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

2013: Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger!

Happy New Year!

2012 was a successful running year for me.  However, the sheer number of races (one half marathon each month and 9 NYRR races) caused a hectic schedule.  For 2013, I want to focus on being harder, better, faster, and stronger!

Harder: Run more difficult races.  This will start next weekend with the Goofy's Marathon and a Half Challenge.  I'll be running a half marathon on Saturday followed by a full marathon on Sunday.

Better: This aspect describes my training plans for the year.  I plan to include much more speed work and strength training so that I can become faster without the injuries that plagued me at the end of last year.

Faster:  My main speed goal is to run a half marathon in under 2 hours.  I'm planning to do this for the NYC Half in March!  I'd also like to break my full marathon PR of 4:36, by shaving 7 minutes off my time, I can finish in under 4:30.  I'll have two chances this year to break my marathon record.  One will come next week and the other will be with the NYC Marathon in November.

Stronger: After the Goofy Challenge I'm planning to include P90X into my training regimen.  This will help prepare me for the Spartan Sprint Alek and I are planning to run in July!

What fitness goals do you have for 2013?

Running for a Cause: NYC Half

I've wanted to run the NYC Half ever since I learned about it but so far have been unable to win the lottery  When the results for 2013 came in and I learned that Alek would be in the race while I was denied, I was excited for him but not sure what I wanted to do.  I was hoping that the Sleepy Hollow Half or the Allstate New York Half would be held on the same weekend so I could also run a race.  Sadly both of those will take place on March 23 and I've already got plans!

I noticed that fundraising spots were still open for the New York City half, so I decided that was the way I would enter the race!  I've decided to join the American Cancer Society's DetermiNation  team to help with cancer research and prevention.

After 2012, its pretty clear that a half marathon is no challenge for me.  I want my supporters to feel like they're helping to push me through something challenging, so I'm going to train to run the NYC half in less than 2 hours.  I've never before been able to do this, but with some dedicated training it will be possible.

If you'd like to help end cancer and support me in my sub 2 hour NYC Half, you can donate at http://main.acsevents.org/goto/sadpony.  Remember, every dollar helps!