The entire time I was on the bike I kept thinking about the run. How it would be so nice to be jogging (not running - lets face it) in Central Park. & that I would take it one mile at a time & run from water station to water station. That's always my plan in these races - just get to the next water stop.
After the transition - I started out of Riverside Park & up 72nd Street. It was really cool to be running in the middle of the city, down the middle of 72nd Street. I can't explain it, but I kept thinking (as I ran past a ton of cheering people) that this must be what the NYC Marathon must be like the entire way - tons of cheering people. As I entered the park there were lots of people. I was a bit sad my friends missed me, but I didn't know how long I would be on the bike & I was finished an hour sooner than I thought. But there were a lot of people at the entrance to the park, maybe about 1,000? & I was surprised to see how fast the 1 mile mark came & went. I made it to the first water stop & filled up, because I know that I definitely did not drink as much as I should have on the bike. At about mile 2, I did encounter a hill & did walk for about 2 minutes, yeah disappointing, but I did feel a bit of a cramp coming on.
To be honest, I have been in Central Park tons of times, but never for a run & I wasn't really sure where I was in the Park. I did start running at a certain point & made it past mile 3 & the next water stop. There was a lot to see, so that kept me going. I know I came around the reservoir & atone point asked someone where were & he said 110th Street. OK, that's the top of the park! Halfway there. & yes, the 3 mile marker also let me know I was 1/2 way there as well! I think it was at this point I came upon a sprinkler - which was really refreshing. The Fifth Avenue side of the park was definitely a lot warmer than when I started. I did walk a bit again up Cat Hill - I was tired, but then it dawned on me that I had less than 2 miles to go & I could do this. Mile 5 clicked by & then I saw the museum.
Now years ago I watched Paul Tergat race to the finish in the NYC marathon right around this same spot. I have no idea why I would remember this as it was in 2005 & I was definitely not a runner or in any running shape back then, but it was the only running memory I had of Central Park. So weird, I know! But as I past the museum all I wanted to do was finish before 11 am & before the 4 hour mark. My goal was really 3 & 1/2 hours, but I think that's something I'm going to have to work on for next year.
I wound around the museum & then a few turns later I could see thousands of people still lining the race area & all I kept thinking was - where the hell is the finish line? Someone yelled out 1/4 mile to go - but I think they were lying because I think I ran about another 1/2 mile before I finally crossed over the first timing pad & then over the finish line.
It was a great race & I was really excited that I finished. Even though it was just at the 4 hour mark, I was glad because I hadn't really put in the effort I had in training for San Francisco & I still came out 45 minutes ahead of that time. But I know there was a lot I could have improved upon. Like my transition time, maybe not stopping to go to the bathroom after the bike & being a better runner. But my main goal was to do this for the MS Society & raise money. & I did it.
Next year I hope to get into this race again, but if not, I'd bet psyched to get on the MS team again. It was a great experience. & who doesn't love NYC? Here's a pic of me after the race. I was too gross to go into Chanel looking like this, so maybe I will get the chance to go this weekend! Thanks for reading up on my race report!
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.