Race Recap: GOGI 10K (Inaugural Edition)

6am wake up.
1 cup of green tea, crackers with peanut butter & raisins.
52 degrees and windy.
5 minute ferry ride.
15 minute walk to the starting line.
50 minute wait in the wind till the start gun. 

That's how our morning started yesterday. It was a blistery morning; the coldest one of the season so far, I think. Perhaps Saturday was just as cold, but it felt worse on the little dot of land just south of Manhattan known as Governor's Island.

This was my first time on Governor's Island - hopefully the next time will be warmer, or I'll be dressed more appropriately!

The Get Outside on Governor's Island 10K race (produced by Paragon Sports and The North Face) took us on three loops around the island. It was a bit unorganized at the start but they did have water (they had warned runners that there would be limited paper cups used and encouraged people to bring the water bottle supplied with race numbers & shirts or another one to be refilled), coffee, bagels, and fruit available for runners before the race. The bag check consisted of a few tables under white tents. There were few porta-potties though and very few places to take shelter from the wind. We quickly realized during the race that the start/finish area was just about the windiest part of the whole island!

Woody was running his first race and we knew he'd finish before me but we were a little worried about him going out to fast from the gate (common problem for many runners, even experienced ones) so our game plan was to run the first loop together. Once we hit the start line the second time he was off ahead of me. I lost him somewhere around mile 3. Other than the strong, cold wind, and a little bit of discomfort near my right heel, I was feeling pretty good! I kept a fairly even pace the whole way.

The course marshalls did a great job directing the runners through the loops and cheering us on. While the first two loops were really straight forward, the third took a bunch of curves and turns. The marshalls were right there at each turn along with signs and orange cones and because there were enough people running the race it was impossible to get lost or take a wrong turn. I have to say that the race description said this was a flat and fast but interesting course with tight turns. There were definitely some hills, which I have to say were a nice change to the landscape and that mile was probably the fastest mile for me) but the turns weren't too bad. The surface was really uneven for the last 2 miles or so, which irritated my foot a little, but the long straight away near the end was nice as well as the big cheering crowd at the finish line. Because there were limited ferry's back to Manhattan, a lot of the runners were milling around the start/finish area and a lot were cheering people to the end. Of course, I kicked it up a notch and sprinted to the end, but had a second to smile at Woody while he cheered for me! I'm so proud of him for running his first race (even though we knew all the time he would rock it!) and that we were able to share the experience!

Overall it was a good race. A bit unorganized but I would expect a certain amount of that for a first time race. I enjoyed catching up with bloggers Robyn and TK who also ran the race! After the race I was afraid we'd miss TK but the we actually ran into her in line for the ferry back!

Robyn joined Woody and me for brunch at an old school diner in the neighborhood that we hadn't tried yet (decent food, plenty of hot coffee and cheap prices). It was great to hang out with her and chat about all sorts of things (like where to get the cheapest groceries in the cit)! I'm really excited for her that her knee was feeling great and she was able to finish without walking!

It was a great morning, but wore me out. Waking up both mornings this weekend was exhausting. I definitely paid my bed a visit early Sunday night!

Now that I've put another race in the books, which one comes next?!

What season is your favorite for outdoor activities and what are your favorite things to do when you get out there?
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yesterday's workout -
10K run
dynamic stretching

today's workout -
10.25mile bike
3x10 weighted side bends
3x10 tricep extensions
3x10 leg press
stretching and ankle strengthening exercises