the new york marathon
i won't do a blow-by-blow account of the race this time.
i had a great time running the race (fab weather, not too packed), and am very satisfied with race logistics and all but is it wrong to say that i enjoyed running the tokyo marathon more, even though new york has been such a big dream since i started running? perhaps it was because tokyo was my first overseas marathon, perhaps im bugged by the fact that i never knew, and would never know my actual tokyo timing, perhaps i would always be touched by the immense support from the japanese despite the persistent rain? but that stretch along ginza would always have a special place in my heart, and i can never forget how i felt towards running then.
my run at new york was surprisingly consistent. i clocked about 30-35minutes for every 5km. at the 30km mark, i was hopeful to complete under 4:30, not knowing what laid ahead at fifth avenue and central park. i suffered during that stretch of slopes it was the first time i wanted to cry during a run. it was probably a combination of being emotional and the pain of it. at the 24th mile, a muscle on my left thigh was threatening to pull any moment as well, i never had such an experience before (cramps, yes, but not pulled muscles) so i didn't know whether i should stop and stretch (and give up on 4:30) or just keep going and try to run it away. in the end, i decided to just heck it and ran even faster to try to beat the time, and the twitch miraculously dissipated. and of course, i still didn't manage to go under 4:30.
i have alot of finding out to do with regards to what my body needs in terms of food. like the tokyo marathon, i experienced hunger again midway the race - the type that makes my limbs go cold and i had to run at the side to look out for spectators who were offering food. was very grateful for the few chocolates and banana i globbled down, which kept me going till i would see wai at mile 18 who brought macacrons. omg, they were so delish i felt almost bad to not savour them. this hunger happened despite a big pot (we didn't have bowls in the apartment) of cereal, three cereal bars and a banana for breakfast.
my favourite stretch would be brooklyn (before my hunger pangs) and the worst was the queensboro bridge which connected queens to manhattan - i was cold, hungry and trying not to succumb to walking on the never-ending uphill.
i'm happy with the PB, and i'm hopeful that perhaps one day i can run a 4:20. one can should aim right? :)
for the records:
5km: 00:30:56
10km: 01:00:10
15km: 01:29:39
20km: 02:00:29
25km: 02:33:37
30km: 03:06:56
35km: 03:42:08
40km: 04:17:15
42.195km: 04:31:20
i had a great time running the race (fab weather, not too packed), and am very satisfied with race logistics and all but is it wrong to say that i enjoyed running the tokyo marathon more, even though new york has been such a big dream since i started running? perhaps it was because tokyo was my first overseas marathon, perhaps im bugged by the fact that i never knew, and would never know my actual tokyo timing, perhaps i would always be touched by the immense support from the japanese despite the persistent rain? but that stretch along ginza would always have a special place in my heart, and i can never forget how i felt towards running then.
my run at new york was surprisingly consistent. i clocked about 30-35minutes for every 5km. at the 30km mark, i was hopeful to complete under 4:30, not knowing what laid ahead at fifth avenue and central park. i suffered during that stretch of slopes it was the first time i wanted to cry during a run. it was probably a combination of being emotional and the pain of it. at the 24th mile, a muscle on my left thigh was threatening to pull any moment as well, i never had such an experience before (cramps, yes, but not pulled muscles) so i didn't know whether i should stop and stretch (and give up on 4:30) or just keep going and try to run it away. in the end, i decided to just heck it and ran even faster to try to beat the time, and the twitch miraculously dissipated. and of course, i still didn't manage to go under 4:30.
i have alot of finding out to do with regards to what my body needs in terms of food. like the tokyo marathon, i experienced hunger again midway the race - the type that makes my limbs go cold and i had to run at the side to look out for spectators who were offering food. was very grateful for the few chocolates and banana i globbled down, which kept me going till i would see wai at mile 18 who brought macacrons. omg, they were so delish i felt almost bad to not savour them. this hunger happened despite a big pot (we didn't have bowls in the apartment) of cereal, three cereal bars and a banana for breakfast.
my favourite stretch would be brooklyn (before my hunger pangs) and the worst was the queensboro bridge which connected queens to manhattan - i was cold, hungry and trying not to succumb to walking on the never-ending uphill.
i'm happy with the PB, and i'm hopeful that perhaps one day i can run a 4:20. one can should aim right? :)
for the records:
5km: 00:30:56
10km: 01:00:10
15km: 01:29:39
20km: 02:00:29
25km: 02:33:37
30km: 03:06:56
35km: 03:42:08
40km: 04:17:15
42.195km: 04:31:20