March 10-March 16 Weekly mileage: 44.64
3/10 Sun- New York Road Runners
Colon Cancer Challenge 15k 9.5 miles (10.5 w/warmup)
3/11 Mon - rest day
3/12 Tue - treadmill run 11.14 miles
3/13 Wed-cross train
3/14 Thur -mile repeats (2 mi. w/u 4 x mile 2 mi. c/d) 8 miles
3/15 Fri - strength train
3/16 Sat - long run 15 miles 1:58

Saturday while planning my long run in NYC for the following day, I discovered that there was a 4 mile and a 15k (9.3 mile) race scheduled in Central Park. I committed to getting up extra early so I'd have time to register on race morning. The weather forecast was calling for chilly and very windy conditions. Unfortunately I didn't pack my sub zero running gear, so I had to make to with a lightweight pairs of tights, my long sleeved winter top and running jacket, and of course a running skirt (which undoubtedly provided extra warmth for the derrière). Luckily I had a lightweight pair of gloves in my luggage and a beanie borrowed from my hubby to top it all off. We were sure to spring forward all the clocks on Saturday night so that we'd be up in plenty of time too (separate story).

I woke up to a very sunny, yet crisp and breezy nyc morning. I would be lying if I didn't tell you I had second and third thoughts about rolling over and going back to sleep. The lure of running a NYRR event in Central Park overcame me, I coudn't pass it up. It was about 30f with wind chill of 18f! By the time the race started I was pretty much a Popsicle. The extra hour of waiting before the gun went off didn't help either. (Again - side story) By the time the race started I was so excited to get running so that I could finally thaw out and get warm. The course was a double loop through/around central park. It was a beautiful course with rolling hills and a few good climbs too. My race plan was to start out nice and slow and tempo the run. I've never run a 9.3 mile race before so I had no idea how to pace it. Here are my splits: 7:55, 7:10, 7:01, 7:01, 7:08, 7:08, 7:09, 6:50, 7:01, 3:00. At the finish line my Garmin read 9.5 miles and 1:07:27. I felt strong at the finish with no major aches and pains (I think everything was comfortably numb from the cold). It was a great event - very well organized, I give it two thumbs up! I can't wait to run the marathon next fall.