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Posts published in “Races”

Qualifying for the New York City Marathon

Published February 6, 2014
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It has happened!

[caption id="attachment_354" align="aligncenter" width="595"]Officially Registered Officially Registered[/caption]

I am running the TCS New York City Marathon on November 2, 2014!

I cannot begin to explain what the New York City Marathon means to me, or even how the process of committing to qualifying affected me (though I will try to in a following post). All I know is that I am literally so excited that I have  found myself teary eyed on several occasions- on the train, during practice runs, at finish lines- thinking about how it would feel to actually be coming down the final mile. It's super embarrassing, but true.

Not only did I decide spontaneously that I would immediately begin fulfilling my 9+1 credits, but I decided in August, which left little more than four months to run nine races.And since I am no speed demon (sub 1:30:00  ½ Marathon Qualifying Time? Wici-What!), I qualified via the New York Road Runner’s 9+1 Program.

(Note: Unbeknownst to me, this year was the last year you spontaneously join NYRR mid-year and qualify for the following year. Now you must be a member from Jan-Dec of the year you complete your 9+1).

[caption id="attachment_353" align="aligncenter" width="324"]Done! Done![/caption]

From August 24th to December 14, I ran 9 races: the Percy Sutton Harlem 5K, Autism Speaks 4M, Bronx 10 Mile , Grete's Great Gallop 1/2 Marathon,  Poland Spring Marathon Kickoff 5M, NYRR Dash to the Finish Line 5K, Join the Voices 5M ,Race to Deliver 4M, and the Ted Corbitt Classic 15K.

[caption id="attachment_384" align="aligncenter" width="480"]Qualifying for the TATA NYC Marathon Qualifying for the TCS NYC Marathon[/caption]

Looking back on those races, two are tied for my favorite: the Bronx 10 Mile (because I had never ran 10 miles before and this race really changed my perspective on running), and the Ted Corbitt 15K (because I finally could breath a sigh of relief, having squeezed in all nine races before the end of the year, and because I had my mom, my aunt, and my mister there to celebrate with me).

Now I just have to learn how to train for a marathon! Then again that is why I found myself signing up for a "practice" marathon this spring... but that is another story. A whole new racing season is coming and I can't wait to get started.

 

 

Hot Chocolate, Cold Toes: NYC RUNS 10K Race Recap

Published December 1, 2013
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Today I ran the Hot Chocolate 10K in Riverside Park- my first NYC RUNS race!

[caption id="attachment_299" align="aligncenter" width="528"]Bib and nearly demolished swag! Bib and nearly demolished swag![/caption]

Yesterday, I ran down to Columbus Circle to grab my bib. The pickup was at the New York Running Company and not only did I get a bib, but they gave us a free mug too. I was glad I planned to take the train back home because I had enough trouble holding onto my mug/bib/bag as it was and I kept smacking the mug into things.  Luckily, I did manage to whisk it home without a chip  ;)

This morning we woke up way too early since we got used to heading out for 8:30 races, even though this morning’s race wasn’t until 10. In fact, the mister and I got to riverside park so early we watched almost the entire 5K race- which began at 9. Opps.

Observation #1: This race was small (in a good way)! I’m pretty sure there were only  about 250 runners for the 10K race. It reminded me of my cross country days because you had a very good sense of where you were in the pack and what sort of progress you were making moving ahead (or falling back).  I loved this size race. The volunteers and race organizers were also incredibly enthusiastic and personable.

Observation #2: I knew Riverside Park was hilly, but damn, Riverside Park was hilly! I’ve run through several times on my way to the West Side Highway, but apparently I always missed the actual hills.  This also made me question some hilly, er, mountainous runs I’ve been planning….

Observation #3: I’m pretty sure I actually injured myself on this run. I’m not sure if it was the cold, or the change in incline for me, or too much time off from being sick, but somewhere between mile 4 and 5 I felt it in my foot. It’s a muscle pain roughly from my big toe to the middle/top area of my foot. I’m hoping it’s just a rouge pain, worse case a minor sprain? Either way, as it was happening I immediately realized how stupid it would be to injure myself on a run that a) doesn’t count as marathon qualifying credit when b) I have one race left for my 9+1 and c) that race happens to be a 9 mile race. Gosh. Golly.

[caption id="attachment_301" align="aligncenter" width="528"]"Thank god that's over." Bashful as I may look, I'm trying not to cough a lung. "Thank god that's over." Bashful as I may look, I'm trying not to cough a lung.[/caption]

In the meantime, I had a race to finish, and at 0:51:52, I hit some of my best placement stats to date! I was 8/88 in the women's 20 to 29 division, and 47/250 (ish) overall. Sweet!

It was also an unusual day because I met up with a co-worker who was also running and this was here first race. She killed it and came in just under 1 hour. Something tells me it won’t be her last either…