Another day, another 10K
Sunday June 7, 2009
NYRR New York Mini 10K
Location: Central Park
Weather: Sunny and 78 degrees
Distance: 6.2 miles
Time: 1:00:41
Overall place: 2130 Age place: 181 Split time: 30:03 Pace: 9:47
Heck yes, that’s a new PR! To be honest I am stunned. I expected to come in around 2 minutes slower due to the heat and hills.
First, here’s a brief history of the New York Mini 10K and some perspective on how women’s running has gone the distance since it’s inception back in 1972.
On June 3, 1972, New York Road Runners staged the world’s first road race exclusively for female participants, the 6-mile Crazylegs Mini Marathon. In 1972, distance running was a fringe activity practiced by a few dedicated souls. In most road races the number of female finishers could be counted on one hand. In fact, not a single woman finished the first New York City Marathon, 1970, and only three women crossed the line in the race’s second running.
In April 1972, women were permitted to officially enter the renowned Boston Marathon for the first time. In June, President Nixon signed into law the landmark Title IX legislation, which mandated equal funding for women’s sports programs that receive federal aid. In Munich in September, the women’s 1500 meters was run for the first time at the Olympic Games.The Crazylegs Mini Marathon drew 78 women, a huge turnout for the time. (via NYRR Race Info)
Today the Mini drew over 7,000 runners of all ages and abilities. It was especially touching to hear the supportive words of mothers, with their daughters at their sides, cheer on the runners throughout the race. “Go runners! Girl power!”
The race starts at Columbus Circle and the course leads runners up Central Park West and turns into the park on 90th Street. I felt just like Kelly Bensimon! I think I’m going to have to start lying on my race entry forms about my time because I was stuck in the back of the 10:00 minute mile pack and had to fight my way through runners all the way up Central Park West. Amazingly, the two women I was behind at the start walked up to the start line and then began to run once they met the start line. Once I realized that the left side of Central Park West was open road I made up the time stuck in the pack.
Prior to the race I was dreading Harlem Hill and it’s steep incline. Fortunately, we tackled it from the west side and it was so much fun. I pumped (tiki-tiki*) my arms and felt great running up the hill, passing runners left and right! It wasn’t until we neared the mile 4 mark that I started to feel rough and my legs were sore. After running over several slow long rolling hills I heard a man hollering, “You did it ladies! Way to go, ladies! The hills are over!” One of the New York Road Runner volunteers was hooting and hollering, cheering us on. It was hilarious and I forgot about my sore legs.
As far as water stops go, I only walked through one and it would have been smarter to stop for at least two. It was brutally hot today and I had to sit in the shade for a while after the race just to get my bearings. Sometimes it’s smart to remind yourself: I’m not in this for the prize money, I’m in it for my health. So take care of it.
*more on this phrase later.
