NYRR Gridiron Classic 4 Miler: A New PR!

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This is the face of a girl who learned the benefits of speed training first hand today! I took a full minute off my pace per mile this year! Last year I ran this race with Dori and Meghann in 41:33 (10:23 pace).

This morning I ate the NYRR Gridiron Classic 4 miler for breakfast! I set a new PR along the way, keeping a 9:17 pace! This pace annoys me as my real pace was 9:15 but the course, or my distance, was actually 4.15 according to my Garmin. Oh well!

After 8 hours of sleep, Bo and I both woke up before the alarm clock, ready for our first NYRR race of 2011!

We quickly dressed and enjoyed our usual pre-race breakfast of toast, banana, and peanut butter. 

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I knew it was going to be a great day when I saw that the current temperature was 37, a tropical treat versus our temperatures the past few weeks.

I still dressed in layers for the race but they were far lighter than what I wore for last weekend’s Central Park run with Theodora and Emily.

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Today’s outfit included:

  • Lululemon Tank as a bra/base layer
  • Nike Cold Weather gear turtleneck (just like Under Armor)
  • ING NYC Marathon light wind jacket
  • Saucony fleece lined running tights
  • shoes & socks
  • Lululemon ear warmer

My outfit proved to be the perfect combination for today’s mild (did I just say that) race temperature. We headed out early as we needed to stop by Ali’s apartment before the race so we could all jog to the start together. Her great boyfriend Arthur even woke up early to take these very unattractive, half asleep pictures of us. Thanks Arthur!

Ali and I are both training for the National Half Marathon and therefore needed to make today’s race into a long run. We decided that 1.5 miles to the park+4 mile race+ a few miles in the park+1.5 miles back to her apartment would be a nice long run treat. It did just the trick and our plan worked wonderfully!

In fact, I think this 1.5 mile warmup jog was a great way to start the race as my body wasn’t cold. I guess I need to do this more often. I’m often guilty of not warming up or stretching before NYRR races.

The race wasn’t packed but the runners who were there were in a great mood. Not as many people were dressed up as last year but the energy was still high!IMG_0096 (800x598)

The race followed the typical 4 mile route the NYRR use for most of their 4 to 5 mile races. As soon as we crossed the starting line, which took longer than normal today, our adrenaline carried us up Cat Hill, down a flat and fast 2nd mile, up a tortuous hills of the upper and western end of the loop, and then a flat final 4th mile towards the finish.

The entire race I was focused on my music, keeping up with Bo, and steady breathing. I also took time to enjoy the park in all it’s white, snowy beauty.

IMG_0100 (800x598)I knew I was keeping a speedy pace but was elated that I could keep it up past the 3rd mile. The fourth mile was definitely tough on my legs and lungs but I pushed through. I knew I could handle 8 more minutes of hard work for a PR!

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I set a new 4 mile PR of 37:08 AND a new pace PR for NYRR of 9:17!

After the race I completed 1.5 lower loops in the park before Ali spotted me in my bright white! We ran together in the park though we made a few stops for picture taking, some downward dogs and deep stretching.

But, 11 miles later, we were foam rolling back at her apartment and ready to enjoy the rest of our day together!

I’m late for a Super Bowl party and therefore must quickly head out. But, if you want to congratulate Ali on her PR or read about the rest of our afternoon, head over to her blog! IMG_0102 (800x598)

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Poland Springs Marathon Kick-Off Race Recap

 

Marathon week has arrived! NYC is already dressed in orange for the occasion!

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This morning Bo, Rebecca, and I celebrated the season by participating in the Poland Spring Marathon Kickoff 5 miler. This race is a great race due to the energy and spirit. It is a perfect way to kick off marathon week. This year there was an added bonus of costumes since it’s Halloween! IMG_6646

The race sold out this year which meant the park was packed this morning!

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Due to the crowds, they started ordering us into the corrals earlier than normal. We didn’t mind because our time in the corral was spent catching up, seeing other friends, stretching, and snapping pictures.

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We were all smiles before the race. We’d already aligned that we would spend the race catching up since I didn’t want to push my pace one week before the marathon and Bo’s calf is still giving him issues.

A few minutes after the national anthem we crossed the start, ready for a great race. The fall leaves welcomed us with open arms!

Today’s course was one of my favorites as it was a reverse loop around the park. This means we were able to run DOWN Cat Hill instead of conquering the gradual incline.

 image Bo, Rebecca, and I had an absolute blast during the race. We talked about work, school, the upcoming marathon, training, and Bo’s injury. The great conversation and beautiful Fall weather kept us occupied until my short breathing gave me a reason to check my Garmin.  I couldn’t believe my eyes, our pace for mile 2 was 9:10! Our splits were putting me on pace to set a new PR. My fastest pace in a NYRR race, longer than 3 miles, before today was 9:51.

We did our best to slow down after mile 2 but the three of us were all feeling way too great! Our breathing was definitely short and the sweat was dripping but our legs wanted to sprint. Bo volunteered to pace us and did his best to keep us around a 9:30. He had to tell us multiple times not to pass him if we wanted to keep a slower pace. We were running so quickly at the end that I barely noticed Jessica along the sidelines.

Five miles later a new PR had been set and we were still all smiles!

IMG_6648 Poland Springs Marathon Kickoff 5 miler

Final Net Time: 48:12

Avg Pace: 9:38

Mile 1: 10:05

Mile 2: 9:10

Mile 3: 9:32

Mile 4: 9:33

Mile 5: 9:17

We gulped some water, stretched our legs, and then enjoyed an easy 3 mile jog home which rounded out my last long run of marathon training!

I can’t wait for next Sunday’s marathon!

If you are interested, I’m looking for readers interested in contributing week of and day of marathon tips. If you’ve run a marathon then I want readers to learn from your experience. Please email them to healthyhappierbear at gmail dot com this week! I’ll feature them this week!

Have a great Sunday!

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With a Little Help From My Friends: NYRR Fitness Mind Body Spirit 4 Miler

This morning when my alarm went off this morning at 8:15 I was more than a little disoriented.  Why did I set an alarm for a Saturday morning after Friday’s 17 mile long run and a fun Friday night filled with Fashion Night Out festivities and dinner with my in-laws at Park Avenue Autumn?

Oh yes, I was running the NYRR Fitness Mind Body Spirit 4 miler with Rebecca. My eyes were heavy, the cold bed was screaming my name, and Bo’s late night had resulted in a less than stellar rest. But then I saw the bright sun and blue sky through my small bedroom window. The fall temperatures have graced NYC for at least this weekend and that alone is reason to run!

I quickly assesed my pain, threw on my running clothes, and texted Rebecca since we were trying to head uptown together. Fail. After a few unanswered calls and texts I assumed her festivities meant a late night and decided to head uptown on my own. I thought of today’s run as a way to loosen up my tight muscles, similar to last week’s 5k.

Central Park was alive with with women of all shapes and sizes gearing up for the race.

Gorgeous Central Park morning

I quickly checked in, grabbed my swag bag, and took advantage of the porta potty suprlus.

Why is it that NYRR has SO many bathrooms for small races and never enough for large races? I really hope the marathon has plenty! 🙂

After using the bathroom my muscles were starting to scream and the realization that I was about to run 4 miles after yesterday’s long run set in. Just as I headed towards the start I saw a familiar face, Sara! Sara had a NYC blog previously and we’ve connected during a few different blogger events and MANY google chat conversations. However, it’s been ages since we’ve seen each other. She had left a sweet comment on my post yesterday letting me know it provided her needed inspiration for her solo 17  mile run. Luckily, we decided that I’d accompany her for miles 11-15 via the race. I was excited to have a friend and catch up with her!

We lined up in the corrals ready for a fun race. The race didn’t sell out so the crowds weren’t horrible which was a refreshing change.

At 10am the race started and we actually crossed the starting line at 10:01!  We both started our Garmins but comitted to having fun and keeping a steady pace versus trying to race. Her legs were hurting after her 10 miles and my IT band wasn’t very happy.

We had a blast! We talked about her upcoming wedding, living in NYC, our finance men, and marathon training while heading through the winding Central Park path. The course was different than most as it didn’t loop back until 102nd street. This meant we had a few added hills.

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 We even ran into Melissa who was running this as one of her NYRR 9+1 qualifiers!

I was surprised how strong our pace was considering the elements. My 4 mile PR is a 9:54 and until the final mile we were keeping a 9:45 pace. Unfortunately, the last mile was when we both started hurting and decided to take it easy versus straining ourselves since Sara had two more miles after the race and I was about to rack up 21 miles in 24 hours which is definitely a record.  We made the final curve together and ran through at 39:48, under 40:00 which was my personal goal. We were both pleased as we’d never stopped to walk, conquered a few tough hills, and kept a steady conversation. More importantly, we’d helped each other get through our runs. Sometimes, we need help from our friends to finish a tough run, long or short.

Do you enjoy running or working out with friends?

Sara took off to finish her two miles before an afternoon of wedding planning while I meandered through the park aimlessly reflecting on the past two days of running and checking out the Fitness Magazine area. I was disappointed by the booths but managed to find a familiar smile!

I love seeing familiar faces in NYC! It makes it seem like a smaller city! I haven’t seen Karla since BlogHer!

@karla522 Loved the Garnier wipes!! Ill buy them soom! :)

I was happy to be done but I don’t think this smile is going anywhere soon!

 

I still can’t get over that in a 24 hour period my legs carried me 22 miles!! (I ended up running a mile home after the race before giving in and getting a cab..what was I thinking??)

Sweaty happiness!

I’m celebrating this mileage with college football, a cold beer, and relaxing until tomorrow’s yoga session! 🙂

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