Obviously by the title of this post, you all know I had a 4 mile PR this Saturday at the NYRR Fitness Mind, Body and Spirit 4m! It was a massive one for me, not sure what got into me: the awesome weather, the super girly outfit I wore, or the planets aligning or something. Either way, I couldn’t be happier.
There were two separate races for this event: one for men and one for women. This is the first time I ran in a women-only race and have to say I really liked it! I noticed a few things that were nice about this set-up: there were no lines for porta-potties in the morning, the women were so polite on the course, and my race bib color/number was the lowest it ever has been!
GREEN bib! This is a first for me, and probably a last.
If you are a NYRR runner you know what an awesome feeling it is to move up a corral, and I moved up all the way to the green from my usual purple/silver! The only caveat was that my number had an evil number in it (3666). Honestly thats just my luck. I finally get a low corral and I have the devil’s number on my bib! But I tried really hard not to be superstitious about it.
One really nice part of this race was the festival with free yoga classes, Fitness magazines, Pure Barre classes, and a giveaway from Birkenstock. They hosted yoga classes throughout the morning and many women participated before the race. I didn’t because I’m not a huge yoga person and also was afraid to pull a muscle or something before running!
Yoga in the park
Since it was a women-only run, I decided my outfit should be really girly. I went with my trusty Athleta top, pink Lulu running skirt, neon pink CEP Compression socks and purple/neon Saucony Kinvaras. Got some looks in the subway in the morning, but once I was with other runners I looked so much more normal!
Hard to get much more girly than this.
The race:
Before the race, I made a conscious decision to really race this one instead of focusing on finishing. I wanted a PR. If you’ve ever run in Central Park, you know its pretty hilly and this race was no exception, although we were spared the Harlem Hills (thank you NYRR!).
Mile 1 started off near Cat Hill, which I actually don’t think it too bad honestly. Mile 2 was pretty flat as we turned at the traverse and headed for the rolling hills that stretched for just about all of mile 3. Those were the toughest I think because its one hill after another, although none are as high as the “main” ones. After the hills the rest of the race was pretty flat and manageable.
The 3,000 corral at the start!
I felt really strong throughout this entire race and pushed my pace much farther than I have before. I even saw myself somewhere in the 7:XX/m pace at one point. What?! Thats not me! But I’ll take it. My official results:
8:35/mile pace!!! I just don’t run that fast, plain and simple. But I really pushed it out for this race because I was so determined for a PR that I actually did it. It is possible! I’m still riding high on these results, its such a good feeling reaching my goal. And seeing the number 8 in front of my pace isn’t too bad either 
The verdict: Great race, loved that it was only women!
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HELP! Do you or someone you know want to join my Reach the Beach Relay team for the NJ Race on October 12-13? We are looking for one more runner, let me know ASAP if you need more info and/or are interested
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I want to hear about YOU! Did you run, bike, exercise this weekend? Tell me about it!
Anyone run any races lately?
Yay! Congrats on the PR so glad you busted it out! I’m hoping to do a strictly running race soon just to see how I do. I am doing that duathlon in 2 weeks ah!
Thanks girl! You should do a race soon and then maybe we can eventually run together
You will rock your duathlon don’t worry… wish I could have done that one. Next time!
AMAZING!!!!! Congratulations on an awesome, kick a** PR! So proud of you and your speedy pace/mile. So happy you had a great race.
Thanks Beth
It was so exciting, and no bathroom break with this race haha.
Congrats girl!…that is awesome! And I’m a CEP fan as well! You’re kicking booty!
Thanks girl!! CEP is awesome, loving the sleeves because I can wear my regular socks!
Congratulations on your PR!!
My number for our first triathlon was 666, I think it is just good luck
Haha thats funny you had that number too. Its definitely good luck, I’m a believer!
Congrats on the PR!!! I ran that race, too, and it was great! I got a PR as well and then completed my longest run to date (10 miles) so it was a great weekend of running. I’d love to do the relay, but unfortunately I’m running my first half-marathon on the 14th! Timing wouldn’t be great
Congrats on your PR and also your 10 mile!! Thats an awesome weekend you must be feeling great
Ah you must be so excited for your first half, you’ll rock it!
I wish that I could do Reach the Beach with you! I just couldn’t buy the plane ticket
Aww thats okay! Wish you could do it too though it would be fun!
Wow! Congrats!! What an awesome result ! You dont talk much about your ITBS anymore are you over it? you know I have been battling with IT Band for over 8 months and suddenly I am running up to 4 miles without pain but I’m schedule to surgery… I know you are not a doctor but do you think the pain is going to stay off? Are you still foam rolling or doing PT sessions? Is it still bithering you at all? Thank you!
Hi Nesrine – i’m angela and i blog over at runnerindenial.com and i just saw your above comment and thought i’d send you a message! i had IT band surgery about 5 weeks ago. you can hop over to my blog to take a look at my recovery details – and feel free to email me anytime. a few weeks prior to my surgery i started to feel SO MUCH BETTER and actually almost cancelled the procedure the very week i was scheduled. good luck!
So funny you posted Angela, I was going to refer her to your blog
Hey girl! I mentioned it in my last post (I think?) but it hasn’t been bothering me at all lately!! I’ve been foam rolling, stretching, and doing lower body strengthening and stuff but no more PT since I can run so much without pain. I also wear my orthotics and heel lift for my leg length thing (have you had your legs measured?). And have you tried running more than 4? Does the pain start again past 4 m? Maybe push it a bit more and see.
Thank you Megan, I am so happy for you! it is a dream for me to run without pain. Suddenly I am having no pain but it doesnt feel right i am scared to push it!! Now i am all confused if i should do the surgery or not!
This weekend i will push it and see where it goes!
@Angela I will definitely check your blog Thanks
When is your surgery scheduled for and are you currently going to PT at all ? Just curious what you’ve been doing for it. Its such a frustrating injury I totally understand! Let me know how it goes this weekend, maybe just try for one extra mile and see! Hoping its pain free
woohoo! so glad you had a great race! must feel GREAT! i can’t wait to be back out there too!
Thanks girl, can’t wait til you are running again too.. then we can run together!! woohoo!
I wish that I lived closer because I would LOVE to join your team. Will you keep me in mind for next year?!
This race looks like fun. I’m always so jealous of all the good ones that come to NYC : ) Have a great weekend!
Aww that would have been great, if I do this again I’ll definitely let you know right away!! That would be so fun
Congrats on the PR that is awesome! I think it’s so funny 3666 is the lowest number you’ve ever had. The biggest race I’ve ever run had about 5300 people in it, but most of the races I do have 100-300. I love that there are so many small local races, but I think it’d be fun to do a large race and have to be in a corral in NY!