• Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Race Pace Jess

Header Right

  • Home
  • About
    • Disclosure
  • Running Tips
  • Run Coaching
    • Race Pace Personal Records
  • Other Services
    • Press

Jan 25, 2010
All Posts· Training Diaries

Manhattan 1/2 Race Recap

Yesterday was my third Manhattan 1/2 Marathon. It was a close to perfect day for a race.

The best part of this race was the proximity of the start line to my bed (approximately 10 blocks). I left home at 7:30 to make sure that I got to my corral on time. As I walked to the park the early morning streets of Manhattan were taken over by the quiet bustling of runners.

The corral system is based on your fastest NYRR race. My placement is based off of a 7:18 pace, which I wouldn’t come close to yesterday. Knowing that ahead of time, I headed to the back of the “golden” corral to avoid getting caught up with the speed demons.

HPIM1913.JPG

Photo from this summer, but I was in the same corral.

My game plan for the race was to stick with Pacey. On my long runs leading up to the race I averaged a 8:20-8:40 pace. The plan was to stay within that range. I was afraid that if I winged it like normal, I would burn out quickly. Entering a race without wanting to “race” or doing any speed work to support racing is a dangerous formula for crashing.

First 3 mile splits

Picture 25.png

Right from the gun I was ignoring Pacey, but I felt good. In the back of my mind I knew I had to slow down, because feeling good for 5 miles does not mean feeling good for 13.1 miles.

Mile 4-9 splits

Picture 26.png

I seriously have a problem slowing down enough to maintain a pace that I can hold onto for the long run. Which is obvious from the last 4 miles of the race.

Mile 10-13.1 splits:
Picture 27.png

Around mile 10 my right IT started to scream. I began to think that at any minute it would either cramp, freeze up or pop out of my skin. Otherwise, I felt great. Mentally, I felt stronger than I have during a run in a long time.

I really got worried about my leg freezing up when at mile 12 I decided to take a bathroom break. I figured I had two choices: 1) pee my pants or 2)risk having to walk the rest of the race due to my stupid IT. I chose the bathroom break.

Luckily, my IT actually felt better after the pit stop and allowed me to run to the finish line. I crossed the finish line in 1:49:42 which isn’t too bad considering two pit stops.

This race totally has me excited to begin speed work next week so I can rock the More 1/2 Marathon.

Share
Pin
Tweet
0 Shares

Leave a Comment

Don’t miss out

Join 600 other Runners just like you!

« Vegan Pumpkin-Chocolate Chip Muffins
Quick Tip: Just Breathe »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Caroline says

    January 25, 2010 at 9:30 pm

    Awesome job on the race and great time!

    Reply
  2. caronae says

    January 25, 2010 at 9:39 pm

    Not bad at all! Congrats and good luck in your next half too. Are you following a training plan?

    Reply
    • FCITC says

      January 25, 2010 at 9:42 pm

      Thanks Caronae! I will be following some sort of training plan that I made up for myself that will include lots of speed work.

      Reply
  3. Britt - Runnerbelle says

    January 25, 2010 at 11:15 pm

    Awesome job!

    Speed work is SO beneficial and produces awesome results! I am a huge fan of it as it greatly improved my times.

    Reply
  4. Averie (LoveVeggiesAndYoga) says

    January 26, 2010 at 12:59 am

    congrats Jess on the marathon, awesome!!!!
    glad you enjoyed the yoga post today! 🙂
    xoxo

    Reply
  5. Jessica @ How Sweet says

    January 26, 2010 at 6:39 am

    Congrats girl!!! 🙂

    Reply
  6. Brea says

    January 26, 2010 at 6:46 am

    Congratulations!!

    Reply
  7. Kelly says

    January 26, 2010 at 7:07 am

    Yay, Congrats!
    That is SO awesome that the race was so close to you! I think my least favorite part about races is waking up before the sun and trying to motivate myself to push my body haha

    Reply
  8. Joanna Sutter says

    January 26, 2010 at 7:08 am

    Congrats! Just doin it is a win in my book!

    Reply
  9. The Candid RD says

    January 26, 2010 at 8:36 am

    Glad you chose the option c) pee! Congrats to you for a successful race. Again, I truly admire you for doing races, it’s something I was never really able to do, but always wanted to. Good luck training for the next one! We’re all cheering for you 🙂

    Reply
  10. Tracey @ I'm Not Superhuman says

    January 26, 2010 at 9:04 am

    Congrats! You’re speedy *and* you were in pain. Way to go!

    Reply
  11. Janna (Just Flourishing) says

    January 26, 2010 at 12:19 pm

    Awesome job! Congrats!

    I will be running the More 1/2 as well 🙂

    Reply
  12. Courtney says

    January 26, 2010 at 1:05 pm

    Whoop whoop! Congrats on the race…glad you didn’t pee your pants. That would have made a great blog post though!!
    Courtney
    adventures in tri-ing

    Reply
  13. Retta @ RunRettaRun says

    January 26, 2010 at 5:12 pm

    WOW! Great race. Awesome pace times!

    Reply
  14. Mari says

    January 26, 2010 at 10:18 pm

    you are so amazing! I can’t wait for the day that I can run that far and because of you, I know I will! you are such an inspiration….

    Reply
    • FCITC says

      January 26, 2010 at 10:39 pm

      Aw, thank you for the sweet comment Mari! You totally will rock a 1/2 in the near future!

      Reply
  15. Hangry Pants says

    January 27, 2010 at 9:40 pm

    I think that’s an awesome race time. Congratulations!

    Reply
  16. Patricia (Run Foodie Run) says

    January 27, 2010 at 11:47 pm

    Congrats! Sounds like an awesome race! Do you have any tips/advice for speed training to increase my average pace…especially on longer runs?

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CommentLuv badgeShow more posts

Primary Sidebar

I'm Jess Underhill, a certified run coach and freelance fitness writer. I experienced my first runner’s high when I was 13 and it had a profound impact on how I saw myself and this world. My mission in life is to help people chase down their personal bests and crush their goals so that they too, can change their perceptions. Read More…

Let’s Connect

Join Race Pace Run Club

Subscribe to get tips and connect with runners just like you!

Follow on Instagram

Categories

Become a smarter runner and achieve goals that set your heart on fire

  • Home
  • About
  • Running Tips
  • Run Coaching
  • Other Services

Copyright © 2025 · Cultivate Theme theme by Restored 316