I was very hesitant to sign up for this race. It was 13 days after MCM. It was being widely publicized as a BGR! national event with the opportunity to earn double bling. I was worried about pushing myself too hard in my post marathon recovery. I am so glad I signed up. It was a great road trip. I headed down Friday afternoon with my morning running buddy and sole sister. We were able to pick up our races packs which included a cute tech shirt. We then headed over to Rho for a meet and greet. It was a nice space and for $10 we got a nice buffett. There was a live band playing but unfortunately their selections were a little too country. The band took a break and the Dj started spinning and BGR! hit the floor. He played the "Wobble" and it was on. We didn't stay too late because of course we had a race to run. Saturday morning was chilly but it warmed my heart to see all my BGR sisters and some of our brothers from Black Men Run. I ran the 10K but there was a half marathon as well. It was quite a sight to see the group of 700+ of us together trying to take pre-race photos. We ended taking pictures in city sections. Trenton was not ready for us. Every other runner around me was BGR!. The course took us over two bridges and across two states. I didn't particularly like the bridges because their surface allowed you to see the Delaware River beneath and messed with my gait. I had to hold myself back for going out to fast but I had fun. I loved the post race pretzel. Apparently there was a whole spread lsid out at Rho but we had plans for a NBMA/BGR! brunch. It was yummy! I wouldn't mind running it again but if it is one week post the NYC marathon I may have strong reservations.
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
The 2013 New York City Marathon-volunteer/spectator view
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
I'm a marathoner!
Sunday, October 13, 2013
2 weeks to go and a race recap
Yesterday I completed my triple crown race at the Rock and Roll Brooklyn 10K. If you have read my previous post about RnR Philly, you know that my opinion of the Competitor group has soured. The expo for the race was lackluster. Philly was a great expo in comparison. I didn't go into the race with any particular goals. I got up a zero dark-thirty and walked over to the park to meet up with BGR! There were ladies from all over including South Florida, LA, San Fran, Atlanta, Philly, D.C, and North Carolina. The race started without any issues and off I went. I ended up seeing two med school friends on the course. I started a little too fast but settled into a rhythm. Of course the cheer squad was in effect especially on the hill. By the time I got to 5.5 miles I realized I was within my PR time and I pushed it. I finished in 1:03:33 slightly faster than my 1:04:10 at the Mini 10 K in June. MCM is in sight, 14 days away. I just needed to keep my runs easy and keep myself from going taper crazy.
Monday, September 16, 2013
Rock and Roll Phildelphia Half Marathon
I haven't posted here in a while. I've been living, running, and getting myself prepared for the Marine Corps Marathon next month. I was excited about Philly give the positive the reviews I had from those who had run it before and the fact that is is flat. I was aiming to run 2:15 just under 2 minutes faster than my PR at RnR NOLA in February. I attended the expo early Saturday morning. The expo was pretty nice, I picked up some nice freebies, took pictures, and I didn't buy a thing!!!! I had a nice lunch in the city with some of my sole sisters. I developed a headache later in the day and made sure to continue hydrating and took some naproxen. I slept well and was up at 5:30 to get ready. I met up with the BGR! ladies for a pre-race photo in front of the Art Museum and a warm-up. I had forgotten my arm sleeves at home but luckily I purchase a 4-pack of black men's sock which I cut to make arm warmers. It was chilly in the morning but by the time my corral got to the start line I was warmed up and I tossed the sock in the trash. I had a pace band to try to keep myself on pace but I forgot that while using intervals on my Garmin 210 I would not be able to see the time elapsed but only distance. I felt good during the run keep at my 3:1 intervals. My initial plan was to stop the intervals at mile 11 and then give a hard effort for the last 2.1. The course was beautiful and scenic, congested at times, and flat. I was bothered by a couple of things though. As I passed the very first water station I saw that it was non-staffed and there were only cups but with no water. Many runners around me look horrified that there was no water. I had my 20 ounce amphipod in fuel belt so I was good. The water stations continued to be a mess throughout the course. By the last station I was running low so I decided to take one cup which was actually nice and cold. I didn't end up finishing in 2:15 but I am happy with my efforts but I stuck to a plan and my legs feel good during and after. The finish was congested and it was getting close to 11:00 am so I grabbed some items and headed back to my hotel to shower and checkout. I was of course hungry so I headed to Reading Terminal for a chicken cheesesteak and also pickup a delicious looking rocky road fudge cup. I inhaled my sandwich and later joined a couple of ladies at their post race meal and I had dessert. I started to get the bad news about what happened at the race for the back of the pack runners. They ran out of the event day medals and started giving out generic series medal to finishers. They ran out of chocolate milk, water, etc for these folks as well. Another finishers posted a picture of how the water was being served, scooped out of trash bag lined trash cans (and other runners not knowing had thrown their used cups in). Supposedly 1000 medals were stolen. That explanation really doesn't jive with me because the number of finishers was over 1000 less than registrants so there still should have been enough medals. Also, why did they have these "extra" medals on hand. Hearing the experience of the back of the packers, not to mention issues at past races makes me wary of running further RnR races. I am doing the Brookyn 10 K next month but it is likely that this may be my last. I had such a good time in New Orleans and I was hoping to run it again but the Competitor group really needs to get their act together
Friday, August 16, 2013
It's been a little while.
Sunday, July 21, 2013
Moonwalk NYC
Moonwalk NYC was a nighttime half and full marathon in which participants powerwalked in decorated bras to benefit the Harlem Breast Center and provide mammograms and breast cancer treatment to uninsured women. Walking a half marathon was very interested. It was a great event. We definitely caused traffic slow downs.
Monday, July 15, 2013
Distance Milestone!
Color Run 5K
Friday, July 5, 2013
Achilles Hope and Possibility 5 Miler
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
June Stridebox!!!
I got my first installment of my stridebox subscription (products geared toward runners). I was excited to tear into my box. It cost me $15 but the value is around $27. The box has goodies I can't wait to try.
Contents include: a shoe lace system, a massage ball, 2 citrus energy bars, a hydration mix, an electrolyte ice bar, packs of anti-chafe cream, and almond butter pocket fuel. So far I've had the ice bar and one energy bar and both were fantastic. Looking forward to trying out the shoe lace system because one of the ones I have on a pair of my current shoes I am not liking so much. I will update once I try out more of the products.
Sunday, June 9, 2013
Oakley NYRR Mini 10K
This was second time running the Mini. I was hoping to run a 1:02 but knew regardless I would pr over last year's 1:10:03. Thankfully, the rain from Friday's monsoon departed. The sun teased us through some overcast skys. Again, BGR! was well represented. I planned to try to keep the 1st 5k in the 10+ min/mile range and then push down to 9:30 for the rest. As soon as we entered the park from CPW the humidity hit hard. After the 2nd hill, I really started to feel it. By the time I got to the 5K marker, I had to stop for a walk break. I took several more because I got so hot. I hadn't anticipated needing to drink on the course, but I did and even dumped some water on myself. I got to the finish and whipped off my singlet. There was Gatorade at the finish. I felt like a calf cramp was about to develop and quickly downed a banana. I finished in 1:04:10 despite the walking! Almost a 6 minute pr! No 1:02 but we will see what I can do in Charlotte in September.
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
The Mini 10K.
I am looking forward to the Oakley 10 K on Saturday. Celebrating the first women's only distance race. The race has been in existence since 1972 just prior to Title IX. Not sure how I got to go up 2 corrals but should help me get a nice pr.
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Brooklyn Half 2013
What can I say. Regardless of how many people were running, I knew I was going to enjoy it. This Brooklyn girl loved running through her borough. I went into the race having quite a bit of tightness in my left calf. The start area was crazy with all the people. The two wave start was key to keeping the race comfortable. The weather was good: cool and overcast. I started off a little to fast. I was pacing with two members of BGR! One ended up taking it easy due to some pain. I ended up holding back and taking several walking breaks as well but my girl Annella kept with me even though I told her to go ahead. The energy around the park was awesome! Ocean Parkway was of course quieter. It felt a little strange to have the Hasidic families out just staring at us. Seeing the 800 m to go sign just made me angry but that 400 m was on the money. Once again the BGR! cheer squad made the difference. They were there for all the runners BGR! or not. I capped the day off my cheesefries and a beer with my sole sistas. I will be going on a half hiatus until RnR Philly. Only 10 k or shorter races until then.
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Excited!!
Photos of the BGR! Cheer Squad at the 2012 Brooklyn Half Marathon. Three members of the cheer squad are running it this year!
Sunday, May 5, 2013
Broad Street Run
This was my first time running the Broad St run. Loved it! I was concerned I would not like running admist nearly 40,000 people but I was wrong. I got there pretty early and it was quite cold. I wish I had brought my mylar sheet with me. I met up with BGR! Philly and we set it off with a large group stretch and prayer. I was in the corral and we didn't cross the start until after 9am. The crowd support was amazing!!! We when ran past Children's Hospital there were some pediatric patients with their nurses cheering us on. Tons of signs including the usual "worst parade ever". Two that made me chuckle were "run faster, that guy farted" and around the 9 mile mark "shut up legs". That second one was so true because my legs were very angry with me. Overall great race. I finished in 1:49:48, a 10:59 pace which was good. I would love to run this again next year. 13 days to Brooklyn!! I will be taking a break from long distances after that.