Glutard

Today I ran the Gridiron 4m Classic in Central Park and I am still shocked at how smooth the day went. The boy, Charlie, and I left our apartment around 7:35 and were in Central Park at the race start by 8:15- which is way to early since he was my bag drop off. Anyway we entered the park and after some meandering found the William Shakespeare statue and had a good laugh. Charlie loves ole Billy! We watched all the dogs playing and I started to get cold which made me nervous. Eventually we made our way to a coffee shop and I left to go do a warm up. 

Side note: I have not been THAT kind of runner since college track. Warm ups? No they were for fast people besides this is for fun. Warm ups, I wrongly thought, were only for serious days aka Track Meets. 

After my warm up, I gave Charlie all my warm clothes and headed to find a spot in my corral. This was my first NYRR race and I was shocked at how many humans there were! 

I eventually crossed the starting line and fought the crowds for the first mile, ok ok, I fought the crowds the whole time. If I saw any of you, and I was mean, I am sorry but really if you see someone going faster than you DO NOT step in front of them. At least the rude humans gave me fuel. 

After mile 2 I started giving myself a mantra that came from my last half marathon in Cali- Dig deep and when you take off your shoes know that you gave it your all. I also kept telling myself that running fasts will hurt, this is a workout and that I would recover. 

Now it may sound like I was not having fun but actually I was having a blast! I felt like superwoman passing people and I knew no matter what I would be statified with my time because I really tried. 

I am actually floored by my time. 30:23 which is a 7:36 pace. I have not seen paces in the 7’s since I ran in college. This is all very good. 2012- I think we can start to turn this year around. 

Side side bar: I am taking part in the 12 races in 2012 challenge and this is my first one also my first one for the 9+1 NYRR.