Going into this week, I'm in much better spirits than
expected. Maybe somewhat relieved from the pressure, at least temporarily.
I've been spending these last few months planning and executing my re-qualification for next year's marathon, which requires me to run 9 races of varying difficulty + one volunteer day for the organization. Somewhat luckily, I've been fairly active in NYRR this past year in preparation for the marathon, running my favorite races. I'm not starting from zero towards this count. Actually I started from 5 races already on the books. But nonetheless, still a difficult feat to quickly pivot from running for experience and fun to desperately needing those races to count. With a countdown clock towards December 31 ticking away.
The most recent big race (and post injury milestone) was the Staten Island Half on October 9. It was the most perfect weather for running, and the course scenery was breathtaking with the bridges and NYC skyline. BUT it was not my best performance. I pretty much knew by mile 3 that there was no chance I would recover enough minutes to clock a good time. I was running slow and it felt hard. And something just felt off. My feet felt heavy. Perhaps even just the pressure of needing the race was getting to my brain. But nonetheless, I ran safely and without pain with a finish time of 2:33:59. Considering I couldn't run for 3 months, I'm forcing myself to be happy with that. Even though competitively I'm not.
My races to date in 2022 - with an * next to the ones that count towards the program:
- January: Virtual Resolution Run 5K*
- February: Virtual Black History Month 5K
- March: Washington Heights Salsa, Blues, & Shamrocks 5K*
- May: Brooklyn Half*
- June: Front Runners LGBT Pride Run 4M*
- September: Virtual New Balance 5th Ave Mile
- September: New Balance 5th Ave Mile*
- October: Staten Island Half*
- October Virtual Abbott Dash 5k
That leaves 3 races to go, including running the upcoming Abbott Dash which I've done with Rob and cousins for several years now. I will also be volunteering at the Marathon Expo on Friday to help runners find the information they need and welcome them to NYC (which is really fun and fulfilling across different languages!)
At the Abbott Dash, I'm curious to see if I beat my PR of this specific race last year which was 0:28:37. Rob seems to do better each year, whereas I waffle back and forth. Last year was a particularly good time for me - there was a lot of excitement! And the promise of an expedient brunch if I hurried up.
On Sunday, we'll of course be "marathon chasing" which is a sport unto itself. With just slightly more alcohol involved than if we were running ourselves. The goal is to get 3 hits of Fred and Kara. We've always been successful seeing them at mile 6 in Brooklyn, mile 18 in Manhattan, and mile 22 in Manhattan. Even with the subways, we've never manage to get them in Queens. Perhaps that will be an added challenge this year to heighten the stakes!
After all the commotion and business of this upcoming marathon weekend, that leaves two races left for me to run - Virtual Run for Thanks 5K (easy) in November & Ted Corbitt 15K (more challenging) in December. I'm already ramping up for the Ted Corbitt race as it's only four weeks away and I don't want to lose my long-run base. I've run that one before - it will likely be a cold weather race with layers and some other dimensions added on to the experience.
Here's to a safe, happy, and successful 2022 NYC Marathon weekend - and to the promise of a better year to come for my ambitions.
