Tag Archive | New York City

Race Report: NYRR Grete’s Great Gallop (13.1)

Any other year, I would have hated this race.
But things change so much…so fast.

There I went, into my race #90, undertrained and not ready for anything. With the NYC Marathon less than a month away, I figured this half marathon could be a great training run. It’s hard, there’s hills, it’s loopy, a tough run on any day. This past Sunday, it was 65 degrees with 94% humidity, though I have to say the weather was fine for me (in my under-preparedness!). My problem was the two months I sat out because of my ulcer, losing all speed and any chance to train for the fast Hudson-Mohawk marathon I was drooling over, and a fun NYCM three weeks after. Instead, I tried to do some catch-up/lame/slow few weeks of training, plus this half, plus one 18 miler. And be happy with that.

So I went in relaxed, looking for a training run, to get in around 1:50 or 1:55, possibly some soreness, and I came back with a lot of happiness. Who knew?

For official pictures and recap: NYRR Grete’s Great Gallop (13.1), official page

THE RACE

Bib Pick Up/Registration. Loved the tech shirt and the race’s motto all over the back “Imagine a world without Cancer”. I do. Getting there. I live super close, so it took me just 1.5 walking miles! Start. Super organized. Lots of security. Just like any other NYRR in Central Park. Safety. There was security all over the place. Baggage was inspected at tons of tables before you could drop it (no lines!).

Race Atmosphere. This is a special race for Central Park/NY runners… we have all met Grete at some point and we know how amazing and inspiring she was. Her husband Jack is always at the race. It’s just sad that she isn’t, but somehow, you feel like she is. ❤

Weather. 65 and really humid (95%!). Luckily there was no sun and a constant drizzle that kept me happy and somehow lowered my core temperature.

The Course. Is… OY. This is Central Park. Twice. Rolling hills 75% of the time. And I think Harlem hill is WORSE in this direction, clockwise. Not a PR-friendly course, barely any flat, but nothing also that you can’t do. Here is the course map.

The Finish Line. Is great to see… because you run past it two times before your finish, eeeek. The second time around I just really thought it was cruel ;-(

The Post Race. OMG, cheering fun and kids races! Really, a great day in the park to celebrate our runners legacy dedicated to Grete and Fred!

MY RACE

Well, I went in thinking, ugh, this is gonna hurt, the park loop gets old soon, expecting the worse. What happened? Well, as I had no pressure or expectations, I run super relaxed and I run a lot better that way… I actually had fun, felt fast and really enjoyed myself.

Weirdest part? I actually enjoyed RACING IN CENTRAL PARK. Seriously. I do this all the time so you’d think I love it. I don’t. It’s hard, it hurts and I always have some goal that will put me through hell. I think having been out of the races for 3 months made me appreciate it and enjoy it. It was amazing.

There were a couple of miles of adaptation though. I went out as relaxed as I could in the narrow and crowded first mile. Mile 1: 744 felt very easy and relaxed but I instantly thought I went out too fast. Or not? Maybe I can do this faster than 8:30 pace?? It was still crowded and I was trying to find my rhythm. I felt a little crowded at times and tried not panic, found some slow song and slowly I started loosening up and feeling chill. Mile 2: 7:51 Really? Still feels easy but looks fast. My left foot (which has never given my trouble!) was hurting like it was gonna snap. I decided that if I saw Juan soon I might drop! Mile 3: 7:43, Okay something is up here, how on earth am I keeping up this speed in Central Park? I had just gone over all the west side hills… Mile 4: 7:53 there’s both climbs in the Harlem hill loop. I started believing a bit. I also told myself who cares I fade out in the second half? At least I got a good 10k workout in!! Low expectations are my thing! Mile 5: 8:36 this is always the fastest one, but I stopped to have a gel because I was completely out of energy. Yes, I do stop to eat. oh well. Mile 6: 7:32, oh hello gel! Mile 7: 7:40 wow, the gel didn’t make sick! Hallelujah! Mile 8: 8:04. Uh, where did my gel go?? I felt like I was empty again and walking. Resorted fast to gel #2. Whatever. Mile 9: 8:25 I felt so slow and tired, and out of energy going up the hills. Mile 10: 7:45, back to gel crack flat zone! Like I could smell the finish line… this is when I started passing every single woman I could spot ahead. Mile 11: 8:14. Not sure, will try to ignore it. Mile 12: 7:42. I latched behind this tall dude who was passing people left and right and ALSO running tangents (it still amazes me how many people do NOT run tangents.. in Central Park!!… in a club points race!!! PEOPLE!). He was pacing perfectly and we were at it together! Mile 13: 7:31. Just passing people left and right. Last bit, at 7:17 pace!

can I point out my beautiful cadence again? ah, I wonder if you can spot the two gels stops in there?

Stats Time!

Finish time: 1:44:33. Average Pace: 7:59

Previous PR: 1:37:35. From: March, 2013

Age Grading: 64.36%

Overall Place: 1006 of 5476

Gender Place: 199 of 2652

Age Place: 24 of 439

– NYRR Grete’s Great Gallop (13.1) race results

It felt easy. It was wonderfully fluid and I never felt like I was working hard (well, maybe I wasn’t!). I wore my Mizuno Wave Sayonara and it seems like I might be wearing them in the marathon next month. I am VERY HAPPY with the run. I never thought I could enjoy a two-loop in Central park marathon, so I guess I had to miss it enough…

Pictures!!!

hello, yes, it’s me, you spotted me!!!

best cheerers get kisses blown to them!

of course you get one too, you just have to be really LOUD

and I still have time to chit chat while I race after I blow kisses!

oh, I will also high five. Gotta cheer the crowds!

Well, if you’re thinking I am not taking this racing thing seriously, well, I was not. But these people topped me:

A couple of cool shots I got… 😉 Thanks Ben Ko, Brian Hsiah, and Juan Becerra, my favorites!

These are from my finish dash… uh, grab yourself (for the speed?!?)

And with my official time of 1:44:33, the WINNER of my Guess My Finish time contest is… RIGHT ON THE BULL’S EYE:

Dave, pick a prize from the list!! And maybe I can take you out for food or a drink when you come for the NYCM next month! ehem… and did you say I get a prize???

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Summer Streets in NYC

Aug6

What is Summer Streets, you say?

On three consecutive Saturdays in the summer, nearly seven miles of New York City’s streets are opened up for everyone to play, run, walk and bike.

I love Summer Streets! You get Park Avenue on the Upper East Side all the way downtown to the Brooklyn Bridge for yourself, and then some. There are events, water stations all over, and you really feel like you own the streets. I love Summer Streets, did I tell you already?

The first one was last Saturday. And I was excited and horrified that I would miss one.

As slow as I was, I let the boyfriend go first, do his mileage and then circle back to run with me. There was a little mist and it was cloudy: perfect. Less people!! We went out early because it becomes a nightmare later, closer to 11 or noon. He went out at 7, I met him at 9.

My distance and speed were non-important to this run, but you’ll get how amazing it was when you see the pictures. All photos are Juan’s.

In case you can’t go in a straight line: a map

This is where it starts, on 72nd and Park Ave, heading south, towards Grand Central in the background…

I look bent like my stomach is hurting. Which is probably the case always,

On the other side of Grand Central. Looking like I digested something now. Also, what you do at stops signs.

Most of them don’t bite

If you live in NYC, you know Brian. you just do.

I love these things. Yes, I love water, I love free water, and I love water that is everywhere. These things are EVERYWHERE. So I love them.

Make sure you read the “repair” part before you throw a tantrum.

Free Advertising. BEST SHAKESPEARE EVER. If you are in NYC, GO SEE Love’s Labour’s Lost. MOST FRIKING AMAZING THING YOU’LL SEE EVER. EVER. I PROMISE.

At the end: the Brooklyn Bridge, which is never this lonely!

(August) Biomechanics Coaching Session GIVEAWAY

Aug2

JULY’S GIVEAWAY RESULTS!!!

Wow, July’s giveaway was a hitttt!! Thanks all for participating!! As picked officially by rafflecopter here, the winner is… Kashi D!!

I know a few of you will be disappointed you didn’t win, so I am hosting another giveaway for August!! See below and participate!

———————

Nine out ten people I have coached were wrong when describing their running form. And if no one had video-taped them before, how could they possibly know?? Have you ever seen your running technique close up, frame by frame? No matter how fast or slow you are, there is always something you can do to perfect or injury-proof your running skills.

Not sure what you are doing, form-wise? Or why it sometimes hurt? You know you could run better, faster, or more efficiently? You know you could glide…? Have you been injured? You know you should change your form but not sure what or how?

I am here to help!! I am giving away a Biomechanics Coaching Session a month!

Why do you need a Biomechanics Coach?

Very simple! Running is a skill and it needs to be mastered to avoid injuries and become effortless.
Over 80% of runners get injured every year, and most injuries are caused by a lack of certain skills.
Master the skills of running and you will become an efficient and injury-proof runner!

There are many ways to enter, simply follow the super simple instructions in the Rafflecopter giveaway!

At the end of August, the widget will randomly generate a winner and we’ll announce it here. PS: one condition, we are meeting in Central Park for the session!

And, if you don’t want to wait or just have bad luck with raffles, email me and we can set up a 1×1 session.

NYC Triathlon 2013

Jul17

well…. no. no. I didn’t do the NYC Tri or won’t be doing a tri. Before you say, just like the Biebs, never say never, let me clarify: NEVER. My poor Ironman bf has tried enough, and he has a crazy case of ~~stubborness~~ dedication, and… still nothing. Everybody should give up. For ever. Anyway.

It’s not that they don’t look like a cool challenge, but… tris just overwhelm me. There’s a LOT of gear to fuss about, too many things you can’t control, waaaay too complicated for my liking. It really seems like a lot of work and I rather go run and not worry and bop around and listen to music and not break my head because my feet are attached to a bike or something. Oh yes, it also sounds super dangerous to me. But anyway, I am a major league klutz.

Anywayx2, Autism Speaks’ Team Up! had a team of runners on the NYC Triathlon and I am the only local staff so I went cheering. I also went to the past dinner Friday night (and omg, I ended up covered in pasta sauce and eating for 5!). Back to the serious cheering: here are some pictures.., and before you start thinking how cool, keep in mind, it was NASTY HOT and HUMID. I felt REALLY bad for them all. But, the harder the race, more exciting that medal will be, riiiight?

We got to the run portion really early, 7 am, because we didn’t want to miss anyone! Lara and I, ready to power-cowbell
Photo Credit: Lora

And we didn’t miss anyone. #1 guy, leading early on, Jordan Jones, repeat offender, I mean, winner!

Photo Credit: Matthew Fisher

Need explanation?
Photo Credit: Matthew Fisher

Loved him!
Photo Credit: Matthew Fisher

We saw it all on the course, men in speedo, women in bathing suits with strange tan lines (bikinis!), super amazing inspiring athletes, going all out, puffing it all out, but everyone crested the hill like a winner. I spotted a few friends and got to run a little (like a block) with a few (Chris, Jason, from my Dashing Whippets!), and we were amazed (to tears sometimes) by the Achilles athletes, the para-triathletes, the first responders wave… it was all ridiculously inspiring!

Photo Credit: Matthew Fisher

Photo Credit: Matthew Fisher

We made some serious noise for everyone.
Photo Credit: Matthew Fisher

Photo Credit: Matthew Fisher

Yeah, an air conditioner!
Photo Credit: Matthew Fisher

After we saw the last racer, and our cowbells were burning hot from heavy work, we headed for the finish to catch up with everyone. I then run into Terrence, and his whippet who had won the doggy dash. Cause of course Terrence’s puppy has to be a master runner!

The plastic fire hydrant was the 1st place prize. hilarious.

I’ve been cheering at this race for the last 3 or 4 years, and it’s always hot. I just saw they moved it to August for next year. Still, everyone looked like the heat didn’t matter. Congrats finishers!!

PS: just saw that Lora put her blog up too, so, more pictures here!

I like to run

Jul15

I like to run at night, early before work, in the middle of the day and with the sunset.

I love to run in the city, in the countryside, by the beach.

I like to sweat, get soaked in the rain, and get runners’ tan lines.

I like to run for no reason and I like to run to define myself.

I like to tempo, have fun at an easy pace, do mile reps, and run for hours and hours.

I like to come back home ready to keep going with my day and wanting to take a nap and sit out the rest of the day.

I like to run with the bright sun in my face, and with the stars as my running partners.

I like to run with no goals and like to race and get better.

I like to run with friends, with my dad, with my boyfriend, and I like to run alone.

I like to wear as little as possible and I like to wear all my running gear and make it match.

I like to line up at races, pace with people, chase each other, finish races, spectate, and congratulate everyone.

I like to run in cities I don’t know, maybe get lost, get a little worried, and use my running shoes as my escape from anything. I like to enjoy the comfort in the same old familiar route I could run with my eyes closed.

I like to greet friends and new people in my runs, and I like being invisible.

I like to have many running shoes, shorts, singlets and sunglasses. I like that I can run without most of it.

I like running. I love the million different choices and opportunities for challenges and fun.

Free Biomechanics Talk, don’t miss it

Jul10

I’ve been invited to host another clinic, this time at the Park Slope JackRabbit Sports Store on July 23rd.

I’ll be going over all the data and science and biomechanics you can handle before you get bored. You’ll clearly see how it relates to your own running and learn what you can do to avoid injuries, get fast, and run smooth! Don’t miss it. I don’t do these often (for free!!).

JackRabbit Sports is located at 151 7th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11215. A few blocks off Grand Army Plaza, the 2,3, and the R an F and G are around there too.

Facebook event is here, so RSVP there in case of updates. It’s an open and public event, so share and invite your friends too! Everyone can benefit from a little bit more info on form and efficiency!!

Plus, don’t forget to enter the giveaway for a free coaching session! See you there!!

Running and the City

Jul9

Ah, NYC…

Everyone has a completely different fantasy or experience of what this city is about…

I was talking to a coworker who is leaving town soon. She’s from the south (of the US) and she is used to quieter places, a more relaxed life-style. She was telling me how she doesn’t love the city much because it’s loud, dirty, smelly, super expensive, aggressive, crowded… all those things that I know are true.

Her description was accurate. I get it. I could see it from her perspective and hate it. But, for most of us, all those “bad” things are just the price we pay. Or even the reason why we stay.

It’s common to say that it is one of those places you either love or hate. You either take it or leave it. There’s too much to put up with if you don’t love it.

I can say, with all my heart, that I love it. All those things she mentioned, can be ignored 99% of the time. They can also be celebrated. I like leaving my apartment and not know where I am going to end up. I love meeting people everywhere that are so weird, so weird, that I should probably run away if I wasn’t used to this craziness. You have to be expecting the crazy, the ugly, and the magical every second; and you better have your eyes open or you’ll miss it. You get used to walking around all day with your eyes and your heart ready. There is no comfort zone here. And I don’t want it. I love that I can get in a fight in two minutes, or make a new friend around the corner. You just never know which one will happen first. Ah, yes, always on eggshells.

Yes, if one thing, I’d say living here is exhausting. That’s my word for this city. It can be party/run-all-day-and-night exhausting, or putting-up-with-this-stooopidity exhausting. But I am ok with it. If sleep and rest is the price, I’ll pay up.

But I get it, when I leave the city…. it’s like going through withdrawal. I shake for a few days, crave it, and then I am over it. I get the toxins out of my system, I get some rest, I relax, I stretch out, and I don’t even want to come back to pack up my stuff… Like someone who’s scared of having to deal with crazy and is now happy, warm, and comfy. When I come back, ah, when I come back I always cry a little in the plane when I see the skyline. I always miss this. I love this mess. I want to lace up and go to the park. I really don’t need comfy for now. I want to go out and get lost in the random faces. I want to get in trouble. I want to go to the Met. Do some disgusting shopping. Talk to strangers. Eat burgers and cupcakes. Get in a fight and fall in love all over again.

I never said I wasn’t crazy. I have no problem admitting I do fit in here.

And being in a place where it is so easy to lose yourself, it’s also imperative that you find yourself. I really did find myself in NYC.

Official NYRR ING New York City Marathon Online Training Program – & the winner is….

Jul8

Wow, thanks for participating… ! Giveaway: customized Official NYRR ING New York City Marathon Online Training Program (or for a half marathon!) So much fun to hear from so many of you who were interested!

and the winner is… 3…

2…

1…

closing eyes and pressing the random picker!!!

Email me [email protected] and I will get you set up!

CONGRATS!!!!!!

A Biomechanics Coaching Session – July Giveaway

Jul2

Nine out ten people I have coached were wrong when describing their running form. And if no one had video-taped them before, how could they possibly know??

Have you ever seen your running technique close up, frame by frame? No matter how fast or slow you are, there is always something you can do to perfect or injury-proof your running skills.

I am here to help!! I am giving away a Biomechanics Coaching Session this month!

Why do you need a Biomechanics Coach?
Very simple! Running is a skill and it needs to be mastered to avoid injuries and become effortless.
Over 80% of runners get injured every year, and most injuries are caused by a lack of certain skills.
Master the skills of running and you will become an efficient and injury-proof runner!

There are many ways to enter, simply follow the super simple instructions in the Rafflecopter giveaway! At the end of July, the widget will randomly generate a winner and we’ll announce it here. PS: one condition, we are meeting in Central Park for the session!

And, if you don’t want to wait or just have bad luck with raffles, email me and we can set up a 1×1 session.

how cool is this? – NYRR Giants Run of Champions 5K

Jul1

2013-06-27 16.55.43

The results from last weekend’s 5K at Giants Stadium. A First place is always pretty ridiculous, but a 1st at a NYRR race is INSANE for me. This one will live with the other 1st AG place award I got this year, so they can strategize (or motivate me?!?). Pretty cool, right?

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Giveaway: customized Official NYRR ING New York City Marathon Online Training Program (or for a half marathon!)

Jun28

I used this program twice already, for the 2011 Footlocker Five Boro Challenge NYC Marathon, and then this year for the NYC Half. You enter ALL your running information in there and it gives you a predicted finish time. You get a (weekly or daily) email with the workouts and you have an online hub where everything is recorded, listed and explained. If, midway through the program, you run a race and want to adjust your times, you can do that! It’s really cool because you can customize with your personal history and data, but also with races and times that happen thru the training, and keep it realistic. Plus, it gave me workouts I had never tried before… It also predicted I’d run a 1:35, which I thought was ridiculous (my last halves had hovered around 1:42s); and, I did 1:35:37!! I definitely recommend it. Also, you get the support of all the NYRR coaches, so, why not?

For this giveaway, we have available a program for NYCM marathon OR any half marathon.

You have THREE chances to play and win:

– Post below a comment: what you will be training for starting July 15 and why you’d like to win it, and maybe what you think your training needs help with = 1 entry

– Follow me on twitter, comment below you did so and your username = 1 entry

– Follow this blog via email (bottom right in the bar there –> on the right), comment below you did so = 1 entry

Every entry counts, do all 3!!! The 16-weeks program starts Monday, July 15th., so on July 8th we’ll randomly select a winner! Super easy, right? Go for it and, also, share!

—

And in case you want to keep reading about the Official NYRR ING New York City Marathon Online Training Program here is more info, and their website:

The Official ING New York City Marathon Training Program is unlike any other; it uses data you provide about your fitness level, race experience, and scheduling needs to generate a workout schedule that will prepare you to run your race. Input your age, gender, training history, race results, and schedule to start training like a pro for November 3, 2013. You’ll be able to set realistic goals, and your online program will adjust as your fitness changes.

Other marathon training plans are neither dynamic nor flexible, they don’t cater to your schedule, and they aren’t specific to the ING New York City Marathon course. Our program uses proprietary insights from the NYRR marathon-finisher database and unique knowledge of the NYC course to get you on track. Let our experts take you all the way to the Central Park finish line!

I choose NOT to be a better runner

Jun27

Yes, you read that right.

I made this decision a while back. And it was Right. For me. It’s who I am.

But, I was reading Matt Fitzgerald’s “Runner’s World Guide To Cross-training” and at the end he lists things we should be doing to be “a better runner”. All obvious stuff: sleeping, eating well, hydrating, etc., etc., and as obvious as all that is, “life” (or my life, at least) goes in the other direction. And yes, I could change it, and be a better runner…

But no, I chose to go out, I chose to eat all I want, and whatever I want, and it’s ok if it affects my running. So be it. I own the consequences of my choices.

I run because I like it. I run because it’s good for my health. I run because it helps me relax and think. I run because it allows me to eat all I want and makes my body look and feel like I am 22 without having to go to the gym, diet, cosmetic surgery, tanning beds, and all that gross stuff.

I want my running to bring that good stuff into my life, and NOT to take stuff out. I am not willing to cut my nights short, or miss out on quality time with friends or family. I am not willing to say no to that donut, that cupcake, that steak, or anything else.

I love running THIS much BECAUSE it is NOT stopping me from doing all the other things I like. I am not willing to sacrifice much from my life to run a few seconds faster. So I am ok with having less speed, or less endurance, or being a bit heavier on my feet.

I will cross-train a bit to avoid injury, I’ll give him that. I’ll do drills and I’ll wear flat shoes most days. I’ll hydrate, I’ll sleep a bit more when I can, and I’ll eat good stuff half the times. I’ll give him all that too. And I’ll ice-bath (who am I kidding? I love the ice baths!).

So it is OK if I never ever reach my full potential as a runner. I don’t mind. But I love and enjoy my running more this way, because it’s not taking anything away from me.

Pre said that “giving less than your best is sacrificing the gift“. But, what is that “best”? And what is that “best” for me? And what is my “gift”?

For him, it probably was to suffer in the track, to leave it all out there, to get to the point of blood and guts and broken bones and knowing he did all he could to win. Ah, Running and Pain go so close together… But what is it about with glorifying the pain in this sport? WHO likes pain???? No, don’t lie. No one likes it… You like knowing you are tough and you can withstand anything and feeling unbreakable, but no one likes the pain itself. Still, pain is inevitable here. I am still trying to learn to subject myself to as little pain as possible, short of walking. I might be sacrificing the gift, but I don’t think that’s “my gift”. My best is definitely something else. It’s not in a PR. It’s not in how many miles I suffer through, how high I place, how fast I can get, how many PRs in a row I score, how many races I do or qualify for. That is not the measure of me.

Race Report: NYRR Giants Run of Champions 5K

Jun24

As usual, I will be dividing this report in two: The Race (bib pick up, amenities, course, atmosphere, etc.) and My Race below

THE RACE

This was the second year of this 5K, which happens in the NY Giants MetLife Stadium, in NEW JERSEY (I originally signed up for this race because NY and Met sounds to me like the NY Mets Stadium in Queens, ay!). The race has a huge Health Fitness attached to it, and a very family oriented vibe, as there are kids races, and lots of fun activities for everyone to do, like rock climbing and playing on the actual field, so you see a lot of families and first timers. Which always means fun in my book! And it’s out of town… man, I need to get my sports team/geography in check!

2013-06-23 08.07.52

Lots of information on the race here, and lovely pictures: NYRR Giants Run of Champions 5K if you want to get a visual.

Bib Pick Up/Registration. Was a zip as usual. I gave my shirt away as usual, as it was a bit big for my taste, but it was kinda nice:

Transportation to the Race. Well, this is where things got messy for me, even if it was super organized and it went perfect. There were two shuttles from Secaucus Junction to the Stadium (a ten minute trip), one at 7:25 and one at 8:25. So, if I went for the 8:25, it’d get me there at 8:40, corrals close at 8:50 so that wouldn’t leave me enough time to drop my bag, go to the porta-potty, etc, and I do NOT like rushing on race morning. Can’t. So I decided I had to be on the 7:25, which meant leaving in the 7:07 train from Penn Station. Getting to Penn Station from my apartment, mostly at 6 am on a Sunday can be horrible, so I left at like 5:30 (woke up at 5 and was ready super soon) and for some weird reason, today, all was working on time and got there in like 25 minutes (unheard of!!!!). So at 6 am, I was sitting at Herald Square with nothing to do.

All trains and shuttles got everywhere in perfect time. I froze to death in all of them but that’s just my own fault!

Start. Was super organized as usual. I got a ridiculously low number for some weird reason

so I got a few looks and was feeling like such an impostor… but I found some team mates and we stood in the middle of the blue corral. Luckily, I was right in front of the ceremonies so I got to see all the speakers, which included Mary Wittenberg, some football players (Giants?!?!) I didn’t know, and we started to feel the heat… It was 86. Ouch. My skin was sizzling.

Race Atmosphere. Like I said, there was a lot of first timers, even in the blue corral which you never see in a NYRR race! It was so strange, because you’d see the usual familiar faces from the front of the races, and also runners with cameras and spibelts. Loved it. I looked around and there were a few women but not a lot. There were also a lot of the Giants players racing, and lots with the friends/families. Not a lot of support on the course, but enough for a smaller race, in such heat.

Weather. Well, it was HOT. As soon as I started running I felt it. weather.com says 86, feels like 88. I heard it was hotter last year.

The Course. It was good for a 5K, but I am not sure I’d love a 10k there. It was almost completely flat minus one little bump at around 2.5. There were enough turns that you wouldn’t get bored, but not one ounce of shade, we were COOKING! We were mostly running around the stadium through parking lots, so lots of cement

then you get into the stadium for

The Finish Line. And you drop a lap around the stadium, in the field, in the springy grass, with LOTS of people cheering while you try to figure out if you can actually finish or will die a meter from the finish, but then you turn and you see the finish arc, right there in the field… kinda really cool. It makes you sprint a little in heart when your legs can’t.

The Post Race. Lots of events!!! Lots where health related, lots were fun activities. Many many games for the kids. We stayed for a while (the first shuttle out to Secaucus was at 10:45) and I was trying to figure out when the awards ceremony was, turns out I had already missed it. We got some bananas and bagels, hung out for a bit and got some fun in.

MY RACE

I wasn’t sure if I was in sub21 shape but I thought I could do it. It had been over a year since my 21:09 PR and I really wanted to go sub 21… My pace would have to hover around 6:49 to PR and I just did a hilly Central Park 4 miler in 7:00 pace: sub 21 seemed doable…

When I got into the corral with a few of my team mates, I didn’t find anyone I could pace off, they’re all TOO fast. But, I know I can do this, and decided to take it easy on the first mile, because standing there I was already feeling the heat.

As soon the gun goes off, every one sprints for their life. I felt like I was standing and everyone was going so fast! Oy, people, there’s 3 more miles!! Waaait!

But I felt it right away: my race wasn’t there. I had been playing with muscle tension again and I was waaaay too tight: there was not enough springiness there. Oy. Legs felt like lead, even when I had warmed up a bit. Pffff. It is really hard for me to get this right!

Four women passed me on the first half mile. I knew there were more ahead but I kept an eye on the one I had closest, she had a white hat, bu let them all go. I am always conscious not to get sucked into someone else’s pace.

Soon enough, a mile goes by: Mile 1: 6:40. Okaaay, that seems fast, but who knows. Never give up in your head because then your body gives up. I kept telling myself. Also, it hurts but it’s just 20 minutes! You can hurt for four songs!

I got really really really hot after that. I was thirsty and burning. I wouldn’t stop for water, but I grabbed a cup at the first water stop and threw it in my hair and back. That helped… for like 5 seconds! I kept going, hoping to sustain the pace. Mile 2: 6:58. Ah, there we go then, that was it. I knew there was not much left for the last mile. By then I caught up to David and Otto, both way faster than me. Everyone was suffering, and I felt awful for them, as I could hear them trying to breathe. I also caught 3 of the 4 women who had passed me, somehow. Everyone was fading. I was too, but I think I went out a bit more conservative than everyone around me. And then I saw it, a little hill up ahead.. I was dreading it for some seconds, was over it it quick and soon and kept my head down. I didn’t have enough to speed up the last mile but I wasn’t slowing down as much as everyone else around me was. Mile 3: 6:54.

I knew no PR was happening, but at least I wasn’t bleeding speed out on the course. I held my ground tight, forcing myself not to get excited when we got in the stadium, did the last bit in 7:08 pace and finished with my head intact, though breathing like a fish out of water. Man, was I happy to be done. The finish line was amazing though, too bad I had nothing left to sprint with.

Stats:

Finish time: 21:39. Average Pace: 7:00

Previous PR: 21:09. From: July 2013

Age Grading: 69.87%

Overall Place: 162 of 2,993

Gender Place: 11 of 1,281

Age Place: 1 of 206

NYRR Giants Run of Champions 5K, official race results

Worth noting: Wow, I won my age group????!?! With THAT time?!?! See, when they say that half the win is showing up, this is what they are talking about. I guess nobody wanted to wake up at 5 for a 9 am 5K (because that makes no sense). Well, I will definitely take it! My time was super crappy and, besides the mess I made with the muscle tension, and bit of the heat, I am not sure why I didn’t do better. But anyway, just because I won my AG, I am happy!!!!

And the Erica Sara Designs winner to my Guess My Finish time contest is Smith2429 with the closest guess: 21:37!

I can’t believe no one got this one… Smith2429, email me at [email protected] and I will get you set up with ESD!

Next time I’ll be more predictable, I promise!

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NYRR Portugal Day – Cheering in a bikini, a year later!

Jun17

As some of you might remember, I went cheering last year for this race in a bikini. It caused a bit of a commotion, and to this day, I still hear about it. So I hung the bikini, bought 3 more sunny suits because I didn’t think I could take that one outside again, and moved on. Until this past weekend happened.

The girls in my team were cheering for the Portugal Day 5 miler, a men’s point race that the boys in my team have to run. And as they cheered for us during last weekend’s Mini10K, we were to return the favor. In Style of course. Cause we roll hard.
So, there was a bit of prepping, sign-making meet up, I just showed up in the bikini and they had made me a “fake pool”, and a special sign. Amazing amazing team mates!

that’s my fake pool in my fake water station.

All ready to cheer. Notice we have Whippets of the human, canine, and real cheerleading type!

We also decided to cheer twice, on the east and west side, around 72nd st, so nobody would miss us. My team is growing a cheering reputation and we didn’t want anyone to miss it!

Hard Hat Kenneth, being mindful of the Hammer Rain

What is up with the hammer talk and the hard hats, you ask?

Well, a fabo Whippet, Simon, started this whole “drop the hammer” talk, you know, “drop the hammer”, as in push your guts out, and it stuck. A LOT. It has become a bit of our team’s moto in a way!

The pool and the sign (by Rose, thanks!!) were a huge hit. Lots of people fake dived in my pool, men AND women blew kisses, hollered, winked, gave thumbs up, and they all smiled or laughed. I think they liked that I had no shame. I know I don’t look like a supermodel, but it’s all about how you feel in your head, and I am delusional like hell. It really helps and I am very happy all up in my fantasy world 😉

So, they boyfriend wanted nothing to do with dressing up. I told him he couldn’t come with me in runner’s clothes or it would throw off our look (well, not runner, he only has Ironman outfits!). So we started little by little and all the other girls in the team helped woo him. It turned around and he was shirtless and had a R in his abs… He looked amazing. And I heard a few “thanks for bringing him”. Oh my. Eye Candy.

Hilarious. Which one is trying to compensate with a tough face for the tutu?

much better

It was all ridiculous and amazing, and super fun. I don’t think I ever saw so many smiling runners.

Lesson from the post:

-Running can make you happy even when you are not running yourself
-Being ridiculously fun and delusional is the best cheering
-No shame! Ever.

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Ready to Megacheer – NYRR Portugal Day race

Jun16

and…

2013-06-16 21.06.07 2013-06-16 10.06.46

New York JPMorgan Corporate Challenge / Volunteering / what to do at a water stop

Jun13

Last night, some people from my team and I were volunteering at the JP Morgan Corporate Challenge. This race scares me a bit so I never run it, even when my company participated. There’s over 15K runners/walkers in a 3.5 mile loop in Central Park (such an odd distance!). Companies participate and race each other so there is a huge probability that your boss or coworker forced you to do this. You could tell a lot of the people were not really into it. It has gotten a LOT better in the last two years, but I remember seeing many (MANY) people cutting across the park through the reservoir and doing all sorts of crazy things to finish this event. It was so crowded you would go crazy, I get it. That’s not what I call a race or fun, so I never did it.

In the last two years they’ve gotten timing chips and corrals which has helped a lot and I’ve seen a HUGE improvement. People actually seem to enjoy it! Some dress up, they all run with friends, it’s turning into a HUGE and super FUN event. How do I know all this if I’ve never participated? I’ve been volunteering at the same water stop in the last 3 years. My team participates in this water stop and I always go. It’s always fun to watch and cheer, so at least this way I do something productive.

Last night was my third, and here are some pictures:

2013-06-12 18.49.14 1005058_10201130415119675_1716993205_n

And because running is such a free-happening activity, there’s a lot of rules, processes, efficiencies, and etiquette. So… I decided to write down a few tips for all of us, because we are at water stops all the time.

If you are racing
Be careful approaching the tables and don’t cut anyone off changing lanes. Please. Use your arm to signal you’re changing lanes.
If you didn’t notice the tables until it’s too late, you might just be better off waiting for the next water stop; if you don’t want to wait, you can’t just turn and make an abrupt angle. I know, you’re thirsty and delusional and tired, but keep going, change lanes carefully and come back if you have to.
Never go for the first table, that’s where the clump of people will be and you’ll get stuck, keep running for the last tables.
If possible: don’t stop running. Make eye contact with a volunteer who is handing out water, slow down, grab it slowly and go.
If you can not run while drinking, like me, get your water at the last table and move behind the last table, sip there, then merge back in carefully.
Never stop abruptly for water, there might be someone right behind you. Put your arm up, signaling you’re about to stop, get close to the table and slow down.
Once you get your water, for Pre’s sake, get out of the way. Carefully. There’s more people who need water.
Please don’t linger there comparing the amount of water in each cup and picking through them. Grab two if you have to.
Try, I know it can be hard, but try not to throw a million cups down while grabbing one.
Thank the volunteers if you have any breath left, they are soaked, stressed, and out there for no reason other than to help out.

If you are at a water stop
You are a miracle worker, these people need you. Please be mindful of what is happening because someone might need your urgent help.
Your cheers mean the world too. Giving a runner a smile during a race buys you a hundred karma points.
Smile. There is nothing you can do about your wet feet. Get over it.
Have a cup in each hand and hold them up so runners can see them and reach out for it. Make eye contact, and reassure them that’s their water. Once they grab it, push a bit in the hand-over, they are moving and it will help not drip any water.
Move one cup from the other hand to the extended arm that just handed out water, so you always have one cup up.
Smile and cheer. You got this. Keep at it. Looking great. All come out of your mouth very easily.
If you are funny and smart go for that too. Juan was shouting free water, and Kenneth hot water, or water for pretty ladies only. Have fun. Make sure everyone else is having fun too. We all need each other after all, don’t we?

Race Report: NYRR Oakley Mini 10K

Jun10

As usual, I will be dividing this report in two: The Race (bib pick up, amenities, course, atmosphere, etc.) and My Race below

THE RACE

The Mini10K is one of the most traditional women’s races in the world, as it was the first race to cater to women. It was the original girl power event, organized by Fred Lebow in 1972, and had Katheryn Switzer and Nina Kuscik, who you usually see invited to the festivities. Tough course, big names, and always running celebrities and traditions in place, it’s one of the nyc races you don’t want to miss! trust me, you don’t.

For more info and some great pictures, check the NYRR Oakley Mini 10K official page (And you can spot me in the photo gallery!)

Bib Pick Up/Registration. Was a zip as usual. I was excited about the shirt, as every year we get a fitted cotton shirt I can (sometimes) wear to work, but this time, given the new Oakley sponsorship, we got tent tank tops. I call them tents because I got the smallest size they had (an S) and it was enormous for me. It’s on the “give away” pile. Sad. I had liked it!!!!

Start. Was super organized. I always get stuck in lines in these big races but these one felt like a small race..?!?! I had no problems getting to my corral, to a portapotty, all super easy, even if my nerves were expecting all of the opposite. Luckily, my corral (blue) was right in front of the ceremonies so I got to see all the speakers, which included Mary Wittenberg, some triathlete I didn’t know (was just told by my Ironman boyfriend that it was Jenny Fletcher) Desi Davila and…

Who better to kick off the morning than running legend Nina Kuscsik, co-founder of the original “Mini” in 1972 (along with Kathrine Switzer and the late great Fred Lebow)? “Look how far we’ve come,” Kuscsik said into the mic. “It’s great to see you all out here.” Toshiko d’Elia, an 83-year-old masters age-group winner, joined Kuscsik and Mary Wittenberg to wish everyone good luck at the start; she had her 1978 Mini shirt with her.

Chilling. This race always gets to me: Girl Power!!!

Race Atmosphere.

Like I said… it’s so friendly in there, at least until the gun goes off and then it’s elbows up. Just kidding. or am? I am! I am!! I saw a lot of my team-mates there, Lora of LVrunsnyc.com, everyone was in there in the blue corral an we were all hugging! We chatted, got excited that all the race elites were a meter away (SO crazy)…

we were right behind that timing mat, yes, THAT close.

Also, it always smells better in the corral in a women’s race. I wonder…

The NYRR photographer got a pic of Michelle, Elke, and I (gallery here!) and soon, we’d be on our way!

nyrr oakley mini 10k dashing whippets front runners

Photo Credit: NYRR, from their gallery. And, of course I wear lipstick to a race!!

Weather. Well, I’ve done the Mini10K seven times and this was the best ever. By FAR. It’s usually in high 70s or even mid 80s with humidity. Always the humidity fro some reason. It must have been 62 or 64, that is usually hot for me, but for the Mini, that was the best weather in… ever. Sun came out and people said they felt the humidity in the last miles. I was just happy it wasn’t as bad usual 😉 Low expectations help!!

The Course. Well, I think it’s one of the roughest 10ks you can do. Seriously hurtful. Elevation profiles are here if you feel like reliving the pain or wonder if you dare. It’s such a tricky race… you start in a mile long straightaway where everyone usually takes out too fast. I promise you, 94% of the people, are going too fast and WILL fade. Never look around!! As soon as you get in the park, there’s a hill, there another climb, then a mountain, then everest. No, I don’t think I am exaggerating. For some reason, this race didn’t feel too crowded for me. I was running comfortable and usually around the same people. My only issue is that NO ONE around me was running tangents. Ahem girls, seriously? There was some serious cheering on CP West, on Engineer’s Gate and at 72nd tranverse, but most of the park was quiet. Loved it.

The Finish Line. Fun to go through and no crowding. We got medals, flowers, bananas, bagels and water. I was able to meet up with some friends right there and catch up.

The Post Race. There was a line, loooong line, for picture taking?? We spotted Desi Davila in the Oakleys tent!

Kirby, Desi Davila, and me

We stayed for the raffles and team pictures… I won nothing, how is that possible. It was such a gorgeous day to stay in the park so Kirby, Juan and I walked back to the UES. I love this race.

MY RACE

I wasn’t sure how I’d do but having done a 10K a month before in 44:32 I knew I would try to go sub 45. This course was harder so I was sure I wouldn’t PR. Actually, it’s not that this course is just harder, it’s that this race always leaves me weeping. It’s just hard. And hilly.

I woke up already serious and with a will kill you if you talk face so the boyfriend knew to stay out of the way and did a wonderfully supportive act. I had my coffee, nothing else, and took the bus downtown to 57th and walked west. By the time I got there, I found a portapotty, did my thing, had a cup of water, which was ALL the fuel I had in me (plus/minus the coffee I had and already got rid of), kissed him and went to the corral.

I found a lot of people on my way, it was cheery and fun and everyone was smiling and relaxed. Is this not the hardest 10K ever? I guess I was the only one dreading it… Well.

I wore my mizunos sayonaras, as usual, love those shoes. It was in the 60s so just booty shorts and bra, this is too hot for singlet and I really have no shame. I know, I am older and should hide some stuff/care but whatevers, this is me.

I got the the blue corral, got photographed, heard the opening speeches, and was ready to go. I think, for the first time ever, I knew what I had to do: Hold it!!!

Running on Central Park West (thanks Ben Ko for always taking amazing pictures!)

Mile 1 is always rough, people go out like CRAZY. Seriously. And I made that mistake in every of each Mini I did before. Focus, stay down: 7:09. Nice slow opening. As soon as we enter the park there is a hill, then another. It gets really tricky and a few of us kept pacing each other: 7:03, so I am starting to warm up. Then we climb and we climb and there is no one to cheer there (other than Helen, thanks for being there and the pictures!)

I was really sweating so I had to put the glassed and headband DOWN! (Thanks Helen!)

I was really sweating so I had to put the glasses and headband DOWN! (Thanks Helen!)

It starts to sink in: 7:09. This is all great but this is the part where the wheels come off. Always. This time, even if I couldn’t stop it, I held my ground: 7:38. It really could have been worse, I thought.

Now: 1, it starts hurting, and 2, I start pushing. Both, of course.

Mile 5 is 6:58, I got this. I start feeling ok but I know I can’t get excited and mess this up now: it’s too early! Mile 6: 7:03.

nyrr oakley mini 10k running central park ny

Going up on the last 50 meters! Can’t believe I blocked Mary Wittenberg with my hand!!!! Uffff (thanks Ben Ko for the fabo picture!)

And the last bit in 6:49 pace. I guess I had some in there, even up another hill!!!

Stats:

Finish time: 44:46. Average Pace: 7:13

Previous PR: 44:32. From: May, 2013

Age Grading: 69.25%

Overall/Gender Place: 207 of 5595

Age Place: 27 of 925

NYRR Oakley Mini 10K, official race results

Worth noting: I am getting this pacing thing right, I think. A 10k is Central Park is always brutal, in any direction, and I don’t think I messed this one up!

Fun at the finish line:

Pink Bling

Kettia and I!

Juan, who cheered from west to east to west, and caught me when I finished!

yes, those are my shorts: NO shame!

Whippets who Raced

So, get ready for this. Sit down. Because the Mini is a ladies race, the men in my team have nothing to do but cheer… so cheer they did… Are you sitting down?

One of us is wearing a skirt

Right? I love this race! ~~(as much as I hate the racing a 10k in Central Park part itself)~~. It’s always a riot. Glad we have nice weather and soooooo much fun on the course. And… get ready, ladies will be cheering this next weekend at this Sunday’s nyrr race… it’s on.

And the Garmin winner to my Guess My Finish time contest is MN Slow Runner, who guessed exactly 44:46, but there were SO many people who were super close!

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Fridays Can Be Confusing + some NRD pics

Jun7

#1 It’s National Donut Day. And there, I have a 10K tomorrow! How many donuts can I eat before I run my race?

#2 I realized I should start marathon training in a couple of weeks, so, I started doing calculations. The same numbers I do before every marathon and they don’t fail. I got a 3:09 to 3:12 marathon. WTF? This seems impossible. Last one was 3:27. ??!?!?! I redid them over and over. Something must be wrong.

#3 I have to start marathon training next week?

#4 It’s Friday: who cares? Also: it’s Summer Fridays! It’s been raining all day, do we not get Summer this year?

And just because I like them, here is a couple of pictures from National Running Day, will probably blog about it at some point…

all pics stolen from JP. thanks!!

Happy Racing/Weekend!

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Do we always need goals?

Jun3

I never wanted to run. I hated all sports equally.
Then, a few years ago, I started running, very very slowly, just to mess up with my cardiologist’s plans.
I liked it.

I never wanted to race. Why would I?
In 2006, I was forced into a half marathon.
I became addicted. That was the day.

I never wanted to race a marathon. Those long runs were scary, and I didn’t want to spend so much time training.
I did the New York City Marathon in 2008, I cursed like a sailor for the first 10 minutes after crossing the finish line.
Two hours later, I was figuring out how many more races I’d to do to qualify for next years’ NYCM.

I never ever thought I’d get to run Boston.
I was very surprised when I qualified, during the 2009 NYCM, injured and all.
I ran my funnest and smartest marathon in Boston that year.

I never thought I’d want to run anything further than 26.2. That sounds just about brutal.
Then the slower pace, the trails, the camaraderie of the all-night runs bug bit me.
So I run my first ultra marathon and a couple more.

Then I wanted to get a bit faster. I thought reaching 70% in age grading would do it.
I did that last year.
I am sure I will be happy with these if I start getting old and slow tomorrow.

Well, what now? Do I even need to have goals?
A part of me feels like I need them. I like structure, goals, objectives, I like achieving them.
Another part is very happy to be running free and content with what I have done so far.

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To get the award or not get the award

May31

The Love of Awards!

I have been getting a few of these age group placings lately and I always feel like they made a mistake. I feel really awkward about them. I say Thank You, I smile for the picture, but it all feels weird and fake to me.

They made a mistake!!!!!!!

Or:

Were all the fast women my age doing something more fun I wasn’t invited to?

Should I just leave it there in case it really was a mistake?

I am always afraid they are going to call me on it.

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runningandthecity

and by "the city", I mean NYC.

Tag Archive | New York City

Race Report: NYRR Grete’s Great Gallop (13.1)

Summer Streets in NYC

(August) Biomechanics Coaching Session GIVEAWAY

NYC Triathlon 2013

I like to run

Free Biomechanics Talk, don’t miss it

Running and the City

Official NYRR ING New York City Marathon Online Training Program – & the winner is….

A Biomechanics Coaching Session – July Giveaway

how cool is this? – NYRR Giants Run of Champions 5K

Giveaway: customized Official NYRR ING New York City Marathon Online Training Program (or for a half marathon!)

I choose NOT to be a better runner

Race Report: NYRR Giants Run of Champions 5K

NYRR Portugal Day – Cheering in a bikini, a year later!

Ready to Megacheer – NYRR Portugal Day race

New York JPMorgan Corporate Challenge / Volunteering / what to do at a water stop

Race Report: NYRR Oakley Mini 10K

Fridays Can Be Confusing + some NRD pics

Do we always need goals?

To get the award or not get the award

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