Written by My last post discussed the lack of long winter training races, last Sunday’s race the Cherry Tree 10 Miler was a rare exception. The race was held by the Prospect Park Track Club. As with most long winter races between late November and early March the crowd was made up mainly of runners and tri athletes preparing for races later in the year.
Since Esther and I were unable to pickup our bibs on Friday or Saturday, we left home early Sunday Morning wanting to avoid any BQE traffic. We arrived at Bishop Ford High School early and had no problem parking the car — not the easiest thing to do later in the day in Park Slope. Getting out of the car it was not hard to tell who the runners were — they were geared-up, dressed in layer with equipment bags slung over their shoulders.
Since we left early avoiding traffic and long lines to pick up our bibs we had to wait almost two hours in Bishop Ford’s cafeteria until the race’s 10 am start time. During the wait we saw familiar faces wearing every combination of running gear from compression gear and running tights to singlets and shorts as well the colors of running clubs like the Reservoir Dogs and the Van Courtland Track Club. Some gathered around tables and talked about how their training and upcoming races while others read the Sunday Times.
A little before 9:30 we made our way from the high school and walked down mostly deserted streets heading to Prospect Park. It didn’t matter if you know your way around Park Slope — it wasn’t a problem all — you had to do was follow the trail of runners heading down Prospect Park West, we seemed to be the only ones out this morning.
Once in the park, snow-covered grass was everywhere, a reminder of the rough winter we’ve had. On chilly mornings like this one, there is always the decision of when to take off your jacket and check your bag. You have to get used to the pre-race chill, which passes quickly once the race starts but you don’t want to be cold for too long either. We shed our jackets, stuff them in our bags and head to bag check, this is the first time I have seen a snow-covered bag check area.
With our bags checked, we walk to the starting area since there are no corrals for this race, we picked a spot about halfway from the start. This is when I usually get quiet as the pre-race butterflies start swirling. It doesn’t matter if the race is a marathon or an organized training run the butterflies are there for me. Since we have not run a race since the Manhattan Half almost a month ago I’m hoping to finish in 1:30:00, Esther hoped for two hours for the three loops of Prospect Park.
As the race starts I wanted to maintain a nine-minute pace, which would be tough for this distance, especially with Prospect Park’s hills. As I settled in with a group of runners I found I ran an 8:09 minute first mile and an 8:27 second mile, I hoped I wouldn’t end up paying for this fast start during the race’s third loop.
It turns out — I didn’t have to wait until that long. At the middle of the second loop I started huffing and puffing and I started slowing up as I approached the park’s big hill. This was more mental than physical. When you consistently run long races you train mentally as well as physically. At the top of the hill I started running again and was soon running a sub nine-minute pace. I rode the downhill and passed the relay transfer area where the runners in the three-man relay where shivering a bit as they waited to start their leg of the race. With one lap left, I was dreading having to get over that hill one more time.
When the third lap started, the wind picked up. I felt the chill as I headed for the big hill for the last time. This time I did what I should have done on the second lap, I slowed my pace a bit and lifted my feet a little higher and pushed on. I kept telling myself, “walking was not acceptable,” and kept moving.
At the 8 mile mark I was at about 1:16 and well ahead of the 1:30 finishing time I set for myself. The last mile was a downhill so I didn’t have to push too hard, I let gravity do the work for me and rode the downhill towards the finish. At the last turn I checked my watch and saw I had a chance to beat 1:25 and pushed hard and was very happy with my time of 1:24:44.
As I did my post-race walk I started a conversation with Sal a runner from the Van Courtland Track Club. We talked about today’s race and compared notes upcoming races. I told him he was one of the runners I used to help me keep my pace.
I went to the bag check area taking baby steps on the icy surface. I didn’t want to wipe out before I changed out of my sweaty running gear. After races in Central Park, we usually change inside a Porto potty. We call the bigger ones, if you are lucky enough to find one, “the Suite.” Today I didn’t look for a suite; I quickly stripped off my shirt and changed to a dry sweatshirt in the cold air. I then went to the finish area to wait for Esther.
I didn’t have to wait too long — I looked up and saw her running quickly running around the corner. She had a big smile on her face as she crossed the finish in 1:48:08. Like me, she made post-race small talk with a few of the runners she ran with.
As we headed back to the high school, the park is now bustling with activity. Cyclists were doing laps and people were walking their dogs. Prospect Park West is no longer empty — people were running errands and heading to Sunday brunch. We passed Farrell’s, a local bar; we saw some of our fellow runners having a post-race beer or two. When we got to the car, I said the Esther, “this not a bad way to spend a Sunday morning.”
Let me know what you think. You can leave a comment if you want with a question or suggestion.
This was the first time I saw a snow covered bag check area.