Typical of my post-children running career, “their” time and “my” time differ mainly because I’m not training. I’m running. Some. I move my body along the streets for stress relief and some quality alone time. With the addition of a second, it’s really the only time I have. So, I make it and I take it but I have no plan, no strategy, no real approach. I just do it.
The good news is I can do the minimums, run strong, throw in a good distance or two and crank out a half. My well-known and well-worn approach proves worthy over and over. Officially the clock read 2:00:40, a mere 41 seconds off the magic two hour barrier. Yet, because my eating and general habits are not slanted for (morning) running, I had to stop just shy of 7 miles for a GI break. Nothing horrific, just an inconvenience that put 4:43 on the clock that, in terms or running times, shouldn’t be there. So, Unofficially, I ran it in 1:55:58, a respectable and decent time given all of the above. I ran a negative split and felt comfortable throughout with a real 2.1 mile push at the end. Mentally, I was able to recover and most of my struggles later in the race came from not begin able to keep a clear line. The pit stop moved me back into a different pace area and I was passing people from the movement I left the Porta-Potty to the end. That helps the mind game some as I was picking people off all along the way, but it also makes for extra energy use, both mind and body.
The bad news is this is the exact same strategy and result I’ve seen for years. (That could be good news, too.) Last year, I ran the Bronx in 1:56 and Manhattan in 1:57 (My best Brooklyn was a 1:47 in ‘04). Same tactic, same results. Hmmmm.
As I plodded along the rather dull but smooth Ocean Parkway a some key thoughts came to mind:
1. I really like half marathons and the run TO Coney Island, albeit a bit dull along Ocean Blvd., was a much better course than the other way around.
2. Julie’s words of wisdom “Watch out for that boardwalk” rang true. I was pushing hard to the end, but that ramp to and the run across the Boardwalk were very treacherous and did cause a slight lift at the end.
3. Mentally, I impressed myself using a variety of tools. A woman missed the sign and asked me shortly after “Was that a mile marker?” “Yea, that was 10.” Her sigh led me to continue, “Only a 5K left.” “That’s a good way to look at it,” she said wearily. “It’s much shorter to the end than it is back to there,” I offered. “Wow,” she said with some levity, “what are you, a psychologist?” I chuckled and was glad she’d ‘heard’ me, “Hey, ya gotta be at this stage, right.”
4. I got a bit annoyed with the lack of water. Mid race, many of the water stations had no cups on the tables. At one stop, I grabbed an empty from the sleeve and dipped my own. I held the cup for the next station and was happy to have it as again, no cups were to be found. I have always been an ardent fan and supporter of the NYRR, but I’m growing more and more disturbed at the growing chaos and sizes of the races and with that the lack of support at the aid stations. This alone could be reason to run closer to the front.
5. I found my Run Less, Run Faster book this weekend (fate or coincidence) and need to make a decision: Be OK with what I’m doing , worry less about times and others and stats and, as an aging golden retriever type, be happy running the same times over many seasons OR make a plan, take a directed training plan into action including nutrition, strength, specifics with milestones, goals and get going.
For now, with my GI-adjust time and a successful mental victory, I’ll take what I can get. Stay tuned fro more as start reading about the FIRST methods and requirements.
6. Got my first running “injury” in a long time – I am the proud owner of a Black Toe on digit # 4, right foot.
Lots of race reports and coverage at The NYC Running Blog.
NYRR Grand Prix: Brooklyn
Prospect Park to Coney Island, Brooklyn
May 30, 2009, 8:00 am
13.1 Miles, 21.1 Kilometers
65 Deg. 75% Hum. Clear
Bib : 6074
Net Time : 2:00:41
My Time : 1:55:58
My Pace/Mile : 8:51
Overall Place : 4873 / 9423 (52%)
Gender Place : 3360 / 5078 (66%)
Weekend Update:
* Huge kudos and recognition to The Girl for her first solo-parent-two-child effort to get Team Daddy to Coney Island for the finish. Parking and logistics kept them from seeing the race (although I suspect they were with Richard and Uncle Scary while I was still running) they did make it. Thank you!
* We spent the afternoon eating sausages (Nathan’s line was too long), wandering the Boardwalk and playing on the kiddie rides under the shadow of the Wonder Wheel. Poppy had a blast on the Fire Trucks, Flying Elephants, Duck Boats and Carousel. Her fist amusement park visit and it was a huge success. She even hung out with Uncle Scary while we other four adults rode the Cyclone – a required way to end any Coney Island outing. (Photos coming soon!)
* Poppy’s quote of the weekend: “Stop brushing my hair. It makes me nervous.”
* I completely missed my Stanley Cup Finals prediction. Bad Sports Writer. Bad. For the record, I bet my entire Playoff Poll monies ($2,215) on Detroit. Will Dallas fans ever forgive me? Will I ever forgive myself? Only if PITT wins.
