Tag Archive | nyc running

My 2013 New York City Marathon Race, part 1

The 2013 New York City Marathon was going to be my 4th NYC Marathon in a row (or 5th if it wasn’t for a hurricane), and my 91st race ever.

I’ve shared some in this blog: there was a bunch of medical things that happened to me in the last months, including an ulcer, two falls, wild leg spams/pain, a labral tear and a couple of other things I don’t even want to talk about. As you can assume, I barely trained. The ulcer was the worst: for two months, I was eating so little I could barely walk or stay awake, so no running. I got really weak, lost a lot of muscle mass, and all hope. But the truth is, the marathon was so far removed from my day-to-day, with all I had going on, that I barely thought of it. I even got proposed to and married in the middle of it all, traveled for work, etc. Running was secondary.

The week of the marathon was tough. I was working a lot and, mostly, trying to figure out if I could actually run or not. Or if it was wise. Or if I’d make my leg pain worse. I didn’t run one step the two weeks before the marathon, had an MRI that week, saw another doctor on Thursday, had pain constantly. Waiting until the last 3 days was driving me crazy. Plus I was working at the expo and with a million commitments to even rest.

Thursday, the second doctor of the week said Go. I said OK.

Panic and Doubt settled in. I am not ready. I haven’t trained. How long is this gonna take? I knew I could finish it but I had no idea what kind of pain I’d have to face. I’d had pain in half my marathons. This, my tenth marathon, would be a different monster. I kept telling myself that when I run the 2011 NYC Marathon I was in way worse shape, as I had sat on my butt for 3 month with a foot stress fracture. I didn’t even walk for 3 months! And I did the marathon, finished strong and had no pain during or the day after. This one would be easier. Telling myself I’d be ok, and I knew how to push through anything, I headed into race day.

Pictures of the expo, elite athletes at the media tent, here:

New York City Marathon Media and Elite Runners, and the Winners!
New York City Marathon Expo — lots of pictures!
NYCM 2013 winners (minus me!) #INGNYM #nycmarathon

Sights of the marathon VIII #INGNYCM #nycmarathon
Sights of the marathon VII #INGNYCM #nycmarathon
Sights of the marathon VI #INGNYCM #nycmarathon
Sights of the marathon V #INGNYCM #nycmarathon
Sights of the marathon IV #INGNYCM #nycmarathon
Sights of the marathon III #INGNYCM #nycmarathon
Sights of the marathon II #INGNYCM #nycmarathon
Sights of the marathon I #INGNYCM #nycmarathon

Saturday I worked at the expo until 5 and then attended our Autism Speaks athletes dinner (for work) at the Hard Rock Cafe. I got home around 10 and went to sleep!

Sunday Morning

I got up around 5 and by 6:15 I was at the terminal. There was a LOT of security everywhere this weekend. And I mean EVERYWHERE. In the terminal, at the expo, in the ferry, getting off the bus, in each corner on the course, on the rooftops. EVERYWHERE. You felt safe (or watched!) no matter what!

Run into Lisa as soon as I walked in and Blaise two minutes later!

Blaise and I sat on the 6:30 ferry just because we got there so early. Our plan was to catch the 6:45 or 7 am ferry, YES, for the first wave at 9:40… we saw so many people who were in wave 3 or 4 there. I am not sure why people head there so early. And not sure why they like to freeze out there in the cold for hours… oy. Once we got to Staten Island, my corral buddies Tessa and Tree and Shawn were there, hanging out in the warm terminal. We sat for another half hour catching up and talking race.

Back in the Staten Island side of the terminal, we head for the bathrooms… See anything strange in this picture??? LINES in the men’s bathrooms but not one person in the WOMEN’s… how is this possible???

See??? ALL MEN. what are they doing in there??? SO strange!

Around 7:30 we left the SI terminal for the buses, they’re right outside on a short two block walk.

View from the bus. See those buildings all the way over there??? That’s where we have to run and a bit more.

Tree and I catching up in the train!

Tessa and an instant friend we made in the terminal

As soon as we got to the Athletes’ Village we went straight for the UPS trucks as we assumed they closed at 8:30 or something and it was that time. We left our bags and proceed to our tent. Somehow, I had a qualifying time for the Local Competitive Corral. What is that? Well, there’s the elite runners, then the subelite, then my group, and then the rest of the runners. As we were supposed to be fast, we get to line up right at the head of the Green wave (elite are in the blue), but we get our own tent with food, with our own portapotties, and a lot of local friends! JACKPOT!

NO ONE IN THE PORTAPOTTIES. they were clean and empty. AMAZING.

Tessa and I bundled up and cozied up for the 20 minutes we waited (we really did time it perfectly!!!). I love this girl. Had some gatorade, went to the portapotties and in 10 minutes we’d be right at the green line. CRAZY.

Me, Xavi, Tree and Tessa.

We waited there for 30 minutes, 5 minutes before the gun we undressed. We had a tall wall on the right so we were protected from the wind (yey to being in the GREEN corral). We had piles and piles of clothes on the sides. It was nervewracking for me to be that far high up and close to the start, but I had great company…

See the Start up ahead? How STRANGE is it that we’re so close. They eventually moved us up to the Start sign…

My friend Helen was in the subelite corral, which was right on top. She took the picture below… What a bunch of weirdos we all are…

I was starting to get a bit nervous. I kept telling myself “I am a runner, I know how to do this with my eyes closed” but being around all these fast people was a little intimidating. I KNEW (I would have bet money right there) Tessa was going to go onto have a fantastic race. I saw it in her face. She was quiet but relaxed, like a ticking bomb ready to explode, about to unleash the beast she had been nurturing for a while. In a few seconds, we’d hear the national anthem, Mary Wittenberg, Bloomberg, the gun, Frank Sinatra’s New York, New York, the excited footsteps on the lower deck and I knew I would helplessly lose her. But I knew she wouldn’t let her (and mine) dream go. I shouted a few Go Tessa, You Got this as she run away from me. She’d go onto a 3:16, a 7 minute PR, insanely-precise run race, and I knew, as soon as the race started, within 10 steps, before she even left me, that I had nothing in me. Nothing. That I had no business being there. That I wasn’t prepared for what was ahead and I was going to be taught a lesson. I tried to relax and do my best to salvage the carnage but I couldn’t relax. Everyone was passing me at 5, 6, and 7 pace and it was crowded and we were going uphill and the bibs were being shaken by the wind and I could feel the footsteps above and thought about the many hours I still had until the finish and I was so scared of tripping and falling and my legs were so dead, and I was cold but I was hot and it was so crowded and fast… I couldn’t relax. I did my best to settle and find my rhythm… but I couldn’t. The race was stronger than me and I wasn’t prepared, I wasn’t trained mentally or physically to control it, or to control myself. I just did my best to not despair…

more soon.

Edited- Part 2 is here: My 2013 New York City Marathon Race, part 2

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New York City Marathon Media and Elite Runners, and the Winners!

Nov7

As the whole marathon week is over, I am putting everything here! Scroll down for the post-marathon elite photos.

Pre-Marathon, at the Media Events!

Armed with this puppy I headed to the Media Tent to meet up with the elite runners and see what their heads were going through, just because I can never figure out my own…

I am so sorry for this picture Kim. I am never this stooopid. she’s SO sweet. Somehow she always remembers me, congratulated me, and asked me to see my ring… We chatted for a bit about how strange it all felt after last year’s cancellation and how ready she was feeling.

Wesley Korir had us all with our mouths open… Read about him and you won’t believe the man. He works in the parliament and was discussing how he trained and worked as a politicians as well. He said not so nice things about his kenyan colleagues (mostly about how greedy and corrupt they are!) and how much he gets paid and all that. It was pretty amazing. Read more in always amazing Peter Gambaccini’s story: http://www.runnersworld.com/elite-runners/wesley-korir-the-politician-as-elite-marathoner

Kebede talked mostly about his training and how he tried to mimic the hill. He seemed to be ready to tackle anything. More video and story here http://www.runnersworld.com/new-york-city-marathon/kebede-ready-for-the-new-york-city-marathons-last-miles

Ah, I had been really rooting for Stephen, his last year has been amazing and to see someone from Uganda win the gold at the Olympics, in such a fantastic race… I was excited to hear him talk! He was telling us about his family, how he trained in Kenya, and the politics that brings into racing…

Carrie Tollefson and Karla Brunning doing On The Run. Have you seen the show? well, get to it! http://www.nyrr.org/newsroom/on-the-run

The Media Tent is right by the finish. This is what we had going on Thursday morning…

FRED!!! WE miss you at Engineers Gate! Hello!

Bill Rodgers and Frank Shorter were around being interviewed informally. They were being inducted to the NYRR Hall of Fame this year! Congrats! Plus, Frank Shorter was turning 66 right that day… Amazingness in one room!

too many cool people to name: Scott Douglas, Peter Gambaccini and… ooops. Peter, you know Peter… he writes the first thing I read every morning, the RW news! http://www.runnersworld.com/person/peter-gambaccini Check his blogs out. it’s ALL you need to know as a runner. Scott… amazing stuff too!!!!!! He is the RW Editor and writes great pieces too, check them out (and ADD to your RSS NOW) http://www.runnersworld.com/person/scott-douglas

Post-Marathon, on Monday at the Winner’s Conference!

Now, as soon as the winners get their medals and crowns on, they become the busiest people on earth… The attended a NYRR Youth event that Sunday, go to the Empire State Building for a shoot, they ring the bell at the Stock Exchange, lots of stuff like that (ha, at least we mortals get to go home and put our feet up for 10 hours if we so please!!!!) and at some point they meet press. Here is all 4 of them!

On race morning and after that, the media events get moved to the Mandarin Oriental, right on Columbus Circle. quite convenient.

I am blurry because this is post marathon and I was tired.

From left to right: Mary Wittenberg, Geoffrey Mutai, Priscah Jeptoo, Marcel Hug and Tayana McFadden

Answering questions, mostly about tactics, the wind, what they’d done after the race, goals, the world majors, etc.

Notice the “little” Tiffany box for Tatyana for winning the Grand Slam!

Geoffrey Mutai and I, no big deal.

Priscah Jepto signing a LOT of things… among their many duties as winners… this.

and this.

Tatyana and Juan had an interesting convo about the sidewind and why the thick profile of the bike cause it’s carbon and something like that. Anyway, she eats candy like the rest of us (only AFTER the race…) so we also had things in common to discuss. PS: she had to leave as she had an exam to do. She’s a full time student WHILE she wins every single race she enters. Just because.

my race report next… oy

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New York City Marathon Expo — lots of pictures!

Nov6

You might have seen a lot of these pictures in previous posts but here is a lot. Just so you can feel like you were there…

The Expo on the first day… before the 50K runners and friends came to visit, so quier and nice…

Ryan Hall just happened to walk past me. What a coincidence!!!

I know you can’t tell but these stiff guys where running. CONSTANTLY.

PLEASE please please read the sign…

Pete Jacobs, as told by the sign and my delirious husband…

Ryan Hall going over the course…

All my pants are tear-away pants!!! Yours aren’t?

Pete Jacobs, Ironman Extraordinaire –and Juan, Husband/Ironman Extraordinaire

the line was INSANE

you HAVE to do these shots, or they don’t give you your bib… sure.

I shouldn’t have done that

With added security comes… crazy lines… but they went by fast I heard..?

You could end up putting on 10 pounds by the time you leave the expo if you’re not careful…

Or you could end up carrying 10 pounds in your bag from the free stuff (PLUS THE SHOPPING!!!)

free gloves (which I wore Sunday morning) plus my masterpiece.

Coolest pup ever loving the free greek yogurt. It was delish (the yogurt, I don’t eat dogs for now)

Matt Long signing his books!

Bart doing his thing 😉

Bart said “My girlfriend got married on me”. He was my boyfriend earlier this year. And I said he wasn’t fast enough… Apparently, he said that has always been his problem… YEAH RIGHT BART!
PS: I love you! Both!

Gene, from Charity Miles, with an osom poster everyone signed! If you haven’t checked Charity Miles, do it now! http://www.charitymiles.org/

So… that’s most of it… fun right? The expo is worth a trip for everyone! Did you like it? Was it too busy? Overwhelming? you walked in and out? Would love to get there someday?

I got to see SO many friends (thanks to all who came to say hello at our Autism Speaks booth!!!!) that I had a great time! Now… onto the race report…. 😉

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Our Central Park Wedding Ceremony

Oct14

Posts before this one: A Running Engagement / Engagement Pictures / I get married today!!! / A PR Wedding!

Oh, sorry this took a bit. It’s been 3 weeks?!?! Time files! Anyway, I am assuming you’ll think there is a LOT of pictures here but you have no idea how much I (and our AMAZING PHOTOGRAPHER RICHIE HILDEBRAND) struggled to select just a few. Seriously. He’s truly amazing. I have no idea how to get down to 100 or 200 pictures from 4 or 5 hours of pictures, which if you know me, was probably around 3 million pictures… Thanks Richie for the patience… you’re a SAINT.

Anyway, our ceremony would start around 4 pm in the Lake Pond in Central Park, where we’d meet our friends, so we took off around 2:30 for a picture-taking stroll through the park.

juan becerra elizabeth maiuolo wedding central park richie hildebrand

At Engineer’s Gate. Ready to roll through the park and take some pictures…!

We met Richie at Engineer’s Gate, and Pablo and Ana came with us. Pablo is Juan’s best friend, the guy who introduced us a long time ago, and our wedding officiant, who had flown in from Buenos Aires for the occasion. Ana, my only sister, also flew in from Buenos Aires, and as her dress was matchy, she was my maid of honor. 😉

First we took some pictures where we got engaged, with Fred Lebow:

Notice how the bouquet and everything matches in a purple kind of way?? Well, Juan got the tie first, because I insisted for weeks: I love purple and he hates it. But still, he made the first move (he’s SUCH a keeper!!!!). Then on Thursday when my sister arrived, I tried it all and she suggested my dress needed to belted. So, my dress thingy matched his purple thing, then I bought him the purple square, and then, that morning, Juan and Ana went to buy flowers and she made me the bouquet. Could we be any more low-key??

More Fred Lebow pictures with the whole gang. Click on the pics to make them bigger.

Don’t my sister and I look alike? huh? We then started walking north, and took some random pictures all over!

how do you pick just one?!??!? Richie!!!

We then went up to the Reservoir, on the north side of course… It was so windy… I sent the boys in for a try out first 😉

I think this is one of the most photogenic areas in the city… you tell me:

We just can’t stop doing stooopid faces…I don’t know what’s wrong with us.

It’s windy!! Then we did some by myself… not sure why, but they are nice!

Before you say anything, I hate those shoes. I hate wedges. HATE them! But… we’d be doing the ceremony and everything else in the grass and I figured a stiletto would get stuck, then dirty. I was wrong, I should have tried it, but oh well.

We then headed to the bridge north of the reservoir, right in front of the Tennis courts… how do I NOT know the name of it?!?!

I am SORRY, I can’t pick just one.. you have no idea how many I decided to put aside for the blog while I cried… but I am sure you haven’t seen wedding pics like these: GOOFBALL!

We can’t seem to be able to walk together without holding hands.

I love this one so much:

Maybe it’s because I tend to fall so much… and he’s good at catching me!

UP THE BRIDGE! (I love these ones too!!!!)

And some more random pictures…

OKAY, ready for this….? We are running…

OF COURSE WE ARE RUNNING!!!!

Then, after everybody was ready to sit down, give up, and/or cry, we headed towards our wedding spot, as per our park permit! The Pool Lawn. The pool lawn is gorgeous, there is a little waterfall, an amazing arch, and a pond with marvelous willows. (Plus a dirt track and the steepest downhill to sprint in the park!)

We then went down to the Arch and Waterfall. Soap-opera face:

I love these!!

By then, we had walked like 2 miles in two hours in the sun, taking pics. So, everyone was tired, hot, hungry, it was 4 pm, so we walked the extra 300 meters to our spot! There was already a lot of people and we had to get the party started!!

Christine, Sarah, and Juan

Pablo, Sole, Katie, Juan, Martina, and.. Daniela!

Sole, Katie, Daniela, and Martina

Caroline, Jeff, and us

well, Pablo is a magician… and we couldn’t stop him! 😉

the family! my aunt in the middle and my cousins, Karina and Carlos!

wait, wrong sister!!!

Time to start the ceremony… we only had a permit for 2 hours! (plus cleaning time of course!).

Pablo was officiating, and he had 4 pages of stories to share… Juan and I had written our own vows, five each, which we read, and it all went very fast. We have it all on video (ask me for the youtube link if you want to see it!!!) and it’s just 10 minutes, but it was fun, funny, and it really meant a lot to us to get to say that out loud, in front of a lot of people, and in the park. We had done our own vows before our City Hall/Sept 3rd wedding too, but it makes the commitment to each other so much more official…

if you know me at all, you know I do this a lot

Done! All SO FAST! Oh well.

I am not sure how this happened… I think this was Richie’s idea… That’s Adam and Michelle who are getting married in a few months too!

Kevin and Jill (plus Ned in blue)

Steph (who also got married the same week as we!), me, Ana, and Lo!

(Sky) Erik, Patricia, and baby! (Tom)

Wedding Cake by Steph!

Christine, Daniela, and Sole

Of course I am eating, and Helen

Sky, Martina, most amazingly creative gift ever, and me. PS: Sky came straight to the park right from her 6 hour race, which she WON. Jeez! Amazing

Patchoux, my friend and training partner, and me! Plus baby Lillie!

Martina being Martina

matchy-matchy? Well, YES

It’s never official until there is a jump shoot!

Or this.

Well, that was it. Soon it started to get dark, and we got cold and REALLY hungry. So we headed to a restaurant for food, and to relax. It was so much much fun. It all went so fast (proposal to this was 1 month exactly) but I am not sure I would have wanted to do anything differently or take more time. We have now the rest of our lives to do stuff (I don’t think I ever would have spent a month or a year planning a party…! EVER), figure stuff out, enjoy each other, get in trouble, and RUN!

Well, so, if you wanted more pictures, yes, there’s more, all in random order, from our guests!!

to all of you who came: thank you guys!!! you made our day so special… we hope you had fun!!

In case you needed more links:
A Running Engagement
I get married today!!!
Engagement Pictures
A PR Wedding!
NYRR Fifth Avenue Mile – the Wedding Version

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

Oct8

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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NYRR Fifth Avenue Mile – the Wedding Version

Sep30

Oh, I am warning you… this is CHEESY and ridiculous, and you might even think I am making a ridicule of the sport. You might also think it’s cute and fun… but as we were going for wedding PRs, keep these in mind:

8/21 Running Proposal

9/2 Engagement Pictures

9/3 PR Wedding!

9/21 Wedding Ceremony in Central Park

So, a MONTH.

And because the Ceremony was on 9/21 and the mile on 9/22 we figured we could make a wedding weekend out of it… So Juan had the genius (or cheesy!) idea to run the Mile together (he doesn’t run anything that lasts less than 10 hours, ehem, so he would have never raced this…) for fun… In outfits. I said yes. He went online and a few days later we had these:

How did we get matching numbers, you ask?

Well…. we had been so busy we never signed up for the race… Also, we had visitors in town for the ceremony so we weren’t sure we wanted to drag them to the race or leave them to their own destiny… So we only pulled the trigger on Thursday and by then bib pick up is open and numbers are NOT assigned by pace… So, we signed up online at the same time and we got matching numbers. I guess I clicked Submit a second earlier!

Sunday morning, post Saturday ceremony and other stuff , was rough. We were exhausted… My feet were destroyed from wearing heels for like 8 hours all over the park (we must have walked like 2 miles taking pictures, coming soon!), but once you get moving…

We took this picture in our corner:

Then, a couple of blocks later, the official photographers caught on. It’s so cool that I live less than a block away from one of the most exciting road races in the world!

We are gonna buy these, no worries, you’ll see the nice versions!

We decided to hit the back of the Women 40-49 heat because we wanted to cheer and watch everybody race! I got to catch a lot of people at the start, including a lot of team mates, and I felt so out of place in the outfit… Like I wasn’t taking the event seriously. Oy. I know it is stoopid to feel that way, because we all have our different reasons for each race, but my racing wiring is hard to reset!!!

The thing is, I am not in PR shape having to cut running for 6 weeks, and my PR is from last year: this race was a week before my Berlin Marathon and I was in good shape. There was no way I’d PR. I was also tired, feet hurt. If I wasn’t going to PR, why bother instead of just having fun? This was our wedding weekend after tall. Perspective.

Soon enough it was 10:10 and we sat in the back of the corral. We spotted Kettia, who had run 20 miles the day before (beast!) in our corral, wished her good luck and waited… in the back. We wanted to run slow to have fun with it and not be in anybody’s way, so we waited until everybody went, and then started trotting easily. A block after it got crowded again, so we now waited for another bit 😉

Once we got to 65th St, all hell broke loose, the Dashing Whippets had taken over the whole block and it was LOUD. Seriously, this is the funnest and loudest team ever.

Of course it’s Ben Ko‘s picture, if it’s the amazing!

Oh, gosh, we did all sorts of weird things… Like forgetting to toss the bouquet and then deciding I’d do it later!

Then, the funniest thing happened. Juan told me to stop at the white lines, RIGHT BEFORE THE FINISH LINE. UMMM, WHAT?

He picked me up and carried me through the finish.

When better planning is needed: that skort is not for this type of pictures…

I am not sure where that photographer on the floor’s pictures are but I am sure:

I don’t want to see/share them
they banned them

We then went back to hang out with my sister, friends and the team. I tossed the bouquet (note to self: carrying flowers on a run, not so easy!). We cheered some more, screamed a lot, said lots of Congrats and Good job (ugh, I still have no idea what time I did because, truly: it doesn’t matter!). And had some more fun and laughs. All day. And NO soreness or post-mile-coughing!!

And then, just like that, the wedding stuff was over. Such a fun month but what a relief. I like normal life better.

We did stay to watch the elites of course, pics already posted in an earlier post here if you missed it.

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.

My new motto I stole

Jul16

True story- I commented this morning:

As hot as it is out: EMBRACE IT. Even if super slow, or walk, go take it in. Next week’s 80s and 70s will feel like winter. I promise!

Lora, of ‏@LVrunsNYC and this blog, replies: Amen! A strong fall is earned in the summer!

And my brain clicked.

PS: this week has been HELL on FIRE in NYC….

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.

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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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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Who Will Win a great ESD piece? Guess my Finish Time at the NYRR New York Giants Run of Champions 5K this weekend!!

Jun18

Just like we did before all my last races, it’s time to place your bets again… As usual, someone will be right on the money…!

Rules: pick a finish time and write in the comments below. Whoever gets closer, wins. If there’s two identical times, the first poster wins! Make sure if you include seconds in there too, and post before next Sunday, June 23rd, 7 am. Whoever gets closer, wins a…

Erica Sara Designs Running Day Necklace, in sterling silver!!! It’s gorgeous, and it features sterling silver engraved charms: one mile at a time rectangle, one run mini charm, and one heart mini charm plus a beautiful rope chain for a total length of 18″. Super Cute!

Note: they are only shipping to the US, so if you don’t live here, you can send it to someone else as a gift (hint: I want one) or to hold it for you. If you are a man and don’t know one woman who might like it (impossible!!!): I want one. Ha. I am kidding. Or am I?

Data time…

The race I am doing is the NYRR New York Giants Run of Champions 5K this Sunday.

Your Clues/My Previous Times:

Last 5Ks

Prospect Park Track Club 5K, 8/22/12, 21:09, 6:49 pace, and my current PR

Shoe4Africa 5K, 12/2/12, 21:34, 6:56 pace

Last Short Races, this year

Run as One TGL Classic, 4 miler, 4/28/13, 28:00, 7:00 pace

Bronx Community College, 10K, 5/5/13, 44:32, 7:11 pace

Oakley Mini 10K, 6/8/13, 44:46, 7:13 pace

That’s all I have… plus:

Course: not sure, but seems flatish enough.
Fitness level: I should be in PR shape…? but who knows! Also, it’s in NJ so I’ll have to get up at un ungodly 4 am…
Weather: Not counting on it!

GO ON! Place your bets below!!! (I will probably not look until after!). Good Luck!

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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?

runningandthecity

and by "the city", I mean NYC.

Tag Archive | nyc running

My 2013 New York City Marathon Race, part 1

Sunday Morning

New York City Marathon Media and Elite Runners, and the Winners!

Pre-Marathon, at the Media Events!

Post-Marathon, on Monday at the Winner’s Conference!

New York City Marathon Expo — lots of pictures!

Our Central Park Wedding Ceremony

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

NYRR Fifth Avenue Mile – the Wedding Version

Summer Streets in NYC

(August) Biomechanics Coaching Session GIVEAWAY

My new motto I stole

I like to run

Free Biomechanics Talk, don’t miss it

Running and the City

A Biomechanics Coaching Session – July Giveaway

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

I choose NOT to be a better runner

Race Report: NYRR Giants Run of Champions 5K

Who Will Win a great ESD piece? Guess my Finish Time at the NYRR New York Giants Run of Champions 5K this weekend!!

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

Sunday Morning

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Pre-Marathon, at the Media Events!

Post-Marathon, on Monday at the Winner’s Conference!

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