish line. Of course, it felt like a slight uphill (though maybe it wasn’t.)
Mile +.3: 8:54
I was hoping to be able to pick up speed but my legs felt like lead. I did the best I could. As you can see, that the course was long. I saw the clock each mile and as I crossed the finish line. I had no idea of my actual time until I looked at my watch. And I didn’t really care. I was thrilled to have run a decent race. And NO PAIN! Woo Hoo!!
I grabbed water and a bagel and immediately headed out of the park. Again I followed the crowds as to not get lost.
Again although I was pressed for time, I decided to walk the 3 miles back to my hotel. I was glad that I did not throw away my arm warmers and gloves. It was chilly in the city.
It was in my hotel room that I logged into NYRR and discovered the good news.
I won an age group award!!! Big surprise!!
So not a PR. My 10K PR is 57:03 (from November 2014) but I am thrilled at how the race turned out. I didn’t push my pace at any time and yet I ran well and most importantly, it was FUN!! I didn’t do my 14 mile training run but in addition to the race, I walked 8 miles. That will have to do!!!!!
After a quick shower, I had enough time to walk to the restaurant (Valerie) where I was meeting my tennis friends for lunch. I rewarded myself (again as if I ran a marathon).
Nutella filled French toast with bacon on the side
After lunch, we headed to Broadway to see Hadestown.
the show was GREAT!
And then we walked back toward my hotel and Penn Sta where we stopped for a light dinner.
So it was fun-filled day. I highly recommend the Grete’s Great Gallop 10K race. It was well-organized as all NYRR races are. I will do it again if I have the chance.
Happy Running! What is your favorite city to race in? What is your favorite NYC race? Do ever run 10K races? What is your favorite distance? Would you skip a long run for a fun race?
My First 5K and More... 