It’s a bit strange because I didn’t run TGNY 100 last year, but it seems like only yesterday I ran the course (when, in fact,
it was actually two years ago in 2016)! The biggest difference between the two years is probably the training – I went into 2016 undertrained (having gotten off the wait list in late May, early June) and I went in this year over trained (having run roughly 1,400 miles so far this year)!
While I signed up for another go at 100 miles, when I got off the waitlist for the Vermont 100 next month at the start of this month, the 100K seemed to be a better option. Given that I ran the full 100 in 2016 and then DNF’ed at mile 60 in Vermont the following month, I don’t want to repeat that outcome. Whether it was the lack of sufficient recovery time – or simply that I was undertrained – the DNF at Vermont following GNY was not fun.
But getting back to TGNY 100 – it was nothing short of a miracle that we didn’t get any rain! The forecast leading up to the start called for rain as early as 3 AM, and included scattered thundershowers throughout the afternoon. However, there was no drizzle, no rain, and no thunder! There was plenty of humidity – and strangely enough, a lot of wind - during the first half of the day. Humidity was preferable to rain!
That said, by the time we exited Central Park I was already drenched in sweat because of the humidity.
So much for staying dry! Not to get ahead of myself, but just before Central Park I suddenly realized my first huge goof of the day – I had left my water bottle in my finish line drop bag! It was strange to reach for a sip of water and find an empty hand where the bottle should have been!
But I’ve gotten ahead of myself.
I had a somewhat over packed mini knapsack (too much stuff that was never used). I also had a small drop bag for 100K, a finish line drop bag, and the water bottle.
When I got out of the car I had put the water bottle in the outside pocket of the bag to make carrying all that stuff a bit easier. Needless to add, there it stayed. I eventually – just before the second aid station - picked up a discarded Poland Springs plastic bottle, rinsed it out, and it became my water bottle for the next 50+ miles!
As for the actual running, Manhattan and the Bronx were fine – both in terms of pace and navigation. Heading up the West Side to Van Cortlandt Park was straightforward running. VCP, itself, was “easy” on the navigation (even with a slight detour to a new exit from the Park) thanks to Grant’s excellent signage and markings. But there were still plenty of hills to climb! From VCP to Bronx River, down to Pelham Parkway and across to Pelham Bay Park was also very runnable. It was great to see Jeanette (single-handedly) managing Aid Station 3 (at roughly the 20 Mile mark)!
I didn’t really hit a down patch until I left Soundview Park (just past the 50k mark). At that point I had fallen almost a half hour off my 2016 pace (6 versus 5 and a half hours). It was also a long stretch of dreary industrial streets and lots of noisy Bruckner Boulevard traffic. Things picked up at Randall’s Island because the “bridge crossing” was upon me! The impending panic/anxiety attack that would overtake me crossing the Hells Gate Bridge instantly snapped me out of the doldrums!
Luckily, just before the walkway over the Bridge was a convenient construction site porta-John! I made a quick pit stop there, took a couple minutes to rearrange my pack, and took some Advil – then onward over the bridge. I had my right hand on the rail for most of crossing, while I chanted “keep it together, keep it together, it’ll all be over in 10 minutes” (silently – and occasionally aloud)!
Out of a 15 hour day, that was truly the most stressful 10 minutes (and it did seem like an eternity) of the entire race. The nice part of 100K, instead of the 100M, is I wouldn’t need to repeat it crossing the Marine Parkway Bridge! When I reached the aid station at the foot of the bridge, my right hand was so black from soot and dirt that the volunteers asked if I had fallen! No, thankfully I hadn’t done that. They were kind enough to help me wash my hand off with water before I set off on Astoria Boulevard and the Queens leg of the run!
By this point I had gotten my second wind and looked forward to reaching the Citi Field aid station. The 4+ mile stretch was uneventful, but when I arrived at the aid station I gave some serious consideration to a shot of tequila (a real surprise to find some waiting there)! Unfortunately, I stuck with Coke and had some boiled potatoes and chips – I was craving salty stuff after a diet of mostly watermelon and Swedish Fish.
I was good for the next couple of miles, but missed the left turn on Leavitt Street (just before mile 43) and went a couple of blocks out of way. No biggie, but my concentration had started to flag and missing the course marker was a wake up call. That jolt was good enough to restart my concentration and was quickly back on track (so to speak).
The next major milestone for me was the Mile 51 aid station – which I reached in 12 hours. I said hi to Tony, who had his massage table set up and was working on a runner. By this point I was hungry – real food hungry. All I could think about was the pizza and beer that would be waiting at 100K. So it was nothing short of heaven when they had pizza there! I ate a slice and half and it quickly brought me back to life.
I ran to the next aid station (Mile 56?) under power from that newfound energy. It actually powered me to the Unisphere before fatigue overtook me big time. While I tried to mix in running, the last 3-4 miles were mostly powerwalking. It was the longest stretch of walking – and for some reason, the Forest Park section seemed to go on forever! But right there, exiting the park I spotted Grant and the 100K finish!
It had taken me 15:03:20 to complete the 100K. Interestingly, it had taken about 3 hours to cover the last 11 miles (2 aid stations). That was just over an hour to go from 51 to 56 and then just under 2 hours from mile 56 to the finish. I finally sat down (exhausted and happy) and ate more pizza – and had a Tecate (as well as a Corona)!
I briefly (like for a minute) toyed with the notion of going on – especially since the Brooklyn portion is my favorite. But I really didn’t want to push it – and jeopardize my performance next month in Vermont. But come what may next month, I will be back next year – and for the full 100 miles!
Here are
my race photos.
