Sixty degrees Fahrenheit on February 18th! What did I do with this gift from the weather gods, this sweet reprieve from the frigid and inhospitable conditions we’ve endured since December? As if I had any other option! I went for a run–in shorts and a tee-shirt–of course.
I was dogsitting in Chelsea that weekend, so I ran to the West Side Highway Greenway for an out-and-back. It was 7:30 PM by the time I made it out, and I saw the first wave of people heading towards date-nights and girls’-nights; I saw relaxed workers heading home from happy-hours as I sped through Chelsea. Meh, rather be running. The air was heavy and gentle on my skin. My foot cadence was quicker than usual, and before I knew it I was pleasantly sweaty. My muscles felt supple, my breathing hard.
I wasn’t exactly giddy; rather, I felt a little smug. Many of the other runners out on the Greenway were struggling: they were run/walking, or holding their sides to relieve a stitch. Smugness can never just be enjoyed; I knew there would be a karmic backlash eventually but nevertheless I couldn’t resist feeling a little bit fitter and superior than these fair-weather joggers. I’m out there four seasons, people! Days like February 18th are my petty reward for being a foot soldier of winter running. 4 miles run in 34:16. Average pace 8:34; fastest mile 8:19; slowest mile 8:53.
I didn’t have to wait long for karma to nip me on the tush. Sunday morning I raced the Cherry Tree Relay in Prospect Park with @nycbklyngirl (EG) and @mdwstrnNYer (Tuesday morning MP) as the first runner on Team Tweet–and the “real feel” temperature was 16*F. Except for the 20 minutes I was racing, I was a block of ice from the second I left the apartment at 8:30 AM until I got home and could stand under a hot shower around 1 PM.
The race itself was a lot of fun. The 10-mile course went three times around Prospect Park, in Brooklyn. I was the first runner, primarily because I was the least fit teammate and Leg 1 was about 2 millimeters shorter than the other legs. I ran as hard as I thought I could sustain for 3 miles, and managed some decent splits on Mile 1 and 3, but the rolling uphill terrain and headwind in Mile 2 slowed me down by nearly 40 seconds! I could feel that I had lost speed and fitness since my PRs this Fall, but it was expected so I didn’t beat myself up about it. Instead, I took the race for what it was: a chance to push myself a little, a taste of the relay experience (I am already pining for the Green Mountain Relay, which I am skipping this summer), and a moment to talk running with my Twitter friends. Turns out we came in 57th overall, in 1:17:24, but 8th out of all Female teams! Not so bad! 3.21 miles run in 25:30. Average pace 7:56; fastest mile 7:45; slowest mile 8:19. EG’s race report (she has the distinction of being the speediest of us three.)
Betty continues to burn me, even though I am trying my best to keep up with Pilates and my PT exercises. At an anomalous yoga class on Monday I strained my right hamstring, so that is an annoyance but not a concern. I just hope she’s better by April, when I want to begin basebuilding for my Fall marathon training. I am mostly sure I will sign up for the inaugural running of the Empire State Marathon, in Syracuse, NY. The new Boston Qualifying requirements mean that I have a chance to run a qualifying time for the 2012 race (my time is still 3:45 for one more year). I still might not be able to get in, though, since the fastest runners will have a chance to register first. By the time registration opens for me, it might be full. It’s a chance I am willing to take while the qualifying time is still within a range I think I can hit. It’s still a goal of mine to BQ before I am 40, and since I turn 38 in a month, time is running out for me!
In the meantime, I am trying to run three days a week, go to Pilates twice a week, and hit the gym the other two days. Ambitious, yes. But when I fit it all in, I feel a sense of well-being both physically and mentally, so I will continue to strive for this routine.
Awesome write up. You captured the feel of the last few weeks quite effectively. I certainly know what you mean about the possibility for smugness on our early spring day last week. Mine hasn’t quite bit me in the ass yet, but I’m sure it’s coming….
Strangely, I’m psyched about you training for the race in October. Doing a non-mass race should be fun, and far easier than battling the hordes of London. Or in London I guess. And you know what I have to say about Betty, if she’s annoying but not debilitating? Fuck it. But don’t quote me on that.
That is precisely why I chose that race. I was thinking Chicago, but then scratched it for two reasons. 1) a friend is getting married that weekend and 2) I feel ike if the stars align I have a real chance of BQing and don’t want to have to have a crowded course working against me.
Yes, I am going to take care of Betty but not coddle her.
You became a little famous. Thanks for blogging about the Cherry Tree.
http://pptcblog.blogspot.com/2011/02/i-cant-keep-up-all-people-blogging.html
wow so many bloggers writing about your race! super!
Go get that Boston time! If you get in awesome, if not, you will always say you “qualified” I know it’s not the same, but process of getting there will be the same!
All those fair weather joggers annoy the crap out of me too. Sometimes, in fact, it makes me wish it was still super cold out.
The relay sounds fun (though chilly). Glad you were able to get back out there and race.
I like your mix of metric and imperial. Pushing 16C is a lovely temp for running. Millimetres are pretty small, so I’m impressed if they measured the legs that accurately. The new BQs are pretty tough. I’d like to run Boston one day. Might have to wait for the 55-59 A/G.
Reading your posts makes me want to run. Right now.
I say you use this post’s title as the title of your first book. Melikes.
Good luck with the qualifying for Boston. I felt the same way when the weather started to break as I have been out all Winter long going hard preparing for the NYC half. My friends do not get the running in the Winter much less doing anything while it is cold, so it always makes me feel good when we are running up the stairs to catch the train and I am not winded by far and they are gasping for breath and the door closes. So I’m not mad at your smugness, I feel you, lol
Hey there- I’m a new runner, myself, and reading this piece this morning made me excited for my long (3.5 mile) run tomorrow. So… thanks! 😉