Daily Wahnsinn

I sure did. My official chip time is 1:02:23 and I’m actually mostly happy with it. I’ll post a proper race report once the pictures are available. I have to admit though that even though the main goal was to run the entire course without having to take a walking break and just complete the race, I was secretly hoping that I could beat my 10k PR.

I missed it by 22 seconds. It’s obviously not the end of the world. I’m more annoyed than upset. I started with a too slow pace where I lost a few seconds. I didn’t run the tangents efficiently. Maybe I started too far in the back so I had to dodge around other runners a lot (which then prevented me from running the tangents properly). I’m annoyed because I could have done it.

But one thing that was fabulous about the race was that it gave me so much confidence. My running confidence has been shit lately and I know it’s all just been in my head. Apparently one good run was all it took to get me motivated for an incredible long run. After yesterday, I decided to go for a longer run today to see whether I could push past my run/walk pattern again and just run, like I used to. I started with the goal to do 8.5 miles, which would be the same course as yesterday, plus two loops around the Reservoir. The loop is 1.5 miles, so it would add 3 miles to the 6 mile loop. I told myself that I could stop and walk some once I reached 8.5 miles or in between if I really needed it.

It was just a little under 50F, a nice temperature for running, I think. On my way to Central Park, I had to stop at a traffic light and as I was standing there, waiting to cross the street, I started thinking how nice it was to just stand there and not start running again. I wasn’t even five minutes in. It was going to be an amazing run. O.o

Once I actually was in Central Park, I actually managed to find a good pace, albeit very slow. I kept checking my Garmin and forced myself to slow down because I knew what was still to come. I zoned out of it quite quickly and before I realized I was already about half an hour in to my run. This never happened to me before. I ran past yesterday’s starting line and finish line and thought how different it looked without all the people and runners.

I hadn’t even realized when I was running Cat Hill. It gave me confidence for the next challenge around mile four: Harlem Hill. I always struggle a little because it’s the meanest hill of Central Park, but I remembered how easy it had felt the day before. I guess that helped. (Note, the race started a lot further north than were I enter on my training runs, so during the race, Harlem Hill was run on still fresh legs.) After the hill, the course just dragged along and I zoned out of it again. In fact, so much that I missed to make my turn from the main path to the Reservoir path. So I had to run back a little. See where the red marker is below? That’s when I realized. I’m such an idiot. Hah.

During my last long run in Central Park, the Reservoir was where I did a lot of walking. I was curious whether I would have the strength (physical and mental) to push through this time and run it not only once, but twice without stopping. I did. I was slow, sure, but I ran the whole thing. (And I was glad that it was sort of a slow day in CP. Not many people on the Reservoir path which can get crowded because it’s so narrow. Makes it easier to dodge the idiots who run it the wrong direction, despite the clear instructions to do it counter-clockwise.)

Once I got off the Reservoir path, I took a different path than I usually take home because I felt like I - surprisingly - still had energy, despite being at mile 8.5. I ran a path called Bridle Path without knowing where it would lead me. I knew it stayed mostly parallel to the main road I usually run, but I didn’t know about specific elevation, hills or where it would eventually end.

It has a dead end and even though it’s a bit hilly, it doesn’t feel as challenging as the last big hill of my usual way home. I’ll be running it again.

I was pretty happy once I could finally exist Central Park and head home. While I had felt great during my run, I was starting to ache and I was dying to get home. I stopped by a store to run a quick errand and then home I was.

Overall stats:

I’m actually extremely pleased with these results. Not only is the pace great (considering that I kept it for 10+ miles!), but I ran the whole thing, except for the minute I waited at the traffic light. I think the race yesterday was a huge confidence booster, showing me that I can do it. I sometimes just need to push through and possibly learn to pace myself better. But I can do it.

At home, I strength trained and stretched for about 35 minutes before I then cooked lunch. I wasted some time on the internet, headed to the grocery store after that and I made the most amazing dinner. I found the original recipe for this stew. While it doesn’t look overly appetizing, let me assure it’s delicious! (I’m so glad that I have another five portions of it. *g*)

I’m ridiculously exhausted but I feel so accomplished. I think I’m headed to bed and tomorrow I’ll do an easy run.