Race Recap: Brooklyn Half

I mentioned in Friday's post that this year's Brooklyn Half would be very different from the race I ran in 2011.  In some ways that was true.  I assumed the course would not change but when I checked where the race start would be I was in for a pleasant surprise.  This year's race began outside the Brooklyn Museum and looped around the park before taking a loop in the park.  I had been expecting two loops around the park. We didn't repeat any of the course!

When we got off the subway around 6:20 the station was packed with runners.  After we got above ground it was still crowded but no longer felt like a sardine.  The port-a-johns were in the corral with quick moving lines.  The entire pre-race setup was fantastic.

Crowded subway station

In the corral

The new course offered a change from what I'd expected.  This was also the weekend of the 2nd annual Great Googa Mooga in Prospect Park.  While it was too early to see any partakers, the signs for bike valet were amusing.

The great pre-race organization continued during the race as there were many water stops and the course was consistently wide enough for the runners.  It started wide, narrowed a bit in the park, then widened again as we went to Ocean Parkway.  There was never a problem with people clusters or passing.  I have to admit to being disappointed that there was no entertainment along Ocean Parkway.  We ran for nearly 6 miles down a long, straight, fairly flat street.  It got a little monotonous.

A dog passed me on the course around the 10th mile, and I saw him again at the finish line.  I'm not sure who he belonged to, but he seemed to have finished the race.

This pup is a runner too!

Even the weather played nice! The temperature was in the 60's (perfect for running) and the rain held off until later in the day.

I came in at 2:09:01.  Not my best time, but certainly not bad for not having run for 3 weeks leading up to the race.  We also got finisher medals to add to our collection!

Finish line photo