Happy Wednesday! On Sunday I ran the UAE Healthy Kidney 10K in Central Park. Let’s discuss!
Race Facts
Race: UAE Healthy Kidney 10K
Race Organization: New York Road Runners (NYRR)
Date: Sunday, April 9
Time: 9:00 AM
Location: Central Park – New York, NY
Weather: 44 degrees
Total Number of Runners: 8,602
Cost: $18
Swag: Shirt and Medal
I’m running the AirBnb Brooklyn Half Marathon in May. This weekend my training plan called for 7 miles. This was perfect as I was signed up for the 10K race, so I decided to use the race as a long run. I’m a fan of using races as part of a long run because it helps make the long run more fun and less lonely! I decided to do a warm up mile before the race so that I would hit my 7 miles for the day (I don’t like adding on miles after the race).
Overall the race was just okay for me. I was hoping to keep my miles in the 10-10:30 range for the race, which I did for the first 2 miles, but then my legs were like “Nah”. I was SUPER smart and decided to do a strength training workout the day before the race.
Let me tell you that doing a bunch of squats and lunges with weights is NOT the best thing to do before a hilly race. I think after I hit the massive hill between miles 2-3, my legs were just done. I felt like I was dragging lead for the last 3.2 miles of the race. I just started running the mile I was in and stopping to grab water at every mile. The only positive was that it wasn’t a half marathon – that would have been tough! At the end of the day, I finished the race injury free so that’s all that counts. I also didn’t have any issues with my IT band during the race, so I was super thankful for that!
Race Course
One loop around Central Park. The course is known for rolling hills, including a huge hill between miles 2-3.
The one thing I didn’t like about this course was that we ran a big downhill before the big uphill. I definitely prefer when it’s the other way around 🙂
Pros
– Affordable: You get a lot of bang for your buck since this race is only $18.
– Swag: Great race shirt and a nice medal as well!
– Course: Although it’s hilly, the course it great because it starts and ends in the same general area.
– Food: Apples, pretzels and bagels were available after the race.
Cons
– Hydration: I don’t drink Gatorade, but I don’t remember seeing it at the hydration stops (I just saw water). But Gatorade and water were available after the race, right past the finish line.
I don’t believe there were photographers on the course, which is fine since my race photos are usually horrible! Thankfully my dad was able to take a few good pictures:
I’m linking up with Annmarie from The Fit Foodie Mama, Jen from Pretty Little Grub and Nicole from FitFul Focus for Wild Workout Wednesday.
I’m also linking up with Rachel from Running on Happy, Susie from Suzlyfe, Lora from Crazy Running Girl, and Debbie from Coach Debbie Runs for Coaches’ Corner!
Did you race this weekend? What’s your favorite race distance?
Lisa @ Mile by Mile says
Congrats on your race! Strength training always leaves my legs fatigued, And those hills!! That looks like a tough course and it sounds like you did great! It’s awesome that it was only $18.
kookyrunner says
Thanks Lisa! Lesson learned, thats for sure, lol
Kimberly Hatting says
Your mom ran the race also? That’s great!!!! Again…that purple outfit is killer 😉
kookyrunner says
Yup! She completed her first half marathon last year and this year she is also running the Brooklyn Half Marathon!
Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner says
oh my friend, working out the day before a race! This does look like a fun run and a great training race
kookyrunner says
LoL I know I know – lesson learned haha
Debbie says
Nice job on your race! I love the photos that your dad took!
(FYI – the hashtag Sweatpink in your click to tweet is spelled wrong and it’s too long.. 3 letters over.)
kookyrunner says
Thanks for letting me know. I will change that now 🙂
Steff says
Great job on being smart and listening to your body. $18 for a 10k is a great deal!
kookyrunner says
Right?! It was a great price for everything that the race offered!
Susie @ Suzlyfe says
you did squats and lunges the day before a CP race? YOU ARE SO BRAVE
kookyrunner says
LOL..brave or crazy?!
Gina says
I giggled a bit about your strength training the day before. Been there… done that! 🙂 lol. Great job finishing and $18???? SIGN.ME.UP. I just registered for a race in CO in May and after fees it was $119. Ouch!
kookyrunner says
LOL, lesson learned 🙂 Like you, I’m used to paying much more for races so that’s why I had to call out the super cheap $18 fee!
Agness of Run Agness Run says
This seems like a great race, Kimberly! I would love to run it one day.
kookyrunner says
Yes! If you ever get to run Central Park its pretty cool!
Nicole @ Fitful Focus says
Did they move this race up on the calendar? I remember running it two years ago and DYING from the heat and humidity. Also, a leg workout the day before running Central Park? You cray!
kookyrunner says
I think they did! I think it was in May last year. The weather was MUCH better this year. Haha yeah I know, I obviously lost my mind last weekend!
Janelle @ Run With No Regrets says
Congrats on your race! I have never seen a 10K for only $18 – what a great deal! I’ve run in Central Park a couple of times and I remember those hills are no joke! Great job considering you had a tough workout the day before!
kookyrunner says
Thanks Janelle!
Abby @BackatSquareZero says
Yes, strength training pre-race is one of those things that always bites us later.
Whoops.
Great job getting it done though.
kookyrunner says
LoL thanks Abby. At least I know what not to do now.
The Accidental Marathoner says
Again with the hills. UGH! I agree–it’s such a great idea to use races as long training runs. You’ve paid the registration fee, so you’re more likely to stick with the plan!
kookyrunner says
So true! Once I pay for a race I know i will absolutely do it lol
Annmarie says
Ugh, I have made that same mistake before a race and before a long run before – it’s never pretty!!! Way to get it done though!
kookyrunner says
LOL, nope. It certainly wasn’t pretty!
Jenn says
Congratulations! I love 10Ks and I love Central Park, hills or not, so this sounds like an amazing race! How fun, and for such a great cause!
kookyrunner says
Thanks Jenn! It’s a great place to run if you’re used to the hills 🙂
Rachel says
You did great — congrats! But yeah, strength training the day or two before a race is eh… dicey at best! 😉 But hey, I’ve done it before too. Oops. Lol!
kookyrunner says
Yup, totally live and learn when it comes to running haha
Jamie King says
Congrats on your race, you did great, despite those sore limbs! 🙂
kookyrunner says
thanks so much Jamie!
Elaine @myRUNexperiment says
Last year I did heavy strength training on Mondays prior to my Tuesday interval workouts and like you my legs felt too heavy to pick up, I wasn’t able to get an effective workout. So I decided to move the strength training to a different day.
What an inexpensive race! And good to hear you finished Injury-free!
kookyrunner says
Makes totaly sense – live and learn, especially when it comes to running!!
Sandra Laflamme says
This sounds like a great course. Oh I have totally done the lifting thing before a race and such a bad plan. Heavy legs the whole time!
angela @ happy fit mama says
Congrats on a great race! I’ve done the whole lifting legs before a race too. Think of it as good prep for the later miles of a half marathon, right? 😉
kookyrunner says
LOL that’s a good way to look at it!
Toni says
Great job, despite the hills it looks like a great race! CentrAl park is a tough one, tougher than most think.
kookyrunner says
Thanks so much Toni!
Zenaida Arroyo says
That is a GREAT deal for $18!!
kookyrunner says
Right?! I had to call out the low price because it was amazing!