New York City 1/2 Marathon and then a vist to the Papaya King

Time - 1:42:39
Pace - 7:52
Place - 2,050
Finishers - 10,190

I went into the city to Friday to pick up my number and check out the expo. It was just average with only about a dozen vendors with nothing really special. I was meeting up with Taugh afterwards for a lunchtime run like the old days, but I still had about an hour to kill. I went looking for a Starbucks for a cup of coffee, but found something better, Bourbon Coffee. They had great coffee, it was spacious, and well designed.

After running 5.5 miles with Taugh up the east side like we did many times before, I headed for a quick NYC street food bite. My choice was Sam's Falafel near Liberty Plaza. The line was 15 deep and the guy next to him had no line, but I figured the line was there for a reason. I ate too many fried chick pea balls, but it was good, although probably not a good choice 2 days before the race.

Sunday morning, up at 4am, out of the house by 5am and parked in a legal spot on 9oth street at 6:15 all to run in the greatest city in the world. It is slightly overrated for me now since I have run plenty of times in Central Park and in NYC. From a logistically standpoint, even UPS can't help me make sense of why I do it.

The original plan was for Frank Trentacoste and I to enter the lottery figuring we both would get in and I would stay at his NY apartment the night before to make life easier. He did not get in and I did, so I was on my own, although Frank did offer up a room in his place.

The race from a financial standpoint is not cheap. The entry fee was $75, the cost to come in the city to pick up the number $30, then the tolls and gas driving to the race $25. Not to mention all the food I ate before and after the race.

I have to admit running through the streets of New York are very electric. I have run the streets of many cities, but only NY offers up enthusiastic crowds, even at 8am.

I parked on 90th so I would be near a NYSC so if I had bathroom issues, I would be able to take care of them. After parking the car, I walked over to the gym only to find out it opens at 7am, WTF. Plan B was the Starbucks across the street, but I just hoping others didn't have the same idea. I was also supposed to meet up with Dave DiCamillio at 6:45. I had plenty of time but it quickly went by as I made 3 bathroom stops. I ran to the corner where I was suppose to meet Dave, but I got there a bit late. He had already headed to the start. This race, because of the numbers and NYRR, they are very strict about getting into your appropriate coral. I waited for Dave near the start, but with so many people, it was difficult.

I was in coral 2 which was nice since I didn't have to wait to long after the gun. I didn't recognize one person at the race which is odd because I always see familiar faces. I think because they took 70% of the runners from outside the New York, most of the faces were literally foreign. It was a cold morning with temps in the low 30's, but I was dressed for 40's, maybe 50's. I brought gloves and a headband but left them in the bag I checked which was a huge miscalculation on my part. I was cold and standing around in the coral for 30 minutes didn't help. I had a 3rd layer on which I planned to chuck after I got warm.

My goal for this race was to run sub 8 minute pace with hopes of maybe hitting a 7:30 pace. Two years ago to the date, I ran the Shamrock 1/2 Marathon in Virginia Beach at a sub 7 minute pace during Bob's 50@50. That was 2 years ago and I was just getting back to running distance races so sub's 8 would okay with me.

The first 8 miles of the race would be in Central Park so that wasn't going to make running a fast race any easier. Mary Wittenberg, CEO of the NYRR thanked a few people then set 11,000- runners off to Battery Park. I didn't feel my legs for the first 3 miles and my hands were cold and I just wanted to get warm. Usually I warm up pretty quick, but I have to admit I never really got warm. With a 7:30 start, the sun was nowhere to be found and the tall buildings didn't help as well.

The course is one loop plus in the park and then out to the streets. The crowds were great near Times Square, but the wind was in our face and it was still very cold. I was happy to be out of the park and couldn't wait to get on the West Side because I knew it would only be about 3 plus miles to go to the finish and very flat.

I kept a sub 8 minute pace throughout the run in the park and started going a bit faster once I got to the streets. I started stopping to take some pictures and my mile 10 split was 8:53 because I was asking spectators to take pictures of me on the course.

Once I got to the West side, I tried to focus and finish strong. My legs were cold and getting tired. My feet also started hurting and also had a few twinges in my hamstrings and achillies. My splits were getting faster and I wanted to keep passing folks although a few passed me. The last mile seemed to take forever, but it was one of my fastest miles (7:34)so I know I gave it my all.

Soon after I finished I was greeted by Mary Wittenberg who was there to congratulate all runners which is really great. I took a picture of her and then she was nice enough to take one of me with the finish line in the background. Many years ago in Central Park, Fred Lebow was there to say hi to me and my kids after finishing a kiddie run.

It was nice to be done and I was happy to go sub 8's, actually 7:52, and I was just looking to get warm again. I quickly got my bag and changed into warm clothes. It was very windy and cold just past the finish line and many runners hovered near the sunnest spots. I looked and waited for Dave but then started heading uptown to go to the Papaya King. I had seen on TV that Papaya King had one of the best Hot Dogs in NYC so I wanted to try. All my years in Manhatan, I never went to Papaya King. I also planned on going to Jackson Hole for some pancakes, but couldn't find it. I ended up at the Barking Dog which was hopping with New Yorkers. I got the blueberry pancakes and then home I went.

It was good day although I wished I ran with Frank and I had at least met up with Dave. I hate running these long races alone. Frank and I are signed up for the Sleepy Hollow 1/2 on Saturday which I will probably take a bit easier since it is only 6 days after this race.

Here are my splits.

Mile 1	9.13
Mile 2	7.42
Mile 3	7.52
Mile 4	8.01
Mile 5	7.34
Mile 6	7.57
Mile 7	7.54
Mile 8	7.58
Mile 9	7.24
Mile 10	8.53
Mile 11	7.47
Mile 12	7.37
Mile 13	7.35
Mile .1	0.45

Ran a 1:42:59 for the New York City 1/2 Marathon. It would have been a bit faster if I didn't stop multiple times to take photos. I also stopped off at the Papaya King for a hot dog. I also had pancakes at the Barking Dog Luncheonette on the upper east side.

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