My Sixth Half Marathon - NewPort Half Marathon 2013

This doodle will share my Sixth Half Marathon run experience. On 14th of August I realized how I was lost in my work schedule and haven't run any event since May 2013. One good thing I did was, not missing my regular runs. Regular run always motivates me to prepare and participate in events within short time. Searched for the upcoming event in New Jersey and New York and registered for the Newport Half Marathon run. After registering for the event I didn't come with any training plan as I normally used to do. One thing I reminded myself was to create a new personal best that should be less than 2 hours.

Another happy note about this event, race place is close to where I stay right now. This means there is no early wake up on the race day. My alarm was set to wake me up at 6:30 AM on 22nd Sep 2013 and I responded positively to the first alarm. I reached the Newport race start place at 7:55 AM. Collected my race Bib and T-Shirt. Till this moment I didn't had any plan on what pace I should run to create my new personal best. I was doing some stretches and warm ups, after which I surprisingly met a guy who is seated diagonally next to me in office. I was little excited to have a person with common interest close by the place where I spend most of my time these days.  After reexamining this situation, I am worried a bit because I am not even familiar with the persons who are seated close to me where I spend my most hours. I am not the only one who is part of this mystery corporate life. I have made a note of this thought which has to be corrected.

After my stretching I walked to the 9 minutes per mile post and was waiting for the flag. Exactly at 8:30 flag was down and lead runners were on their feet. After 45 second my feet crossed the start line and started my run enjoying the fresh morning breeze. This moment doesn't last for more than few minutes. After 5 minutes of run realized my bladder is full and time to unload. I was curiously looking around for the restrooms but was able to locate one after 2 miles which is after 20 minutes of the race. I am aware I am losing few minutes and at the same time I have to please the nature to make myself comfortable.

After reliving the pleasure of nature I increased my pace and made sure I am maintaining at least 9 minutes per mile pace. I was consistent and maintaining a pace of 8 minutes and 55 seconds for a mile till my 7 miles. After which I decided to increase a pace little further and maintained below 8 minutes and 50 seconds for a mile. Also I identified that the track is very flat so this run is going to be my new personal best. Still I decided to hold me back and focus on run and timing so I can save and be prepared for the worst. After 7th mile we were in Liberty State Park, Manhattan and Liberty Statue view was a treat for all the runners. I wanted to wait and enjoy the view a moment but didn't because my clock is ticking. I would like to quote a comparison which I though of. As this run, life is also a race where we set our self with a goal and focus our self on achieving the determined goal. While doing this we may also miss some good moments where we could pause and enjoy the beauty of life.

Running trail was a narrow one in Liberty state park. You always stay with runners, sometimes I pulled myself over the grass to go ahead of my runner friends. After the great views now we are into exchange place and I am running on my daily walk path to office and we ran on the board walk to enter the Newport place. on my 12th mile I was strong and wanted to push me to save as much seconds so I can to create a new personal best. I crossed the finish line while chip clock was ticking 1:56:04 which is now my half marathon personal best.

After the run enjoyed the refreshments and spend with some fellow runners in refreshment place. Though I wasn't very much excited with my new personal best I was happy and little proud of me. In refreshment place I met a runner who is 55 years old and while chat he said he completed his run today in 1 hour and 40 minutes which made me feel realize I have long way to go and shouldn't be satisfied with this new personal best. I have determined to focus little more on my run and improve my run and timing.

Reached home after collecting some additional refreshments and had some rest. Today was exciting, refreshing, though provoking and motivating day for me.