race recap: united nyc half marathon

I’m not a big cold weather runner. I don’t enjoy the layer upon layer upon layer required to bundle up to run outside, especially if we are talking 25 degree Fahrenheit or colder. I was kind of curious how it would go if I had to run during the winter? And then the more I read about the United Airlines NYC Half Marathon, I decided that I had to run it — and I was about to figure out how I could make training during the wintertime possible.

This was my first time entering the lottery to run. I threw my name in on a whim and realized how much I wanted to do it when I wasn’t selected. I didn’t want to wait it out over multiple years to get a yes. I decided to reach out to the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network, supporting a cause close to my heart. They have a small team but happened to have a spot open. I was so proud and excited to get to be part of their team.

Training

I used somewhat of a cross between Hal Higdon’s novice 1 and 2 plans. I could definitely run the higher mileage but found finding time to do so challenging at the end of the plan, since I was finishing up aerial teacher training and starting to teach some kids classes.

Overall I managed to not short the training program so I felt pretty good going into the race. The main thing I honestly was worried about was having aerial teacher format training for the full day on Thursday and Friday before Sunday’s race. I took Saturday fully off but did some into the race feeling a bit sore from an active week.

Day of

To not be too many miles away from Brooklyn, it’s wild how much time and how many steps it took me to get from our home in New Jersey to the starting line in Brooklyn. I was going to take a car service from our town but when I learned the night before that wasn’t going to be possible we had to pivot. I woke up at 3:30am and took a car to the Path and then walked to a bus that took me to the starting line in Prospect Park.

I can’t recommend the bus enough. It was coordinated by members of NYC’s We Are NYC run group. Even though I’m not a member, they open up their signups and knowing the bus was there to help take away the stress of part of the way in made such a difference.

I took advantage of the race day donation bins at the starting line to keep myself warm up to the very last second. It was a great way to help donate to a good cause and keep myself warm in the meantime! I bought this ski jacket on Amazon and these sweatpants, which proved a great strategy. And then I checked my bags, which I loved and highly recommend.

The Course

I can’t speak personally to the course they had the year prior but I really enjoyed the course starting in Prospect Park and ending in Central Park. It was challenging to get to the startp so early but it was so lovely wrapping up in Central Park better positioned for the trip back out of the city.

Mile 1: Why is everyone walking? Unlike my last half, I was determined not to have a 15 minute mile one (ooof.) I did some major bobbing and weaving — and running along some side grassy patches. It felt a bit weird and slightly aggressive, but made a difference in my time and my mental focus for the race overall.

Mile 2: Where is Amanda?! I knew my friend was somewhere and scouring the audience and putting on a big smile really helped me get into my rhythm — and then I found her and got an even bigger boost. Magic.

Mile 3: I got a major headache in this mile and was honestly worried I was going to be plagued with it the entire race. I decided to gamble it was hunger or dehydration and hit all the angles. Popped that gel early and got a bunch of water and all was better. (And the gorgeous view coming back off the Manhattan Bridge didn’t hurt.)

Mile 4: Running along the FDR wasn’t the most scenic out of the course but it had me feeling super nostalgic. Coming out of Brooklyn had me thinking about my years in Carroll Gardens and Park Slope and running through the edge of the Lower East Side and the East Village reminded me of first moving to the city and lots of great memories of the area with my family and friends. (The memories might have had me crying this mile.)

Mile 5: I’m sure my watch is not entirely accurate but I’m loving my pace. So fast and I’m in a great rhythm. Slightly concerned I’m moving so fast but it feels so great!

Mile 8: Around here is when I realized maybe I should have pulled it back???My knees started hurting and I started having major flashbacks to my first in person half where my knees hurt for months after. In that case though I’d pushed both fast and had undertrained in the final weeks so I tried to not obsess over that and make the most of the final stretch.

Mile 10: I missed some friends because I’m just trying to get myself through. The crosstown stretch on 42 was not my favorite -was quite windy and a bit painful for me. I took all the crowd boosts I could — high giving strangers along the course and zig zagging my way to the opposite side to bump my first on someone’s extra life poster! But really, at this point I just wanted to get to Times Square.

Mile 11: TIMES SQUARE! You beauty, you. I’ll never feel so happy to be in Times Square. There was a band. I felt a surge from the crowd and knew I could make it through with some oomph to the end.

Mile 12: I couldn’t wait to run in Central Park but I am so dooooone. The sun is out. It’s cold yet gorgeous. I don’t care. I’m done! Now that we are so close to the finish line, all the markers are in meters and I wish I knew what on earth any of it meant! Am I there yet?! How about now?! I don’t want to miss my photo finish!

Overall, it was an amazing race. I had the best time getting to spend this time running the streets of New York City. What a wonderful opportunity even if my time didn’t end up being quite what I wanted it to be. I’ll have to throw my name again into the lottery next year!