This year speed returns to the center stage!
Last year the simple act of surviving 26.2 miles was my one and only goal—I was coming off an injury, coming out of a pandemic and running my first full marathon—speed took a necessary backseat.
In 2022 my ever-present nemesis—the elusive sub 2-hour half marathon—is now, once again, my lofty goal. Only this time I have a daunting 20 minute deficit to make up. This will not be an easy task. 20 minutes cannot be erased in a couple of months of training.
Last Sunday I ran the 2022 NYRR Fred Lebow Half-Marathon. My 16th half.
The thermometer read 23 degrees in Central Park—it felt colder—the 4,575 runners around me probably agreed with me.
My plan was to run 10 minutes shy of a sub-2. 2:10:00. Essentially cutting my deficit in half. To accomplish this goal I had to run under a 10 minute pace.
I waited for the starting horn, shook off the freezing cold, then boom, I took off. I, like many runners, used the first mile as a warm-up. I plowed up Harlem Hill with surprising ease. At mile 2 I was feeling totally relaxed, and maybe a little too cocky cause I decided to strike up a conversation with the fellow grey-haired gentleman running alongside of me.
“I doubt these young’uns realize how precious every mile they run really is,” I joked with a straight face.
“They surely don’t,” answered the sprightly gentleman sporting an all grey beard and a big smile.
“Running is a gift, “ I added. “When you get to be my age every mile is priceless.”
Bernie laughed.
I had to speed up a little to keep pace with my new found friend. We talked for the next 8 miles, up and down hills, we averaged a 9:40 pace along the way. At mile 9 I started to pull ahead of Bernie. We exchanged goodbyes, then I took off down the road.
At mile 10 I was not tired but I did notice my speed beginning to diminish. I pushed myself as hard as I could those last 4 miles. All my muscles began to burn. My lower body was on fire. It felt great! I zoomed up Cat Hill, then tackled Harlem Hill for the third and last time. The cheering crowd at the finishing line was larger than I expected. I could hear my name announced over the loudspeaker as I sprinted toward and over the finish line. I came in at 2:09:00. A 9:51 pace.
Mission accomplished.
Official time: 2:09:00
Pace per mile: 9:51
Place overall: 2,782 of 4,575
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