Wednesday, March 18, 2015

2015 United Airlines NYC Half Marathon Race Recap

2015 NYC Half Marathon Race Recap
I ran the United Airlines NYC Half Marathon on Sunday, March 15th and what an amazing experience it was! I had been wanting to run in New York City for a while and was so happy when I got in through the lottery. Not only did I get in, but my twin sister, stayhealthynfit4you, also got in which made it even more awesome. She made the trip all the way from Portland, Oregon and we had a fun weekend in NYC. To get an idea of the fun activities we did in the City, you can check out her Weekend Update post here.

RACE EXPOWe went to the expo on Friday with some friends that were also doing the race. The expo was located at the Skylight at Moynihan Station. It was smaller than I thought it would be in regards to the vendors, but it was decent. It was fairly easy to get our race bibs and shirt. I really like the shirt because it's my favorite color!
We browsed the booths and I even purchased a couple tubes of Nuun. I got some new yummy flavors, watermelon and fruit punch. 
NYC Half Marathon Expo
It wasn't too crowded when we got there. The only time we had to wait for something was for the picture taking at the United Airlines booth. It was pretty neat as you could take your picture in front of a blue screen and during the race if you opted to, it would post to your Facebook once you crossed the specified place. They said we would get an email of the pics and I was disappointed that I never got my pics. My sister however opted to post the pics on her Facebook and she got them. This is one of the pics.
RACE DAY: We left the hotel around 6:00am to take the PATH train at 6:07am. From the Path train we took the Subway to 57th street. We got to Central Park before 7am so we had a little over 45 minutes before the start of our race. We had lots of time. It was interesting having to go through metal detectors and through security, but I totally understand why and it went smoothly.
NYC Half Marathon Security
It was nice getting there when we did as the lines to the porta potties weren't bad at all. The weather wasn't too bad as well. It was around 41 degrees but felt like 36 degrees. It was still a lot warmer to me than what I had been running my long runs in previous weeks. I did have my throwaway sweatshirt and hand warmers that helped (thank you Dana!). 

Before we knew it they were announcing the start of the professional women and then the professional men. I thought it was pretty cool when they announced Meb. Many cheered when they said his name. I thought it was neat that he was running the same race we all were, although of course he is just way ahead of us along with the rest of the elite runners. 

The race pretty much started on time and I finally crossed the start line. I knew I wasn't going to run with my sister throughout the race because she's so much faster than me. That and she was chasing a PR. I had made a point that all I wanted was to finish under 2 hours. I wanted to enjoy the race. I probably should have made a goal, but it being my first race of the year, I didn't. 

I started out pretty good, not too fast and not too slow. I knew that Central Park was the hilliest part of the race and I was surprised that the first hill wasn't so bad, but when we got to the second major hill at around mile 3, that one was tougher for me. Below is the second major hill we came across. Miles 3-5 were hilly and after mile 5 it got better. I knew that once we were out of Central Park at around mile 6 the hills would be over. 
NYC Half Marathon Central Park
By far, my favorite part of the race was when we exited Central Park onto Seventh Avenue into Times Square. When I first saw all the people and buildings I couldn't help but get emotional. Here I was running through Times Square. It is so amazing with the lights and the crowds...such an awesome experience. I couldn't believe I was running through Times Square.
NYC Half Marathon Times Square
I'm so happy if you can't tell. :)
I got the adrenaline rush right down 7th avenue from all the excitement and crowd support. It was fantastic! However once we got onto the West Side Highway, I think miles 8-12, I started to get tired. Maybe because it wasn't as exciting and there weren't the big crowds. 
NYC Half Marathon West Side Freeway
What pushed me through this part was when I saw the Freedom Tower. I knew that was the general area of the finish, so I put in my mind the closer we got to that, the closer the finish.
NYC Half Marathon West Side Freeway with Freedom Tower
So I kept at it and tried to maintain a steady pace. I got closer to the Freedom Tower and then passed right by it. I remember going through a tunnel that seemed to never end and it was pretty warm and stuffy. I was so happy when I ran out of the tunnel into fresh air. I kept on running and remember turning onto Wall Street and seeing the finish. I tried as hard as I could to sprint to the finish. I did and was so happy when I crossed the line. I ended up finishing in 1:56:39. A time I am totally happy with.
2015 NYC Half Marathon Finish
Here is a pic with my sister and friend Min. I'm so proud of my sister as she got her goal and PR'd with a time of 1:50:52!!
All I have to say is that the NYC Half Marathon is an awesome race! I definitely recommend it. Running in the big City is something I will never forget.

Have you ever run in NYC?

I’m linking this post up with this week’s Workout Wednesday (WOW) Link Up! Brought to you by hostesses Diatta Harris | Femme Fitale Fit Club and Sheila Simmons | The Frugal Exerciser and co-hostesses: Amanda | Eat Hard Work Hard and Heather | Divas Run For Bling.
Femme Fitale Fit Club

28 comments:

  1. How did I not know that you were twins?! So fun to run it together. I've always wanted to do a race in NYC. Congrats on a great finish time :)

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  2. This is such a great recap! Running in NYC is in my bucket list. You and your twin are so adorable and so glad you had time to enjoy the weekend with her.

    Maria
    http://www.islandlivingmidwest.com

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  3. Congrats to both of you! You did SO great! NYC is such a great town to run in. As you know I finally ran NYCM after a 4 year wait. This makes me wanna get in the lotto for the half.

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  4. Love your top pic running through Times Square! It was such an awesome experience! You did AWESOME! :)

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  5. I am DYING to run this race. I've been rejected by the lottery a few times, I'm hoping next year I can get in! Great job on the race!!

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  6. Glad you enjoyed the run - it was my first half, and I ran again this year! It's my hometown half which is kind of crazy, since people come from all over the world to do it.

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  7. You are awesome and amazing! Times Square is wonderful and I am sure the crowds had you extremely hyped. Congratulations! #wowlinkup

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  8. Great recap and pictures! It was definitely a memorable race. Glad we all got to do it.

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  9. Great job and great photos!!!! I love it when the port-o-pottie lines aren't long:) That is one of the things that is a necessity but you just never know:)
    Congrats on your race and finish, running through NYC is such an amazing experience and it sounds like you really enjoyed it!!!

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  10. Thanks Deborah!! It was fun to run the same race with my sister!! Hope you get to do a race in NYC some day!

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  11. Thanks Maria! It was a blast spending the weekend with my sis. Hope you will get to run in NYC one day!

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  12. Thanks Marcia!! So cool that you got to do the marathon. I hope to do that one day, if I ever get in. Oh definitely try for the half, you will love running through Times Square!

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  13. Thanks Diane!!! You should definitely try for the lottery some time, it is an amazing run!! Times Square is so awesome, you would love it! NYC is so much fun to visit too!

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  14. Thanks Sherry!! I'm so glad that we got to experience the same race together! You did amazing getting your PR! Hope to do another race with you soon! :)

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  15. This race looks amazing. Running through Times Square would be the highlight for sure.

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  16. Thanks Sue!! I hope you get in next year!!

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  17. Awesome that it is your hometown! Cool that it was your first half and you got to run it again! You are pretty lucky to come from such an awesome city!

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  18. Thanks!! The crowds helped tremendously in Times Square! It was an unforgettable experience.

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  19. Thanks Min!! Yes, I'm glad we all got to do it too! It was a great experience!

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  20. Thanks Kristy!! It was a major plus that we did not have to wait in line long for the potty. :) The race was definitely an unforgettable one!!

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  21. It sure was! Times Square was amazing!!

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  22. Congrats! I think I will throw my name into the lottery for next year looks like you had so much fun. Oh so I think I may be Run to Remember Boston half in May if I visit my sisters that weekend. Will keep you posted!

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  23. Michelle@Running with AttitudeMarch 19, 2015 at 2:13 PM

    Congrats! And Congrats to your sister on her PR! I think running through NYC would be so much fun - especially Times Square!

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  24. You did a great job Sharon, especially considering you weren't even pushing for a PR! I've run in Central Park before and I loved it....I need to do a race in NYC one of these days!

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  25. Thanks Jenny! Definitely try for the lottery! You will love Times Square! Awesome!! I hope you do Boston's Run to Remember Half!!! It would be great to see you!!

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  26. Thanks Michelle!! It is amazing!! :)

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  27. Thanks Janelle!! I definitely recommend this race! Hope you get to run a race in NYC some day!

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  28. Yes, we are identical although there are differences. ;) So cool that you are a twin too!

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