Yesterday the boy and I celebrated our 2 year anniversary
Technically we already celebrated and decided to go to Disney World instead of getting each other fancy gifts… but we still had a lovely evening at a fancy restaurant in Westchester.
He got me a “How I Met Your Mother” yellow umbrella and I got him a mini lego (well nano block) that looked like Marlin and Nemo from Finding Nemo. Crazy to think that we’ve been together for 2 years now!
On Sunday I ran the Damon Runyon 5k at Yankee Stadium. This was my third year participating in the race. The first time I did not know what I was doing and definitely didn’t train properly. Last year I devoted my summer to proving I could run for 3.1 miles. This summer it kind of snuck up on me but I wasn’t too concerned since I’ve been [somewhat] training for a half marathon.
I went into the race not having any real expectations– I knew I was very capable of running a 5k but I still wanted to beat my 32:26 time from last year. In actuality though I knew my heart wasn’t in it the way it was last year. This year I had a running buddy though, my good friend Sarah
This girl kicks butt when it comes to running. She did her first half marathon last year at Disney World and is doing a bunch of half’s this year. I’ve never had a running buddy so not only running with someone for the first time but also running a race with someone for the first time was definitely a new experience.
Once again I was SUPER impressed with the organization at the race. Getting my bib was easy peasy, figuring out where to go was easy and you don’t have to use a porta potty since the restrooms are open in the stadium. Win.
Before long it was time to gather with my wave at the starting line of the race. I love that you can cheer on other racers from the starting line
And then we were off!
My strategy, unbeknownst to Sarah was to go fast out of the gate so we could get away from the walkers and slow joggers to avoid weaving. Since she was not aware of this she thought that I had lied about my running abilities and really was a speedemon. Trust me, I’m not. The race starts off with 2 laps around the 200 level. We pushed each other to keep the speedy pace I had started us off with and took advantage of the fact that there are no hills in Yankee Stadium 🙂
Then it was time for my FAVORITE part– the 2 laps around the warning field! Last year my parents were in the stadium so I was sure to be on the look out for them, but this time around I made sure to smile for all the race photographers and every time I made it on the jumbotron. After the warning field is when the race gets rough– you have to face the dreaded stairs. Twice.
Sarah and I were still together as we made our way to the top level of Yankee Stadium. At this point I was struggling to keep up with her. At first she waited up for me but then I told her “don’t worry about me, keep going”. I’m a believer that it’s every man for himself in this kind of race– I knew we could push through to the end alone and I didn’t want to hold her back from a PR.
After completing the top level once you run down a steep ramp… and then head back up to the third tier for the last little bit of the race. I honestly hadn’t been paying attention to mile markers during the race but could tell roughly where I was since I knew that we started at 11am and I usually run a 10 minute mile.
My strategy for the past two years has been to run my little butt off during the last stretch of the race– a second time on the steep ramp. The second my feet hit the ramp I was flying, determined to beat last year’s 32:25 finishing time.
(perks of letting Sarah run ahead? She got this sweet shot)
I looked at my watch– it was 11:31 which means I finished in less than 31 minutes. I found out later on that I finished in 30:26. A full 2 minutes faster than last year. For some this might not be very fast for a 5k, but for me I’m pretty dang proud of shaving off those 2 minutes!
Afterwards we sat around enjoying a post race snack
And then went on an adventure in the bronx for post race starbucks. Always necessary.
Definitely another great year running at Yankee Stadium.
I might not always love running, but I definitely love that post race high!
We did so awesome! Totally doing it again next year, such an amazing event!
Don’t knock your running abilities.. You were so speedy and pushed me super hard. I wouldn’t have pr’d without you! 🙂
we definitely have to do it again next year, it’s my favorite summer tradition! Glad we both pushed each other and PR’d!
Congrats on your race! I’ve done that race before too and love it. I think you can’t really compare it with other 5Ks though because you are running up stairs the entire time. It’s hard! Go you!
thank you! It’s such a fun race, but I really gotta run a 5k without the challenge of stairs