I signed up for the Fred Lebow Half Marathon because my kids who live in NYC had signed up and I wanted in on the fun! This race takes place in Central Park, which is where I ran for the very first time in 2012. I love to run in the park any chance I get, and running this race with my kids? Yes, please!
Moments after I registered it hit me that this race takes place the third weekend of January. That's why they give everyone the cool beanie! It's very likely going to be cold, if not snowing! What had I just signed myself up for? I am not, as a general rule, happy running in cold weather. I have a well-known 50ยบ threshold for complaining about the weather. I know this about myself.
I wasn't expecting to set any records with this race, I signed up just 4 weeks before and hadn't been training, just a few casual 5K runs each week. Usually I'll keep my base around 7-8 miles, and at that I know I can finish a half marathon fairly comfortably. Throwing in a hip injury, I wasn't able to get in a long run, but instead I'd done several 7+ mile walks, about 2 hours on my feet. I really had to lean into my coaching and fitness certification training, knowing that rest is important for healing, and I'd done what I could to maintain my endurance without exacerbating my hip pain.
My goal was to finish. I went out extra slow, and eased into a careful stride. I knew this was the right approach, but also, doing the math I was not thrilled knowing I'd be at this for another 3 hours. I always feel wonky the first couple of miles. Always. I know I'll usually feel better by the 4th mile. That's where the magic happens.
I chose the Jonas Brothers playlist my daughter, Katharine, created for me. In 2021, we saw them live at Jones Beach, standing, jumping up and down, singing for more than 2 hours! Listening to that playlist takes me right back, and is a good reminder to channel that energy and stamina into my race!
This course is two 6-ish miles around Central Park, which meant that right around mile 4, all the fastest runners were passing... on both sides. Honestly, track clubs of NYC, a bit of race etiquette? I'm not particularly agile anyway, and with temps in the 30s, and proper curbs along the route near Columbus Circle, I was afraid a bit of jostling could end really badly.
I was too cold to even think about taking any photos, but in this stretch, I saw a section of covered walkway I remembered from my very first run in 2012! That run was in summer, and the structure was covered in greenery. This day, it was dormant, but brought back all the memories. I had to stop and recreate that photo! I was still feeling all the cold and not quite as warmed up as I'd like to be, but the park near Columbus Circle is the area most familiar to me, and it was fun to be back there running again after a few years!
Around about this time, it occurred to me that my last long run (more than 10K) was an 8-miler in September. Before that, a half marathon in March. A bit sobering... nevermind, focus on getting to mile 7. That's usually the point in a half where I can take a deep breath and know I can finish.
Mile 7 was also the start of the second lap, so the speedier runners had peeled off toward the finish. Byeeee!!! The field opened up, and I was able to relax my mind a bit. But this was also our second (of three!) trips up thru the Harlem Hills. I felt much better than I'd expected on these hills, but hills are always an energy drain for me.
As I was trying to refocus, a cheering spectator stepped onto the course ahead of me, with a huge smile and said "eyes up! shoulders down! you got this!" It was exactly what I needed in that moment!
I reset, focused on my form, deep steady breathing, good arm swing. The pain in my right hip was gone and now both hips just felt balanced, evenly a bit tired after a couple of hours of running, "normal." Not even a hint of pain in my knee. I can't say I felt great, but it felt really good to be running!
I'd also seen finishers with blue ponchos. THE blue ponchos they give the NYC Marathon finishers. What??? Incentive! Motivation!
As if on cue, the sun peeked out, and my Jonas Brothers playlist hit Remember This and I was smiling heading toward Columbus Circle the second time.
.
My focus at this point was Mile 10. Then I'd switch over to One Direction's FOUR album, and kick out the last 5K. As soon as I saw that sign, I knew I was going to finish. I played Girl Almighty a second time, just for good measure!
And in fact, not only did I finish, I ran those last 3 miles faster than the first 10! All things considered, that wasn't at all what I'd expected for the end of this race. I was surprised to find myself passing other runners, and after a third run up the Harlem Hills, I actually felt like I was flying into that (downhill!!) finish!
Got that poncho, got the traditional NY Road Runners race finisher bagel, and headed for the subway!
