Joe Kleinerman 10k

1/7/2012

This time was slower than my first 10k in June of last year - the Women’s mini-10k - by a pretty decent chunk. It was also my first race counter-clockwise in the park. I walked three of the uphills: Harlem Hill, some random hill before mile 2 and then Cat Hill. My walking Cat Hill is a prime example of where I fail in being aggressive about goals - I can run Cat Hill. I have run it REPEATEDLY. But I told myself I would walk it. Kind of a fail, but kind of not as my glute, old man (Herbert) groin muscle (seriously - I never knew women had groins until I got older and keep having issues in that general region) and hamstrings on my right leg (bad leg - popped the whole thing out of place years ago) were killing me.

It took me a good 2 miles to decide I even felt like running, lots of runs punctuated with walking, but from mile 2 on, with exception to Cat Hill, I ran the whole way. Most races seem to work out that way for me - taking 2 or 3 miles for me to settle in and start enjoying the experience - except for Chicago, where the first few miles were fantastic and then I was begging for an Old Yeller (it’s o.k. Pa, Yeller’s my dog…) moment until the ever epic TriBander found me and helped run me in (MADE ALL THE DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD ON THAT RACE).

Finished the race and was met by Janelle (who is looking AMAZING these days - seriously. Am JELLIS!!) and we saw Rob cross the finish (he is making amazing strides with his runs - way to go Rob!!) 

Janelle and I walked/ran 4 miles post race. It was more walking than we probably should have done, but both of us are just getting over being sick and my leg was hurting - so really it was just right and I needed the company. I am going to miss her when she is gone - even sadder is all the time we could have spent slowly walking/jogging while I ranted about life that we never did. Am the BEST running partner. (not really)

As always what started as a morning where I REALLY didn’t feel like getting out of bed to run ended with me finishing race one of the nine qualifying races I need for the 2013 NYC Marathon. It was not my best race. It was not my worst race. There were no profound epiphanies. It was a race. I am out of shape. I was tired. It was dark and cold when I woke up, but I still went and ran. Sometimes I walked, more frequently than I really needed to, but mostly I ran. Not very fast. And I finished in one piece. Major take away from the day? I need a LOT more hill work or I will not survive Big Sur. Distance too, but that should come if I stay close to the plan.