Brooklyn Half 2013

The morning started off pretty early with a 4:45 wake up to catch a train at 5:10. I wasn't sure how strict nyrr was going to be with their baggage and corral closing times so with an hour train ride ahead of me I didn't want to take any chances. 

Luckily I got there in plenty of time. They said they were closing the baggage trucks as I walked up but they were still accepting bags at least ten minutes later. 

As someone who has lived in Manhattan for almost 9 years, I'm embarrassed to say I've only ever been to Brooklyn on three other occasions. Once for last year's Brooklyn Half and twice during the ING NYC Marathon. The marathon doesn't really count since I just ran through but hey I want still technically in Brooklyn. 

The course for the Brooklyn take runners on quite an impressive tour of the borough. You start by the Brooklyn Museum, run past Gran Army Plaza, the zoo, The Brooklyn Botanic Gardens, through Prospect Park and on down to Coney Island. Take all that plus the Pre Race Party under the BrooklynBridge  and you've covered most of the borough! 

The Brooklyn Museum

Runners taking advantage of the stairs

Blurry Start Line, sorry 

The view from corral 19. We were the last corral in the first wave but actually started only 5 minutes after the gun. The people facing left and waiting for the bathroom. NYRR placed portapotties in each corral which allowed runners to focus on getting to the corrals on time. The only downside was the horrible smell in each corral. 

The Blue Brother! They started in my corral and I actually ran with them for most the race. 

The view from out corral. So many people!

The stage. Runners made a left in front of the stage and crossed the start line just around the corner. The second wave was lined up on the other side on the stage facing us. 

The lead pack! We were about a half mile in as they can flying up the other side almost to their mile 3 and about to enter Prospect Park.

I wish I had taken more pictures along the course but I was focused on my run. I was determined to race the Brooklyn Half which sounds like an obvious thing but to me is pretty novel. You see, I tend to just jog every race and have never really had my head in the game. Not this time! I'm proud to say I staid focused and accomplished so much during this race. I showed myself what I'm capable of and gave myself a glimpse of what I could do if I put the effort in. 

After leaving Prospect Park we took the ramp onto Ocean Parkway. We were halfway there and I was feeling strong.

The view behind me. 

The wasn't much to see between mile 7 and mile 12.5. We ran a long, straight, flat 5.5 miles along Ocean Parkway until we reached Coney Island. There were a few spectators along the way but for the most part we just ran. I did enjoy the toddler chanting, " Go Dad, Go!" Oh and who could forget the man in the patriotic speedo with the sign, "You look better than I do!" Classic.

Post Finish. The boardwalk is cool but every so often I seemed to step on a loose board. While I know it is perfectly safe, it still makes me nervous. At least it was less that a quarter mile!

Amazing photo From @fitnessjenna. The view of runners making the turn onto the Boardwalk from the F train. 

Overall it was a great race! I just wish it didn't take me an hour and a half to get home after. 

On My Way

There's nothing quite like the energy of a couple hundred runners waiting for the train at 5:15am on a Saturday.

Popular topics include whether to wait for the express or take the local train, if they'll enforce the corral closing times, and how crazy security is going to be.

Nervous runners read an reread the race booklet while seasoned runners enjoy a banana, clif bar, and some water while complaining about the latest subway services changes.

It's the greatest mix of people you'll ever find. All here for the same purpose an all saying good morning an good luck to one another. Where else will you find a happier bunch awake at 5am on a Saturday?

I love the energy. This is why we all wake up at ridiculous hours on weekend morning when everyone else we know is sleeping until noon.

Wish us luck as we take on the Brooklyn Half!

Scenes from the Brooklyn Half Pre Race Party

Rain, Rain, Go Away

Good Morning,

Its a dreary day in nyc. I woke up this morning to an emergency alert on my phone warning of flash flooding in the area so I knew from the moment I opened my eyes that this ways going to be a gross day.

On my way to work. Despite the fact that I was soaked after only walking
two blocks, this made me smile. Who doesn't love little kids with umbrellas. 

There was half an inch on water on the sidewalk, ugh!

It's funny how quickly things change over night. Last night was one of those nights that I just had zero motivation. I finished up a meeting at a venue near Bryant Park and decided to walk home from work. Halfway home I called my bf and told him I was bored. I'm not sure what I expected him to do about it but he just laughed and asked if I wanted him to meet me halfway and walk with me. Isn't he good!

When we finally bumped into each other on Central Park West, I noticed something odd. He was wearing running clothes...and he's not a runner. He decided he was going to go for a run after he walked me home. Who is this guy?!

We got to talking about dinner and that's when I knew I was in trouble. I just wanted to pick something up on the way home while he suggested that I go home, change into my running stuff, and head out the door for my usual loop of the park. He said that by the time he finished his run, he'd head to the grocery store on the way home to pick up some veggies, head home and make dinner which should be ready by the time I got home. Now this would normally be a flawless plan! One that would make me jump up an down as I've been trying to get him to eat more healthy and to try running for years now but not today. I just had no desire to run myself. He did everything I asked him to do a few weeks ago. He reminded me of my upcoming Brooklyn Half and pointed out that summer was right around the corner so even a short run would be better than nothing. I just didn't want to hear it.

We parted ways as he entered the park for his run and I knew that I just couldn't must the energy to follow though with my end of the plan. Instead, he came back from his run 30 minutes later to find me sitting on the couch watching tv. Who am I? I actually had time to run while the weather was nice and I wanted no part of it.

After dinner I suggested we go for a walk to look for a picnic basket and maybe treat ourselves to some ice cream. He was game for a walk so he tagged along. Halfway to the store he suggested we pick up some fresh fruit for dessert instead of ice cream and I just about died! Now this is definitely not the same guy. Usually he suggested dessert every night and I'm the one who occasionally suggests a healthier swap.

We picked up some fruit and he had another errand to run as I headed home. The breeze had died down and the weather was absolutely perfect. Combine that with all the runners exiting the park, just finishing up their run and I was hit. I desperately wanted to run.I was jealous of these runners and by the time the bf got home I was already dressed and had my sneakers on. He just laughed and wished me a good run.

The run itself was also unique. I ran using just the stopwatch instead of the screen with my distance and pace. I couldn't believe how incredibly freeing it was. I ran an usual loop taking some of the paths instead of the road so when I ended up back at home all I knew was that I had run a continuous 39 minutes and 33 seconds. I was curious to know the total distance as at time I felt like I was crawling up Cat Hill but in the end it turns out I ran 4.2 miles which means I was able to maintain a pace under 10 minutes per mile. Go me!

It's funny how sometimes you switch roles in a relationship and everything you've been preaching is turned around and aimed back at you. It was precisely what I needed last night and I am so thankful to have someone who knows just what I need.

I'll leave you with a few pictures of our walk this past Saturday. With today's raining weather it sure feels like this was weeks ago!

It's Friday

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Beautiful Day in the Park

There is nothing like a warm day in nyc. 67 degrees brings everyone out to Central Park. Most will picnic or lay in the sun but for those of use who choose to run, walk, or bike, the park becomes the perfect place to people watch.

It was the perfect day to rent a rowboat or lay on the grass. 

It doesn't get any better than this!

I swear I say, "Only in New York" ten times every week and yesterday was no different. About a mile into my run I saw a guy in his early 30s riding his bike with a yorkie in a baby carrier on his back. Really?!

Not a half a mile later, I saw a very large, probably 6'5" or taller, very muscular man jogging towards me with nothing but white linen pants on. Now this is odd but not odd enough to stand out in nyc. What got me to do a double take was his face mask. It was part gas mask part mask similar to bain from batman. Not only did he have to mask on but it connected to a small plastic tube that wrapped around his body and ended in his pocket. Here's the thing, his pants were tight enough that there is absolutely no way there was anything in his pocket for the mask to connect to. All I can say is, "why?"

People are funny but they just add to my entertainment in the park. There is no place on earth I'd rather run than Central Park.

Perfection

Country Music Marathon Expo

One of the many things the competitor group does well are their expos. They always have a good variety of booths with so many things to do. Not everyone loves silly games but I'm all about plinko, spin the wheel, and slot machines!

The Country Music Marathon Expo took place of Thursday and Friday at the convention center. The downtown location is perfect for us as we like to go first thing Friday morning every year and follow it up with lunch at a honky tonk on Broadway.

We knew we were in the right place when we
spotted the Brooks car in the parking garage. 

Upon entering the convention center, you have to take two escalators down to the basement level where the convention hall is located. The lines always look long when you reach the bottom floor but they do a nice job of making the lines just long enough that you are constantly moving. It took about a minute to enter the convention hall where the line opens up to the bib pick up.

I always wonder why this part of the hall is so boring. They don't even carpet the concrete floor in the bib pick up area.

After getting our bibs and our run now Boston bracelets, we walked to the end of the corridor to get our tshirts. As you round the corner they had their first of many tribute areas remembering the Boston tragedy. There was a long line of people waiting to take pictures in front of this sign.

The tshirts were cute but very girly this year. I certainly didn't mind but couldn't help but feel bad for all the guys. The previous two years have featured great navy and red shirts that celebrated country music in a way both men and women could enjoy.

The goody bags are directly after the tshirts which all funnels everyone into the official merchandise booth. For whatever reason, I found this giant bowl of pasta hilarious. Inside they were doing gait analysis where you could "out run a giant meatball." So weird but sorta funny.

I asked my sister if she had a rain coat to run in and she said she didn't. She was planning to use her regular raincoat. I mentioned she might want to take a look at some at the expo as it might be more comfortable. She was unsure but after seeing the rock n roll rain coat, thought it might be nice to have as a souvenir. She tried one on but was still a bit hesitant. After being reassured by an employee that we could return it, she decided she might as well get it. Good thing she bought it when she did! We looped back to the store an hour later and they were totally sold out!

This gets me every time!

So true!

We didn't win but I did get a kick out of the reasons people run. Example: "my bff is here and she made me."

Dani from the Biggest Loser talking about her journey and answering questions from the audience. 

This must have been made just for me. I ran my first marathon after
everyone said there was no way I could do something like that. 

View from the second floor. This is only a quarter of the expo. (sorry for the glare)

They listed every runners name and let me tell you, people
were so excited when they spotted their name!