10.Races in June & July 2024

Saturday, June  8, 2024 Women's Mastercard Mini 10-K

I woke up around 4 am and refused to go back to bed in fear that I'd sleep past my alarms. Plus, I wanted to test out my theory of eating 2 boiled eggs as protein energy so that I'm not hungry at 8am during the race. I left the house at around 5:45 am and arrived close to 7:00 am. I got off at 86th street on the C line (on A train). Yes, I was an hour early and wanted to calm my nerves. Since I had time to kill, I walked around for a bit and the first person I saw was Jasmin with her husband on a bench. I walked up to her and said it has been a long time and asked about her running. I met Jasmin at meetup (SA) and one of my fondest memories was playing basketball with her and other meetup members at a Brooklyn park as well as the holiday party she had in Brooklyn which was less than half a mile from my house. As I walked further, I spotted a lot of yellow vests in different sections. I knew that both Alex and Carl was volunteering, so I looked for them. As I walked alongside Central Park West toward the corrals, I spotted Alex at Corral E (volunteer leader was providing instructions to volunteers). I walked to the area and waited a bit before he spotted me and I waved. I took a quick photo with Alex telling him I needed a photo with my coach! Haha. Then I wandered off. After some time, I was at Corral C, as more women arrived to the area. Suddenly, someone walked up to me, it was Rosario who asked if I had remembered her. I told her of course I do! Rosario is my sister's friend from college (Buffalo)  and she had told me that she swore she saw me cheering at the women's simple half marathon and couldn't truly confirm if it was me. But I told her it was me! Then out of nowhere I saw Tanya (we always end up finding each other pre-race). We decided to wait on the west side of the street since it was less crowded. As we waited, Julie and aunt Alison stopped briefly and we took a quick photo. Then Amy showed up and Piera and 7:50 we took our small group photo and dispersed to our corrals. As I headed towards Corral E, i spotted Michelle and Alex at his volunteer post at Corral F, said hi, took a photo and went back to E. 

As the race started, I felt fine for the duration of Central Park West. I saw both Lynn and David cheering along the course so that was nice. To summarize how the race went, I took several walk breaks for 10 seconds, 20 seconds, 30 seconds to catch my breath. The sun shining made it hot, and the nice breeze made me beg for more wind. After Cat Hill, I caught up to Piera and I waved.  I didn't stop for any water along the way, but I did sip from my own water. The entire 10K felt fine, no major feelings of feeling like shit. The only downside was not getting the time I wanted, BUT, I did run under 1 hour, which has been a goal of mine! This 10K was my first NYRR medal race. I realize that I like cold races and that the sun is my enemy.  When I got to mile 6, I saw Team Osprey and that was when I knew I was near the end. It was nice to slap high fives and see the team. The icing on the cake for this race was the finish line shoutout from the announcer, who mentioned Team Osprey and saying that he says it only when he sees the shirt!  I received my medal and got my recovery bag of goodies and walked over to the team cheering section. After we departed from each other, I walked back to the bandshell to see what other goodies to collect--i ended up getting a flower, a cowbell and thundersticks. I saw Laura from Meatloaf and also Jasmin again! I checked my meetup group app and saw that the ladies were meeting at a coffee shop, so I went and met them there.  This race was special because it was all women and it's nice to know where I stand in a women's only race. Overall, the 10K was hard because the weather while it was nice, it was too warm for me.  My time was 59:56. Believe it or not, it's my worst race (out of 4 10ks) ive done this year.

Saturday, June 15, 2024: NYRR Queens 10K

To be honest, I was dreading this 10K because of all the rumors and commentary about the course. I think my biggest fear in running in such a complex course is making a wrong turn LOL. But luckily this course has been roped around and you don't actually get lost! It wasn't as bad as I thought it'd be. I think what bothers me about any race is the sun on high beams LOL. I was so happy to have it slightly chilly in the beginning and have some wind. I was also glad I wore my Osprey tank top.  I will admit that I took a few, short, walk breaks. I think hills help me increase on speed and flat surfaces make me want to walk. The greatest accomplishment on this 10K was simply finishing under 1 hour.  I also improved by 10 seconds from last week's 10K race. 59:46. Thank  you Team Osprey for cheering and taking photos at mile 5.75! Always seeing the team makes me feel good and excited that the end is near! LOL. I didn't have any issues on this race which is also a win. 2nd NYRR medal! 

This race was also special because afterwards, a small group of us went to Flushing to eat dim sum (and cake) and celebrate Alex's birthday! In the afternoon at 4pm, we went to see a Mets game and they won against the Padres!

Thursday, June 20, 2024 HOKA Summer Solstice 5K- Ottawa

I signed up for this 5K because I saw an opportunity to visit a city I have not visited before. Also because it's a sunset 5K that offered Hoka sneakers as their giveaway  (even though the cost of this race is like the cost of the sneakers). This was a fun run. No timed chip. The day before, the Running Room told us that given the heat and thunderstorm watch, the race may be canceled. On race day, they emailed letting us know that the race was on and that they'd shorten the race to a 3K. Upon arrival, thethey told us since the weather cooled down, the 5K is available... meaning they will have a volunteer at the turnaround point telling us the mileage i  I didn't come to Ottawa to run a 3K. I  went to run a 5K. Time: 29:10.  Weather was great and sunset was beautiful.... I didn't take photos at the turnaround but the skies were so beautiful with pink and purple. At the end, I receivereceived a cool medal. The sun moves from light to dark. 

Sunday, June 23, 2024: Achilles 4M - Did Not Attend DUE to Being Stuck in Ottawa; but received 9+1 credit due to the heat and discretion of NYRR.

Saturday, June 29, 2024: Front Runners LGBT Pride 4M Run🏳️‍🌈

It was a nice cloudy morning, but it was still hot. I started the race alongside Shaina and Lisa. For the last couple of miles, I dumped water over my head at each water station because it was hot. It felt good! I sped up the last part of the race, in an effort to get it over with. Surprisingly, the race went well for me. At the end, Shaina, Lisa and I all rang the bell for the 9+1. (Shaina had not done so since she has 11+1).  Post race treats: rainbow bagel and popsicle.  Today was also Lisa's birthday so we had a post-race brunch at LPQ at the park.

Saturday, July 13, 2024: Retro 4-Miler

The race started at 7:30 a.m.  and it was pouring heavy rain when I arrived at Central Park around 6:45 a.m.  Puddles everywhere and I made sure to wear my Goretex sneakers... But that did not matter because water was going to seep in. To be very honest, it was the most fun I had at a race in the sense that sloshing around in water, running in heavy rain and laughing with strangers for getting them also wet when I splashed around.  I was headed to the LPQ bathrooms when I spotted both Julie and Aunt Alison pre-race. Those were the only Osprey I saw on that race. It appears that very few birds showed up. After my race, I decided to see if I could spot Julie at the finish line because it was her 9th race (9+1). I saw her near the finish and shouted out her name and then proceeded to meet her and Aunt Alison post-race.  Time: 39:30. My true 9th race. LOL.

Monday, July 15, 2024: Brooklyn R-U-N- 5K: CANCELLED DUE TO HEAT