Live, Laugh, Love, RUN

I’m in NEEEEEEEEEW YOOOOOOOOOOOORK

Concrete Jungle where dreams are maaaaaaade oooooooooohhhhhh…….

Sunday, March 18, 2012 I took on the New York City Half Marathon and it was BY FAR my favorite half marathon course to date and I already cannot wait to return next year (and drag most if not all of Team Vansome with me!!).

It was an absolutely PERFECT day for a run, cool calm weather and the sun did us a favor and stayed hidden away until an hour or so after the race.  We got into our corrals around 7 AM, and I just so happened to be in the Purple Corral (thanks V!).

The first 6 miles were a loop around Central Park.  It took me over 20 minutes to actually get started, there were THAT many runners.  I’ve always wanted to run through Central Park and it did not disappoint.  After Mile 4 I found myself thinking about how awesome it would be to live in NYC just for the sole purpose of running that every day.  Amazing.

After mile 6 we hit a turn and burst out into Times Square.  The crowd was electric and I couldn’t help but pick up my pace and I’m sure the smile on my face grew about twice as wide.

I think I ran the entire part of this course laughing and waving to everyone, as pictured below.

After that, we turned right on 42nd Street and headed onto the West Side Highway, which is completely flat for the last few miles of the race.  We ran a brief stretch through the Battery Park Underpass to FDR Drive, and then headed back out into the sunlight for the finish at the seaport.  I loved how the last 300 meters or so were around a slight curve so you could see the finish, take off, and finish strong. 

I LOVED every second of this 13.1.  I didn’t train properly (*cough cough* at all) so it wasn’t an ideal pace and not my best race BUT it was still one of my favorite runs and really helped recommit me to running.  It felt good to be back out there and I’m ready to buckle down, train hard, and kick some serious ass in my upcoming races and events.  Who’s with me?!?!

20 March 2012 ·