My First Race (or: take that challengers get a tune up)
When: Last night, 7:00 PM
What: The JP MorganChase Corporate Challenge; 15,000 runners strong
Where: Central Park
Beneficiary of Charity: The Central Park Conservatory
Miles: 3.5
Personal time: 32 minutes, 50 seconds
Weather: rainy, misty, humid (rather enjoyable, actually)
Music: Rock!
Links: http://www.jpmorganchasecc.com/events.php?city_id=6&page=events
http://www.jpmorganchasecc.com/events.php?page=maps&city_id=6#COURSEMAP
It was grueling, kids, let me tell ya...
I have never *started* running and wanted to die. My mouth went dry, my body felt strange, and I thought I was going to vomit. It was the crowd of 15,000 for sure--all mental, because I was physically prepared. After about a half mile the people spread out and I had some room to consider the course and my body's relationship to it. I felt better after that, luckily.
The corners were super tight and had a bunching and funneling effect; again, not my favorite. People also didn't line up according to their ability (eg slow pokes in back), so dodging folks took a lot of energy too. My goal was to finish in under 35 minutes because I know I can run and average somewhere between 8 and 9 miles over the course of 3 miles (I've been running 5Ks 3xs a week in about 28 minutes). I hit my goal at 32:50, so good for me. Now I have a new plateau of 3.5 miles to refine, then onto 4 miles. Mind you, before my last knee dislocation and the dog bit that damaged my quad, I was running 5 miles in 40 minutes. *Sniff*
My saving grace was my iPod and personal music mix, suited for the event. If not for music in my head I would have not finished. I learned a lot about myself... I learned I can run over three miles in a race outdoors. I learned that I am still very freaked out by crowds, no matter how much I've mastered my nerves on trains and in concerts/theaters/parties. And I learned that if I am going to run a 10K before the year is out, it MUST be a more professional, better organized, more limited-participant race.
I really do love to run--that burst of speed; the rhythm of my feet, breath, and heart; cutting through the air, muscles screaming; pushing myself past old brinks and to new limits. I love running, I just don't like sharing the experience with 15,000 people. (Kinda like how I love New York, just not the 9 million people in it.)
Ta da! Kate runs a race. Now what...?
EDIT: of the 15-20 participants from my office, I placed fourth. I smoked all of the women and most of the men. The three guys who beat me are all seasoned runners--they ran it in 24-27 minutes. "Impressive" was used a lot at work today, but really, that's what guys say when they've lost fair and square to a giiiiiiiiiiiiiiirrrrrrrrrrrrrrrlllllll. *smirk*
What: The JP MorganChase Corporate Challenge; 15,000 runners strong
Where: Central Park
Beneficiary of Charity: The Central Park Conservatory
Miles: 3.5
Personal time: 32 minutes, 50 seconds
Weather: rainy, misty, humid (rather enjoyable, actually)
Music: Rock!
Links: http://www.jpmorganchasecc.com/events.php?city_id=6&page=events
http://www.jpmorganchasecc.com/events.php?page=maps&city_id=6#COURSEMAP
It was grueling, kids, let me tell ya...
I have never *started* running and wanted to die. My mouth went dry, my body felt strange, and I thought I was going to vomit. It was the crowd of 15,000 for sure--all mental, because I was physically prepared. After about a half mile the people spread out and I had some room to consider the course and my body's relationship to it. I felt better after that, luckily.
The corners were super tight and had a bunching and funneling effect; again, not my favorite. People also didn't line up according to their ability (eg slow pokes in back), so dodging folks took a lot of energy too. My goal was to finish in under 35 minutes because I know I can run and average somewhere between 8 and 9 miles over the course of 3 miles (I've been running 5Ks 3xs a week in about 28 minutes). I hit my goal at 32:50, so good for me. Now I have a new plateau of 3.5 miles to refine, then onto 4 miles. Mind you, before my last knee dislocation and the dog bit that damaged my quad, I was running 5 miles in 40 minutes. *Sniff*
My saving grace was my iPod and personal music mix, suited for the event. If not for music in my head I would have not finished. I learned a lot about myself... I learned I can run over three miles in a race outdoors. I learned that I am still very freaked out by crowds, no matter how much I've mastered my nerves on trains and in concerts/theaters/parties. And I learned that if I am going to run a 10K before the year is out, it MUST be a more professional, better organized, more limited-participant race.
I really do love to run--that burst of speed; the rhythm of my feet, breath, and heart; cutting through the air, muscles screaming; pushing myself past old brinks and to new limits. I love running, I just don't like sharing the experience with 15,000 people. (Kinda like how I love New York, just not the 9 million people in it.)
Ta da! Kate runs a race. Now what...?
EDIT: of the 15-20 participants from my office, I placed fourth. I smoked all of the women and most of the men. The three guys who beat me are all seasoned runners--they ran it in 24-27 minutes. "Impressive" was used a lot at work today, but really, that's what guys say when they've lost fair and square to a giiiiiiiiiiiiiiirrrrrrrrrrrrrrrlllllll. *smirk*