Brooklyn Half Marathon

I’ve had big plans for this race since I ran it last year and knew I could PR on it if I actually trained. In my new year resolutions, I set a goal of 2:18, which would mean 10:30 miles. Aside from the 2 weeks I was sick, I followed my training plan pretty much to a T. My 12-miler felt great, and I felt ready.

Jenn came over to crash closer to the start line (approximately 10 feet from my apartment) and we pancaked it up. In the morning, Jocelyn stopped by to pick us up on her way to the start. As we left my place at like 6:58, my roommate and her girlfriend (who were both running) were just getting up. Roommate was eating a bowl of cereal, and girlfriend walked out with us…so she could run to the deli on the corner. I found out later that they both made it to the race and finished, but I was a little worried about them for a while!

My favorite coffee shop had this sign up, and this is why it’s my favorite (also their cold brew coffee, and the fact that they have almond milk.)

I had a moment as we crossed the start line with the second wave and I began running when I thought “Oh, fuck. I’m going to be doing this for the next 2+ hours.” But we took off down Washington and circled back up towards Grand Army Plaza where I saw Betsy and Amanda.

One thing I like about this course is that it sections itself off into manageable pieces. There’s the pre-park section, which is about 3.5 miles, which flies by because I’m just waiting to get to the park. There’s the park, which is 3.5 miles, which goes quickly enough because it’s the park and I run it all the time. Then there’s Ocean Parkway, which is the last 5-6, and the only time I missed having music on my first-ever unplugged race.

At the first 5k I looked at my phone and saw I had a solid 10:15 pace. If I could keep this up I’d be golden for my goal time. Miles 4-5 were a little tough for me with the Prospect Park hill, and mentally may have reminded me that this is where it all started to fall apart for me last year. I slowed down enough that my pace after the park averaged 10:30ish.

Coming out of the park, I got a high five from a friend. As I mentioned earlier, the next part on Ocean Parkway was the hardest for me this year. I only stopped to walk once (aside from a brief stop for shot bloks at mile 8 & 11 and a few steps of walking through water stations so I didn’t choke.) But I counted to 10 and started running again.

At mile 10, I knew I wanted to be at 1:45. That would give me 33 minutes for the last 5k, so as long as I had 10:30 miles I’d make it. When I passed the mile marker, I was at 1:45:55. I knew my goal was within reach, but not with out a LOT of effort, so I refused to stop aside from scarfing down my mile 11 shot bloks. The only thing that kept me from walking was the fact that I wanted to be able to tell myself I had actually tried my hardest, that I’d pushed myself beyond my comfort zone to really, truly try as hard as I could to make my goal.

As I hit the 800m sign (which I HATE because it tricks you into thinking you’re closer than you are) I wanted to stop but I kept hearing spectators say things like “Finish strong, you can walk as much as you want when you’re done with this!” I wanted to tell them to shut up, but they were right so I kept going. Betsy and Janelle saw me and yelled my name as I rounded the corner to head up to the boardwalk around 400m, which was a nice boost.

Once I hit the boardwalk I was terrified of falling (at this point my legs were dead so I was pumping my arms to force them to move, which meant I was in great danger of tripping on boards) but I could see the finish SO CLOSE so I watched the boards and just ran as hard as I could. I’m sure my finish line picture is terrible because I probably looked like I was about to cry/vomit/pass out simultaneously. But I was done!

Phew! I knew from my phone that I definitely didn’t make my 2:18 goal, but I was so proud of myself for pushing through discomfort the last couple miles and really working through the mental block of wanting to walk that I could never be disappointed in myself. I’l post more about the stats I’m proud of later because this is already a novel.

I met up with Jocelyn and Jenn at the finish, and we eventually found Janelle and Betsy to hop on the subway.

There were no bagels at the finish line (come on, NYRR! Pretzels?!) so I grabbed one from my favorite local bagel store as a pre-brunch snack before showering and adding Ellen, Drew, Caroline and Johnna to our posse for brunch at The Farm on Adderly. They were offering free beers to runners, so I had a delicious saison paired with a fancy grilled cheese, a poached egg and great conversation with old/new friends!

Definitely a great day and an excellent start to a (somewhat sore) weekend.

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Brooklyn Half Marathon

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Real talk.

My goal for pre-Brooklyn Half was to run any race with a pace under 10:00 so I could move up a corral. I didn’t quite make my goal, ending up with a 10:06 that probably wouldn’t move me out of my good old 10:20 corral that I’ve been in for 2 years (though also my BK bib still says 10:20.)

I should be fine with this. I generally don’t compare myself to other people. I’m pleased with the improvements that I’ve made in my running this year, and I’m proud of how consistently I trained (until I got sick, at least.)

Of ~40,000 runners, my bib number is still in the 35000s. Based on projected pace, there are fewer than 5000 people who run slower than I do.

Am I crazy? That just seems so unlikely to me! Are other people really that fast? With half marathons becoming increasingly popular and more new runners doing them, shouldn’t I be in a higher percentile than that?

I’m not judging myself, or down on my time, but just a little frustrated that even as I improve I’m still so far in the back of the pack.

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Brooklyn Half Marathon

I don’t know- I had my handheld water bottle so I wouldn’t be depending on them. I know they’re back on in Central Park and Prospect Park, but it’s definitely frustrating! The greenway is used by so many cyclists and runners, both of whom need water and bathrooms! (And Moxy, I ended up stopping at the World Financial Center but I will keep your offer in mind for next time!)

Trust me, I don’t make a habit of it. It just was just makeup time for the 12-miler that I missed on Sunday while I was on vacation. I decided I’d rather suck it up and get it done mid-week than miss another 2 days from my already shortened taper.

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I am so, so, so glad I did this run. A few people commented on my Tuesday post that I didn’t really need it. And there’s some truth in that- one can run a half marathon with 10 miles as your longest long run. But I don’t know if I can. Running is so mental, and if I don’t feel prepared I’m just going to set myself up to fail.

Fortunately, I feel good and prepared now.

With how great I felt, I really thought I was going faster, but this is still very good for me. (If I can repeat that in the half next Saturday, I’d have a time of 2:19:18. I’m hoping for 2:18 or faster, so hopefully race day adrenaline (and not having to stop/start at lights) will get me there.

I took an espresso Gu right before running (it was gross.) The weather was beautiful- about 60-65 degrees, sunny, no rain, nice breeze off the river. Perfect running weather, in my opinion.

I had half a pack of Gu chomps around mile 5- I’ve found that I really prefer chomps/shot bloks to Gu, but the only downside is that I have to walk to eat them. But Gu has a tendency to mix with my water and bounce back into my throat so I never stop tasting it, which I do not enjoy.

My only complaint is that literally every bathroom on the Hudson River Greenway, from 96th st down to the World Financial Center, is closed. Are they doing construction? Do they close at 6? I have no idea. I tried to duck into a ferry terminal near my turn-off point for the bridge, but the women’s room was out of order. Just the women’s. Are you kidding me?

The other half my chomps on the bridge, and I was back in my own borough. It was a bit of a bummer to get to the end of the downhill off the bridge and realize I actually had to use muscle to move my legs instead of just gravity. By this point my legs were pretty sore. I think it’s my IT band, which I don’t normally have issues with, sore because I took way fewer walk breaks than usual.

From there it was just slightly uphill for a mile and a half to get home to my burrito. It waited for me while I stretched and foam rolled a bit, and has since been devoured in my bed while I ice my knees.

TL;DR, this was the strongest I’ve ever felt on such a long run. I really only stopped to walk 3 times (2 of those were for eating my gummies) and had good luck with lights so I only stopped for those a couple times.

Playlist:
Butch Walker & the Black Widows “Every Single Body Else”
We Are the Fury “Now You Know”
Mann f/ Jason Derulo “Text”
Young Statues “Pretty Girls Make Raves”
Sugarcult “Daddy’s Little Defect”
Thee Armada “Magnet to Misery”
Fountains of Wayne “Stacy’s Mom”
Take Cover “Escape Artist”
Kelly Clarkson “Mr Know It All”
Take Cover “Back Pedal”
Take Cover “The Whole Story”
The Starting Line “Decisions Decisions”
Amy Winehouse “Tears Dry On Their Own”
Tokyo Police Club “Wait Up (Boots of Danger)”
We the Kings “Heaven Can Wait”
The Starting Line “Somebody’s Gonna Miss Us”
Zebrahead “Jag Off
Something Corporate “Straw Dog”
Vinnie Caruana “Somehow The World Keeps Turning”
Valencia “Spinning Out”
One Direction “One Thing”
311 “Don’t Stay Home”
The Starting Line “Hello Houston”
Jessie J “Abracadabra”
Whitney Houston “I Wanna Dance With Somebody”
Timbaland f/ Fall Out Boy “One and Only”
Sum41 “Motivation”
Wiz Khalifa “Roll Up”
Thee Armada “Lala”
The Starting Line “Up & Go”
Beyonce “Love On Top”
Young Statues “Spacism”
You, Me, and Everyone We Know “The Puzzle”
Kate Nash “Kiss That Grrl”
Suicide Machines “What I Like About You”
Something Corporate “I Want to Save You”
Straighter Than Pete “Centerfold”
Valencia “The Space Between”
Zolof the Rock & Roll Destroyer “How Bout It”
The Starting Line “Island”

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Brooklyn Half Marathon

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I. Am. Exhausted.

The only thing convincing me to run 11 miles after work is the idea that it makes more sense to run it now and spend the next 9 days resting (and getting well, should these 11 set me back in illness recovery) than to put it off.

I went to a concert at Carnegie Hall last night, and I told myself if I was home before 10:30 I’d try to run in the morning instead of after work. Concert got out at 10, so by the time I got home, at some late dinner, and got into bed it was about midnight. I slept until almost 9, but I’m still just zonked.

Help me, espresso Gu!

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Evening 4-miler

This run was just what I needed to remind me that I actually can run, and that I actually enjoy it most some of the time.

I did 2 lower loops of the park without stopping to walk, at a pace so consistent that my time at the end of the run was exactly double what it was when I checked it after loop 1. It’s no negative split, but I’ll take a totally-equal split!

Then I came home and ate 2 veggie dogs and some roasted parsnip fries. Also I cut my roommate’s cat’s claws because he’s getting stuck to everything like velcro. He sulked for a little while but he just sat down on my arm so I think he’s forgiven me.

Now off to bed- a friend from high school is in town with her orchestra to play Carnegie Hall tomorrow (!!!!!) so we’re meeting for breakfast.

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Crowdsourcing running advice.

My last run was Sunday 4/28. 10 crappy, crappy miles, which partially contributed to my taking 2 sick days last week.

My original training plan called for 12 Sunday. My amended plan called for 12 after work tomorrow.

Since it’s been so long, and that’s a big jump, I’m thinking of doing 5 tomorrow and doing 12 after work THURSDAY. That way I can ease back into it at least a little, and it’ll give me a few days to get back in my schedule post-vacation. (Also, a few days removed from vacation I won’t feel like a huge asshole cutting out of work a few minutes early to get a head start on wherever it is I’m running.)

The only downside is that puts my longest run on 5/9, and my race on 5/18. Is 9 days enough for a taper? Generally I like to give myself a little more time, but I think the pros outweigh the cons in this situation. Thoughts?

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Brooklyn Half Marathon

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Almost the worst. Pretty much the worst.

Today’s long run was a mess, for some reasons that were not my fault and some that were.

It wasn’t really my fault that I feel like I’m starting to get sick (and have felt like I’m staving off a cold for the past couple days.) It’s not my fault that it was kind of hot today, though if I’d gotten my ass up earlier I could’ve NOT run 10 miles in the 2pm heat. It wasn’t my fault that there was park construction down by south street seaport, so I couldn’t take my exact route.

It was my fault I was a little hungover from pre- and post-theater drinking yesterday, and it was my fault I got a late start. I guess I should have realized that altering my route would’ve shortened it and added a little bit, but I didn’t so my route got shortchanged a little.

Things could’ve been worse. I didn’t have to walk the whole thing. I didn’t pass out and fall into traffic (there was no actual chance of this happening, it was just something I thought about.) I didn’t poop my pants (there was a time when I thought there was an actual chance of this happening.) Looking back at it in my pajamas, I’m glad I finished it out (sorta) since now I don’t have to try to redo it during the week.

Everything just went wrong- I planned to go to the gym at Wall st to use the bathroom before heading out on the run, but that gym is closed Sundays. Which meant I had to dash into a construction porta potty around mile 1.5, and it was the only one I’ve seen that was grosser than the Brooklyn Half mile 8 porta potty from last year. Also some mom/kid ripped the door open on me even though I locked it, and didn’t immediately slam it shut when I screamed so I had to grab the door and pull it closed myself.

There were a ton of tourists around the seaport, which I should’ve anticipated. I accidentally kicked one a little, and mostly-accidentally pushed another.

I ran out of water around mile 7 but none of the water fountains were on. Fortunately I found a gatorade vending machine that took $5 bills, but when I hit the button for orange gatorade it gave me blue. EW. Better than nothing.

The majority of this run had to be done in run/walk intervals. It was either that or give up, and I wanted really badly not to give up. I put myself in bad circumstances for the run, so I walked maybe 1/3 of a song, then ran the rest of the song + the whole next song.

When I finally saw the sign for 125th st I was so relieved. Even if I had to stop a few blocks short of it because my body didn’t want to run anymore.

I planned to go to Shake Shack for a chocolate peanut butter shake post-run, but neither my throat nor stomach wanted anything cold/dairy. I grabbed some garlic knots from a random pizza place near 125th st and headed home (where I downed some poached eggs on hash browns.)

So, to recap, my 8 miler 2 weeks ago was awful. My 9 miler last week was pretty good. This one was even more awful, so my 12-miler next Tuesday should be great, right? Right?

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Tonight was a happy run.

I could’ve sworn this route was exactly 5.5, so when I stopped my time I was a little bummed. Based on how awesome I felt, I thought I should’ve been faster.

Then I re-mapped it when I got home and discovered this!

Seriously, this one felt great. I only had one moment, for about 1/4 mile, when I wanted to stop. It was easy enough to push myself through to the top of the hill I was on and cruise on through.

The only downside was that I ended up with some nasty chafing from my iphone armband. It hasn’t really been a problem before except when it’s really hot, but I guess I just need to invest in more bodyglide.

Did a quick upper body strength workout at the gym after, then downed some spaghetti. Now it’s Grey’s Anatomy time and early to bed! (for a Friday)

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4.99

I hit a red light across the street from my end point, so I called it and hit stop on my phone.

A pretty good almost-5-miler. Also I confirmed that my Strava app keeps counting time after I hit pause and save my run. Today it said 51:38, and by the time my run had synced with the app and uploaded to my profile, it said 52:20.

I guess I should pay closer attention when I hit stop, especially if it’s adding almost a minute to my runs! It also adds at least a quarter mile to my distance, so it still thinks I run faster than I do.

The numbers above are from mapmyrun, the route I manually mapped out on my computer before running, plus the time I know I stopped my clock at. Trying to record accurate times is harrrrrd.

I skipped yesterday’s workouts because my old roommate got free tickets to Wicked on Broadway, so obviously I joined her when she invited me (Glinda was AWESOME, Elphaba had a fantastic voice but her pronunciation felt a little awkward at times because I don’t think she’s a native english speaker, and Fiyero was the understudy and was pretty disappointing. Overall good cast though) so I will be hitting the gym for some weight lifting after work.

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