I have a request for others who are entered in MY Marathon. In sum, I have a guaranteed entry because I ran in 9 club races and volunteered in one. The NYRR website says that people with guaranteed entry will receive an email with application instructions in January 2010.
I never received that email. The website says if you don't receive the email, apply with everyone else and send an email. I did that. And I sent 5 increasingly desperate email over 5 weeks. No reply. Finally, I received an email that said, literally, "You are accepted." On the marathon website, my application status says "Marathon registration status: accepted." But, does that mean my application is accepted and I am in the lottery? Or, am I "Accepted" and in the marathon? I emailed NYRR again, and got an equally succinct answer: "You are in." Ok, I am breathing easier. I have received no email confirmation from anyone confirming my acceptance.
But still. I am nervous, honestly, given the brevity of the answers and the many, many times I have to ask. And I paid the higher non-NYRR entry fee. I have asked several times (7 actually) about having that $45 cost difference applied to an extension of my NYRR membership for another year. No response.
So for all hopeful NY marathoners out there, what is your marathon application status? For others with a guaranteed entry... what is your status? Has anyone received a confirming email saying "Congratulations!" or anything like that?
Showing posts with label NYRR. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NYRR. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Volunteer Tips
Tonight I volunteered at New York Road Runners to assist in number pickup for the NYRR race on Sunday. NYRR makes everyone volunteer once a year in order to qualify for automatic entry into New York marathon (if you also run 9 qualifying races). I am unclear why they imposed this requirement ( I can be cynical and think it is to reduce costs or altruistic and make runners have a better understanding of the process and logistics.) But tonight was my once a year (and it sure beat last year -- clapping in the cold in November for 6 hours beginning at 5:30 a.m.
At any rate, now that I have been on the other side of the table, I offer some tips I learned tonight.
1. Speak your name SLOWLY. I am in my 40s, but still able to process people's names. But I am not writing them down. And I really don't remember anything beyond the first two letters -- at first. So, say your name, and repeat it SLOWLY. Please be patient. This is not rocket surgery, but on the other hand, I have never met you, have no idea what your name is and really, it is kinda confusing when you tell me your last name is Zihuatanejo and start Z-I-H-U. . . So, please, slowly.
2. Speak loudly. It is crowded. In a crowed room, with other people picking up numbers next to you. So please speak so I can hear.
3. Smile, please. I am volunteering, as a service to you, and I enjoy the company of my fellow runners. It makes my time go quicker to smile and be smiled at. So, I know you are in a hurry, but remember, this is all about fun.
I worked for about three hours, and am pleased to say that I did not meet a single rude person. By far and away the vast majority of people were friendly, patient and understanding, (even if they spoke too fast).
Now that I have written these things, it occurs to me that they apply about the way I interact with a lot of people in a lot of jobs and roles. So, I'll be more patient and friendlier.
And have a great race! (That was our improvised send off to everyone as they walked away.)
At any rate, now that I have been on the other side of the table, I offer some tips I learned tonight.
1. Speak your name SLOWLY. I am in my 40s, but still able to process people's names. But I am not writing them down. And I really don't remember anything beyond the first two letters -- at first. So, say your name, and repeat it SLOWLY. Please be patient. This is not rocket surgery, but on the other hand, I have never met you, have no idea what your name is and really, it is kinda confusing when you tell me your last name is Zihuatanejo and start Z-I-H-U. . . So, please, slowly.
2. Speak loudly. It is crowded. In a crowed room, with other people picking up numbers next to you. So please speak so I can hear.
3. Smile, please. I am volunteering, as a service to you, and I enjoy the company of my fellow runners. It makes my time go quicker to smile and be smiled at. So, I know you are in a hurry, but remember, this is all about fun.
I worked for about three hours, and am pleased to say that I did not meet a single rude person. By far and away the vast majority of people were friendly, patient and understanding, (even if they spoke too fast).
Now that I have written these things, it occurs to me that they apply about the way I interact with a lot of people in a lot of jobs and roles. So, I'll be more patient and friendlier.
And have a great race! (That was our improvised send off to everyone as they walked away.)
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Post Marathon Thoughts
1. A great experience. While I wish I did better, I am happy with my result. Really. I have pictures from my March race that motivated this fitness kick. Compare that to a picture from the marathon. Wow, what a difference seven months can make.
2. Injury report -- Four, count 'em, four dead toenails, and two nasty blood blisters under two of them. And a huge blister on the side of the big toe on my right foot. The second toe on my right foot is now only moderately disgusting; after the race it was unbelievably gross. Before the race, that toe already had toenail issues (it was purple and dead, with a new nail growing underneath). I trimmed the nail the night before, and thought this could turn out badly. Race day produced an enormous blister on the end of the toe, a blood blister under the new nail, and just all around grossness. But, remarkably, it didn't hurt too badly. And now it is just a black toe with a seriously messed up toenail that I suspect will fall off any day.
3. Mentally, it was a struggle. This last month was one of the longest work months for me in years. (Lawyers work in billable hours; I billed more hours last month than I have in almost ten years. And that is a lot.) In fact, I worked the the entire Saturday before the race on Sunday. I was supposed to fly out on Sunday night --marathon day -- for a trial that started Tuesday. I flew out at 6 a.m. on Monday (day after the race) instead. That is just hard to focus and be tough on race day. I also couldn't risk just crushing myself in the race -- I had a big work week in front of me. So, that inability to mentally focus on the race was a factor. As was...
4. Lack of Training -- I didn't train enough in September and October. Hey, that's life, work, etc. Hard to be too mad about that.
5. FIRST. The FIRST training program did not get a clear shot with me. As my life got busy in September and October, my workouts became fewer and fewer. In reality, I hardly ran 3 times a week, much less run 3 times a week and do the 2 cross training workouts FIRST called for. So, in reality, I kind of ended up doing the Runners World "busy man" workout. That schedule was three hard workouts a week, and other runs or workouts were gravy. That was the best I could do, so that became my plan by default.
6. Garmin Running with my Garmin was both a blessing and a curse. Watching the data, I knew my heart rate was too high early in the race and thus probably unsustainable over 26.2. And, as it turned out, I couldn't sustain it. But was that because mentally I knew my Garmy had me running too fast and hitting a wall? Or, did I simply hit that physical limitation as reflected by my Garmin? In other words, did I go out too fast? Or did the Garmin create a self-fulfilling prophecy? I am undecided. And the virtual race partner went crazy on mile 24 and really threw me out of sorts. Initially, it tracks your projected finish time versus a "virtual steady state training partner", and shows how far ahead or behind you are of that racer. Late in the race, the ahead/behind had huge swings. I had it set on 8:00 miles. Thus, if I ran an 8:30 mile, I thought I would be 30 seconds behind. But my pace guy was going crazy. On a walk break, it would show me like 20 minutes behind. I would say to myself "holy sh-t, I better get going!" And then when I was running I would be only 8 minutes behind. It should just track the gap, as I didn't have the distance programmed in. I am guessing that the algorithm goes a little crazy after 20ish miles. All in all, would I run with Garmy again? Yes. But with a huge grain of salt.
I haven't decided on a future running goal yet. My A-1 goal is not to lose fitness and gain a bunch of weight this holiday season. Maybe a late March or early April marathon. For now I have to work the NYRR 60K (that's right -- 36.6 miles) on Nov. 21, and run a 4 miler on Nov. 22. And then I am in NY marathon in 2010. And I will be there, faster, stronger, fitter.
2. Injury report -- Four, count 'em, four dead toenails, and two nasty blood blisters under two of them. And a huge blister on the side of the big toe on my right foot. The second toe on my right foot is now only moderately disgusting; after the race it was unbelievably gross. Before the race, that toe already had toenail issues (it was purple and dead, with a new nail growing underneath). I trimmed the nail the night before, and thought this could turn out badly. Race day produced an enormous blister on the end of the toe, a blood blister under the new nail, and just all around grossness. But, remarkably, it didn't hurt too badly. And now it is just a black toe with a seriously messed up toenail that I suspect will fall off any day.
3. Mentally, it was a struggle. This last month was one of the longest work months for me in years. (Lawyers work in billable hours; I billed more hours last month than I have in almost ten years. And that is a lot.) In fact, I worked the the entire Saturday before the race on Sunday. I was supposed to fly out on Sunday night --marathon day -- for a trial that started Tuesday. I flew out at 6 a.m. on Monday (day after the race) instead. That is just hard to focus and be tough on race day. I also couldn't risk just crushing myself in the race -- I had a big work week in front of me. So, that inability to mentally focus on the race was a factor. As was...
4. Lack of Training -- I didn't train enough in September and October. Hey, that's life, work, etc. Hard to be too mad about that.
5. FIRST. The FIRST training program did not get a clear shot with me. As my life got busy in September and October, my workouts became fewer and fewer. In reality, I hardly ran 3 times a week, much less run 3 times a week and do the 2 cross training workouts FIRST called for. So, in reality, I kind of ended up doing the Runners World "busy man" workout. That schedule was three hard workouts a week, and other runs or workouts were gravy. That was the best I could do, so that became my plan by default.
6. Garmin Running with my Garmin was both a blessing and a curse. Watching the data, I knew my heart rate was too high early in the race and thus probably unsustainable over 26.2. And, as it turned out, I couldn't sustain it. But was that because mentally I knew my Garmy had me running too fast and hitting a wall? Or, did I simply hit that physical limitation as reflected by my Garmin? In other words, did I go out too fast? Or did the Garmin create a self-fulfilling prophecy? I am undecided. And the virtual race partner went crazy on mile 24 and really threw me out of sorts. Initially, it tracks your projected finish time versus a "virtual steady state training partner", and shows how far ahead or behind you are of that racer. Late in the race, the ahead/behind had huge swings. I had it set on 8:00 miles. Thus, if I ran an 8:30 mile, I thought I would be 30 seconds behind. But my pace guy was going crazy. On a walk break, it would show me like 20 minutes behind. I would say to myself "holy sh-t, I better get going!" And then when I was running I would be only 8 minutes behind. It should just track the gap, as I didn't have the distance programmed in. I am guessing that the algorithm goes a little crazy after 20ish miles. All in all, would I run with Garmy again? Yes. But with a huge grain of salt.
I haven't decided on a future running goal yet. My A-1 goal is not to lose fitness and gain a bunch of weight this holiday season. Maybe a late March or early April marathon. For now I have to work the NYRR 60K (that's right -- 36.6 miles) on Nov. 21, and run a 4 miler on Nov. 22. And then I am in NY marathon in 2010. And I will be there, faster, stronger, fitter.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Notes From the Expo
Just went to the NY marathon runners Expo. My thoughts:
1. What a madhouse!!! Had all the hallmarks of an NYRR event -- Lots of people, but very well organized. Just lots of people, runners, foreign tourists. They need more space! All of the booths were jam packed with people. And the official Asics marathon store was a nightmare. If I want any marathon gear, I'll order online.
2. There is a recession upon us. The booths are not nearly as elaborate or fancy as years past. And fewer of them.
3. Met Brian Sell. He was just sitting at a table at the Brooks booth, and struck up a conversation with him. I always thought he looked bigger and brawnier than the other runners. In real life, he isn't. I am big and brawny; he is lean and fit.
4. Power Bar has these new Energy Bites. Not the energy gels or protein gels, but like marble size chunks of carbs. They tasted good. But they were sold out of them! What is the point of free samples, if they don't sell them?
5. Seeing your picture is cool. Several years ago, I ran with a charity team. (More on that in another post; a great experience, but I just couldn't commit this year.) Anyway, behind their big booth at the marathon are poster boards about 8'x6' showing runners, and faces. My face is one them! From circa 2006, with a big huge grin on my face, about 1'x1'. Thats still pretty cool.
6. Lots of energy and enthusiasm for Sunday. Of course, it is now supposed to rain. But I know I am well trained for running in the rain!
And how New York gets by with the Javits Center as the main convention space is a mystery to me. It is so inconvenient, it is just scary.
1. What a madhouse!!! Had all the hallmarks of an NYRR event -- Lots of people, but very well organized. Just lots of people, runners, foreign tourists. They need more space! All of the booths were jam packed with people. And the official Asics marathon store was a nightmare. If I want any marathon gear, I'll order online.
2. There is a recession upon us. The booths are not nearly as elaborate or fancy as years past. And fewer of them.
3. Met Brian Sell. He was just sitting at a table at the Brooks booth, and struck up a conversation with him. I always thought he looked bigger and brawnier than the other runners. In real life, he isn't. I am big and brawny; he is lean and fit.
4. Power Bar has these new Energy Bites. Not the energy gels or protein gels, but like marble size chunks of carbs. They tasted good. But they were sold out of them! What is the point of free samples, if they don't sell them?
5. Seeing your picture is cool. Several years ago, I ran with a charity team. (More on that in another post; a great experience, but I just couldn't commit this year.) Anyway, behind their big booth at the marathon are poster boards about 8'x6' showing runners, and faces. My face is one them! From circa 2006, with a big huge grin on my face, about 1'x1'. Thats still pretty cool.
6. Lots of energy and enthusiasm for Sunday. Of course, it is now supposed to rain. But I know I am well trained for running in the rain!
And how New York gets by with the Javits Center as the main convention space is a mystery to me. It is so inconvenient, it is just scary.
Monday, October 26, 2009
The Big Goal...
My favorite moment in any race, is Mile 16-17 in the New York Marathon. That is the mile where the runners come off the 59th Street Bridge and enter Manhattan on First Avenue. I wish that everyone, at one point in their life, could experience coming off the 59th Street bridge during the marathon. The bridge is eerily quiet, particularly after running 15 miles through the crowds in Brooklyn and Queens. If you have never run the NY marathon before, literally, almost every spot on the course has people cheering. Kids offering oranges, bands playing, people clapping, calling your name. It is great.
Coming off the bridge is also highly symbolic for me, in that this is the point when the race comes home. To Manhattan, to Central Park, to the place I have lived for 17 years. Coming off the bridge, onto First Avenue, there is simply a wall of noise, with people on First Avenue lined up 10 deep cheering runners on. My family waits at Mile 18, with my older daughter holding a homemade sign that says "Go Dad!" and seeing her jump up and down with excitement as I approach from the crowd.
That is why I run. All that training is for those moments. Everyone should feel that once in their life. It is priceless and indescribable.
Given that, I reluctantly commit to time goals in advance of marathons. Too much can happen, and I run for the experience. Well, not really, but also because I am afraid of crashing and burning and not hitting the goal. But, on the other hand, I have told my wife (Mrs. Wolve) my goal, so here goes.
My last serious race was the Fairfield Half Marathon in June. I ran 1:39:30. I was very very pleased. Various time predictors and calculators had this as equivalent to a 3:27 marathon. Wow...that is really fast given that I weighed 230 pounds on March 15 of this year and could barely run 5 miles.
So I set my goal paces at 8:00 per mile -- about 20 seconds per mile slower than my half marathon time. And before I had started marathon training. I figured it would give me some cushion to finish, and finish with strength and still an outstanding time.
My BQ time is 3:20. As my training progressed in August and parts of September, I thought...maybe. Maybe I could do it. I was feeling strong, and 3:20 is about 7:40 per mile -- the same pace as my half marathon. And the prize..a BQ..wow. Who cares if I crashed and burned? Better to go out a lion than a lamb. Better to have tried and failed than never tried at all. Blah blah, more high school coaching cliches. I told my father (who was a spectacular athlete but not a runner) of the 3:30/3:20 dilemma, and he said .. what difference is 10 minutes really? I was like... yeah...its only 20 seconds per mile...I can do that..I did it in Fairfield...
Well, a kind of bad October with work and training brought me crashing back to reality. I wouldn't make it. And nothing sucks worse than going out too fast and truly crashing. It is not like hurting and slowing down or taking a walk break, but outright crashing hurts and is dangerous. So, I am not going to push it. It is just not the right time for it. BQ remains a goal for next year.
So, I am back to 3:30. That still would be a great, great result for me. In fact anything that has a 3:3X in it, is just awesome. And a PR, and a great result. So there it is: goal time 3:30. Super secret goal, 3:2X. I'll be OK with anything in 3:3X, and even 3:4X is not so bad really.
Am I nervous? yes. Am I excited? Absolutely! And I can't wait.
Coming off the bridge is also highly symbolic for me, in that this is the point when the race comes home. To Manhattan, to Central Park, to the place I have lived for 17 years. Coming off the bridge, onto First Avenue, there is simply a wall of noise, with people on First Avenue lined up 10 deep cheering runners on. My family waits at Mile 18, with my older daughter holding a homemade sign that says "Go Dad!" and seeing her jump up and down with excitement as I approach from the crowd.
That is why I run. All that training is for those moments. Everyone should feel that once in their life. It is priceless and indescribable.
Given that, I reluctantly commit to time goals in advance of marathons. Too much can happen, and I run for the experience. Well, not really, but also because I am afraid of crashing and burning and not hitting the goal. But, on the other hand, I have told my wife (Mrs. Wolve) my goal, so here goes.
My last serious race was the Fairfield Half Marathon in June. I ran 1:39:30. I was very very pleased. Various time predictors and calculators had this as equivalent to a 3:27 marathon. Wow...that is really fast given that I weighed 230 pounds on March 15 of this year and could barely run 5 miles.
So I set my goal paces at 8:00 per mile -- about 20 seconds per mile slower than my half marathon time. And before I had started marathon training. I figured it would give me some cushion to finish, and finish with strength and still an outstanding time.
My BQ time is 3:20. As my training progressed in August and parts of September, I thought...maybe. Maybe I could do it. I was feeling strong, and 3:20 is about 7:40 per mile -- the same pace as my half marathon. And the prize..a BQ..wow. Who cares if I crashed and burned? Better to go out a lion than a lamb. Better to have tried and failed than never tried at all. Blah blah, more high school coaching cliches. I told my father (who was a spectacular athlete but not a runner) of the 3:30/3:20 dilemma, and he said .. what difference is 10 minutes really? I was like... yeah...its only 20 seconds per mile...I can do that..I did it in Fairfield...
Well, a kind of bad October with work and training brought me crashing back to reality. I wouldn't make it. And nothing sucks worse than going out too fast and truly crashing. It is not like hurting and slowing down or taking a walk break, but outright crashing hurts and is dangerous. So, I am not going to push it. It is just not the right time for it. BQ remains a goal for next year.
So, I am back to 3:30. That still would be a great, great result for me. In fact anything that has a 3:3X in it, is just awesome. And a PR, and a great result. So there it is: goal time 3:30. Super secret goal, 3:2X. I'll be OK with anything in 3:3X, and even 3:4X is not so bad really.
Am I nervous? yes. Am I excited? Absolutely! And I can't wait.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Grete's Great Uncertainty
Saturday is the 2009 version of Grete's Great Gallop, a half marathon that is essentially two loops around Central Park. It is a celebration of all things Norwegian, and Grete Waitz is the race starter and inspiration. I have run this race once before, in 2007. It was run the same day as the Chicago Marathon. You know, that Chicago Marathon, when they canceled it midstream because of the heat. Well it was that hot that weekend in New York also, maybe 85 degrees. Race temp was in mid-70s as I recall.
The race was a disaster for me. All things are relative, and I think I finished in 1:55 or so. But I cracked at about mile 10 and had to break stride and walk for a bit. And I was exhausted that entire day. Dazed really. I remember showering at my gym afterwards (it was in the city, so I showered before meeting up with the family for lunch), and just sitting on a bench being unable to move. My wife (Mrs. Wolve) said I was more exhausted and dazed than after running a marathon. Of course, I had no idea of the problems unfolding in Chicago which made mine seem trivial, but that race 100% kicked my ass.
So, Sunday I go back for more. I've run other half marathons since, and never had a repeat of Greta's Great Disaster. In my marathon training program, this week's long run is a 15 miler at Marathon Pace (MP for people who don't know FIRST) plus 10 seconds. So I am going to sub in the 13.2 mile half at Marathon Pace minus 10 seconds pace. That won't be close a PR, and that is always hard to deal with: a goal not to do your very best. But I haven't run a race in three months, and I need to capture that feeling again. I need the practice of dealing with the crowds, the pacing strategy (or lack thereof) and drinking at water stations. Just need to hone that race edge.
And hopefully wrestle with bear in the back of my mind that is an unpleasant memory.
The race was a disaster for me. All things are relative, and I think I finished in 1:55 or so. But I cracked at about mile 10 and had to break stride and walk for a bit. And I was exhausted that entire day. Dazed really. I remember showering at my gym afterwards (it was in the city, so I showered before meeting up with the family for lunch), and just sitting on a bench being unable to move. My wife (Mrs. Wolve) said I was more exhausted and dazed than after running a marathon. Of course, I had no idea of the problems unfolding in Chicago which made mine seem trivial, but that race 100% kicked my ass.
So, Sunday I go back for more. I've run other half marathons since, and never had a repeat of Greta's Great Disaster. In my marathon training program, this week's long run is a 15 miler at Marathon Pace (MP for people who don't know FIRST) plus 10 seconds. So I am going to sub in the 13.2 mile half at Marathon Pace minus 10 seconds pace. That won't be close a PR, and that is always hard to deal with: a goal not to do your very best. But I haven't run a race in three months, and I need to capture that feeling again. I need the practice of dealing with the crowds, the pacing strategy (or lack thereof) and drinking at water stations. Just need to hone that race edge.
And hopefully wrestle with bear in the back of my mind that is an unpleasant memory.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Scotland 10K report
Ahh, April showers bring...what exactly? Morning broke and it was a constant rain. More than a drizzle, not quite a downpour. But the race is on nonetheless. Over 7500 racers finished the race - running 6.2 miles on a Saturday morning in the rain.
At the pre-start, they passed out a goodie bag and in it was a poncho. Thankfully, I picked up my number at the race - and I had the poncho in th bag. I know that if I would have picked up my number (and thus poncho) earlier in the week, I never would have realized what the poncho was (it looked like a clear garbage bag with a scottish flag on it), much less brought it to the race. So, I wore it pre race, and at least I was somewhat out of the rain. Oh, and the baggage area was a mud pit. And after we got in the corral, just standing there in the rain, already wet, trying to get ready waiting to start was a little tough.
Onto the race - nice start, national anthem on bagpipes. Scottish speaker of Parliament welcoming us with Scottish weather.
The race started on 62nd on west side. The first mile is actually uphill, but with adrenalin, etc., still a fast mile - 7:49. Second mile up and down on west side before the descent on the Harlem Hill. Mile 2 - 7:50 Mile 3 is down the Harlem hill and starting up the east side. Time: 7:42. Mile 3 to 4 is the crusher - up the Harlem hills to the reservoir. And it was still raining. Mile 4 is 8:08. Mile 5 and 6 are downhill and around bottom of park. Both were 7:51 or so. Garmin had my race at 6.32 miles(nearly an 1/8th mile longer than NYRR race course) and a time of 49:32. Ended up in 2000th place or so.
A good strong race for me. Watched my heart rate and it really helped.
One last note - the fans and volunteers were GREAT! If there was one thing worse than running 6.2 in the rain, it was standing there watching and cheering. And there were more on this race than any I've seen. Can't help but make you smile as they cheer you on.
At the pre-start, they passed out a goodie bag and in it was a poncho. Thankfully, I picked up my number at the race - and I had the poncho in th bag. I know that if I would have picked up my number (and thus poncho) earlier in the week, I never would have realized what the poncho was (it looked like a clear garbage bag with a scottish flag on it), much less brought it to the race. So, I wore it pre race, and at least I was somewhat out of the rain. Oh, and the baggage area was a mud pit. And after we got in the corral, just standing there in the rain, already wet, trying to get ready waiting to start was a little tough.
Onto the race - nice start, national anthem on bagpipes. Scottish speaker of Parliament welcoming us with Scottish weather.
The race started on 62nd on west side. The first mile is actually uphill, but with adrenalin, etc., still a fast mile - 7:49. Second mile up and down on west side before the descent on the Harlem Hill. Mile 2 - 7:50 Mile 3 is down the Harlem hill and starting up the east side. Time: 7:42. Mile 3 to 4 is the crusher - up the Harlem hills to the reservoir. And it was still raining. Mile 4 is 8:08. Mile 5 and 6 are downhill and around bottom of park. Both were 7:51 or so. Garmin had my race at 6.32 miles(nearly an 1/8th mile longer than NYRR race course) and a time of 49:32. Ended up in 2000th place or so.
A good strong race for me. Watched my heart rate and it really helped.
One last note - the fans and volunteers were GREAT! If there was one thing worse than running 6.2 in the rain, it was standing there watching and cheering. And there were more on this race than any I've seen. Can't help but make you smile as they cheer you on.
Monday, March 16, 2009
NYRR 8000 Race Report
My first race in nearly a year, and I had no idea how I would do. If I broke 10:00 a mile in current shape I would have been pleased.
A couple of pre-race thoughts: first, I drove in and parked at a public parking garage at 105th and Madison (I didn't even know there were municipal parking garages in NYC.) Total bill for parking for 2 hours: $8.00 -- an incredible bargain. Second, I had to pick up my number pre-race. NYRR was not too clear on the website, but pre-race number pick up was not at the race; it was at NYRR -- 89th and Fifth. (Note to NYRR -- make that clearer, please.) So, I walked from 105th to inside the park at 98th to be told to go to 89th and then back to 101st before race started. Good thing I had enough time and had gotten to the course early. It was a great morning to run. A little chilly, but I ran in shorts no problem (I bet most of the people wearing tights wished they had taken them off.)
One more pre-race note. The start of the race was on a downhill slope. I looked behind me, up the hill, and could see the runners lined up behind me. Wow -- what a sight. You never realize how many people are really running a race like this until you can see them lined up in the chute. And makes you appreciate the organizational skill of NYRR.
On to the race... Started like all NYRR races. I like the new seeding and corral system. It really helps overcrowding and bunching up, particularly at the beginning of the race. Now, with the corrals, the first mile is not a survival of the fittest and you can actually run. Course started on E101 and turned left on the 102d St. Transverse. That is almost all downhill. Garmy showed me running first half in 7:20 pace...WHOA... way too fast.. I know that Cat Hill looms in mile 4 and no way can I keep anywhere near that pace, downhill or not. That is the race effect -- going out with a fast group, feeling fast, running with the crowd. So I slowed down. Mile 1 -- 8:18. I had made a bet the night before in midst of drinking whether (i) I would get up and actually go to the race; and (ii) I could break 45 minutes. I am here and 45 seconds ahead of pace.
Mile 2 was down west side of park and felt pretty easy really. I run on hills in Westchester, so the up and down of the park does not really bother me much. Mile 2: 8:23, now 1 minute ahead of pace, but that Cat Hill, which killed me in Grete's Gallop a couple of years ago, is still to come.
Mile 3 was around bottom of park, into the morning sun. Still felt pretty good but definitely feeling that wine from night before. 8:25 Oh, and my Garmin has the NYRR mile marks about 15 feet too long each time. But now unless I just come undone, I am going to win my bet and break 45.
Mile 4 -- up the hill. Yuck. I slowed down and conserved some energy because I knew I was OK on time, 9:02, but definitely hurting here.
Mile 5 is down the straight away around the reservoir and down the hill to the finish. The straightaway is runs slightly downhill from south to north actually, as I know from running it the other direction where it is up hill (deceptive though) time for mile 4-5 was 8:34.
Overall net time 42:56. Garmy had the course at 5.03 (not 4.97), so actually pretty strong. Hard to be disappointed...won my bet.. and I made it in nearly same time I had run my last 5 miler 9 months earlier.
But boy do I have a long way to go to.
Oh, and I have two blisters on my feet on inside of heel. Ran in a new pair of Asics 2140 and I guess they had not been broken in. Not so good, but hey the joy of the race makes the blisters a small price to pay.
A couple of pre-race thoughts: first, I drove in and parked at a public parking garage at 105th and Madison (I didn't even know there were municipal parking garages in NYC.) Total bill for parking for 2 hours: $8.00 -- an incredible bargain. Second, I had to pick up my number pre-race. NYRR was not too clear on the website, but pre-race number pick up was not at the race; it was at NYRR -- 89th and Fifth. (Note to NYRR -- make that clearer, please.) So, I walked from 105th to inside the park at 98th to be told to go to 89th and then back to 101st before race started. Good thing I had enough time and had gotten to the course early. It was a great morning to run. A little chilly, but I ran in shorts no problem (I bet most of the people wearing tights wished they had taken them off.)
One more pre-race note. The start of the race was on a downhill slope. I looked behind me, up the hill, and could see the runners lined up behind me. Wow -- what a sight. You never realize how many people are really running a race like this until you can see them lined up in the chute. And makes you appreciate the organizational skill of NYRR.
On to the race... Started like all NYRR races. I like the new seeding and corral system. It really helps overcrowding and bunching up, particularly at the beginning of the race. Now, with the corrals, the first mile is not a survival of the fittest and you can actually run. Course started on E101 and turned left on the 102d St. Transverse. That is almost all downhill. Garmy showed me running first half in 7:20 pace...WHOA... way too fast.. I know that Cat Hill looms in mile 4 and no way can I keep anywhere near that pace, downhill or not. That is the race effect -- going out with a fast group, feeling fast, running with the crowd. So I slowed down. Mile 1 -- 8:18. I had made a bet the night before in midst of drinking whether (i) I would get up and actually go to the race; and (ii) I could break 45 minutes. I am here and 45 seconds ahead of pace.
Mile 2 was down west side of park and felt pretty easy really. I run on hills in Westchester, so the up and down of the park does not really bother me much. Mile 2: 8:23, now 1 minute ahead of pace, but that Cat Hill, which killed me in Grete's Gallop a couple of years ago, is still to come.
Mile 3 was around bottom of park, into the morning sun. Still felt pretty good but definitely feeling that wine from night before. 8:25 Oh, and my Garmin has the NYRR mile marks about 15 feet too long each time. But now unless I just come undone, I am going to win my bet and break 45.
Mile 4 -- up the hill. Yuck. I slowed down and conserved some energy because I knew I was OK on time, 9:02, but definitely hurting here.
Mile 5 is down the straight away around the reservoir and down the hill to the finish. The straightaway is runs slightly downhill from south to north actually, as I know from running it the other direction where it is up hill (deceptive though) time for mile 4-5 was 8:34.
Overall net time 42:56. Garmy had the course at 5.03 (not 4.97), so actually pretty strong. Hard to be disappointed...won my bet.. and I made it in nearly same time I had run my last 5 miler 9 months earlier.
But boy do I have a long way to go to.
Oh, and I have two blisters on my feet on inside of heel. Ran in a new pair of Asics 2140 and I guess they had not been broken in. Not so good, but hey the joy of the race makes the blisters a small price to pay.
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