Honestly? I woke up this morning thinking, Well, it would be nice if I ran the whole thing (now that I’m marathon-recovered) and maybe I can match my SI 1/2 time from ’06.
I should have taken it as a good omen when I saw about a dozen of my Team in Training teammates on my way to bagwatch, and when I saw all my coaches there, out to support the Spring season runners. And, it’s always a good sign when I can feel my excitement mounting as gun time approaches. It doesn’t always mean a good finishing time, but it pretty much guarantees I’ll have fun. Plus, conditions for this year’s Bronx Half-Marathon were good (41 degrees, and none of that predicted precipitation).
The first couple of miles weren’t promising, as we hit times between 11 and 10:30 minutes per mile. (EN, mind you, is much faster than me and does me a kindness to jog next to me.) The big excitement came when we ran on parts of the Mosholou Parkway, this little spit of a roadway that runs through the Bronx and lower Westchester. How often is it that a highway closes in your racing honor? Plus, Husband drives that road twice a day as part of his work commute, so I felt connected to the road (and to Husband).
Because the course has three out-and-backs, there are plenty of opportunities to see teammates and friends as there is a steady stream of people running towards you. EN and I got all kinds of cheers from old teammates and coaches, with one coach (the one running Flora London this year) PR’ing today, too. Conversation once again ranged wildly, from politics, religion, and the meaning of life to the fleeting fun of strip bars and googling exes.
It was just hilly enough to keep it interesting, with sections lined with trees or with classic Bronx apartment buildings. For about a third of the race (this is a very unscientific estimate here), we were battling a headwind that blew like it was protecting state secrets. At one point, our old coach saw us and said, “What, were you walking backwards?” and another coach felt compelled to point out, when I slowed to snap their picture, “You’re supposed to be running.”
Which just goes to show you, I had no intention of even trying to PR when I left the house this morning, otherwise I’d never have been taking pictures along the way.
It didn’t even occur to me until Mile 10 that I could actually PR. EN and I had been picking up speed with almost every mile (we just felt good), and even if I walked the last 3 miles, I’d have still run a personal best. At Mile 12, we said we’d pass 50 people before the finish line. Well, we passed more than that, but I lost count when 200 meters out, EN picked up the pace for real and I started sucking wind so badly he had to remind me to pump my arms. And then there it was, the finish line, and we crossed it together in 2:12:31. A fine improvement of 9:56, don’t you agree?
A lot of my other teammates PR’ed today as well, and I’d like to give a big Whoohoo! out to all of them. You know who you are, kids! (Please brag on yourselves in the Comments.)
Pigtails Flying 
I thought you weren’t supposed to be yapping the whole time while you run? Whatever happened to that basic rule of running?
Well, you made it thru the Bronx. When is Queens?
rD
I particularly enjoyed the reservoir dogs at miles 2 & 4 (just another TK witticism). I love how coach accused us of going backwards so early into the race. Sometimes, its better to take your time and yap away.
Its also significant to note that I beat my nemesis. There was a little (petite) girl who ran even with us for about 8 miles and we never got much separation from her. TK and I kept to our race plan despite the constant bobbing of her ponytail, taunting us to pick up the pace. At mile 10, we made a move, slightly picking up the pace. This took her by surprise as she tasted our dust in our wake.
There were 2 monumentally disappointing moments in this race. First and foremost, I desperately needed my karate kid headband. Once you see it, you’ll know what I’m talking about. Also, someone (preferably of Greek origin) needs to open a diner in the Bronx, right off the Mashala Parkway near Lehman College.