NYRR NYC 60k

In 2008, I had a friend who ran a crazy race that was nine (9!) loops in Central Park. I ran a loop or two with him that morning wondering why all these runners would want to run 37 miles in the park. And here I was, 11 years later, on the start line, about to do the very same thing.

My build-up for the NYRR NYC 60k was short, only about eight weeks worth of workouts. My training strategy relied on the endurance fitness I had left over from running the Leadville 100 in August and the confidence I had from winning the TOR 30k in Italy in September. Would it be enough? I had no idea, but to help support my workouts, I spent a ton of time at the RECOVER studio mostly in the CVAC machine or infrared sauna. If you’ve never been there, it’s an incredible place for all athletes and definitely worth the time (and money).

My final fitness test would be the NYC marathon. Running with a friend, I used the marathon to practice my goal race pace for the 60k. Maybe it was the magic of the marathon or the amazing crowds, but I crossed the finish with a 3:15 and even splits. It felt great to have run 26.2 miles with no issues and smile the entire way. Now all I had to do was repeat it two weeks later and then keep running for 11 more miles. Totally doable, right?

Race day finally arrived and it was cold. The temps for the day would hover just above freezing. Not the worst, but definitely not ideal. I lined up near the front and took a deep breath. Now was not the time for questions or self-doubt, but the time to put it all out there and just run.

The first loop was a longer, five mile loop and it went by quick!. I felt strong and happy, with fresh legs. If only that "amazing-start-of-the-race” feeling would last forever! My pacing plan was an aggressive one and it meant I took the lead from the start. Even though I felt smooth and steady, the pace was still too fast. I tried to slow it down on both loops one and two, but it wasn’t until loop three that I was finally able to pull it back and settle in.

Loops three through seven were a practice in staying present. I had finally found my pace, so I settled in to enjoy the ride. Thoughts of “what mile is this? and “how many more loops left?” were fleeting and unimportant. I felt calm, focused and steady. I gave a few high fives, smiled at everyone out there cheering and thanked the volunteers. I took Hüma gels and sipped Maurten 320 mix at regular intervals. Everything was going according to plan. I never felt bored, never felt anxious.

Staying present in a race is one of the most difficult, yet best things any runner can do. It takes practice to develop, but once you achieve this skill, it will transform your entire race experience. Even more than that, you will be able to take this new ability and apply it to other parts of your life as well. I encourage you to try it on your next run. Don’t worry about the numbers on the watch or how many miles are left. Focus on your breath, the sound of your feet, the power in your body and the movement of the world around you. Just be present and take it all in.

By the end of loop seven, I was starting to feel the heaviness in my legs. But this was expected. I was told loop seven is the hardest. You’re deep in the race and the finish line is still too far away to really feel it. As I started loop eight, I noted the the time on the clock. I would have to run the last eight miles in 1 hour to hit my goal. Not impossible, but I would need to pick the pace back up. I pushed and told myself the the energy would come back on loop nine, the final lap.

But it didn’t. Loop nine was my slowest and most agonizing of the entire race. I’d never felt such a heaviness in my legs. They just refused to go at the speed my heart wanted. My pace slowed by more than a minute per mile over my goal. I was frustrated with my failing body, so I stopped looking at the watch. I repeated my mantra of “fight for every second” and found strength in seeing friends still running and cheering along the way.

Even though my legs had hit the wall, I was still in the lead. As I ran the final stretch, I smiled. I had runners, friends and a bike escort around me and I could finally see the finish line. I celebrated my achievement. More than place or time, I celebrated strong running, positive attitude and that never give up mentality. It was an incredible day and an incredible race!