Oakley Mini 10K (a.k.a My Last Race as a New Yorker)

Trying to live life and also get ready for a life-changing move takes a lot of work and balance. I’m not sure how I’m doing really, but trying to keep it all together and get everything done.

Saturday was my last race as a New Yorker. I became a runner here in New York, so it’s kind of a strange feeling. I truly hope that this isn’t my last race in New York though! The Mini 10K is one of my very favorite NYRR races each year. All women. A different course. Great camaraderie. Men lining the 6.2 miles cheering the women who are giving it their all. The history – it was first run in 1972. It’s just a really great race.

Friday was absolutely miserable – Tropical Storm Andrea made it’s way through the area and soaking the city. I was nervous about what the weather would be like Saturday morning and hit refresh on weather.com about a million times Friday. Thankfully the morning turned out to be dry with even some peaks of sun and a lot of humidity (okay, not so thankful for that).

I met up with some of my Oiselle teammates in Columbus Circle before the race for a picture – it’s good we were wearing the same singlet, definitely made it easier to find each other in the sea of women!

^{Amanda, Abby, and me}

Grace and I found each other – we had promised to start the race together, although I was determined to run the whole race with her. I wanted to cross the finish line with my running partner-in-crime. If it wasn’t for Grace, I’m not sure I would have kept running as I have and really found a love for it. Running with her after work are some of my favorite memories of living in NYC.

The start was packed, like usual, but all women. More than 5,500 of us! It was probably a pretty interesting scene for people who weren’t aware of what was going on. We also joked how every single man in the city who wants to find a girl who is healthy and active should have been there!

The Mini 10K is part of the NYRR pro series, so toeing the line along with local elites were pro runners including Mamitu Daska (who won in 31:47), Stephanie Rothstein Bruce, and Desiree Davila.

The first few miles are run up Central Park West, in front of some of the most expensive real estate in the city. I’m sure the people living in those apartments were thrilled to wake up to us running by! Pretty quick after the start we realized how humid it was. Pretty cool but really sticky. We had the whole road so it wasn’t too crowded at first, but tightened up quite a bit once we turned into the park. The hills didn’t start till we made it into the park, and not long after we were starting up the Harlem Hills. I haven’t spent any time up there for many, many months, but they are ingrained in my memory so I knew a bit of what to expect. We pushed up the hill and it was pretty quiet. Seems to go on forever and I was a bit worried about the wet roadway. Once we got to the top, I congratulated Grace and the other runners, but it was for me too. I made it to the top and was feeling pretty good!

We continued on for several miles, taking a beautiful tour of the park. I wish I could have captured the beautiful bright green of the leaves in the trees, fresh off the rain. The sum came out every once in a while but for the most part it was a little cloudy, which was perfectly fine with me. The crowds really picked up as we came down Cat Hill (thank god we didn’t have to climb that one!) and a lot of local teams were out cheering on their teammates. It was just what was needed to get through the last few miles.

Grace and I stayed together pretty much the whole race, which I thought was impressive considering we took advantage of a couple water stops! We came around the south end of the park and knew we were almost to the finish. The thing I don’t like about finishing at Tavern on the Green – for the marathon or any weekly race – is the fact that you have to finish with a pretty decent uphill, which is not really the best way to finish a race if you ask me!

I heard my name as we entered the finish chute and Abby was off to the side cheering for us! It was great to see a teammate there and helping us to the finish.

We crossed the finish line together and it was awesome! I couldn’t have asked for a better last race. We got our medals and flowers and headed to grab some much needed water before meeting up with the birds again for one more picture. This time Robin joined us! I just love being a part of the Oiselle team and can’t wait to meet the women out in Colorado.

Some post-race smiles

And that’s it. My last race as a New Yorker. I am so lucky and grateful to have found my love for running while living here and I can’t wait to come back and run again!

Later in the day…

It seems a lot of things on our ‘to-do’ list before we move revolves around food. I’m not sure how that happened but two things on our list for this weekend was the Union Square Farmer’s Market and the Big Apple BBQ. All sorts of deliciousness.

How did you spend your weekend? Do you have a favorite race?

Hot Weather Running

It seems Mother Nature decided once Memorial Day hit it was time for summer to hit NYC. We had a legitimate heat wave this past week with several days over 90 degrees. One day actually hit a high of 97. Whew! That is hot.

Perfectly placed on Thursday, smack in the middle of the heat wave, I had a race to run. I’ve wanted to run the American Heart Association Wall Street Run for a few years now but for one reason or another it didn’t work out. As it’s in our neighborhood and we’re moving later this month, I made it a point to do this race. It was so hot but I was determined to do it.

There were a ton of people at the start, many walkers mixed in with the runners, which was an auspicious start. This race also brings out a lot of corporate teams. While great, it also means there are a lot of people who don’t run often trying to look hard core in front of their colleagues. It was hot at the start, with stale air hanging around the crowds and heat radiating from the streets, but thankfully the sun was going down and the tall buildings and narrow streets mean that there’s a lot of shade.

The race goes through the mostly narrow and winding streets of lower Manhattan. It’s a great 3-mile tour of my part of the city, but it’s also a bit of a challenge due to the tight space. I got annoyed pretty quickly by the runners who jumped on the sidewalk trying to ‘get past the crowds’ but were shaving distance off their race at the same time. Especially when it came to cutting big corners. Definitely not cool to cheat.

I thought I took it slow, and I definitely did compared to some others, but the heat was still getting to me around mile 2. There was one water station along the route, and it was a little before mile 2 – I think – but there could have easily been another and it would have been much appreciated!

The finish line was along the Hudson River in Battery Park City just below the North Cove, where the finish line festivities were taking place. I run this promenade often but I swear, it has never seemed so long as it did that night! The finish line was a little smaller than usual and I kept straining to see it ahead of me but there were just people and trees and water. No finish line. I was SO beyond thrilled when I saw it.

It took a while to reach the water, apples and pretzels, then I walked around a bit trying to catch some of the breeze to cool down and found a guy to take my picture. I was pretty thrilled I made it to the finish line in that heat without walking, especially after I saw a few people being helped down to the curb. A race on one of our first really hot days. Fun times! Glad that’s over!

Then Saturday was the big #WeRUNNYC fun run sponsored by Oiselle, Nuun and Pickybars! It was another REALLY hot day, already 80 degrees by 8am. There was a great turnout for the run, sampling and raffle, especially given the heat and was fun to see so many Oiselle birds!

Two groups went out – 4 miles and 8 miles – I really have no idea how the 8 milers did it. Just finishing our run, which turned out to be a little over 5 miles, was pretty tough. The running path along the East River has little shade making it quite hot. It was great to see so many people coming together for a run and enjoying the camaraderie. Meggie and Joceyln did an amazing job organizing the event!

Even though we were sweating like mad, Grace, April, Steve (April’s husband), Woody and I went out for brunch at a cute place in Chelsea, Tipsy Parsons. I highly recommend it. It was a hot, but super fun morning and I’m so glad Grace, April and Steve joined us! Great times with friends!

 

Is it getting hot where you live? What are your tips for successful hot weather running?

Race Report: Japan Run (4M)

So yeah, this is a bit overdue. The past week has been a bit hectic and draining. I did not run the Brooklyn Half Marathon today like thousands of New Yorkers, but I want to say a big congratulations to those who did, like Grace & April!!

Last Sunday I ran the Japan Run, an annual four mile New York Road Runners race in Central Park that I’ve run several times but not in the last few years. I’ve been picking my races carefully this year, and this was my second race of the year – the first being this very cold one. I woke up to rain, so I put a few extra items in my bag and headed up to Central Park. The start line of this race has moved down to near East 68th Street from 102nd when I last ran it, which I much prefer since we were able to tackle Cat Hill very early on.

Since Boston, NYRR has instituted several new procedures – runners can only check clear plastic bags that are provided by NYRR, security checks at the porta-potties – and expected that it would take a bit more time to get through it all, but it actually wasn’t bad. Plus, I found out that if I fold it up and put it in the clear plastic bag, that I can still use my incredibly awesome Oiselle spike bag.

I found shelter from the light rain for a bit under a bridge with a ton of other runners then headed to the corral about 15 minutes before the race starts. I never quite understand why they close the corrals 10 minutes before the start (although usually you can find a place to sneak in). As we were getting the race instructions, the clouds started to part and the sun came out in full force. I had been a little worried about my wardrobe choice when it was damp and chilly but then thankful that I went with just my Oiselle singlet and distance shorts by the time I hit the top of Cat Hill!

I started a bit conservatively this time but each time I knocked off another hill my confidence rose a little and my speed crept up just a tad. While there were thousands of people running, for some reason it didn’t seem as crowded and hectic at the start and throughout as it usually does. While I don’t run in the park as often as I used to, I still know it very well which is always helpful when running a race. It’s good to know what’s ahead so you can adjust your speed or plan depending on how you’re feeling and how the race is going.

There were a ton of people out for this race – many of whom had run the UAE 10K the day before and many who were planning to run the Brooklyn Half today. It turned out to be a really beautiful mother’s day and a great race! While not my fastest time, I’m still happy with how I did and ready to tackle my next two races that are coming up quickly!

Apparently I had some trouble getting my number on straight that morning!

There was a pretty big post-race festival along the Mall but I decided to head out and walk down to Times Square to pick up the subway since it was a beautiful day and still pretty early. Usually I’d rather be just about anywhere except Times Square, but I’ve been finding myself there more often lately for one reason or another. This time, for some reason, I felt the need to stop and get a picture.

Next race up is May 30th – AHA Wall Street Run (in my ‘hood!) – then the NYRR Oakley Mini 10K on June 8th!

Are you racing this weekend or have one coming up?

NYRR 5th Ave Mile Race Recap

I mentioned yesterday I had never run a 1mile race before. This is a race I’ve wanted to run for years, I’ve heard great things about it, but for one reason or another I’ve never done it. When I chose the training plan I’m following for the Detroit Half I was happy that the long runs are on Sunday so I could run this race.
This race is really unique in that, not only is it just a mile, it also runs south on 5th Avenue from 79th to 59th and the race is held in heats by age and gender. It started with boys and girls ages 8-14 running together, then women 15-29, men 15-29, women 30-39, men 30-39 and so on. There were 15 minutes between each heat and about two minutes after one heat went off, the next one started lining up. Cops lead the way for each heat.
Like usual, NYRR had everything working like a well oiled machine. The bag check was incredible. each heat had it’s own school bus. You just dropped your bag off and about 5 minutes before each heat started, the bus drove down to the end and all the bags were unloaded and you could pick yours up right outside the chute. Seriously, so easy it was ridiculous.
The one thing I didn’t like too much about it was that we lined up 13 minutes before the race time – all packed into a small area, no room to move around and stretch, but just enough room to get really, really un-proportionately nervous about a 1 mile race!
The race started and it took me a few seconds to maneuver my way to the start. I eased into a spot in the middle of the road. I know these streets, they all round towards the gutters and the middle is the only place you’ll get a somewhat level surface. It was a pretty tight field for the first few hundred yards, and then lightened up a little, but not like a typical race. Thankfully NYRR had signage each quarter mile along with a timer. I didn’t pay attention to the timer but it was nice to be able to pace myself knowing exactly where I was in the distance. I knew when there were four blocks left and really pushed the pace. The timer read 8:02 when I crossed the finish line, so I was thrilled to know I had come in just under that!
I walked through the chute, made my way to grab an apple and water from the volunteers (thank you) and was absolutely amazed by how sweaty we all got in just one mile!! It was gross.
Overall, I’m really happy with this race. At my best, I could have gone faster, but at this moment in time, I did a great job! Since I’m training for a half, I never actually trained for this particular race and I’ve heard stories of people pushing it so hard down that mile that they end up injured. That, I definitely did not want to do! Hey, automatic PR, right?!
Grace was in the heat before mine so we met up for brunch afterwards. Had to stop for a photo op with the finish line in the background. Like my new Oiselle team singlet?! (don’t be alarmed, bib numbers for this race were apparently assigned alphabetically, not by pace like usual!)

What’s your favorite race distance? How do you calm pre-race nerves?

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Today’s workout -

• 3mile run
• 2x15 hammer curls
• 2x16 lateral arm raise
• ab exercises
• 2x15 squats
• stretching

Less Than A Week Away

You've read it here before.

June 1st is National Running Day!

How are you celebrating and sharing your love for running?

Or.... are you going to use the day to discover your love for running?

Either way, I just hope you get out there and RUN!!

A little back story on National Running Day...

National Running Day, held annually on the first Wednesday in June, is a day when runners everywhere declare their passion for running. Wherever we are and whomever we’re with, we run—fast or slow, alone or with others, all over town or just around the block. It is a coast-to-coast celebration of a sport and activity that’s simple, inexpensive, and fun. It’s the perfect way for longtime runners to reaffirm their love of running and for beginners to kick off a lifetime and life-changing commitment.

Last night I went to a NYRR Young Professionals Committee meeting where we discussed the last few details for our annual National Running Day Fun Run & Happy Hour. It's been one of our best events every year and the crowd is always energetic and excited to get involved (even though it rained the first year)! Like always, our events raise money to support the NYRR Youth Programs, including the Mighty Milers and Young Runners, around the country.

You don't have to be a running club like NYRR or a charity group to plan an event. All you have to do is decide on a time, place and route then go to this website, register and add your event. It can be a run through your neighborhood; it doesn't have to be a big event. What matters is that people are getting out, being active, meeting new people and running (any speed, any distance).

name tag courtesy of runningday.org,
but that's one of my reason's to run!

Follow National Running Day on Twitter HERE
Be a Facebook fan HERE

If you're in the tri-state area, I hope you'll join us next Wednesday! I encourage you to register  HERE before hand because our events do sell out!

• How are you celebrating National Running Day?
• Why do you run?

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Wednesday's workout -
None. Rest day!

Today's workout -
25min elliptical
2x20 weighted side bends
2x20 front arm raise
2x20 leg press
2x15 tricep extension
100 crunches
2x10 tricep push ups
3x15 hanging reverse crunches
2x30sec side plank
1x40sec plank
1x60sec superman
stretching
foam roller