Following the 18 miler last weekend, I have had another interesting week. An easy 4m on Tuesday was followed by the fast for Yom Kippur Tuesday night and Wednesday. Not surprisingly, despite my best efforts to fuel up, my 9 miles on Thursday morning was pretty tough as I was still tired. In any event, the good news is it didn't feel too far. Another 5 miles on Friday and I was ready for my biggest challenge yet.
Dinner with friends and bed at midnight was not the ideal preparation for 20 miles Sunday. I was running with the New York Flyers for the first time, in the first of their two annual runs. Ideally I would have run at 9.15 pace, but with groups at 9.00 and 9.30, I decided to push it and run with the 9 minute group.
Setting off at 6.45am, we headed from Jack Rabbit on the East Side (85th St) into the park at 90th and down to 72nd, crossing over to the West Side. We took off a little fast, but steadied after a few miles. There was some good company, which is vital on a run like this. We ran straight across 72nd to the West Side and down the river to Warren St to our first drink stop, just before City Hall Park. We then crossed Brooklyn Bridge, about 8 miles in. Once in Brooklyn, we kind of met up with the marathon route almost in parallel. I was actually managing pretty well, conversing and almost losing track of the miles. For some reason though, after our second drink stop at 11 miles, we sped up again and it took quite a bit out of me, particularly after Pulaski Bridge. After the third drinks we attacked Queensboro Bridge, at 15.5 miles, basically the same place we would hit it on the big day. I say attacked, I was more like just hanging in there. I was dropped a bit, but kept going, knowing easier times were ahead. Surprisingly, I only slowed about 10 seconds that mile which was encouraging. Off the bridge, we headed across 60th St and back into the park, heading north and up Cat Hill, which was another challenge. Back to 90th St and then across to the store. I completed the 20.1 miles in just under 3 hours, for 8.57 pace.
I was truly exhausted and still aching Monday and today. Thankfully, the holiday of Sukkot allowed me to relax and do no exercise at all! Having missed my recovery week last week to do the 18 mile tune-up, I think I deserved it!
I am confident still in my ability to meet my goal of 4 hours, albeit that I would hope to run a bit slower to start and have some more in the tank later on. I also know I have now covered most of the course and can handle it at my desired pace. With a lot of support from friends and strangers alike, I am sure it will be fine!
Tomorrow, it is back on the road for 5 miles, before 9 on Thursday, 5 on Friday and the Staten Island Half to complete my recovery week on Sunday.
Dinner with friends and bed at midnight was not the ideal preparation for 20 miles Sunday. I was running with the New York Flyers for the first time, in the first of their two annual runs. Ideally I would have run at 9.15 pace, but with groups at 9.00 and 9.30, I decided to push it and run with the 9 minute group.
Setting off at 6.45am, we headed from Jack Rabbit on the East Side (85th St) into the park at 90th and down to 72nd, crossing over to the West Side. We took off a little fast, but steadied after a few miles. There was some good company, which is vital on a run like this. We ran straight across 72nd to the West Side and down the river to Warren St to our first drink stop, just before City Hall Park. We then crossed Brooklyn Bridge, about 8 miles in. Once in Brooklyn, we kind of met up with the marathon route almost in parallel. I was actually managing pretty well, conversing and almost losing track of the miles. For some reason though, after our second drink stop at 11 miles, we sped up again and it took quite a bit out of me, particularly after Pulaski Bridge. After the third drinks we attacked Queensboro Bridge, at 15.5 miles, basically the same place we would hit it on the big day. I say attacked, I was more like just hanging in there. I was dropped a bit, but kept going, knowing easier times were ahead. Surprisingly, I only slowed about 10 seconds that mile which was encouraging. Off the bridge, we headed across 60th St and back into the park, heading north and up Cat Hill, which was another challenge. Back to 90th St and then across to the store. I completed the 20.1 miles in just under 3 hours, for 8.57 pace.
I was truly exhausted and still aching Monday and today. Thankfully, the holiday of Sukkot allowed me to relax and do no exercise at all! Having missed my recovery week last week to do the 18 mile tune-up, I think I deserved it!
I am confident still in my ability to meet my goal of 4 hours, albeit that I would hope to run a bit slower to start and have some more in the tank later on. I also know I have now covered most of the course and can handle it at my desired pace. With a lot of support from friends and strangers alike, I am sure it will be fine!
Tomorrow, it is back on the road for 5 miles, before 9 on Thursday, 5 on Friday and the Staten Island Half to complete my recovery week on Sunday.
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