Queens 10K

On Sunday, June 21, I decided to celebrate Father's Day by taking a 6 point something romp with a few thousand of my closest friends, as a participant in the NYRR Queens 10K. I did this race for the first time last year and really enjoyed it. Well, except for the brain fart at the end. While running I kept thinking six miles, all I have to do is six miles, so when I came across the six mile marker, I thought great I'm done. When I started to slow down I realized I was the only one doing so. Everyone else was continuing to run. Hummm?? Oh shit, wait a 10K is actually 6.25 or something like that. I have to run more. I kicked it into gear and when I came around the corner I found the real finish line. This year I would be prepared.

The first three miles or so were great. I was feeling good and was beating my time from last year. Unfortunately, the sun decided to come out at that point and while I was already dealing with a reported 94% humidity, I was now dealing with the heat beating down upon my head. I tried to continue running, but the humidity was starting to get me. As I was approaching an overpass over the L.I.E. (I believe, or it could have been the Sunrise Highway--never can tell in L.I.--they love their highways) I looked around and it was almost as if everyone suddenly became of one mind. Everyone stopped and proceeded to walk over the incline and then start running again on the other side. It sorta reminded me of the Borg for a moment.

During each race I run, my competitive nature rears its head an picks a target. Now, this is not done in a mean "I'm going to crush you" sort of way. Nor do I plan to do the person any actual harm. It is more of a motivational tool. This is done entirely unconsciously. I select my victim by some little quirk that I notice about them. Once, I choose them my goal becomes to finish the race before them.

This time I choose two folks, a man and a woman (check me out, very pc--equal opportunity all the way). Now, I give both of these folks big props and a lot of credit for being out their and running this race. The man had one leg and was running with the use of crutches and the woman was a devout Jewish woman wearing a long black skirt and a grey long sleeve shirt. Again, I give them a lot of credit and points, but there was also no way I was letting either of them beat me.

At one point, when the humidity was really getting to me I began to do a run/walk combo. It was then that I saw the woman. She was plugging along concentrating on running. I felt like, okay if she can run with all that clothing on in this heat, I better get my butt in gear. So I began to run again. My muscles started to cramp up and I had to revert to a run/walk combo. I was also feeling a bit dehydrated.

Now, I realize I am a woman and I should say "I glisten", but no "I SWEAT!" During this race I was sweating a good bucket size amount. At the fluid stations I kept hoping for Gatorade, but alas only one station had it. I began to take multiple cups of water at every station. Unfortunately, the humidity was still really getting to me. At the time I felt like I had no choice to run/walk and I comforted myself with the realization that I was not alone. At lot of other runners were doing the same thing.

However, on later reflection, I wonder if I gave in too easily and if I should have powered through and continued running the entire thing. I wonder if I let the race defeat me mentally. Should the weather have played that much of a factor? However, I would like it noted that I only finished 13 minutes over last year's time. So perhaps I didn't do that bad?

There was a woman at the last part of the race who had a megaphone and was cheering the runners on to the finish line. I however, was plotting to get the device away from her. She kept yelling about pushing past the pain and while I realize she is right and you shouldn't give up when things get tough. But on the other hand my calves were screaming at me and I was so thirsty all I wanted to do was concentrate on getting to the finish so I could walk and find my car (where my Gatorade was waiting for me). She is lucky I didn't have any extra energy. I did end the race on a finisher sprint though, not sure where that came from. Must be the lure of the Gatorade.

After the race I met up with my husband and we set off to run two errands before going to see my father-in-law, Russell. As part of the never ending charm of Long Island we kept getting stuck in traffic. While sitting in the car I kept drinking tons of Gatorade. Now what happens when you drink a lot in heavy traffic? Yup, we needed to make a pit stop before we could finish the errands. Now, I love my husband very much, but when he drove us to a mall (the Macy's end no less), I was going to kill him. I am all hot and sweaty and oh so fashionable and he takes me to Macy's of all places. Luckily for him, he led me around the corner of Macy's and in through another entrance. I did have to pass a some folks and wait on a line in the restroom, but I thought what the hell, I'm gonna be sassy and embrace this moment. After all, I thought, I ran over six miles in the heat this morning. What did you do? (I will give the two women on crutches a pass though. However, the one legged man may beg to differ.)

I do have one last question. This race was what I feel was one of my worst, however when I looked at the photos of me--my form is awesome! I actually look like a runner! Perhaps I should buy them and look at them before other races for motivation.