You never regret signing up for a race after you cross the finish line. I really wasn’t feeling this race. Sunday’s high was projected at 32 degrees with wind and snow, my legs were tired from marathon training, I didn’t have pins for my bib, and I just kinda wanted to sleep in and not deal with the logistics of a big city race. I’m so glad I signed up for this race. There’s nothing like New York City being shut down for you, and running through Central Park, Times Square, and down to Wall Street. The 1:26:51 finish time was icing on the cake! The snow waited till after the race, and it was “only” 34 degrees at the start.
Marta and I joke that after a race we check our official time over and over again, with hopes that the time will magically down. It never does. I didn’t know what my official time was when I finished because my garmin pooped out on me the last 1.5 miles when we were in the Battery Park Underpass. I was told my official time was 1:26:57 which I was super excited about because I knew I ran more like 13.5, and my splits were way better than my previous PR. Later in the evening I checked my official time. 1:26:51. Seconds matter 🙂
While I was running it just felt so darn smooth. I don’t know how to explain it, but all those workouts Michelle’s wrote for me, I could just feel them helping me run with ease. I ran a 6:26 at mile six, and just though I’d see how long I could hold on to that kind of pace. I stuck around 6:30s for the rest of the race.
As soon as I finished the race I rushed back to Hastings-on-Hudson to shower, eat, and head back into the city to be with the fam. We hung out in Greenwich Village, recreated the food tour I took for my bachelorette party way back in 2009 by visiting the famous Joe’s Pizza, rice balls from Faicco’s Italian Store, and Milk & Cookies (that s’more cookie hit the spot). Brent and I walked the High Line, then head back to Pleasantville in Westchester County to see some of his Georgetown friends.
The NYC half wasn’t the reason I came to NY. It was just a way of not having to do my long run by myself, and seeing where I’m at a month before Boston. We came to celebrate Carmen + Jim! I can’t wait to be an Aunt to a girl in May! Alicia went above and beyond planning a beautiful shower. She made Gerber candles, brought a bunch of delicious food from DC, made banners, made games, created the invite. Thank you Alicia. I can only take credit for the cupcakes and cupcake toppers and the Name the Storybook game. Colby was my little assistant with passing out pens when we played games. 
And back to the race. A few things I learned yesterday. English muffin with Justin’s Vanilla Almond Butter, and strawberry jam with a cup of coffee is pre-race perfection. Trust yourself when the pace feels right. I was scared when I started running 6:30s, but I just went with it and managed to hold on. Make friends. I’m not sure if he appreciated it, but I met a guy around mile 5 from LA. I noticed his Village Runner t-shirt and struck up a conversation. On the subway back to Grand Central Station I nerded out with a bunch of finishers who were also using this as a tune-up run for Boston and missed my stop. It’s fun meeting people from all over the country at races. Get to know who is out there.
PROs:
- Starting line waves and corrals were well organized, making for the least amount of congestion possible when you have 20,000 people running in Central Park.
- Plenty of water on the course and bathroom lines were really short.
- Awesome course. Fun to run in Central Park, through Times Square and towards Wall Street.
- International race. People from all over the world!
- You get to run a race with elites. Molly Huddle was in my wave!
- NYRR’s got its logistics down. The finish line blankets even had tape to keep them from flying off you in the wind.
- Nice, classic medal.
- Finish line video.
CONs:
- Expo was apparently meh. Marta picked up my bib.
- Lottery or qualifying to get in. Tough to get a spot.
- Not as much crowd support as I would have expected, but I’m guessing the cold had more to do with this.
- Crowded most of the race. Hard to push the pace in the early miles. Did some weaving even at the end so I ran more like 13.4.
- Hilly course, although personally I like a challenge. No more downhill courses for me.
- Westside Highway is really windy.
Thanks for waiting a day, snow 🙂
