Faster by Half
Sunday morn provided just about perfect running conditions here in NYaaark. And hence, the birdlegs were able to record their fastest half marathon time to date (by a mere 40s, but still…). Seems that I’m definitely quicker in the cool.
After rising around half four (ughhhh), a quick spin down an empty Lexington Ave. to Grand Central, the 7 Subway to Flushing and a further 6 or 7 miles cycle out to College point (wise move to take the bike given the queues for the shuttle bus), it was a 7 AM (ughhh) off for the Queens Half Marathon. Weather was cool and bright, and the humidity comfortably low for a change. I’d rested the pins for a couple of days and running was as comfortable as is has been for months – am now touching a large chunk of wood hoping that the injury spate of this year is over. First 10 K or so felt fab (I told myself “this is as good as it gets, appreciate it yer fooker!” more than once), was tough going up a hills over the last few miles, but I was confident of exceeding my original 2 hour goal almost the whole way. A relative sprint over the last half mile meant I came in faster than the Bronx Half in Feb. by that whopping 40 seconds or so and I maintained a pace well under 9 mins. per mile. Cycle back got the legs warmed down nicely n’all.