6 months ago, as I prepared to run the NYC Half, I was really unsure as to whether I could do it. I had some achilles problems and had never run over 10 miles. It wasn't getting easier and I was sure race day would be tough.
Six months on, and I have run 13.1 miles on back to back weekends!
There were many differences between this week and last. Last week, with NYRR, was in the park, with a group to drag you along, no need to worry about hydration etc. This week, I ran alone on a completely different course and carrying all my own drinks. And it was in the low 70's compared to low 60's. This week was always going to be harder. Plus, I felt pretty exhausted on Saturday, unsure if I could even get up to do the run. But stubbornness prevailed!
I left home about 6.15am and headed across the park to the Westside - I desperately needed a break from the Central Park Loop! Over to Riverside Drive and onto the Hudson River Greenway. It was serenely quiet!
I continued down the West Side to 45th Street, before heading all the way across town. This was tougher than I thought, as it is gradually uphill. Past my office on 45th & 3rd and over to the East River. I got onto the East River Esplanade at 60th Street, which is nice and flat - until 10 miles in you have to climb stairs at 82nd St!!! After that was good though (despite a bit of hip pain, and the bridge over the FDR at 120th). I went across to 5th Ave, following the marathon route, down to 94th St. Everyone says this is a tough part of the race, 22 miles in and slightly uphill. It definitely it, so I am pleased I have run it, to get a feel for it, though I am hoping the sight of my family at 94th St will drive me up there!
Overall, I finished in about 2hr 1 min, 9:10 or so pace. Not bad, for the second in 2 weeks and not feeling 100% etc.
Anyway, an 'easy' recovery week this week. I had to miss my cross training (again) today but will do 3m Wed/7m Thurs/4m Fri and 10m Sunday. A stroll in the park as they say!
Six months on, and I have run 13.1 miles on back to back weekends!
There were many differences between this week and last. Last week, with NYRR, was in the park, with a group to drag you along, no need to worry about hydration etc. This week, I ran alone on a completely different course and carrying all my own drinks. And it was in the low 70's compared to low 60's. This week was always going to be harder. Plus, I felt pretty exhausted on Saturday, unsure if I could even get up to do the run. But stubbornness prevailed!
I left home about 6.15am and headed across the park to the Westside - I desperately needed a break from the Central Park Loop! Over to Riverside Drive and onto the Hudson River Greenway. It was serenely quiet!
I continued down the West Side to 45th Street, before heading all the way across town. This was tougher than I thought, as it is gradually uphill. Past my office on 45th & 3rd and over to the East River. I got onto the East River Esplanade at 60th Street, which is nice and flat - until 10 miles in you have to climb stairs at 82nd St!!! After that was good though (despite a bit of hip pain, and the bridge over the FDR at 120th). I went across to 5th Ave, following the marathon route, down to 94th St. Everyone says this is a tough part of the race, 22 miles in and slightly uphill. It definitely it, so I am pleased I have run it, to get a feel for it, though I am hoping the sight of my family at 94th St will drive me up there!
Overall, I finished in about 2hr 1 min, 9:10 or so pace. Not bad, for the second in 2 weeks and not feeling 100% etc.
Anyway, an 'easy' recovery week this week. I had to miss my cross training (again) today but will do 3m Wed/7m Thurs/4m Fri and 10m Sunday. A stroll in the park as they say!
No comments:
Post a Comment