Krista DuChene
New York City Half Marathon. March 16, 2014.
Although
I’ve technically raced twice this year (3,000 m on the track and the 8
mile Re-Fridgee-Eighter, both in February), I feel like New York City
Half was my 2014 season opener.
I’ve technically raced twice this year (3,000 m on the track and the 8
mile Re-Fridgee-Eighter, both in February), I feel like New York City
Half was my 2014 season opener.
After a long, cold and very snowy winter (which is still
lingering), like many I was looking forward to spring racing. I flew
from Billy Bishop in Toronto to NYC and had a great weekend. David Monti
and his NYRR pro athlete crew were amazing. Like Alan Brookes and his
CRS crew, they were attentive to every detail, in a very professional
and personal manner. The food, communication, race details, and
friendliness was exceptional. I had been told the team was great, by
Mary Davies (who just wrote an amazing post on running and pregnancy, here) and many others, and they did not disappoint.
lingering), like many I was looking forward to spring racing. I flew
from Billy Bishop in Toronto to NYC and had a great weekend. David Monti
and his NYRR pro athlete crew were amazing. Like Alan Brookes and his
CRS crew, they were attentive to every detail, in a very professional
and personal manner. The food, communication, race details, and
friendliness was exceptional. I had been told the team was great, by
Mary Davies (who just wrote an amazing post on running and pregnancy, here) and many others, and they did not disappoint.
My
travel Friday was a bit long but that is to be expected in big cities.
So once I finally checked into my room, I headed out for an easy 5 km in
Central Park, which was conveniently 500 m from the hotel. Runners
galore are in that park as well as horse n’ buggy rides for tourists who
want to pay $4 USD per minute! Being among some of the world’s best
made for some entertaining scenes. More than once I saw people stop in
their tracks and drop their jaws after spotting people like Olympic
medalists, Meb Keflezighi and Mo Farah.
travel Friday was a bit long but that is to be expected in big cities.
So once I finally checked into my room, I headed out for an easy 5 km in
Central Park, which was conveniently 500 m from the hotel. Runners
galore are in that park as well as horse n’ buggy rides for tourists who
want to pay $4 USD per minute! Being among some of the world’s best
made for some entertaining scenes. More than once I saw people stop in
their tracks and drop their jaws after spotting people like Olympic
medalists, Meb Keflezighi and Mo Farah.
After
briefly meeting my roommate, I headed out to get some dinner and take
in a bit of the city. I knew I’d have time to check things out Sunday,
after the 7:30 am race, so I just wandered. It was really neat to come
across so many big NYC sites like Time Square and Broadway. Our hotel
was located in the heart of the action, that’s for sure.There was a buzz
in the air!
briefly meeting my roommate, I headed out to get some dinner and take
in a bit of the city. I knew I’d have time to check things out Sunday,
after the 7:30 am race, so I just wandered. It was really neat to come
across so many big NYC sites like Time Square and Broadway. Our hotel
was located in the heart of the action, that’s for sure.There was a buzz
in the air!
Saturday was
low key with breakfast, an easy 8 km in Central Park, massage, lunch,
rest, technical meeting, and dinner with my friendly roommate, Laken
from Total Sports Management . It was nice to get to know her, an athlete and mom herself. She was there to represent Sally Kipyego who later won and broke the course record in her half marathon debut! Sally
may be a super fast Olympic and World Silver medalist in the 10,000 m
but I was the expert in teaching her about toenail losses! She had to
wear flip flops Sunday because of the pain in her big toe! Clip first. Then run.
low key with breakfast, an easy 8 km in Central Park, massage, lunch,
rest, technical meeting, and dinner with my friendly roommate, Laken
from Total Sports Management . It was nice to get to know her, an athlete and mom herself. She was there to represent Sally Kipyego who later won and broke the course record in her half marathon debut! Sally
may be a super fast Olympic and World Silver medalist in the 10,000 m
but I was the expert in teaching her about toenail losses! She had to
wear flip flops Sunday because of the pain in her big toe! Clip first. Then run.
Sunday
was “cool” as forecasted but I knew that wouldn’t bother this Canadian!
Warm up of a 20 min jog and gentle stretching while staying warm and relaxed with cheery US runner,
Lauren W. from the Asics Mammoth club (Andrew and Deena Kastor) went
well and shortly after the American Anthem, we were off. It was a very
deep field in which I was seeded at about 11th or 12th with my 70:52
from Scotiabank Vancouver 2013. US 5km record holder and fellow Saucony
athlete Molly Huddle was also debuting. And Des Linden was there after
her 6 week training block with Lanni in Kenya, preparing for Boston. I
knew the girls would be fast and well ahead of me but was hoping to tuck
nicely into a chase pack. This didn’t happen. The rest of us were
sprinkled throughout and ran mostly solo. I did have one guy with me for
about 5 km or so, which was helpful. The NYC half and full marathon
courses aren’t easy. Starting with several km of rolling hills in
Central Park really threw me off. It seemed to take forever to get out
before reaching a flat section. I didn’t find the hills that difficult
but the start was slow and I simply lost time, early in the race. I’m
used to pushing hard in the end, maintaining pace regardless of the
hills. So it was no surprise, and an increase in my confidence as my
season opener, that I had such a big negative split. The last, long
stretch of the race (7 km or so?) felt like I was flying (and it was
somewhat downhill, not sure how much). My finish was 72:26, which is
technically a PB for a certified, record eligible course. My placing was 12th, good for the last bit of prize money!
was “cool” as forecasted but I knew that wouldn’t bother this Canadian!
Warm up of a 20 min jog and gentle stretching while staying warm and relaxed with cheery US runner,
Lauren W. from the Asics Mammoth club (Andrew and Deena Kastor) went
well and shortly after the American Anthem, we were off. It was a very
deep field in which I was seeded at about 11th or 12th with my 70:52
from Scotiabank Vancouver 2013. US 5km record holder and fellow Saucony
athlete Molly Huddle was also debuting. And Des Linden was there after
her 6 week training block with Lanni in Kenya, preparing for Boston. I
knew the girls would be fast and well ahead of me but was hoping to tuck
nicely into a chase pack. This didn’t happen. The rest of us were
sprinkled throughout and ran mostly solo. I did have one guy with me for
about 5 km or so, which was helpful. The NYC half and full marathon
courses aren’t easy. Starting with several km of rolling hills in
Central Park really threw me off. It seemed to take forever to get out
before reaching a flat section. I didn’t find the hills that difficult
but the start was slow and I simply lost time, early in the race. I’m
used to pushing hard in the end, maintaining pace regardless of the
hills. So it was no surprise, and an increase in my confidence as my
season opener, that I had such a big negative split. The last, long
stretch of the race (7 km or so?) felt like I was flying (and it was
somewhat downhill, not sure how much). My finish was 72:26, which is
technically a PB for a certified, record eligible course. My placing was 12th, good for the last bit of prize money!
Splits were 34:58 and 33:42:
5K – 17:23 (3:28.6/K)
10K – 34:58 (17:35, 3:31/K)
15K – 51:59 (17:01, 3:24.2/K)
20K – 1:08:40 (16:41, 3:20.2/K)
last 1.1K – 3:46 (3:25.4/K)
My fastest km was
3:12 and slowest 3:36. What a difference.
3:12 and slowest 3:36. What a difference.
Upon completion, I tossed on my warm gear and headed out for a cool down to total 32 km for the day.
I went for another massage, which is where I met Olympic silver medalist Meb Keflezighi. We
chatted a bit, talking about the ages of our kids, injuries and future
plans. What a kind, down to earth man. Here’s 2 quotes from his website:
“Like the marathon, life can sometimes be difficult, challenging and
present obstacles, however if you believe in your dreams and never ever
give up, things will turn out for the best.” – Meb. And
chatted a bit, talking about the ages of our kids, injuries and future
plans. What a kind, down to earth man. Here’s 2 quotes from his website:
“Like the marathon, life can sometimes be difficult, challenging and
present obstacles, however if you believe in your dreams and never ever
give up, things will turn out for the best.” – Meb. And
“I Can Do All Things Through Christ Who Strengthens Me!” – Phil 4:13.
What a great guy!
In the
afternoon we had a wonderful after race dinner at an amazing Italian
restaurant. Laken and I sat with some athletes and coaches from Germany
and Japan. It was great to get to know them.
afternoon we had a wonderful after race dinner at an amazing Italian
restaurant. Laken and I sat with some athletes and coaches from Germany
and Japan. It was great to get to know them.
After
the dinner I set out to take in the city. After 3 hours of walking, I
stopped to get souvenirs at the massive M & M store, enjoyed
something to eat at a diner across the street and packed my things. I
wanted to get in an easy run and breakfast before our 9 am departure so
was in bed by 11 pm.
the dinner I set out to take in the city. After 3 hours of walking, I
stopped to get souvenirs at the massive M & M store, enjoyed
something to eat at a diner across the street and packed my things. I
wanted to get in an easy run and breakfast before our 9 am departure so
was in bed by 11 pm.
Up
next is the Around the Bay 30 km road race. Rachel Hannah is running and
that girl is fit so I must stay sharp. I’ll be racing more this spring
than ever so recovery will be key to stay healthy and injury free.
next is the Around the Bay 30 km road race. Rachel Hannah is running and
that girl is fit so I must stay sharp. I’ll be racing more this spring
than ever so recovery will be key to stay healthy and injury free.
Enjoy the pictures.
 |
| It was such an honour to meet fellow Canadian, Diane Roy who won the first ever wheelchair title at the NYC Half Marathon. Canadians John Mason, Reid Coolsaet and Eric Gillis also raced. |
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| A little promo picture for our September Harvest Half Marathon with proceeds going to the Kenyan Kids Foundation. Wesley Korir (2012 Boston Marathon Champ) will be running the Ottawa Marathon in May and his wife, Tarah will be returning to Ontario to run some races in April and May. Read about it here. |
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| After race dinner party with Meb and Wesley. |
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| Was great to get to know Team Japan. These guys are huge celebrities at home where running is equivalent to Canada’s hockey. |
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| Winners, Sally Kipyego and Geoffrey Mutai with NYRR CEO, Mary Wittenberg. |
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| Taking in the big city. |
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| Lots of Irish gear this weekend. |
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| Rockefeller. Should have packed my skates! Our kids would love this with the lego store nearby. |
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| The Plaza. After confirming it was indeed the hotel from Home Alone – Lost in New York, I snapped a picture as this kind man replied, “Yes, but I’m not the man from the movie and Kevin is much older now.”. |
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| Central Park. |
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| Post race treat. Couldn’t resist sprinkling my pancakes with some dark chocolate, peanut M & M’s. The variety was endless! And while there I got the kids and Jonathan some personalized ones in our Team DuChene favourite colours of green, pink, orange, purple and blue. |
| Sunday, March 16 was also Jonathan’s birthday. We had his cake last week and the kids and his sister took good care of him while I was away racing. Thanks, Jonathan! |
Trip home NYC to Brantford, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm:
taxi to train to air train to airplane to ferry to shuttle to gotrain to van!
Sites seen in NYC:
Statue
of Liberty, Empire State Building, Grand Central Station, Rockefeller
Centre, Radio City Music Hall, Broadway, Plaza Hotel (Home Alone!), Time
Square, David Letterman Building, NBS News, CNN, Trump Tower, Central
Park and hundreds of yellow taxis.
Krista DuChene,
Marathon Mom
http://www.kristaduchenerunning.blogspot.com
@kristaduchene
Wow, it looks like you had great time in NYC. As a fan of Home Alone, I decided to stay at Plaza on my next trip to New York City, but I checked on http://new-york.hotelscheap.org/ and saw their rates. I'm just going to say that their rates aren't exactly cheap, if not unaffordable. But I should have guessed it, little Kevin really splurged on that one.
Amazing race report. Being from just outside of Brantford (went to high school in Waterford, Simcoe and Brantford!) I am amazed that I had no idea you grew up in, and continue to live in that region. You are such an inspiration! I'll be "chasing" you at the May 10k in Ottawa, hoping to get my personal best time of just under an hour. Best of luck in all your future races!