23 miles training run – Physically and Mentally tough

Start: 6:30am at Central Park, Upper East Side

Temp: 57 °F

Thanks to Gautham again who not only convinced and motivated me to join the run, but ran with me the whole distance. Even when I was slowing down due to tiredness and pain he ran alongside and kept encouraging me. I finally completed the 23 miles run. It was physically and mentally tough, but I am glad I finished the run. The weather helped as it was not too warm.

With one more long distance run (26 miles) , I am back to my training schedule in preparation for NYC Marathon.

I ran with my Galloway group and we finished where we started at Central Park on the upper east side. As I sat down on the bench to rest my tired legs and recover my breath, I beheld a strange sight. I saw this white statue of a ballerina that I had not noticed before.

From where I sat, I kept looking at her still pose and was wondering when this statue was installed. I wanted to go closer and take a better look, but my legs were aching and sitting on the bench felt very good. I kept looking at the statue for what seemed like an eternity and then she gracefully moved to strike another pose! That’s when my curiosity got the better of me and I went closer and took the above picture. There was a bucket which can be partially seen on the left corner bottom. It said ‘please donate a dollar if you wish to take a picture’. We did donate. I was amazed by her stillness and grace.

I was happy to complete 23 miles though I was aching and sore all over.

My next goal – Newport Liberty Half Marathon on Sept. 26th.

Race Completed!

 

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I am happy to report that I successfully completed the Breast Cancer Virtual Half Marathon. Here is a record of the day:

I had the feeling it was going to be an exciting day ahead when I woke up at 5 am on the cold February morning, just a couple of days after the snow blizzard had hit New York and New Jersey. The Galloway NYC group was scheduled to assemble at around 7 am at Central Park, NY. The cold seeped into me when I stepped out of my home—the temperature was around 20 F (minus 6 Celsius) and I also had to make allowances for the erratic weekend train schedules.

I reached Central Park a little before 7 am and joined other fellow half and full marathoners. The race started immediately thereafter and the first thing that I noticed when I hit the route was that the snow melts from the previous day had now become slippery black ice and there were still several patches of uncleared snow on the route. It was not going to be an easy run but I was determined to finish the race safely without any slips or falls.

The route took us through West Side Manhattan where we had to stop for traffic and watch out for slippery spots on the pavement. I was wearing my waterbelt but the water was by now icy cold. I kept sipping nevertheless to avoid dehydration. Midway during the run, the water had frozen, something I realized a little too late when my mouth filled with chunks of ice when I tried to drink the water. My immediate impulse was to spit it out but I swallowed nevertheless, not wanting to do it in public.

I slipped on the ice a couple of times en route, but luckily regained my balance. We finished again at Central Park, and were cheered by the Asst. Director of Team Galloway who took our pictures and video and handed around pretty little pink medals: pink for breast cancer awareness. I am happy I finished the race safe and injury free, rather than take risks by focusing on the time. Am glad I ran for a good cause and did my mite for breast cancer cure and care.