Today I ran the NYRR Oakley New York Mini 10K race in Central Park. I knew the weather would be pretty bad so I didn’t have any high expectations about this race, but I was surprised at how hard this race was for me today. But first, the good stuff!
NYRR is one of the most organized race organizations. For this race, they provided a few perks as well such as a post-race festival – featuring a photo booth, Oakley product displays and demos, raffles, and an eyewear-cleaning station where those who get their glasses cleaned will receive $20 gift cards valid at Oakley stores – Pretty cool! I arrived to Central Park a little after 7am and as always, bib and t-shirt pickup was a breeze.
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| Oakley “models” with some athletic wear and bling (our medal!) |
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| Taken before the race, you know, before I turned into a sweat monster |
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| Bib Pickup – Took about 2 minutes |
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| T-Shirt Pickup – took about 10 seconds |
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| How cute is this tank? I usually don’t wear race shirts, but I can’t wait to work out in this! |
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| I saw a lot of runners taking advantage of the photos inside the Oakley tent but I decided to pass |
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| Runner stretching and getting ready for the race. As you can see, we still had a good amount of time to waste. |
Before I knew it it was time to line up for the race. I just kind of assumed the race was going to be one full loop on Central Park – nope! (I really guess I should have read the race route instead of just assuming). We ran in the street for about 1.5 miles. It was kind of strange and I didn’t really like it to be honest. I would rather the whole race be in the park.
Central Park has hills, but I’ve done a few races there so I know what to expect. During the last 10K I ran in Central Park in April, I ran the whole thing without stopping for walk breaks – powered up all the hills, etc. Today? Not even close. The wheels pretty much came off around mile 3. I’ve heard of runners “bonking” or hitting the wall” but never experienced that until today. I’m not sure how I feel about bonking at mile 3 during a 6.2 mile race, but yes it happened, and yes it sucked…hard. My pace was actually pretty good during the first half of the race and I ran up the really big hill but after that everything started going wrong.
Central Park has hills, but I’ve done a few races there so I know what to expect. During the last 10K I ran in Central Park in April, I ran the whole thing without stopping for walk breaks – powered up all the hills, etc. Today? Not even close. The wheels pretty much came off around mile 3. I’ve heard of runners “bonking” or hitting the wall” but never experienced that until today. I’m not sure how I feel about bonking at mile 3 during a 6.2 mile race, but yes it happened, and yes it sucked…hard. My pace was actually pretty good during the first half of the race and I ran up the really big hill but after that everything started going wrong.
- I was so.damn.HOT. The race report says it was 77 degrees with 56% humidity but I really think it felt worse than that. I had sweat in places one should NEVER have sweat (I’ll let everyone just use their imagination on that). Also I forgot my handana, so I was just a wet, sweaty mess.
- This race was so crowded! I hear people say this about NYRR races all the time but I never really agreed. Today it just seemed like it was hard to get into a rhythm or get any space because there were so many runners.
- I started to feel nauseous so I slowed down to deal with that. The smell of horse manure during the second half of the race didn’t help with this.
- My legs were in pain – like shaking pain. My head kept telling them to move and my legs were just like “not today buddy”. That was frustrating but my legs were just not in the mood today
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| This pretty much sums up how I felt at the end of the race… Source |
After the race I was really annoyed with myself because I didn’t perform well. This was my WORSE 10k time ever and I hated that I felt defeated by the course. Oh, and the winner of the race finished in just over 30 mins, so while I was “bonking”, she was breaking the tape at the finish line. That made me feel sooooooo much better, lol.
About an hour after I finished the race I thought about how silly I was being because I should be HAPPY that I was able to finish the race upright, using my own two feet. It was a hot and humid day and when racing conditions aren’t ideal you just have to always keep a positive attitude about the race.
Some positives about the race:
About an hour after I finished the race I thought about how silly I was being because I should be HAPPY that I was able to finish the race upright, using my own two feet. It was a hot and humid day and when racing conditions aren’t ideal you just have to always keep a positive attitude about the race.
Some positives about the race:
- Really, really, really well organized! Tons of volunteers. Its always nice to see happy volunteers that smile and cheer you on as well!
- Sprinklers. I don’t know who thought of this, but I love you. I think there were 3 or 4 sprinklers on the course and I fully enjoyed all of them.
- Water Stations. I was using my Nathan handheld so I didn’t need to stop for water, but I did see stations at every mile.
- Bling, Bling. The medal is really nice and I think it’s great to get a medal for a 10k race since that’s rare.
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| So pretty! |
- All women race. I really like all women races and love the empowerment feel of running with thousands of women
- Spectators. As always, awesome spectators with really funny signs. There were also a group of guys cheering while wearing tutus. Thank you 🙂
Okay so this is now when you allow me to get on my soapbox to rant about two things that ANNOY THE HELL OUT OF ME! This has nothing to do with NYRR, just races in general
- “Booty Shorts”. You know what, I get it. It’s really hot and you don’t want to be weighed down with heavy or too much clothing. But that doesn’t mean that your running shorts should be so short that I can see your ass hanging out in the back. And yes, I mean I saw full on butt cheeks. This is RIDICULOUS! I’ve seen this at every race I have done this year and I’ve seen multiple offenders. I’m sorry but companies do make running shorts in an appropriate length and there is no need for this. I’m not in a strip club making it rain so I don’t expect to see your butt. Enough said.
- Walking in packs. Let me start off by saying I have NO problem with people who want to walk a race. 6.2 miles is the same distance whether you walk or run and everyone should have the option to complete the race. That being said…if you know you plan on walking the whole race, why are you starting in the middle or front corrals? I just don’t understand this. In addition, during the race today, I saw a group of women (3-5) walking in a horizontal line about 1-2 minutes into the start of the race (so clearly they were going to walk the whole race). So many runners, including me, had to bob and weave to get around them. I think this is totally rude and inconsiderate. If you are going to walk, please don’t do it in a large group and block other participants in the race.
Okay, rant over 🙂
Thank you NYRR for putting on another great race! I looked at my race schedule last night and noticed that this will be my last race in Central Park this year 🙁 I’m traveling to NJ, IL and PA and doing more races in Connecticut for the second half of the year. But my quest for the NYRR 9+1 program is almost complete – 7 races down and 2 more to go (Queens 10K next weekend and Bronx 10 Miler in September)!
Before signing off, I’ll leave you with this funny before and after photo from the race today…
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| Yes, I keep it classy at all times |
Have you ever done the Oakley New York Mini 10K or any other “all women” races? What were your thoughts?
NYRR does put on great races! That race is ALWAYS super hot, ugh! I do love that tank and medal though. Congrats!
Thanks Lora! Overall it was a great race despite the weather!
So sorry you bonked but don't be too hard on yourself…I ran on Sunday and totally bonked too…the heat/humidity was TERRIBLE…at least that's what I'm chalking it up to! 😉
Also, love your rant! Couldn't agree more and love the way you speak your mind!!! <3
I think I need to be better about fueling too, or taking in some fuel earlier in the run due to the humidity.
Haha – I just had to get those things off my chest!
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