Well, I can sum up Saturday’s NYRR Mini 10k in two words: hills and humidity. The combination of the two made for a really tough race, but I crossed the finish line with a smile on my face. And, really, isn’t that the best part about running a race?
I love running in Central Park, but those hills kill me every time!
I didn’t arrive in New York City until late Friday night, so Theodora picked up my race number for me. We made plans to meet the next morning, so I met her and some other blog friends before the race. We chatted and caught up for a little while, and then we all headed to our respective corrals for the start of the race. Theodora and I always seem to end up in the same corral, so we took our usual pre-race photo together.
The race kicked off at 8:00 on the dot. We started down Central Park West, which was straight and flat. I definitely went out too fast because I finished my first mile in 7:53. Oops. As soon as I saw this time on my Garmin, I immediately slowed my pace. There was no way I could keep that up for five more miles!
Just after Mile 1, we headed into Central Park where we ran the rest of the race. The route went clockwise on the West Drive around the top of the park, south on the East Drive around the lower end of the park to the finish at 67th Street and West Drive.
After my speedy first mile, I slowed my pace down to 8:11 on Mile 2 and 8:19 on Mile 3. Much better.
Things were going great, but, as soon as I passed Mile 4, I started to struggle. The rolling hills in Central Park got really tough and then my iPod started skipping songs, so I fiddled around with it while I tried to keep up my pace. Not surprisingly, I couldn’t keep it up, and I finished Mile 4 in 9:08.
When I saw the marker for Mile 5, I felt a surge of motivation to pick up my pace again, but, unfortunately, my legs had other plans. I felt like I was cruising along at a good speed, but my Garmin said otherwise. It’s so frustrating when your mind wants to do one thing, but your body does something totally different. Even still, I managed to finish Mile 5 in 8:45. Not too shabby considering I wanted to die.
The last mile of the race was killer, especially the final 800 meters, but I pushed myself to the end. My body hated me, but I managed to complete the last mile in 8:30, and I crossed the finished line at 53:28 (8:37 pace), which was a new 10K PR for me! Wahoo! Considering the hills and humidity, I am really happy with my time.
At the finish line, race volunteers passed out pink carnations.
And medals, which were super cute with a red polka dot ribbon. I usually don’t get any more excited for an all-women’s races over other races, but this one was really great. There was a fun, supportive vibe– and I have to say that enjoyed the girly touches at the finish line.
After the race, I met up with my running buddies: Ashley, Ali, Becky, Lizzy, Emily, Christy, and Theodora.
And then it was time to eat! We headed to Whym for brunch.
We were a bunch of hungry runners!
I properly rehydrated with a glass of water, iced coffee, and a celebratory beer”¦ at 10:30 in the morning. Hey, it was 5 o’clock somewhere!
My Lagunitas IPA was served with the most adorable branded mason jar. Lagunitas definitely knows how to make enjoying their beer special. I want one of these glasses so badly now!
To eat, I ordered Homemade Granola with fresh berries and Greek yogurt. It was fantastic and exactly what I wanted.
All in all, a great race! Can’t wait until next year’s Mini 10K!
79 Comments
Congrats on a fantastic PR! I ran this race last year and had my PR there too, it is such a fun course. We didn’t get medals though.
I’m so glad you made it down for the race! It was a great mix of running and fun. 🙂 See you soon!
Congrats on the PR!
Great job on the PR! It was great seeing you!
@Christy: You too! Thanks for organizing brunch!
So glad you had a great race and congrats on your PR!!!!!
And I love that you met up with friends afterward AND drank from the most adorable mason jar <—LOVE that one 🙂
Great job Tina!
Congrats on the new PR! 🙂
Congrats on your PR!! Looks like a fun race, except for the summer weather! I don’t know If I could handle racing right now!!
Yay! Congratulations on an AWESOME race. You are a rock star. It was so great to see you (albeit briefly) ”” come back soon!
@Ali: You too!! Hopefully, I will be back sooner than later! 🙂
Congrats on your new PR Tina! Awesome!
Congrats on the PR! Racing in humidity stinks but you had an awesome time despite that, nice job!
Looks like a great race! Congrats.
Congrats on finishing your race!
Something about beer and yogurt is a little off-putting, but at least you enjoyed it!
congrats on the PR! Running in hills and humidity is TOUGH!
I’ve never been to NY so I never really realized that Central Park was as big as it is and that it has lots of hill, crazy… I need to get out more! Congrats on the PR!
Awesome job on the PR!!! It looked like such a fun race and I’m glad you had a great weekend. Oh, and that granola? It lookes absolutely delish!!! 🙂
Just walking through Central Park can be tough in certain areas… I can only imagine how hard it is to run over some of those hills. Congrats on your new PR!!
Hills and humidity are the worst! Congrats on still being able to PR despite the conditions! Just think what you could do if it was a flat course with no humidity! You are awesome! 😀
Congratulations on the PR!
Congrats on the new PR! I don’t really go for all women’s races either but the mini has SUCH great history behind it and I thought that them dedicating it to Grete Waltz was awesome. I really regretted not signing up!
Looks like you had an amazing run with other people! I love how many people turned out! Humidity is tough to run through so great job!
Great job, love the breakfast and you deserve the beer.
I don’t get why people don’t like carnations. I think they’re decorative 😀 And I love those polka dots!
Looks like a very fun race! I think I would really enjoy running through central park! There just must be so many people for “people watching” .. aka one of my fave past times!
Looks like a great 10K… Congrats on the new PR! And the pink carnations are so cute!
Congratulations! I don’t get why it’s called a “mini” 10k… all 10ks are the same length!!
@Maria: Me either! I wish I knew why!
@Tina:
It’s called the “mini” 10K because when Fred Lebow, who founded the NYC marathon and many other NYRR races, started this race 40 years ago, he was looking for a way to appeal to women runners. In 1971 miniskirts were popular so he named this race the women’s “mini marathon” and the name has stuck. Pretty cool history! Fred Lebow was an amazing guy; for more info see the documentary “Run For Your Life.”
@lauren: No kidding?! That is so cool! Thank you!
@Tina:
I am such a dork about NYC running history. Definitely check out that documentary before running the NYCM.
congrats!
Congrats on the 10K! P.S. — The granola with berries and yogurt looked scrumptious.
Ughh I hate running in central park. Hills kill me every time. I am, however, a massive fan of the Ginger Man, which I hope you’ll be posting about soon enough.
You should try to find the Waffle and Dinges truck while you’re there!!! Every bite is like heaven.
Congrats on your PR! That’s a great pace for a 10k, especially if there are some Central Park hills thrown in there. Love the polka dot touch for the medals. I need to find a women’s race myself!
Wow! Great job! A friend of mine just ran a 5K….was going to walk and another friend convinced her to run. She was so proud of herself! Between that, and reading your blog, I’m thinking of running one myself! And the next one she’s doing is to benefit animal rescue shelters! What a great cause. I’m definitely going to start running more around my block to try and work myself up.
I ran yesterday, too! It was my first race ever. I was hoping I’d see you and Theodora (I read both of your blogs), but alas, I did not. It was so fun though! I can see how it becomes addicting 🙂
Congrats on your PR!! 😀 Especially in those conditions. Yuck.
Whoa, you just keep PRing the shit out of every race eh? Congrats 🙂
Congrats!!!
I have two of those Lagunitas jars!!! <3
@Kath: I’m so jealous! Did you get them at the brewery?
@Tina: Yup!
I just did a 10 K last week and had the same two problems: heat and humidity! Unfortunately, unlike you, I wasn’t able to PR…my time was SUPER slow! 🙁
Way to go on the PR despite that crazy humidity.. I used to live in NYC so I definitely understand- it’s mighty difficult to keep yourself going when all you want to do it dive into a pool and escape the heat.
Congrats on the PR… especially in that weather! Hills and humidity are my two biggest speed killers! 😛
Congrats on the PR! Agree about the humidity and hills – KILLER. Great meeting you in the start corral!!! Come back to NY soon!
So funny, Tina. I was in NYC this weekend, too, and I went to Whym for brunch today. When I saw the pic of the Whym sign on your site, I couldn’t believe the coincidence! It was recommended by a friend of mine who lives in the city. Glad you enjoyed it, too!
Great race report! Sounds like a lot of fun and the medals are cute! that granola and yogurt looks delicious….so thick!
Congrats, Tina! I would love to visit NY – still have never been! Def bringing my running shoes when I do visit!
Congrats on the new PR! Quite a feat, considering the conditions you had for that race!! Good work!
Congrats on the PR! I had a PR today in a 4-miler so I’m feeling very happy about that!
FYI you can actually buy the Lagunitas jars online:
http://store.lagunitas.com/Lagunitas-Mason-Jars_p_23.html
@Charlene: Oooh, boy! I think I might need to make a purchase! 😉
What a fun weekend! Congrats on the PR! I can’t wait for the all-women’s 10k in October. 🙂
Congrats on your PR!
Congrats on the race and your new PR! I’m glad that you were able to run before all of that rain. And yes, the Central Park hills look like no big deal, but they’re rough stuff.
Congrats on the PR! 10K sounds like a great race length to do– and in Central Park, sounds especially fabulous!
great job! i ran the mini too! and yes, hills and humidity – yikes. i felt awful when i finished, and unfortunately, didn’t head down the chute far enough to get my cute ribbon and medal. ah well. glad you had a great time in nyc!