Well, it took a long time but I finally ran my first Fifth Avenue Mile (9/26/09). While I always wanted to do it in the past, it usually falls on the same day as another race I am doing or interferes with training and I am afraid to mess up my legs or pull something in this very quick race. This year, the race weekend was clear and I wasn't training, so I decided to go for it. Everyone always talks about how fun it was, and I finally wanted to take a crack at it and see what I could do.
I didn't know what to expect, and didn't really have any gameplan. I don't think I have ever run a timed mile in my life (other than maybe in high school gym class), and I was curious to see what I could do a mile in. I made sure to get a proper warm up in beforehand so that my body was good and warm leading up to the race. The big thing about running longer races is the fact that I have the time to ease into the distance and not feel the need to go full throttle right away. That was what I was afraid of for the mile - having to get up to top speed instantaneously and not being sure if my body was ready for that jolt or not. I ran 3 mile warmup beforehand. I was hoping for 4 miles but 3 was good enough.
Not knowing what the inclines were going to be like or how my body would react, I went out a bit conservatively, since I didn't want to pull anything and I knew that the first half of the race was going to be uphill after speaking with several people at the start line. Once the gun went off, the blocks just flew by and before I knew it the race was half over and I was feeling pretty good. There is a definite incline during the first 800 meters, but not anything more than we are all used to running in Central Park. I didn't realize that the race would go by this fast. It is basically a sprint the entire way and you just need to hold on.
I saw that I was on pace for about 6:20-30 at the halfway point, which is slower than I expected. I guess I went out a bit too conservatively, but hey, this was my first time doing this and I'd rather go out too slow than too fast and flame out in the second half. Someone shouted out that the rest of the race was downhill, so I took off and was able to continually switch gears until the end of the race. Not sure if the time is calculated as a gun or net time, I saw on the clock as I approached the finish line that I was closing in on 6:10, but then I looked at my watch and saw 6:00 and a few seconds. Although I had no real goal, it was cool to think that I had a chance at going sub 6:00. It was not meant to be - I got 6:00 on the dot. It is a great time for me though and this year's race gave me a feel as to the nuances of the course and gave me a goal to go after next year. I think I could go out faster in the beginning half of the race and then I would just need to hold on. That is the game plan for next year. Sub 6:00 is definitely within reach.
It was fun race and cool to see all of my other teammates running as well. I was glad to finally get to do the race and hopefully I'll do it again in the near future as long as there are no races close by.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Queens Half Marathon - 9/20/09
This was my second go round at the Queens Half Marathon, with my first race being in 2007. I had a great experience the first time running this race (pacing, weather, breakthrough for me), and it did not disappoint yesterday either. The course seemed the same as I remember it from two years ago. There were lots of turns (which I like), and a bunch of hills including one during the last mile and a half or so (don't like so much), but I still like the challenge of it very much. The weather was fantastic - cool and sunny - and I was able to run a strong and consistent race. I felt great and this was definitely another confidence booster for me regarding pacing.
Total time: 1:40:14 ; average pace: 7:39.
This was my second fastest half marathon time so far, and if not for the Long Branch Half earlier this year, this would have been my PR by about 2 minutes.
I was able to keep a pretty consistent pace throughout the entire race, which I believe the weather had a lot to do with. The first few miles set the tone for the rest of the race and I felt strong and calm through miles 3-4. At that point, I wanted to try and stay as close to a 7:45 mile pace that I could and I felt that I had a good chance of doing so. At the beginning, I had a goal of running sub 1:43 and by the middle of the race, I felt I had a great chance of attaining it. With the last few miles approaching, I was still feeling strong and I figured that there was an outside chance that I could break 1:40. It would be great to do so, but that wasn't the overall goal for the day. I picked up the pace on mile 12 and 13 and missed going under 1:40 by only 17 seconds. Oh well.
My half marathon time plateau seems to be getting lower. This is the third time this year (out of three half marathons so far this year, not including the 12 miles that I ran at the Ocean to Sound Relay) that I was able to run sub 1:43. Although I had to run hard to do so each time, I felt strong and confident that I in my ability to can achieve these times. I am starting to get a little better at pacing myself and adjusting during the race and I need to keep this up.
Mile splits:
Mile 1 - 7:49
Mile 2 - 7:35
Mile 3 - 7:47
Mile 4 - 7:46
Mile 5 - 7:36
Mile 6 - 7:38
Mile 7 - 7:36
Mile 8 - 7:32
Mile 9 - 8:47 (too long)
Mile 10 - 6:34 (too short)
Mile 11 - 7:45
Mile 12 - 7:57
Last 1.1 miles - 7:06
Average pace - 7:39 ; Overall time - 1:40:14
Prior to 2009 I ran 3 sub 1:44 half marathon times (Runner's World Half - 2006, NYC Half - 2006, Staten Island Half - 2008)
So far in 2009, I ran 3 sub 1:43 half marathons out of three (Long Branch Half (1:38:20), Brooklyn Half (1:42:29) and the Queens Half (1:40:14). Four out of my last four halves were under 1:44 if you include Staten Island from October of 2008.
Total time: 1:40:14 ; average pace: 7:39.
This was my second fastest half marathon time so far, and if not for the Long Branch Half earlier this year, this would have been my PR by about 2 minutes.
I was able to keep a pretty consistent pace throughout the entire race, which I believe the weather had a lot to do with. The first few miles set the tone for the rest of the race and I felt strong and calm through miles 3-4. At that point, I wanted to try and stay as close to a 7:45 mile pace that I could and I felt that I had a good chance of doing so. At the beginning, I had a goal of running sub 1:43 and by the middle of the race, I felt I had a great chance of attaining it. With the last few miles approaching, I was still feeling strong and I figured that there was an outside chance that I could break 1:40. It would be great to do so, but that wasn't the overall goal for the day. I picked up the pace on mile 12 and 13 and missed going under 1:40 by only 17 seconds. Oh well.
My half marathon time plateau seems to be getting lower. This is the third time this year (out of three half marathons so far this year, not including the 12 miles that I ran at the Ocean to Sound Relay) that I was able to run sub 1:43. Although I had to run hard to do so each time, I felt strong and confident that I in my ability to can achieve these times. I am starting to get a little better at pacing myself and adjusting during the race and I need to keep this up.
Mile splits:
Mile 1 - 7:49
Mile 2 - 7:35
Mile 3 - 7:47
Mile 4 - 7:46
Mile 5 - 7:36
Mile 6 - 7:38
Mile 7 - 7:36
Mile 8 - 7:32
Mile 9 - 8:47 (too long)
Mile 10 - 6:34 (too short)
Mile 11 - 7:45
Mile 12 - 7:57
Last 1.1 miles - 7:06
Average pace - 7:39 ; Overall time - 1:40:14
Prior to 2009 I ran 3 sub 1:44 half marathon times (Runner's World Half - 2006, NYC Half - 2006, Staten Island Half - 2008)
So far in 2009, I ran 3 sub 1:43 half marathons out of three (Long Branch Half (1:38:20), Brooklyn Half (1:42:29) and the Queens Half (1:40:14). Four out of my last four halves were under 1:44 if you include Staten Island from October of 2008.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Ocean to Sound Relay - 9/12/09
This past weekend was the Ocean to Sound Relay, starting at Jones Beach and then going for 50 miles or so and ending along the Long Island Sound in Oyster Bay. Relays are always a good time and when some of my Flyer buddies were looking to field a team, I was happy to join in. I did Reach the Beach last year (and Need for Speed the past 2 years prior), but was looking to do a one day relay instead of a weekend affair. This one was close by and relatively easy to get to. Relays are always a good time - they give you a chance to run out of Central Park, the camaraderie and support of your teammates, and a BBQ afterwards doesn't hurt either.
The teams are made up of 8 runners, with each running a leg of approximately 6 miles. Since we only had 7 members, one of us needed to run two legs. Given the fact that I wasn't doing the Flyer 20 miler the next day and I needed to get my long run in anyway, I volunteered to run two consecutive legs for a total of 12 miles. I figured that I could get in more a less a tempo run - a quick pace, but not exactly a race pace for the entire way.
We were all checking the weather during the entire week and unfortunately rain was scheduled on and off for the entire day. The weather was actually quite good for running - overcast, cool, and rain - for most of the race. The rain held out for most of the day except during my legs and the runner after me. I didn't really mind it that much since this is the type of weather that I do my best in and it helped me out a great deal keeping me cool and allowing to stay calm.
The one thing that usually worries me at these relays is pacing. Usually the courses, as seen in past relays, are not marked with mile signs. Therefore, it is hard to figure out how fast to go if you don't know how far you've gone and how far you have to go. Thinking that I would have only my watch as a guide, I was worried that it would be hard to pace myself over 12 miles on my with no one else around, but I was able to run a consistent 8:00 minute pace or less for the entire distance. Given the fact that this race did have mile markers was a huge help to me and allowed me to gauge my pace along the course (not having to just rely on my internal clock) and adjust accordingly if I needed to. The solitude of the later relay legs are usually the toughest part to overcome (second behind the fear of getting lost!). To keep my mind busy during my legs, I had my iPod going and I picked off people in front of me to pass. Once I passed someone on the course, I found someone else in front of me to go after and keep me focused.
I ran 7:48 pace for my first 5.8 mile leg and then a pace of 7:51 for the second leg of 6.2 miles. I felt great during the run and afterwards.
This was a huge boost to me in that I was able to pace myself to a good time and even do the equivalent of about a 1:43-1:44 half marathon, when that wasn't part of my original plan. I have at least 3, maybe 4, more half marathons left this year to build on my pacing and see if I can consistently stay under 1:43 for the half marathon, and feel good doing it. If I can do that then I might be inching towards possibly doing a marathon next year. This was a very good run for me. I have been keeping up a lighter schedule this year (in addition to cross training) after doing a marathon last year and it seems to be working for me. I am able to put up good times for me later in the season while only doing one long run per week of 10-11 miles.
In addition, I think the fact that I have done a lot more races outside of Central Park this year has kept me sane and the runs fresh.
Outside of Central Park races so far in 2009:
Cherry Tree 10 miler - Prospect Park - 2/2009
Long Branch Half Marathon - Long Branch, NJ - 5/2009
Brooklyn Half Marathon - Brooklyn, NY - 5/2009
Riverdale Ramble 10K - Riverdale, NY - 6/2009
Ocean to Sound Relay - Long Island, NY - 9/2009
Planned "outside" races left in 2009: Queens Half, Staten Island Half, Philadelphia Half
The teams are made up of 8 runners, with each running a leg of approximately 6 miles. Since we only had 7 members, one of us needed to run two legs. Given the fact that I wasn't doing the Flyer 20 miler the next day and I needed to get my long run in anyway, I volunteered to run two consecutive legs for a total of 12 miles. I figured that I could get in more a less a tempo run - a quick pace, but not exactly a race pace for the entire way.
We were all checking the weather during the entire week and unfortunately rain was scheduled on and off for the entire day. The weather was actually quite good for running - overcast, cool, and rain - for most of the race. The rain held out for most of the day except during my legs and the runner after me. I didn't really mind it that much since this is the type of weather that I do my best in and it helped me out a great deal keeping me cool and allowing to stay calm.
The one thing that usually worries me at these relays is pacing. Usually the courses, as seen in past relays, are not marked with mile signs. Therefore, it is hard to figure out how fast to go if you don't know how far you've gone and how far you have to go. Thinking that I would have only my watch as a guide, I was worried that it would be hard to pace myself over 12 miles on my with no one else around, but I was able to run a consistent 8:00 minute pace or less for the entire distance. Given the fact that this race did have mile markers was a huge help to me and allowed me to gauge my pace along the course (not having to just rely on my internal clock) and adjust accordingly if I needed to. The solitude of the later relay legs are usually the toughest part to overcome (second behind the fear of getting lost!). To keep my mind busy during my legs, I had my iPod going and I picked off people in front of me to pass. Once I passed someone on the course, I found someone else in front of me to go after and keep me focused.
I ran 7:48 pace for my first 5.8 mile leg and then a pace of 7:51 for the second leg of 6.2 miles. I felt great during the run and afterwards.
This was a huge boost to me in that I was able to pace myself to a good time and even do the equivalent of about a 1:43-1:44 half marathon, when that wasn't part of my original plan. I have at least 3, maybe 4, more half marathons left this year to build on my pacing and see if I can consistently stay under 1:43 for the half marathon, and feel good doing it. If I can do that then I might be inching towards possibly doing a marathon next year. This was a very good run for me. I have been keeping up a lighter schedule this year (in addition to cross training) after doing a marathon last year and it seems to be working for me. I am able to put up good times for me later in the season while only doing one long run per week of 10-11 miles.
In addition, I think the fact that I have done a lot more races outside of Central Park this year has kept me sane and the runs fresh.
Outside of Central Park races so far in 2009:
Cherry Tree 10 miler - Prospect Park - 2/2009
Long Branch Half Marathon - Long Branch, NJ - 5/2009
Brooklyn Half Marathon - Brooklyn, NY - 5/2009
Riverdale Ramble 10K - Riverdale, NY - 6/2009
Ocean to Sound Relay - Long Island, NY - 9/2009
Planned "outside" races left in 2009: Queens Half, Staten Island Half, Philadelphia Half
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