Sunday I ran the NYRR’s UAE Healthy Kidney 10K in Central Park.
However, since the BK Half is in a few weeks and I needed to get in my long run, I decided to add a few miles to the race prior to the run.
I’ve found that trying to add miles post-race never works. I’m usually exhausted and it can take upwards of 10 minutes to get through the finish area and get back out onto the course. That 10 minute break, for me, is usually the spirit killer. I find that my muscles have already started to tighten, so getting loose again is next to impossible, plus, with everyone around me walking with the elation of finishing a race on their faces . . . well, I just can’t.
So, pre-race miles.
Long story short, I was very tuned into my pace the entire morning. Keeping it down pre-race and picking it up just slightly during the race and I finally think I nailed it!
It has been MONTHS! But yesterday was one of those runs that just worked all around.
Every downhill felt like I had a hand on my back gently pushing me to go a little faster. So I did. I used the downhills, leaning into them to pick up my pace without pushing my effort and heart rate up significantly.
And for the uphills (which, if you’ve run the loop in Central Park, you know are abundant), I eased off. Dropping my pace a bit to a point where I knew I’d be able to make up the difference but not so much that I was crushed by the time I hit the peak.
Did I walk. I’ll admit that I did. I walked through two water stops. I’m not sure if it was to recover or to make sure I was getting the water into my body and not all over my shirt.
I was so full of endorphins when I finished my run, it was like a shot of happiness that wouldn’t wear off.
It’s made the months of work, pain, stretching, PT, sucky-runs totally worth it!
Now, how do I bottle that?
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My Current Running Gear
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