Prospect Park Duathlon
The first race of the season. It was a decent race. The folks over at City Tri and Slope Sports did a bang up job as usual. The start of this race is at the Prospect Park Carousel, zoo and the Old Lefferts House (three Brooklyn landmarks you shouldn't miss). It was a frigid 34 degrees at 7am and by the time I had my bike set up I couldn't feel my toes. There were lots of guys in nothing but spandex and compression socks with blue lips and chattering teeth. I was like, "dudes get some body fat" but they didn't find me funny. My snarky comments didnt go over well. Shocker.
The start of the race was good lots of blaring music and a nice bunch of people set up correctly. I of-course started at the back of the pack since I seriously think I can skip faster than I can run. The first 3.5 miles were nice. Through the rolling uneven paths of Prospect Park. Under bridges, through dog parks, around ponds and beside waterfalls. That Olmstead guy knew what he was doing.
I felt good. I was with a pack of slow-pokes which is rare, usually I am watching them run ahead of me. This was a treat to be able to gasp some sort of a tarzan speech at fellow runners.
"Mo run slow, you run slow too?"
I did the first run in 35:04 spot on for beating my goal of 2 hours. Then I come into the transition.
I think, "HEY THERE ARE BIKES HERE — WOW I'M NOT LAST!"
I get a surge of adrenaline, I may not finish last!!!!! I start up the big hill. I'm a bit nervous since I haven't ridden outside yet this year because of the cold. I put my head down and pedal using nice round strokes. All of a sudden I'm at the top.
"HUH, I'm not sucking wind. That wasn't too bad." The rest of the park circle is nice ups and downs until the big downhill on the othe rside of the park. Its awesome. I'm flying and passing people left and right. My bike computer broke but I'd say I was pushing 30mph. Sweet. I do this three times. I'm passing people. Lots of people and I really didnt push to hard. I wanted to save my legs for the last run. I fisnished the bike in 43:46. Slow, but not horrible. More miles will mean more speed.
As some of you remember I ran the "special" run with my helmet last year I was determined NOT to do that again. Although when rode in at 7am and I walked off to pick up my race pack, I had the helmet on. Jana—who was doing the race with me— was like, "uh mo, your helmet... freakin' spaz." I had to laugh.
So this year I came into transition TOOK OFF MY HELMET FIRST. Good thinking right? Changed my shoes, stripped out of the fleece into my running gear. Pink and black spandex stretching over a belly that looks like it gave birth to a nice year old. I was HOT.
I start the second run doing well I am psyched that I passed so many people on the bike. That feeling of elation soon passes as ALL those people pass me on the run. The part that really bums me out is the run is an out and back and people that I eyed up at the start.
"I can beat THAT guy. You know the one... with the beer belly, doing espresso shooters, smoking a cigarette, wearing balck spandex with a male camel-toe"
Uh nope. He's the home stretch and I am still on the way out. Damn.
But I'm having fun. No need for a potty break — thank you super kegels. Compared to last year this was a breeze. I guess running all winter and not drinking actually paid off. Cause I finish the seconde run in 40:38 not to bad considering last year I ran 17 minute miles.
I come round the corner and hear the music blaring the crowd is cheering and my kids are so close to the finish-line that Arik nearly trips me. The usual chant GO MOMMY GO is being heard and I feel great. Like I could go some more. Absolutley no feeling of the urge to vomit. Nice. I must be getting in shape!
I finish the race in 1:59:28 UNDER MY GOAL OF 2 HOURS!!! Ok it was only 32 seconds under BUT I beat my time from last year by TWENTY-SEVEN minutes!!! very cool. After party nice the guy at city tris mom made oatmeal for 300 people. And I finished before they started the awards ceremony. How cool is that?
Next race is the LI 1/2 marathon May 3rd. I'm actually looking forward to it.
The start of the race was good lots of blaring music and a nice bunch of people set up correctly. I of-course started at the back of the pack since I seriously think I can skip faster than I can run. The first 3.5 miles were nice. Through the rolling uneven paths of Prospect Park. Under bridges, through dog parks, around ponds and beside waterfalls. That Olmstead guy knew what he was doing.
I felt good. I was with a pack of slow-pokes which is rare, usually I am watching them run ahead of me. This was a treat to be able to gasp some sort of a tarzan speech at fellow runners.
"Mo run slow, you run slow too?"
I did the first run in 35:04 spot on for beating my goal of 2 hours. Then I come into the transition.
I think, "HEY THERE ARE BIKES HERE — WOW I'M NOT LAST!"
I get a surge of adrenaline, I may not finish last!!!!! I start up the big hill. I'm a bit nervous since I haven't ridden outside yet this year because of the cold. I put my head down and pedal using nice round strokes. All of a sudden I'm at the top.
"HUH, I'm not sucking wind. That wasn't too bad." The rest of the park circle is nice ups and downs until the big downhill on the othe rside of the park. Its awesome. I'm flying and passing people left and right. My bike computer broke but I'd say I was pushing 30mph. Sweet. I do this three times. I'm passing people. Lots of people and I really didnt push to hard. I wanted to save my legs for the last run. I fisnished the bike in 43:46. Slow, but not horrible. More miles will mean more speed.
As some of you remember I ran the "special" run with my helmet last year I was determined NOT to do that again. Although when rode in at 7am and I walked off to pick up my race pack, I had the helmet on. Jana—who was doing the race with me— was like, "uh mo, your helmet... freakin' spaz." I had to laugh.
So this year I came into transition TOOK OFF MY HELMET FIRST. Good thinking right? Changed my shoes, stripped out of the fleece into my running gear. Pink and black spandex stretching over a belly that looks like it gave birth to a nice year old. I was HOT.
I start the second run doing well I am psyched that I passed so many people on the bike. That feeling of elation soon passes as ALL those people pass me on the run. The part that really bums me out is the run is an out and back and people that I eyed up at the start.
"I can beat THAT guy. You know the one... with the beer belly, doing espresso shooters, smoking a cigarette, wearing balck spandex with a male camel-toe"
Uh nope. He's the home stretch and I am still on the way out. Damn.
But I'm having fun. No need for a potty break — thank you super kegels. Compared to last year this was a breeze. I guess running all winter and not drinking actually paid off. Cause I finish the seconde run in 40:38 not to bad considering last year I ran 17 minute miles.
I come round the corner and hear the music blaring the crowd is cheering and my kids are so close to the finish-line that Arik nearly trips me. The usual chant GO MOMMY GO is being heard and I feel great. Like I could go some more. Absolutley no feeling of the urge to vomit. Nice. I must be getting in shape!
I finish the race in 1:59:28 UNDER MY GOAL OF 2 HOURS!!! Ok it was only 32 seconds under BUT I beat my time from last year by TWENTY-SEVEN minutes!!! very cool. After party nice the guy at city tris mom made oatmeal for 300 people. And I finished before they started the awards ceremony. How cool is that?
Next race is the LI 1/2 marathon May 3rd. I'm actually looking forward to it.
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