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October 02, 2006
Another Half Marathon
As our dear friend, Jim Vibert put it “Who would have thought that moving to New York would help foster better fitness?”
When we lived on the boat, we were frequently in tropical places with intense heat and humidity that were not conducive to long runs. We ran, but not like we used to. Our temporary shoebox apartment is just 4 blocks from Central Park, so it would be a shame not to get to use it.
On August 27, 2006 Chis and I ran our first long distance run since 2000. The New York City Half Marathon. It was the first time this particular race was put on, and it was a marvelous route. Starting on the east side of the park at 81st Street, the route took us on a complete 6.5 mile loop of the park, the straight down 7th Avenue, through Times Square, across 42nd Street to the West Side Highway and down to the finish at Battery Park. It was a good run for me, but not a great one. I finished strong, with loads of energy left. I finished in 1:53 at a pace of 8:38 minute per mile. There were more than 10,000 runners, so gaining any ground on slower runners was tricky.
Yesterday, we entered to run Grete’s Great Gallop Half Marathon, part of the Norwegian Festival. Grete Waitz is an 8-time winner of the New York City Marathon. We woke to rain pounding the windows. Chis rolled over, put a pillow over his head, and moaned something about not having worked in his new running shoes. I was determined, so after bagel and coffee, off I went. I left a bag near the door with dry clothes, and said see you at the finish. The rain was light, until I reached the bandshell in Central Park. I hung back for a while, cowering under my umbrella, until they started to encourage us to head for the starting line. The skies got thicker and darker, and I shed my final layer, dumped everything in the baggage corral, and headed for the start. The rain got heavier. And heavier. The good news is, you only get soaked once. You can’t get wetter. The only challenge now would be blistering and chafing.
The rain got so heavy, I couldn’t see the 7-minute-mile pace sign about 200 metres ahead of me. Grete Waitz started the race, and said something about the fact that it was sunny and warm in Norway. I imagined it in my mind, a source of inspiration.
The route took us clockwise for two loops of the park, and finished in front of Tavern on the Green, exactly where the New York City Marathon finishes. About half way around the first loop, somebody jumped in front of me, and I stumbled to my right into a giant puddle. And a pothole. I turned my left ankle. Wow, now that really hurt. I hopped along for a few metres, and the pain started to diminish. I carried on. I felt super strong, and nothing was going to hold me back. I was powering up hills, floating down the other side, really focusing on extending my stride, and looking deep for that source of energy. I ran hard, and I hit a stride that felt like I was floating. I went into a trance, and came out of it at mile 10 with a time of 1:22. Wow. That’s not bad, with 3 miles to go. I wanted to break 1:50 and a pace of 8:30. I tried to do the math in my head. The more I focused on figuring out if I was going to do it, the more I slowed down. I decided to focus on the road 5 feet in front of me, and pour it on. I found a lot of strength, despite the driving rain. I powered up the hill at Harlem Meer, and kept going. I had been jockeying with a guy in a red cap, and finally at the south end of the park, I flew past him at a blistering pace. I heard him grunt.
I broke 1:50. In fact, my official time was 1:47:33 and my pace was 8:12. I felt great. There is nothing better than the feeling of accomplishment when you set a goal, and you reach it.
As for Chis, he awoke at 10:30 with the sound of the rain drumming against the window. About 10 minutes before I finished. My warm dry clothes would await me at home. I walked back to our apartment in the driving rain, with a big smile on my face.
As for chafing and blisters? Not even a little.
There is another Half Marathon coming up October 15 on Staten Island. I think I will enter this one too.
The New York City Marathon is just around the corner on November 5. Lance Armstrong and Bobby Flay, among other celebs, will be running. Chis and I have decided to be volunteers at the finish line. Our way of giving back to a sport that is near and dear.
Posted by dave at October 2, 2006 11:27 AM