This is the face of a girl who learned the benefits of speed training first hand today! I took a full minute off my pace per mile this year! Last year I ran this race with Dori and Meghann in 41:33 (10:23 pace).
This morning I ate the NYRR Gridiron Classic 4 miler for breakfast! I set a new PR along the way, keeping a 9:17 pace! This pace annoys me as my real pace was 9:15 but the course, or my distance, was actually 4.15 according to my Garmin. Oh well!
After 8 hours of sleep, Bo and I both woke up before the alarm clock, ready for our first NYRR race of 2011!
We quickly dressed and enjoyed our usual pre-race breakfast of toast, banana, and peanut butter.
I knew it was going to be a great day when I saw that the current temperature was 37, a tropical treat versus our temperatures the past few weeks.
I still dressed in layers for the race but they were far lighter than what I wore for last weekend’s Central Park run with Theodora and Emily.
Today’s outfit included:
- Lululemon Tank as a bra/base layer
- Nike Cold Weather gear turtleneck (just like Under Armor)
- ING NYC Marathon light wind jacket
- Saucony fleece lined running tights
- shoes & socks
- Lululemon ear warmer
My outfit proved to be the perfect combination for today’s mild (did I just say that) race temperature. We headed out early as we needed to stop by Ali’s apartment before the race so we could all jog to the start together. Her great boyfriend Arthur even woke up early to take these very unattractive, half asleep pictures of us. Thanks Arthur!
Ali and I are both training for the National Half Marathon and therefore needed to make today’s race into a long run. We decided that 1.5 miles to the park+4 mile race+ a few miles in the park+1.5 miles back to her apartment would be a nice long run treat. It did just the trick and our plan worked wonderfully!
In fact, I think this 1.5 mile warmup jog was a great way to start the race as my body wasn’t cold. I guess I need to do this more often. I’m often guilty of not warming up or stretching before NYRR races.
The race wasn’t packed but the runners who were there were in a great mood. Not as many people were dressed up as last year but the energy was still high!
The race followed the typical 4 mile route the NYRR use for most of their 4 to 5 mile races. As soon as we crossed the starting line, which took longer than normal today, our adrenaline carried us up Cat Hill, down a flat and fast 2nd mile, up a tortuous hills of the upper and western end of the loop, and then a flat final 4th mile towards the finish.
The entire race I was focused on my music, keeping up with Bo, and steady breathing. I also took time to enjoy the park in all it’s white, snowy beauty.
I knew I was keeping a speedy pace but was elated that I could keep it up past the 3rd mile. The fourth mile was definitely tough on my legs and lungs but I pushed through. I knew I could handle 8 more minutes of hard work for a PR!
I set a new 4 mile PR of 37:08 AND a new pace PR for NYRR of 9:17!
After the race I completed 1.5 lower loops in the park before Ali spotted me in my bright white! We ran together in the park though we made a few stops for picture taking, some downward dogs and deep stretching.
But, 11 miles later, we were foam rolling back at her apartment and ready to enjoy the rest of our day together!
I’m late for a Super Bowl party and therefore must quickly head out. But, if you want to congratulate Ali on her PR or read about the rest of our afternoon, head over to her blog! 
Why is it that NYRR has SO many bathrooms for small races and never enough for large races? I really hope the marathon has plenty! 🙂 
