We knew that there was going to be some form of rain, sleet, freezing rain, and or snow, we just didn't know what NYRR would do about it. The weather report the night before reported a possible 4-7 inches of snow. At 6 AM they announced that the race was canceled and that it would be only an unscored "fun run." Depending on the road conditions inside the Park, I was going to determine if I was going to attempt a "fast" run to get more of a workout in or just run it. When we entered the park, there was already an inch or two of packed snow and with 1,000+ runners, it was going to get messy enough that trying to run fast in it would NOT be a good idea.
No big deal. I needed to run for 2 hours anyways. Amy needed to run 14-16 miles, and Beth just needed to run long. We made it work and just ran together at an easy pace to get our distances and times in. It was one of the most fun and beautiful races ever! All of the dogs were going crazy with the snow and we saw lots of Weimereiners out there. Amy was wearing a Giants jersey and everyone was yelling "Go GMEN!" so we started a bet on how many times Amy would get a comment. Due to a technicality, Beth won. Otherwise Amy was going to get the win.
So after a 2 mile warmup, 13.1 mile run, and a cooldown, we wound up with just over 16 miles for the day. We held an average pace of 9:36/mile. That pace coupled with the snow saved my legs and after finishing I felt like I could have kept going another 4! We were cold and soaked by that point so we hit up an awesome bagel joint and called it a day. A hot shower never felt better!!
I am NOT disapointed that the race was turned into a fun run. Running for 2.5 hours with friends in a snowstorm was so much fun and great motivation to keep going in those conditions. Overall the race atmosphere was this warm and friendly comraderie feeling. I think everyone thought of everyone else as a winner just for showing up and running. Big thanks to the volunteers for braving the elements! I think staying still is worse. We had it easy because we were at least moving and generating body heat.
Also, there will be more opportunities to set a new Half Marathon PR. This run was a nice surprise in that I can run for 2.5 hours and my legs aren't shelled AND! I don't have to play the recovery game this week. On Sunday I even hopped onto the trainer for 1:45 of intervals followed by sweet potato waffles, bacon, and freshly squeezed OJ. Oh yeah!
It was a good weekend :)
I can comment again! Exciting.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear you all had a fun run. I love running when it is snowing (unlike the slushy wet mess we had here).
Great job on cold and snowy conditions!
ReplyDeleteHeard on the Twitter it was canceled - very cool they still set it up so you guys could all run. Doing a race in those conditions would have been pointless!
ReplyDeleteAre your calves killing you? Even if I go easy, running on slippery surfaces makes my calves angry. Maybe I am just a weakling.
ReplyDeleteWe probably should have written one race report between the three of us. At least we're consistent, except for Beth who got the Giants number wrong!
ReplyDeleteI did not get the Giants number wrong!! It was 15 during the race, 2 before and 3 after. Which adds to....
Deleteeeeew that sounds not fun! hahahha snow is yucky! hahhahah
ReplyDeleteps. i tagged you! check out my blog! (question # 2 has been personalized for you on the bottom beside your name!)
That's so great they still had the fun run!!!! Looks like you guys had a blast!
ReplyDeleteI'm going to play my own game and see if I can spot the differences between yours, Amy's and Beth's race reports. You know, like those spot the differences pictures that they put in Highlights? haha
ReplyDeleteI love that they still let everyone run an unscored run. I always love running during snow storms, dangerous? Yes but so much fun and so beautiful. Glad y'all had a blast!
ReplyDeletesweet potato...waffles?
ReplyDeleteAwesome! It was like a hidden surprise in the end. No trashed legs and completely beautiful scenery w/ freshly snow laden landscape for you guys.
ReplyDeleteNice job getting out there and logging the miles anyways!
Awesome that they still held the fun run! Sweet potato waffles. Im in.
ReplyDeleteI was really afraid of this weather situation when we talked about registration a few months back, but it sounds fun anyway. Oh well. Sunday breakfast sounds delicious.
ReplyDeleteI think NYRR is a well run outfit. Beautiful they still allowed the mostly supported run for fun. They did the same thing a couple years ago for a December 15K Ted Corbitt which was really nice for me since I was in from out of town...and they still let the members count it toward their 9 + 1.
ReplyDeletePlus nothing beats running CP in snow or conditions!
and Great training weekend long run + solid trainer time!
D
Sounds like a blast.
ReplyDeleteAnd I will say it GO G-MEN as I hope that makes a difference and Amy is now a winner without any technicality.
Jason is my new best friend.
DeleteI think they made the right call to cancel it, but it sounds like you guys had a blast anyway! Running a little slower and taking my time on the long runs is something that I'm going to adopt into my training rather than trying to kill it on the long runs too. Good job running 16! That's a long ways!
ReplyDeleteSo glad that y'all had so much fun!
ReplyDeleteSounds like it actually became a great race! :) They were smart in canceling it, but yay for you for finding the fun in it.
ReplyDeletemmmmmmm - NY bagels! That sounds awesome right now!
Hey stranger!! Sounds like you had fun anyway. Nice 16!
ReplyDelete