SarahDisney
So ... Yeah
- Joined
- Jul 23, 2014
United Airlines NYC Half Marathon: Race Plans, Part 2
Sorry if this update doesn't make any sense. It was mostly written in pieces on subway rides to/from work over the course of the week. Also, sorry for the lack of pictures. It's been a long day, and while I have a crapton of pictures on the phone, I don't really have the energy to transfer them onto the computer. Some of them will show up in the race recap next week.
The Big Reveal...
Here it is, the moment you've all been waiting for. My bib number is ...
19770
Apparently SO/IEC 19770 is some sort of IT standard ... so it's kinda relevant. I think.
You can track me at https://liveresults.nyrr.org/e/NYH2018#/tracker by entering my bib number.
Or, if you're one of those people who think you can never have too many apps on your phone, you can download the United Airlines NYC Half App (presented by TCS). Here are some links: Google Play & Apple Store
Goals...
After some conversations about plans/approach with Coach @DopeyBadger earlier this week, I think I really have a good grasp on what my goals are for this race.
- Have a good time. I signed up for this race because I thought the course looked cool and I would enjoy it. If at any point I feel like I'm not having a good time, that means my priorities are wrong and I need to make an adjustment - whether that means slowing down, stopping to take a picture of the rust-colored ugliness that is the Barclay Center (or whatever else happens to be around me) (and by stopping I mean safely slowing to a walk without impeding the people around me), changing my playlist, or just reminding myself to have fun. This is the #1 goal and the only one that really matters.
- Finish feeling strong. In each of my first two halfs, I hit a point during the race where I was just completely #done. At my last half I didn't really have that, but I also didn't feel very good at the end. For this race, I'd like to finish still feeling strong. I think that (with lots of help and guidance from Coach Billy) I've completed the training to get me to this goal.
- Time - 2:26:17. Based on recent runs, the race course, and the weather forecast, Coach Billy recommends that I run at a pace of 11:10. I would love a finish time near there, but it's not my top goal.
Goal pace is 11:10.
Plan is to start with my intervals (120/30) right away. However, since it's a very big race, that might not be possible. If I can't settle into my intervals right away, I'll do continuous running, also at or around 11:10. I'm hoping to be settled into intervals (at the very latest) by the end of the first mile.
Because the focus is more on the average pace than any one split, I'm going to change my watch back to average pace (right now it's on current pace) to help me focus on the big picture and not how I'm doing at any one point.
For the first half+ of the race, I will be focused on staying close to that goal pace. Once I turn on to 42nd st (right before the mile 7 marker), I'm going to give myself the option of switching over to running by effort (which is how I did most of my training), which may or may not be close to that 11:10 pace (probably will be ... hopefully).
If at any point I feel like 11:10 is too much for me, I'll slow it down. Goals 1 & 2 are far more important than goal 3 - if the pace doesn't feel comfortable, then it's not the right pace for me.
If I find myself struggling in Central Park, I might run with the 2:30 pace group if I see them. If I'm doing really well, I might try to join the 2:25 group for the last 1-2 miles, but ... that's probably not going to happen. I'm just going to run my own race and see what feels right.
Course Strategy...
I made a big tactical mistake for this race. I let myself get too caught up in experiencing the race atmosphere ... to the point where I no longer felt like I could run my own race. After attending a panel led by race pacers about pace groups and race strategy, I really wasn't sure that my approach to the race would get me to the end. Why would I run consistently when the race ends with the Central Park hills? Shouldn't I run slower early to conserve energy for later in the race?
Today I took a few minutes to re-evaluate, and I realized that I'm more comfortable at least trying for a consistent effort. I haven't trained starting slower, so that's not how I want to race. I also came up with a 3-part strategy for the race:
- Have fun
- Have fun
- Run whatever pace and effort feels best on Sunday (hopefully 11:10)
In an attempt to not freak myself out more, I decided to avoid the course strategy session at the expo. Hopefully I didn't miss anything too important (they live streamed part of it on Instagram, so I got the important weather parts).
Cold Weather Plan...
So, it's going to be a little chilly at this race. Like ... depending on what weather forecast site you trust, high 20's to low 30's at the start. I know for most of you that's like short sleeves and shorts weather, but for me ... that's a lot of layers.
Based on some research and recommendations, here's what I've decided on:
- Planned outfit (including fleece tights and possible capris underneath) + throwaway layer on top. I bought a $10 shirt at Old Navy that I think will fit on top of my gray jacket, so that will probably be the throwaway layer ... unless I decide to do that under the jacket and do the jacket as the throwaway layer. I'm more willing to lose the new shirt, because I really like that jacket, but ... I've had it for a long time. If I have to ditch it, I have to ditch it.
- Maybe old pajama pants for the corral? Not sure if that will work with the skirt, but I'll try it Saturday night and see.
- Mylar blanket in the corral. This is actually something I saw people doing at Disney a few years ago, and something that the NYRR people recommended. I still have my heat sheet from the Fred Lebow half, so I'll bring that and ditch it (safely on the side) before I hit the start line.
Expo thoughts...
As you may have guessed, I went to the Race Experience to get my stuff tonight. I'll talk about it more in the race recap (maybe), but here's a short summary that I wrote up on the train:
I definitely tried to just take it all in, take advantage of everything. Even with the people, the lights, and the environment, I was feeling good.
Got advice from a pacer, avoided the course strategy session (because I was afraid it would freak me out), and just soaked it all in.
Not the best expo I've ever been to, but I had a good time.
So ... that's the update. You may or may not hear from me again before Sunday.
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