I started this race almost DFL, about 20-30 minutes after the start. I'm an average MOP runner, sometimes in the upper third of my AG, so I am used to running in very crowded conditions. Well, I can't complain about that here. For the first few miles I ran virtually alone except for occasionally passing someone who was generally walking or jogging very slowly. I did this race as a long training run because I thought it would be nice to have the crowd for pace motivation and the on-course support. But I should have saved the 20 bucks, slept in and just done this run in Central Park alone because I ran along until about Mile 8 or so. Live and learn.

This course was surprisingly hilly, some being long and gradual that really burned up the legs. It was also in the upper 70s and 87% humidity so the conditions were a good challenge for sure. I felt really good during the first 2/3 of the race, keeping a consistent 8:40-8:50 pace which is exactly what I was aiming for. But then around Mile 9 it kind of fell apart. I had a serious side stitch that would not go away. I also have some cartilage damage in my ribs from my bike crash so that pain hit at the same time and was all the way through my back. Within another mile, my shoulder and collarbone area started to ache. I slowed more than 20 seconds that mile and felt pretty miserable.

Right about then this guy I met on the walk to the start caught up and said hi. He was wearing an NYC Tri jersey so that's how we ended up talking. He was a lymphoma survivor running with a Team in Training group. He was very chipper for this late stage of the race and at first, I just wanted to be alone. He was telling me some story about a dog and a sweater that lasted about 1.5 miles. At times it was like hearing the Charlie Brown teacher, but then I realized my side cramp was easing up and he was running just a bit ahead of me, which forced me to keep up my pace a little. We finished the race together and I thanked him for pulling me through those last few miles. It's nice that I managed to link up with a triathlete since I like them so much more than runners now. :)

Nothing. Given the conditions (heat/humidity, hills, bad logistics) and my lack of training due to injury, I'm really pleased with how I did.

Walked a bit, had an apple, a Gatorade and a lot of water. Sat in the grass and stretched before the bus ride back to the subway. I had a cookies and cream protein bar on the subway that was seriously the tastiest thing I have ever had. I stretched again when I got home and am planning some icing later.


My broken shoulder and lack of recent run training. Heat/humidity to a limited degree, but again mostly because I'm undertrained.


NYRR needs to get the logistics straight for this event. You shouldn't have to pay $15 for a special bus when we live in NYC and have incredible public transportation. Those of us who chose to take the subway paid dearly with an unpleasant start to our race. Don't offer the "free" bus if it's not going to be there and not going to get athletes to the start. And then don't have your volunteers screaming at everyone to hurry up when we were there on time and were only late due to their screw up.

Like I said, it was a training run for me so it served it's purpose. But there were a lot of really disappointed people out there, a lot of them doing their first half-mary and not having a good experience. I have been a NYRR member for 9 years and run about 10 of their races a year, most of which are good. But I won't be doing this one again and I wouldn't recommend it to my friends. It's just too much hassle for the experience.