On Saturday, May 16 I ran the Brooklyn Half Marathon for the first time. Three nights before the race I decided to do all the other runners a favor and wash my favorite shorts. Not sure if it is a comfort thing or a superstition, but for majority of my runs I wear the same shorts and yes this does mean that periodically they begin to embody a new scent. While in the laundromat I came across a penny--I'm gonna take this as a good omen, which I could use.
As I think I have mentioned I am always a bit nervous before any race, however this time I was more nervous than usual. I think it was due to three things: 1. Because I wanted to rest for at least a week after the March half, I wasn't able to train for my normal 12 weeks training program. 2. I tried to push myself and do different types of workouts LSD (long slow distance--not the drug--just clarifying), temp, stairs, met con, kettlebell, etc., but since I was coachless, I wasn't sure if I had pushed myself enough. and 3. My life has been really crazy lately which often meant running after 8 o'clock at night, getting up at 6 something to run before work, or doing kettlebell at eleven at night.
This extra nervousness coupled with fear of how the subways would be running on Saturday morning (thanks MTA), meant that I kept waking up every couple of hours or so worried that I had overslept. When I did get up at 5:15 am, my stomach was in knots as I got ready. One trip to the restroom took care of some of the upset tummy (excuse the five-year-old speak) and the walk to the subway helped with the rest of the nerves. By the time I was in my corral waiting for the start I was feeling pretty good.
As I approached the first hydration station I knew they would be offering water and Gatorade Endurance. Now, I do train with Gatorade, but I use G2, which is low calorie and low sugar. Two and a half servings of G2 equals about 21 grams of sugar, while Endurance has something like 34 grams--big difference. I want to hydrate, but I also want to keep my teeth in my head. To counteract this I became a bartender at every other station as I grabbed a water and a Gatorade. As I ran I poured some of the Gatorade into the water and then drank the mixture. Now as I am sure you can imagine mixing drinks while running takes skill and coordination, two traits I don't always posses while walking never mind running. I really tried to make sure I didn't splash anyone (besides myself) as I did this, but my apolgies to any victims out there.
Even diluted the mixture seemed to bother my stomach, There were a few moments where I though I would see the mixture all over again. I began a mantra of "Don't vomit." over and over again. After a while I would grab my cups and walk while drinking or stop drink completely and then run. I was hoping that giving the drink time to settle would help and it seemed to as there were no repeat performances. For which I am very glad, I really didn't want to vomit and I also didn't want to scare the volunteers.
This was my first time running through Prospect Park and I had heard that it was basically flat except for one small hill. Flat is good, flat is my friend. I had no idea where the hill was located and as I was wondering about it, I noticed a woman with a sign that read "Make this hill your bitch". Oh so apparently I had found the hill.
While cruising down Ocean Parkway, well as much as you can cruise when your thighs hate you, a police officer and a Hasidic Jewish man came running across the road pulling a ribbon between them telling everyone to stop. Now I realize this is the perfect opening line to a joke, but I assure you this really happened. This was their way of clearing the path for an ambulance to get through. I said a quick prayer for the injured party and for the person driving the ambulance that he or she would get the person safely to help, but I also couldn't help wondering if there was a better way for them to handle that issue. The sight of the two of them running across the road was very comical.
All along the route folks were holding out their hands for the runners to hi-five as we came past. Every time I saw someone doing this I would move over to the middle of the pack so I couldn't slap hands. I wasn't trying to be rude, I was attempting to not spread Ebola. Before the race started I had been in a porta potty with a wonderful smell and no Purel. During the race I had wiped my nose on my hand, and spilled Gatorade on it. Trust me, if you knew where a runners sweaty, nasty hand has been you wouldn't want me touching you in any way. You're welcome.
In every race you see some interesting runners and or volunteers whose personality comes shining through. For example, there was a group of men running for a charity that deals with rehabilitating veterans. This group ran while carrying American Flags (not small ones, but full size ones on poles). There was also a volunteer around mile 13 or so, cheering everyone on to the beach and the finish line by wearing a t-shirt and an American Flag Speedo.
I am very happy to report that I was able to get through the entire event without any chaffing or sunburn!! For me, this is a major victory! All my life I have been very fair skinned (Irish heritage), which means after twenty minutes in the sun I become Lobster Girl, a much lesser know superhero. Even after 42 years the correct way to apply sunscreen seems to sometime escape me. However, this day I was able to apply it correctly. It probably also helped that it was overcast and rained for a portion of the race. As fellow runners will sympathize, chaffing is the mischievous monkey hiding somewhere along the course just wanting to spring out and drive you bananas. (See what I did there, clever hun?)
I ended the race with a time of 2:27, which after learning I have to admit I was disappointed. My last half was a 2:24 and since that one involved hills and this one was flat I was hoping to beat my time and get a PR. My past four halves have all been between 2:24 and 2:29. On the one hand I'm annoyed with myself, I really want to hit a better time. Currently, I would like to hit between 2:15 and 2:18, which I think is realistic. However, on the other hand I have been getting compliments for being consistent. I'm not sure how I feel about that. I am trying to embrace the 2:20 club and look at it in a positive light. I guess it could mean that no matter what the conditions of the race or how I'm feeling I can stay the course and get the job done. I would be curious to see how other runners feel about this and what range their times are.
When I was walking over to meet up with Scott after the event I began to munch an apple while texting. At one point I noticed that my apple had one of those stickers on it. As I was in the middle of a text and trying to negotiate the crowds, I made a mental note to take the sticker off before I ate that part of the apple. A few minutes later, I looked at the apple and realized I couldn't find the sticker anymore. Apparently, I ate it and sadly this is not the first time that I have failed to remove stickers from fruit. Well, I guess it is extra fiber. That or my insides have now been inspected by number 8.
A few days after the race I received an email from Marathon Photo.They are the company that takes photos of the runners during the event. Since this was my sixth half I hadn't planned on purchasing any of the images, but thought I would take a look anyway. So far, I have only bought images from my first half. However, that may now have to change. As I was looking at the images I discovered that in one I look like I have defined leg muscles! It must be the angle or a trick of the light, but whoa! No more tree stumps. I think I need the photo as proof.
