Half Marathon Training

New York Runner blog covers my half marathon running experience., running tips, interesting running stories, and stuff related to running

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Good Technique and Tips to Run Faster

A great video showing running form used by pro runners, also technique and tips to run relaxed and faster.

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Redding Road Race Half Marathon and 7 mile Recap

Redding Road Race Recap

Race Location: New Pond Farm, 101 Marchant Rd, Redding, CT, 06896

Distance: Half Marathon and 7 Mile

Redding Road Race

Logistics

Getting there: 

A car is needed to get to the farm and start line, two parking areas are offered at this year race, one by the entrance of the farm, local firefighters parking lot, a decent size parking area with plenty of area to park, I got there at 8:05am.  A second parking is inside the farm by the race start line. 

Bib pickup

Redding race is not a big race compared to NYC road runner races, no lines, bib pick up and goodie bag was quick, and there is also a drop off area to leave you extra items. 

Free Goodies

A nice black tech shirt was given, a coffee mug and free granola samples.

Coffee, bagels, water, soda, cookies, brownies, muffins,bananas, oranges, ..etc were available before the race.

Free massages were offered pre-race and after the race.

During the race

Water, sliced oranges were available during the race.

The race course is amazing and unique, it is a combination of trees, dirty road, paved road, and farm land, some hills.

This race is kids friendly, couples were running with their kids using jogging strollers, it is also a great spot to take kids and spend the time at the farm, farm tours are also offered. 

Ever wanted to run a race inside a farm and for the cows?? this your race.

Wish list

Finish line is not properly marked, most runners were mistakenly stopping before the finish line.

If you are at the leading pack, in some intersections, it is very hard to decide or know if you are taking the right turn, so volunteers or signs would be appreciated.

 Overall: RUN THIS RACE!!!

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Half Marathon Training Fartleks

Fartleks

I started incorporating fartleks into my training for NYC half marathon to improve my performance.

What is a Fartlek?

How to perform a Fartlek run?

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New York City Marathon 2013 Recap

New York City Marathon 2013 Recap

Race Day: Nov, 03, 2013

Start Time: 9:43 AM, Wave 1, Color: Green

Finish Time: 3:12 (first marathon so very happy with timing/PR)

Logistics: Getting to the green village: NYRR does an amazing job with logistics, plenty of buses from 5th Ave and 42 St were parked in Front New York City Public library @5th Ave ready to transport thousands of runners to Staten Island starting area.

Village Amenities: I was assigned to green village. its amenities include Duncan Donuts Coffee, Gatorade, Water, Tea, Bagels, Protein bars.

Weather: It was cold, dress appropriately, all extra layers would be donated to good will after the start. Don't plan on bringing large blankets, they were not allowed inside the village by security personnel.

Splits:

Minutes Per/Mile: 7:22

5K: 00:22:41

10K: 00:43.31

15k: 01:04:28

13.01m: 01:31:01

Finish Time: 03:12

Tips:

- Don't bring a blanket to the start, blankets are not allowed inside the village.

- To exit early at the finish line (especially if you are from NYC), have a friend meet you at the end with your stuff instead of waiting in long lines/long walk after running a marathon.

- There are massage therapists onsite at the end of the race, if you need a quick 10 min massage/stretch or a quick medical assistance, ask one of the medical stuff. 

Best /worst section of the Race:

Worst section: Queens Borough Bridge, Bronx section of the race.

Best section: Brooklyn and 1st/5th avenue

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Fairfield half marathon experience

Fairfield half marathon experience

Race Info Date: 06/23/2013 Weather: hot, humid, lower 80s Course: hills after mile 2-3 and near mile 7-8, not an easy course Transportation

LIRR from grand central to Fairfield train station (1h30 min). There is plenty of shuttle buses that connect the station to the beach were the race is held.(7min ride to starting point) Race Logistics Bibs are picked up at race morning. Water at the start. Plenty of toilets with hand sanitizers/paper 2 separate start points for men and women and runners merge at mile 1. Wish list Mile markers near the end of the race for runners not familiar with the course. Water right after finish line especially in a June race. Start the race at 7:30AM to lessen the the summer heat. Extra Touch Sprinklers to help runners stay cool, Local Live music bands, Local fire fighters,  Fairfield residents cheering along the course.

Goodies before the race

Water, Tech Tshirt, hand bands

Goodies after the race Pizza, banannas, oranges, milk, bread, yogurt, water Mellon, pizza, and ice tea at the end.

Live music at the Beach. 15 min free complimentary massages at the end by certifed therapists. Overall Experience Great race but challenging course and well organized. Need to incorporate some hill training if you plan to run this race.

Time: 1:31, Pace: 6.59

Thank you Fairfield race organizers for all the support

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Brooklyn Half Marathon Experience

Brooklyn Half Experience I woke up at 4:45am, in grand central to catch 4 train by 5:15am; I arrived to Prospect Park around 6:00am ( #4 runs local on weekends)

Race Info

Date: Saturday, May 18, 2013 7:00am

Location: Brooklyn

Distance: Half-Marathon

Weather: 60F - 70%Humid Before race Stretched Had a cup of coffee/banana Used toilet twice During race Stopped for water/Gatorade: 4 times Toilet total stop: 1 near 10k mark (no lines), total time 10 sec. Suffered a minor stomach pain near mile 7 for about 15 min, had a sport Gil/water, slowed down a bit, and I got back to my normal pace after my body responded well and start feeling better.

Course Almost flat with one hill around the end of prospect park, Ocean parkway is great, and I managed to pace up through it. Logistics plenty of water/Gatorade were available Gills around 10k marks Apples,water,spritzers,Gatorade at end New design by having toilets in left side of corrals is genius Splitting race into two batch to prevent clogging at the start is great idea. Transportation subway line 4/2/3 to get to the Start Q,F two blocks from end to get back home Extra Touch Local Live music, cheer leaders along the course PR: 1:28

Overall This my first Brooklyn half, I will definitely consider next year race, well organized race, thank you NY road runners for a job well done!!

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Brooklyn Half Marathon Under 1:30

Brooklyn Half Marathon is this coming Sat,18th at 7:00 AM.

Here is my plan for this half:

1st half of the race: 1st Mile - 6 miles ( pace 6:45 to 7 per mile)

my first ever run in prospect park so the course is all new to me, and it should be fun and challenging.  

2nd half of race: I will just consider it like a 10K race, it looks like a flat course ending at Brighton beach, so I could try to follow my last 10k (UAE race) strategy that I did this past Sat in central park in around 40 min (6.33 per mile) so I am hoping I will be in a good to shape to be able to at least maintain 6:45 per mile.

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NYC - Scotland Run (10K)

Scotland Run Recap

DATE: Saturday, April 6, 2013 8:00am

LOCATION: Manhattan, Central Park

DISTANCE:10K

I am hoping to run this 10K under 42min!!

I like the bag of goodies that we received from New York Road Runner.

small bag, Tshirt and Scottish blue hat :)

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East River Promenade Running Loop

East River Promenade Running Loop

Street Entrance: York Ave and 60Street

Distance: 6.7 miles

Benefits: nice breeze, scenic run with amazing views of Queens, Manhattan and Roosevelt Island. Easy route with a small hills,and stairs.

View Larger Map

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Brooklyn Half Marathon Training Note 1

Distance: 6.2 miles

Location: Central Park, NYC

Weather: Sunday 2:00 PM, Clear, 45 F

Pace: 9 min/mile

Time: 55 min

Run Goal/Summary:a comfortable run with a endurance push toward 108th street northern hill.

Central Park Loop Notes: The big loop is a 6.0273 miles famous for its midway mark the north hills the steep climb to the summit at 108th Street .

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NYC Marathon 9+1 Program

Guaranteed Entry to NYC Marathon

I just finished my 5th race toward 9+1 program for guaranteed entry to ING New York City Marathon 2013.

I will try to cover all the five races on the upcoming posts, in the mean time, please find below 9 + 1 eligibility requirement. 

NYRR members are eligible for guaranteed entry to the ING New York City Marathon through the 9+1 program. Here’s how it works:

Become a member by January 31 of a calendar year.

Complete nine (9) scored, qualifying races during that calendar year.

Volunteer at one (1) NYRR event during that calendar year (

or donate $1,000 to NYRR’s Youth and Community Services programs, which provide free and low-cost running programs to kids in NYC and around the world)