Last weekend, I did something I have never done...three races in two days. A series of events led me to that sequence, and it was all good. First, the NYRR 18mile training run was on Sunday. I did that race last year, and it was really helpful in terms of confidence, training, etc. 3 loops around Central Park, with water, gels, timers, etc., is just a really great way to do a long run. And, if you can do it well, a great boost of confidence. The hills...just get you. So, I was signed up for that one long time ago, and was sort of a "target race."
Second, I learned that on Saturday our little home town was hosting an inaugural 5 mile race. I had to do that one also. But the plan was to just run it, not race it, and save the energy for the Sunday 18 miler.
Third, on Saturday was the Fifth Avenue mile. The timing worked out just right...after the 5 mile race, the mile race was about an hour later, so get in the car, go, run a mile. Truthfully, I am no fan of a one mile race. It is a usually pretty big hassle to get out of the house, into the city, park the car and go run. So, to do all of that for just one mile really is anticlimactic. But, I needed the race for my 9+1 marathon entry next year, and I am beginning to run out of qualifying races. So, I more or less had to do this race.
The first race on the weekend schedule was the Saturday morning local five miler. The plan was to take it slow, have a good run and then go to the one mile race about an hour later. But, of course) the competitive juices started flowing when I saw the other local runners there, and I wanted to win. I didn't win. I finish overall in mid twenties, and just outside top three in my age group, losing to at least two people I know. That bummed me out, but I rationalized it because I was saving myself for my long run on Sunday. I actually ended up with around 7:20 pace...much faster than I intended.
Second race that day was the Fifth Avenue Mile. I had zero adrenaline for this run. I showed up, got my number, and was in the corral. Bang! The horn started and we were off. I went... slooooowwww... and finished in the back of the pack. Surprisingly, as we were getting to the end, I saw I had a chance to run a sub 7:00 mile, so I kicked. Ended up at 6:53 -- not so bad! (I ran 6:09 nearly 6 years ago when I was really trying in this race.) Total elapsed time was 45 minutes. Amazing. I did get a ticket though...
I assumed I would pay for that the next morning on the 18 miler.
Sunday morning came early (5:15 a.m.), and I went into the city for the 18 miler. A gorgeous morning to run...sunny, mid 50s, perfect. Except, as I was driving in, the garage I usually park at in Harlem was...closed! Oh no, I had nowhere to park. I drove around looking and after about 15 minutes ended up in another garage, and had to hustle to the start line. I made it by about 5 minutes. I had zero adrenaline going, and was still pretty freaked out about parking, and being late to the race. I was tying my shoes as the gun went off. It was weird to have so little "psyche" at the beginning of a long run. Anyway, the plan was for 9:00 miles (PMP+30). (And NYRR, why no love to me? I am now in the third corral (2000's)?).
The first couple miles went 8:45 or so, and then I ended up settling in around 8:30. The last six mile loop I kicked it in and ran 8:10 or so, and then the last couple miles were sub 8:00. Very strong. Very pleased, particularly given the previous day's effort. And honestly, I felt like I could have made another loop if I had to. I was tired, but not crushed; (I did have chafe though. And a GI issue at mile 7, a result of being late to the race. ). And then, home by 10:30 a.m. Very strange to have so much under my belt by 10:30 on a Sunday morning, come home and cook pancakes for the little ones.
All in all, a great running weekend. And I took Monday off to rest. I was sore, but not super sore. Today is a running day, and I plan an easy run.
Showing posts with label central park. Show all posts
Showing posts with label central park. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
Great Running Weekend and a Race Report
After the session with the running coach, i had a couple of unmemorable workouts. But I knew I had a pretty big weekend lined up...the Team Championship on Saturday and a long run on Sunday. The Team Championship is for really fast runners. It is 5 miles around Central Park, and to put it in perspective, I ran this race in 2009 at 7:02 pace -- and finished in the bottom half. So I didn't have any expectations on the run, just a fast tempo workout.
Race day was fine -- 70ish, humid, but no rain during the race (that came later). And i welcomed a new friend -- my new Garmin 410! I bought a refurbished unit, and it arrived the night before. After a charge up, was ready to go -- maybe my old one was defective, but the new one is light years better. the buttons, the battery everything is better. And it seems like it just works. After a suggestion from DC Rainmaker, I used the heart rate strap from my Polar HRM with the Garmin receiver snapped on front. It worked great -- much better and more consistent data than the Garmin strap.
Race was pretty standard -- Mile 1 downhill, two and three rolling but basically up hill and 4 and 5 flat with the exception of cat hill (about 400m long) at end of Mile 3. My goal time was...40 minutes. A strong 8:00 pace on the hilly course, humid morning. I don;t remember much about the race except it seemed like EVERYONE passed me. My race number was in the 7000's, which is highest I can ever recall, so i started way in the back. And it still seemed like everyone passed me. To cut to the chase, I ended up at 39:11, for 7:50 pace, so I was quite pleased, AG of 60% -- and I finished in the 75% percentile. That's right, basically bottom quarter. Running can be humbling.
After the race, I walked back to my car, and stopped to get cash at a little deli. Inside was a Cuban kitchen making homemade, from scratch food. I never eat in places like that, but I thought, eh, why not? A plate of scrambled eggs, with green pepper, onion and ham, smashed green plantains and a slice of bacon. Beyond delicious.
Then Sunday, I need a long run. I thought I would just go around my typical route around home, and then I decided, why not go back to Central Park? My family is gone for the weekend, I had nothing to do, so why not run in a truly great place? I geared up (packed a bag with water and Gatorade to leave in the bushes, found a perfect parking spot) and set off. Goal was 10 miles at 9:00 pace. It was the afternoon though, a quite a bit warmer -- 82 or so, and the day after a pretty good "tempo" run in the race from day before. And the hills of Central park. But I hit my paces pretty well, and heart rate wasn't crazy, so was a good long run -10.25 miles at 1:31. After running though, I was really wiped out. I stiffened up, but really felt pretty good. And another gorgeous day in Central Park.
All in all a pretty gosh darned awesome NYC running weekend. Weekends like that make me love the city and being a runner.
Race day was fine -- 70ish, humid, but no rain during the race (that came later). And i welcomed a new friend -- my new Garmin 410! I bought a refurbished unit, and it arrived the night before. After a charge up, was ready to go -- maybe my old one was defective, but the new one is light years better. the buttons, the battery everything is better. And it seems like it just works. After a suggestion from DC Rainmaker, I used the heart rate strap from my Polar HRM with the Garmin receiver snapped on front. It worked great -- much better and more consistent data than the Garmin strap.
Race was pretty standard -- Mile 1 downhill, two and three rolling but basically up hill and 4 and 5 flat with the exception of cat hill (about 400m long) at end of Mile 3. My goal time was...40 minutes. A strong 8:00 pace on the hilly course, humid morning. I don;t remember much about the race except it seemed like EVERYONE passed me. My race number was in the 7000's, which is highest I can ever recall, so i started way in the back. And it still seemed like everyone passed me. To cut to the chase, I ended up at 39:11, for 7:50 pace, so I was quite pleased, AG of 60% -- and I finished in the 75% percentile. That's right, basically bottom quarter. Running can be humbling.
After the race, I walked back to my car, and stopped to get cash at a little deli. Inside was a Cuban kitchen making homemade, from scratch food. I never eat in places like that, but I thought, eh, why not? A plate of scrambled eggs, with green pepper, onion and ham, smashed green plantains and a slice of bacon. Beyond delicious.
Then Sunday, I need a long run. I thought I would just go around my typical route around home, and then I decided, why not go back to Central Park? My family is gone for the weekend, I had nothing to do, so why not run in a truly great place? I geared up (packed a bag with water and Gatorade to leave in the bushes, found a perfect parking spot) and set off. Goal was 10 miles at 9:00 pace. It was the afternoon though, a quite a bit warmer -- 82 or so, and the day after a pretty good "tempo" run in the race from day before. And the hills of Central park. But I hit my paces pretty well, and heart rate wasn't crazy, so was a good long run -10.25 miles at 1:31. After running though, I was really wiped out. I stiffened up, but really felt pretty good. And another gorgeous day in Central Park.
All in all a pretty gosh darned awesome NYC running weekend. Weekends like that make me love the city and being a runner.
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
A Running Coach
For those new to my blog and world, i have never had a running coach, or a running team or any formal training, mentoring or monitoring. I do what I think is right based on how I feel, and what I read. And that has served me pretty well. At least until I get hurt, and have to sit out for awhile. But, after trying the "lets just do a lot of what I do and I will get better" approach in golf this year -- which was a miserable failure -- I decided to work with someone on running basics. I don't need workouts and training so much as someone to say yes that right, no that isn't, here work on this, keep this mental image in mind.
So i met with a coach last night. I genuinely enjoyed it. The good news is that I am not doing anything radically wrong, in his opinion. I feared I was over-striding, but he didn't think so. My arms need work, my knees need to come up more, and I am "carrying some weight in the midsection" that isn't helpful. (Politest way I have ever heard that I need to drop a few!).
It was about stretching, loosening up to promote flexibility. Strides. Speed drills. Arm position and drive. All of which I can work on and intend to in the coming months. Also I am working on the "midsection" girth issue. Was it life changing? No. Was it helpful? Absolutely. I was also just ..fun ..to have someone to talk to about running, my theories, my form, my training.
My wife is not interested in my coach, etc. or much about running (not that I blame her much)...
I intend to meet with him once very several weeks over the next couple months to evaluate progress, pointers, etc.
And it was a gorgeous night in Central Park. Easy to lose perspective with the sun setting over the Reservoir in 80 degree weather on a summer night in Central park.
So i met with a coach last night. I genuinely enjoyed it. The good news is that I am not doing anything radically wrong, in his opinion. I feared I was over-striding, but he didn't think so. My arms need work, my knees need to come up more, and I am "carrying some weight in the midsection" that isn't helpful. (Politest way I have ever heard that I need to drop a few!).
It was about stretching, loosening up to promote flexibility. Strides. Speed drills. Arm position and drive. All of which I can work on and intend to in the coming months. Also I am working on the "midsection" girth issue. Was it life changing? No. Was it helpful? Absolutely. I was also just ..fun ..to have someone to talk to about running, my theories, my form, my training.
My wife is not interested in my coach, etc. or much about running (not that I blame her much)...
I intend to meet with him once very several weeks over the next couple months to evaluate progress, pointers, etc.
And it was a gorgeous night in Central Park. Easy to lose perspective with the sun setting over the Reservoir in 80 degree weather on a summer night in Central park.
Monday, May 14, 2012
Beautiful Day
Friday night, on the way home from work, a co-worker invited me to have a drink. I knew I shouldn't. I knew I would regret it come the next morning, as it would make exponentially greater the odds I would blow off the race. Or, if I actually did it, run poorly. But, it was Friday, after a long week...Ok what the heck? But I knew I was going to regret it.
Saturday morning rolled around, and at 6 a.m., I really, really did not feel like running. But I slogged out of bed, got geared up (which thankfully I had fully laid out all the clothes and gear the night before), and got out the door.
And what a morning it was! Crystal clear blue sky, about 50 degrees, sunny. Absolutely gorgeous weather. When we moved last year, we also bought another car, and since it was my car, the one I drive on weekends, I bought a sports car I always wanted. (Its a convertible, and about 15 years old, but still really fun. And incredibly impractical but that is another subject.) And that was the car I hopped into to drive to Central Park for the race. Driving down the Hudson river, top down, U2's Beautiful Day came on. And you know what? Bono was right: it really was a beautiful day.
This race was huge (almost 8000 people finished). As we were lined up, I saw the big CNN sign on Central Park South: 55 degrees. Wow, and the field was absolutely world class, but I never saw them -- I was in the second corral, and lets just say the leaders went out a little faster than me.
At any rate, I finished with a 48:40, with an average pace of 7:51, Age Grade of 60.17%. (Yeah for 60%+AG!) I was extraordinarily pleased. I wanted to vomit a couple times, and really regretted those drinks with a co-worker. And the bottle of wine with dinner. I so wanted to stop, but was doing ok. Finally, at mile 5, I walked through a water stop, and that was only time I stopped. I needed the break, the water, everything. My heart rate was OK, but sheesh my stomach and head sure were spinning. (even that mile ended up at 8:12, so was basically ok.) I was very, very happy at the end.
Overall Place: 1702
Gender Place: 1443
Age Place: 183
AG: 60.17%
As I was walking back to my car -- parked down the street, about 50 yards from my first NYC apartment that I moved into 20 years ago -- I saw a woman with a T shirt that said "Smile. Breathe Deeply. Enjoy the Moment."
Indeed, exactly.
Saturday morning rolled around, and at 6 a.m., I really, really did not feel like running. But I slogged out of bed, got geared up (which thankfully I had fully laid out all the clothes and gear the night before), and got out the door.
And what a morning it was! Crystal clear blue sky, about 50 degrees, sunny. Absolutely gorgeous weather. When we moved last year, we also bought another car, and since it was my car, the one I drive on weekends, I bought a sports car I always wanted. (Its a convertible, and about 15 years old, but still really fun. And incredibly impractical but that is another subject.) And that was the car I hopped into to drive to Central Park for the race. Driving down the Hudson river, top down, U2's Beautiful Day came on. And you know what? Bono was right: it really was a beautiful day.
This race was huge (almost 8000 people finished). As we were lined up, I saw the big CNN sign on Central Park South: 55 degrees. Wow, and the field was absolutely world class, but I never saw them -- I was in the second corral, and lets just say the leaders went out a little faster than me.
At any rate, I finished with a 48:40, with an average pace of 7:51, Age Grade of 60.17%. (Yeah for 60%+AG!) I was extraordinarily pleased. I wanted to vomit a couple times, and really regretted those drinks with a co-worker. And the bottle of wine with dinner. I so wanted to stop, but was doing ok. Finally, at mile 5, I walked through a water stop, and that was only time I stopped. I needed the break, the water, everything. My heart rate was OK, but sheesh my stomach and head sure were spinning. (even that mile ended up at 8:12, so was basically ok.) I was very, very happy at the end.
Overall Place: 1702
Gender Place: 1443
Age Place: 183
AG: 60.17%
As I was walking back to my car -- parked down the street, about 50 yards from my first NYC apartment that I moved into 20 years ago -- I saw a woman with a T shirt that said "Smile. Breathe Deeply. Enjoy the Moment."
Indeed, exactly.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Tight
Earlier this week, I ran outside for the first time in a while. It was a perfect fall day here -- a little crisp, sunny and not too windy. I really was not in the mood to run, but I had scheduled the run and thought I had better just do it.
I went to Central Park, which causes several logistical problems (which is maybe why I run at the gym more often). At any rate, I took off and cruised. I had planned on going 5 miles and cutting off at the 102d St. Transverse. But when I got to the cut-off, I was feeling fine and thought, OK, I'll just go all the way around, which involves going up and down the fairly steep Harlem Hill. Still felt pretty good, and ended up feeling...well, good. First time in a loooong time that I felt like, "I got this. I can do this." Not just getting through the workout, but running. Felt great, ended up 6.2 miles in 49:49, a solid pace for me right now.
And I am at peace right now with my Garmin 405. After repeatedly crashing (and making me want to smash it with a hammer), after a couple of comments, I looked into a 310XT. Nice piece of gear, but $399. Ouch. So, I looked at the Garmin forums (fora?), and realized they had released a software update to fix the bug I had been getting (it would freeze at a mile, when it tried to record a lap; thus, say, at 4.00 miles, it would just freeze and have to be reset.) I downloaded the software update and it seems to be working much better. Lesson learned -- always check for software updates at Garmin. I actually knew this because of the "timeout" issue (where it just stops if you don't punch a button, (thus "timing out) thinking it is on in error).
It is fall and the chill is in the air. Great time to run!
I went to Central Park, which causes several logistical problems (which is maybe why I run at the gym more often). At any rate, I took off and cruised. I had planned on going 5 miles and cutting off at the 102d St. Transverse. But when I got to the cut-off, I was feeling fine and thought, OK, I'll just go all the way around, which involves going up and down the fairly steep Harlem Hill. Still felt pretty good, and ended up feeling...well, good. First time in a loooong time that I felt like, "I got this. I can do this." Not just getting through the workout, but running. Felt great, ended up 6.2 miles in 49:49, a solid pace for me right now.
And I am at peace right now with my Garmin 405. After repeatedly crashing (and making me want to smash it with a hammer), after a couple of comments, I looked into a 310XT. Nice piece of gear, but $399. Ouch. So, I looked at the Garmin forums (fora?), and realized they had released a software update to fix the bug I had been getting (it would freeze at a mile, when it tried to record a lap; thus, say, at 4.00 miles, it would just freeze and have to be reset.) I downloaded the software update and it seems to be working much better. Lesson learned -- always check for software updates at Garmin. I actually knew this because of the "timeout" issue (where it just stops if you don't punch a button, (thus "timing out) thinking it is on in error).
It is fall and the chill is in the air. Great time to run!
Monday, December 7, 2009
10K Race Report -- Joe Kleinerman 10K
Sunday was a 10K in Central Park. I had signed up for this race awhile ago, and kind of forgot about it. I had not run the week before the race for a variety of reasons, and felt a little slow. And the race was at 8 a.m. Sunday morning, the morning after several big college football games,including the SEC Championship. All of which made the odds of me actually doing this race pretty slim.
The alarm went off at 6 a.m. Sunday morning, and it was about 30 degrees outside. I really did not want to get up and go. My wife even said, eh, blow it off. But as I laid there, I rationalized that every time I wake up for a race, I debate blowing it off. And when I don't get up and go, I always regret it. And when I make it up and out to race, I am always, always happy I did. So I got up, bundled up, and made it out the door.
The race itself was chilly. About 33 degrees at race start. I wore only a long sleeve shirt and shorts during the race and nearly froze waiting for the gun to go off. My bib number was again in the 200's, which meant a start in the first corral. I didn't have great ambitions for this race, and just wanted a respectable time so I wasn't disappointed after getting up early. I set my Garmin race buddy at 7:15 pace and hoped for the best.
This course was a counterclockwise loop around Central Park, starting at around E 102nd St. The first half mile has a big downhill, with the next half mile back up that hill. Mile 2 has rolling hills, but is net uphill. Mile 3 was flat or downhill; Mile 4 had a big uphill (Cat Hill); and Miles 5 and 6 were basically downhill coming home.
So, after running to get to the corral, I made my way to the back of first corral to avoid the really fast people at the very start. And then I stood there for a while. And froze. I generally don't like running tights; I am too self conscious in them. I only had on a pair of shorts and a long sleeve running shirt. That worked fine for the race itself, but just standing waiting for the gun was really, really cold. I have to solve that problem and go buy some running tights. No one really cares what I look like at these races, and it sure beats freezing to death. Besides this is going to be the year where I run outside during the winter. I promise.
My super secret goal was to run the race in an overall 7:00 minute per mile pace. That pace would put me in around 43:00, and would be a good time for me. I gave myself maybe a 25% chance of making it. Before the race, I had some good workouts in Florida the previous week, and I ran my last 4 mile race at a 6:47 pace. But I didn't feel great, had not eaten well, not slept well, and had not run in a week. Oh well, I just wanted to see how I did.
The first mile, as expected, had a quick pace down the hill, and coming up was not so bad either. I was just glad to be running. Ended up a 6:52 mile. Not bad. I also looked at my heart rate 200! What?? It stayed north of 195 for about 5 minutes. I sometimes get a spike in HR when I start running and have no idea why. But normally it comes down very quickly. Not today. I decided if it wasn't under control by end of first mile, I would quit and see the medical tent. Anybody out there know why HR spikes like that? And yes, I warmed up some.
And I decided to slow down some, knowing that I would want the strength for the last part of race. The second mile, again net uphill was 7:06. I wanted to slow down, but sheesh, that seemed slow, and I was really working hard. No rhythm at all. The third mile I picked it up some and really pushed hard but only ... 6:57! And I had no rhythm, and this should have been an easy downhill mile. That 7:00 minute pace was looking harder and harder to get. And I was running more than a mile per race mile. My Garmin and the race markers were about 30 yards off; I was not running the tangents, and thus running more than a mile for each "mile" marked on the course. And that extra running had cost me about 15 seconds through 3 miles. Mile 4 was up Cat Hill, and was the hardest mile on the course. Ended Mile 4 with a 7:10 pace. I actually felt strong coming up the hill and felt some rhythm, some smooth motion, and felt like it was going to be OK. And this hill was also where I cracked on other races earlier this spring, so it felt great to charge up the hill at a strong pace. At about Mile 3, I was passed by a woman I had run with in another race, but coming up Cat Hill, I went right by her. But, I knew that to end up with a 7:00 minute pace was going to be real hard. Possible, but not likely. I wanted to push hard on Mile 5, and I felt like I was really cruising. But, I only ended up with a 7:11. What?? But I still think I have a chance at 7:00 per so I push hard in final 1.2 miles. Mile 6 ended up 6:47 and ran the .25 extra at a 6:34 pace. Final time: 43:36.
Final net pace: 7:02 per mile. I missed my secret goal by 15 seconds. But who cares? That time and pace were by any definition, a great race for me, particularly given that I had really wanted to just lay in bed and skip it. I ended up in 490th place, with an age graded time of 66%.
All day yesterday I was sore. My back and shoulders, my quads, my hamstrings. Very unusual for me -- particularly the upper body soreness. Anyway, it sure beat laying in bed!
The alarm went off at 6 a.m. Sunday morning, and it was about 30 degrees outside. I really did not want to get up and go. My wife even said, eh, blow it off. But as I laid there, I rationalized that every time I wake up for a race, I debate blowing it off. And when I don't get up and go, I always regret it. And when I make it up and out to race, I am always, always happy I did. So I got up, bundled up, and made it out the door.
The race itself was chilly. About 33 degrees at race start. I wore only a long sleeve shirt and shorts during the race and nearly froze waiting for the gun to go off. My bib number was again in the 200's, which meant a start in the first corral. I didn't have great ambitions for this race, and just wanted a respectable time so I wasn't disappointed after getting up early. I set my Garmin race buddy at 7:15 pace and hoped for the best.
This course was a counterclockwise loop around Central Park, starting at around E 102nd St. The first half mile has a big downhill, with the next half mile back up that hill. Mile 2 has rolling hills, but is net uphill. Mile 3 was flat or downhill; Mile 4 had a big uphill (Cat Hill); and Miles 5 and 6 were basically downhill coming home.
So, after running to get to the corral, I made my way to the back of first corral to avoid the really fast people at the very start. And then I stood there for a while. And froze. I generally don't like running tights; I am too self conscious in them. I only had on a pair of shorts and a long sleeve running shirt. That worked fine for the race itself, but just standing waiting for the gun was really, really cold. I have to solve that problem and go buy some running tights. No one really cares what I look like at these races, and it sure beats freezing to death. Besides this is going to be the year where I run outside during the winter. I promise.
My super secret goal was to run the race in an overall 7:00 minute per mile pace. That pace would put me in around 43:00, and would be a good time for me. I gave myself maybe a 25% chance of making it. Before the race, I had some good workouts in Florida the previous week, and I ran my last 4 mile race at a 6:47 pace. But I didn't feel great, had not eaten well, not slept well, and had not run in a week. Oh well, I just wanted to see how I did.
The first mile, as expected, had a quick pace down the hill, and coming up was not so bad either. I was just glad to be running. Ended up a 6:52 mile. Not bad. I also looked at my heart rate 200! What?? It stayed north of 195 for about 5 minutes. I sometimes get a spike in HR when I start running and have no idea why. But normally it comes down very quickly. Not today. I decided if it wasn't under control by end of first mile, I would quit and see the medical tent. Anybody out there know why HR spikes like that? And yes, I warmed up some.
And I decided to slow down some, knowing that I would want the strength for the last part of race. The second mile, again net uphill was 7:06. I wanted to slow down, but sheesh, that seemed slow, and I was really working hard. No rhythm at all. The third mile I picked it up some and really pushed hard but only ... 6:57! And I had no rhythm, and this should have been an easy downhill mile. That 7:00 minute pace was looking harder and harder to get. And I was running more than a mile per race mile. My Garmin and the race markers were about 30 yards off; I was not running the tangents, and thus running more than a mile for each "mile" marked on the course. And that extra running had cost me about 15 seconds through 3 miles. Mile 4 was up Cat Hill, and was the hardest mile on the course. Ended Mile 4 with a 7:10 pace. I actually felt strong coming up the hill and felt some rhythm, some smooth motion, and felt like it was going to be OK. And this hill was also where I cracked on other races earlier this spring, so it felt great to charge up the hill at a strong pace. At about Mile 3, I was passed by a woman I had run with in another race, but coming up Cat Hill, I went right by her. But, I knew that to end up with a 7:00 minute pace was going to be real hard. Possible, but not likely. I wanted to push hard on Mile 5, and I felt like I was really cruising. But, I only ended up with a 7:11. What?? But I still think I have a chance at 7:00 per so I push hard in final 1.2 miles. Mile 6 ended up 6:47 and ran the .25 extra at a 6:34 pace. Final time: 43:36.
Final net pace: 7:02 per mile. I missed my secret goal by 15 seconds. But who cares? That time and pace were by any definition, a great race for me, particularly given that I had really wanted to just lay in bed and skip it. I ended up in 490th place, with an age graded time of 66%.
All day yesterday I was sore. My back and shoulders, my quads, my hamstrings. Very unusual for me -- particularly the upper body soreness. Anyway, it sure beat laying in bed!
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Beautiful Race Picture
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Last Saturday morning I had to volunteer to help with a race in Central Park in order to secure my entry to the NY Marathon. The race was a 60K -- over 37 miles. We had to be there at 6:30 a.m., and I actually got there early, about 6:15. It was still dark when I arrived, but as I waited, the sun rose. Dawn over Central Park, and it was beautiful. I have lived in New York almost 17 years and never seen dawn in Central Park. It was beautiful -- oranges and purples and blues playing over the trees. Anyway this is a picture I snapped with my Blackberry over the reservoir, looking west to east.
Happy Thanksgiving to all!
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