More Magazine / Fitness Magazine Women's Half-Marathon

Read about my adventures from the rest of the trip here!

Sunday… RACE DAY. I woke up at 6am and it was the first time ever the idea of not going to the race crossed my mind. As quickly as it came into my mind it disappeared. I got up, got dressed, grabbed a power bar and headed to Central Park. Walking out the door I knew it would be a warm day. I got to Central Park and waited for Ev. We met up and went into the park to check bags. I didn't know what to expect from this race. I knew Disney was for fun and slow (since the humidity is BLAHHH), NYC Half was a PR opportunity (but I didn't tell anyone going in since I didn't want to quinx it) but this race I had no idea how to run it. My head wasn't in it. In a way I was running it to be there with Ev as she ran her first half and as a bonus get another half under my belt. Anyways, we checked bags and searched for Hoda Kotb who was hosting the race.

Before we knew it we were lining up to start. Ev and and I decided to go at our own paces. I didn't want to slow her down. As we approached the starting line Hoda was cheering us on. I managed to scream my head off and get a selfie with her. Did I mention that I ADORE Hoda?!? What a great way to start the race. After crossing the starting line I tweeted the photo and started texting it to people, aka not focusing on what the hell I was doing and my head wasn't in the game. Finally I put my phone away and focused on what I was doing, you know running a half marathon.

The first few miles were ok, I was getting warm and knew it was going to be a hot race. Still Central Park was gorgeous with flowers blooming. The mile markers were confusing, some were on the ground and my Garmina started later, so the whole race I really had no idea what mile I was at. The first loop around Central Park I was focusing on/observing where hills were and how to tackle them the second time around. We even saw Deena pass us who ended up winning the race (she was on her second loop).

In the second half of the race I found myself texting and tweeting some more. It actually helped. Miles 6-9 went by quickly. Miles 9-13 on the other hand…. I was losing my energy quickly. I don't think I started out too fast, maybe it was doing those hills a second time around. There are pros and cons to doing two loops around Central Park. The pro, you know what to expect that second time around. The con, the hills on exhausted legs are PAINFUL!

Finally the end was near. I started seeing people with medals and capes. The spectators cheering us on the whole way were awesome. I was a little more than half way through mile 12, I got a text from Ev that she had finished. I hurried my bum up to meet her. Crossing the finish line was GREAT. I managed to jump, god only knows where that energy came from. Crossing the finish line is a bizarre feeling. You are so relieved to be done. Especially after the final miles where you are just EXHAUSTED and are ready to be done! At the same time as you cross the finish line I always find myself in shock of what I have just done and become energized.

While I was sipping on water at the finish line, someone tapped me on my back. A woman told me how I got her through the race. I asked her how so. She told me she tried to keep up with me the whole race (I'm pretty slow). She explained that the sign on my back kept her going and that me and Lisa inspired her. I told her the story behind me wearing the sign and who Lisa was. It was a moment that got me. This race wasn't easy, it wasn't a walk in the park…. But knowing that someone read my sign and thought of Lisa that day and was inspired by her made it worth it.

I found Evelyn and gave her a big hug. I am so proud of her. It feels like just yesterday she was telling me that she was ready to sign up for a half, after running her longest distance (to that date) 6 miles. We sat and talked about how it went. She made a comment that I always think about during races but always forget right after: how emotional races are. They really are. Watching people running together, alone, running for a cause, seeing people find family along the course and then watching people finish is extremely emotional.

Evelyn and I took a quick photo and walked through the park along the course cheering people on. We were planning on going to lunch, however I had to go to midtown and she needed to get back uptown. We went our separate ways. I continued to walk the rest of the course cheering people on. This was one of the highlights of my day. I gave people high fives and hugs, telling them how incredible they were. If I didn't have somewhere to go I would have run or walked some of them in. It's really emotional.

Exiting the park I walked to Times Square got tickets for a show to see with Miss E that afternoon. Then I went back to the house, showered and ate lunch. Miss E and I went to see Cinderella that afternoon. It was so much fun taking her to the theater, especially seeing such a magical show with her. I love this kid so much and spending time with her always makes me smile. After the show we were going to meet up with someone I know in the cast, but the stage door was flooded with Carly Rae fans.. EEK!

We headed downtown and went out to dinner. Once we got back I crashed. Literally fell asleep on the ground while watching Mad Men. I was exhausted

Official Results: 2:37.42 min (12:03min/mile average pace)

It’s Possible: Brooklyn Half Marathon Recap Part Two

5am and my alarm went off. I knew what today was. I have been nervous about this half marathon, despite training more efficiently (increasing milage per week), the nasty cold I got last week, screwed me up. I still had a horrible cough and was really nervous that I wouldn’t be able to even finish. I went into the race with the plan being to finish, and less than 2:40. I met up with Kenny, an old student of my fathers. It was great having someone to go over to the race with. 

Once we got to the race we went our separate ways. We were there early, but not as early as I was for the NYC half. Also it helped that I wasn’t freezing cold. I hung around my corral and listened to some music to calm my nerves. The humidity wasn’t too great. Not as bad as Disney, but I could tell it was going to be a hot race. 

The first wave was off. I didn’t cross the start line until much later then I expected (I believe 50 minutes had gone by, since the first person crossed the start line). The first 2 mile, was a quick run and turn around loop, and we hit an up hill in the first mile. I was getting pretty hot and thought we were going to be in for a long race. The start didn’t feel too great, but I just kept telling myself to keep going. AND TAKE IT SLOW. And I did.Prospect park, was really beautiful. We hit a pretty small hill but nothing bad at ALL. I enjoyed Prospect park but have to admit I enjoyed running in Central Park a little more. Both are obviously great places to run through, but Central Park was a little more entertaining for me.

Once we exited the park, I kept telling myself that once I get to mile 8, we will be on our way to Cooney Island. We hit a stretch of highway starting with a steep downhill. This race felt really flat. Maybe my last 12 mile with tons of hills prepared me really well. Along the high way had parts of Brooklyn on each side I actually enjoyed just going straight. It was great seeing each Avenue we passed. Having my Nathan hand held water bottle helped avoid the water stations in the beginning, but at this point (I want to say around mile 7 I started stopping and filling my water bottle up). It was nice to be able to sip my water throughout the mile as opposed to chugging at each station. I avoided Gatorade since I have had some wacky experiences with it, I seem to lose energy when I drink it. 

At mile 8, I was surprised how much energy I had left especially in my legs (despite some knee pain). I also hadn’t coughed at all during the run. I was feeling pretty great! I decided to still take it slow. During this time at other races I was dead and feeling horrible. Not the case here.Up until mile 10 I was trying to avoid the clocks at each mile. When I looked up at mile 10 I was happily surprised with my time. At this point, I realized this could be a PR. How exciting. I decided to sprint the last 5K. I knew I had the energy. At this point “I’m On a Roll” came on my iPod, how appropriate, my go to running song. I also made a deal with myself, “if I PR I would go see Cinderella again”, well off I went to conqure the last 3 miles of the race!

I was getting a little tired when I hit the final mile, but I knew I wanted this PR. At around mile 12, I was in the middle of some fun pop song (can’t remember the exact one) when my iPod shut off completely, I freaked out! Had it died. I had put it on airplane mode since from past experiences it seems to get very very very low in battery after half marathons. Then all of a sudden, out of nowhere “It’s Possible” (from Cinderella) started playing. Ok! It was a sign, time to hurry up and get a PR and go see Cinderella. We finally hit the last 1/2 mile and then the last 1/4 mile. I thought I was in the clear and started sprinting when I noticed we still had to run up a mini mini ramp (I am blanking on the word right now). WTF?! Then we were on the boardwalk, there it was the finish line. I was so close, my legs were killing from sprinting before, but I just kept pushing them. Then I crossed the finish line! I looked at my iPhone/Ipod 2:30 (something) PR!!!!!!!!!!!!! What! Wait now I need to figure out how to see Cinderella. Even though it was a very small PR, I was so excited since I was going into this race not even expecting to finish. I also noticed that my iPhone was really charged which I was pretty excited about. I got my medal and grabbed some snacks and water. WOWZA! I was in shock. I tried to call my dad, but again he missed the end. UGH! I guess I was spoiled when I had Tamar to greet me at the NYC half finish line. 

Anyways, I stayed around and waited for him, but I gave up and hopped on the subway. HOLY MOLY! It took forever to get back home, then I got lost. I didn’t get home until 1pm. Let me remind you I finished at 10:30am. Ugh. Once I got back home my dad came over and caught up with Amanda. My dad and I were choosing which play or musical to see that night or Sunday afternoon and Amanda was helping us since she is a producer. I told them about how I made a deal about seeing Cinderella if I PR’d and then how in the last mile my iPhone stopped mysteriously and “It’s Possible” came on. My dad and I decided the only fair way to choose was to write up the names of the plays and musicals and put them in a hat. He even let me put in Cinderella. Although he wrote out the cards, and I was pretty sure he didn’t put Cinderella in there. Then little baby O and Amanda picked a name out of the hat. Well, IT WAS CINDERELLA!!!! OK, I was going. My dad didn’t want to go again so I decided to go alone and he went to dinner with a friend. I bought myself a ticket and then napped the rest of the day. I decided to make it like a date night with myself. I deserved it. I had a great seat in the theater and even bought a “Glass Slipper” which had Vodka, Blue Curaçao, Club Soda and Sierra Mist. I really hadn’t had much to eat after the half marathon, only a sandwich at lunch and a large pretzel for dinner. I can tell you, that drink is strong on a semi empty stomach, makes the musical even more magical. Cinderella was just as magical, if not even better. I enjoyed treating myself to it! 

Overall, I am very proud of this Half Marathon. I took it slow in the beginning and it paid off major time with a negative splits at the end. Also wasn’t completely dead at the end (if it hadn’t been for that sprint in the last quarter mile). Which I think is a sign that a marathon is in my near future! 

Unofficial time: 13.3 miles- 2:30:27
Official time: 13.1 miles- 2:30:27--- PR

It’s Possible: Brooklyn Half Marathon Recap Part One

Am I crazy!? I actually did three half marathons in less than four months. Yes, I think so! And want to hear the crazier thing.... I think I’m ready to start training for a full marathon. However, let’s start from the beginning, shall we? I arrived in NYC on Thursday and went over to Amanda’s house (who I stayed with last time I was there for the NYC half marathon). I saw Little Miss E and Little O. 

After dropping my stuff off at their house, I went to Brooklyn to meet Alysa. Whenever I see Alysa I am reminded of just how much I miss her! She really has a great sense of humor and is just so entertaining. We went to a great Mexican restaurant, and then headed over to the expo. The expo was actually really cool! In Alysa fashion she started flirting with one of the volunteers who I later had to ask out on behalf of her (yes I do that for my friends). Anyways, she cracked me up the whole time. We found mustaches and some fun with those. 

Drinks before Expo!

I lost it when she took one of the water belts and really wanted to buy it to hold alcohol in it. 

After the expo, we headed our seperate ways. I headed back to Amanda’s to have some dinner and catch up with Little Miss E. We had fun talking about Princess things and what not. After she went to bed, I decided to head to the stage door of Cinderella. We were planning on seeing it Friday, but I wanted to go to the stage door just in case I was too tired to go on Friday night (spoiler alert, we ended up going Friday night). I met the whole cast including Laura Osnes, who I am the biggest fan of. I made her a little care package full of goodies from Boston and a note. She loved it! 

Oh me and Laura, hitting it off like old friends

Me and Laura Osnes! 

After that I went home and was off to bed. The next day was pretty uneventful. Little Miss E was not feeling so well, so we lounged around the house and watched Disney movies. It was exactly the day I needed before a big race. 

At around 6pm I headed off to dinner with my Dad and Alysa before Cinderella. Then we were off to Cinderella. IT WAS AMAZING. Go see it if you are in NYC, it was so magical. I decided at intermission I really wanted to go to the stage door again to get Little Miss E an autographed play bill (the larger ones with more photos). At the stage door Laura (yeah we are on first name basis) remembered me, well after I asked her how the chocolate was. She was so grateful. Then it was back to bed. I had to be up at 5am! 

Stage door take two!