NYRR Five-Borough Series 2014: Bronx 10-Mile

In this doodle we will run 10 miles along the Grand Concourse in Bronx, the fourth event in the 2014 NYRR Five-Borough Series. Each of the three NYRR Five-Borough Series Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens was unique neighborhood and exclusive runs. Bronx run is through the century old Grand Concourse that still has 1920 and 30 building's lining on both side.

28th September 2014, this cheering day began at 4:30 AM before the sun. After morning refreshments started from home at 5:10 AM and reached John Millers Park by 6:40 AM. Walked around the park after collecting the Bib 1506 and event shirt. Today's weather was at 76 Degrees, 54% Humidity and 10 mph wind.

Almost 10,000 runners took their places in corrals that stretched half a mile down the Grand Concourse near Yankee Stadium. After 15 minutes of stretch and warm ups walked to my designated corral. Alerted myself to focus on body for any early injury symptoms and not to over pace. Last week Newport Liberty Half Marathon run lead to symptoms of compartment syndrome injury. I have rested this whole week to avoid any further complications.

Tireless legs walked, jogged and stepped over the start line at 167th Street in Bronx Grand Concourse after air horn blown at 8:05 AM. First mile run was vigilant one as in the last few weeks my body has to deal with some injuries. I began my run among competitive runners corral. Legs paced at steady increasing pace and reached 7:45 per mile during first mile. At the end of first mile my ankles showed symptoms of stress pain. Body sensed and slowed down. After this energetic first mile run stopped at a portable toilet to attend the nature's call.

This minute stop made me struggle to pace up the second mile. Body and Mind started the argument on setting the comfortable pace. Mind suggested to pace at 8 minutes for a mile. After a struggling quarter mile uphill, paced the legs at 8 minutes per mile. Now body is set to cruise at this pace irrespective of up or down hill. Completed arguing and brawling second mile after spending few extra energy.

Usually by third mile, my body will become relaxed and flexible but rather it was responding with ankle pain and erratic breathing. Irrespective of these symptoms I paced at 8 minute per mile and decided to manage at this pace. While running was thinking about my previous event runs, this should be the first event run in which my body started battling quicker.

While we started on our fourth mile, elite runners are already on their way back to finish line. Fourth mile was U turn loop through Bedford Park Blvd and Goulden Avenue. While running this turn sun was bright outside and unusually was hot for during this time of the year. Crossed the fifth mile with chip time 40:40 and my whole body was used to the current pace.

Starting sixth mile course is antipode of the first half. Raised the pace to run at 7:50 per mile and legs took advantage of the down hills and gained the pace. Run back through the grand Concourse was different as the runners are spread out and running on the traffic blocked wide road was wonderful.
I was mentally gaining momentum and pushed to run seventh and eight mile at 7:40 per mile.

Completed running 7.45 miles while GPS clocked 1 hour since the start of run. Made a determination to not go beyond 1 hour and 20 minutes so increased the pace to 7:30 per mile for the ninth and tenth mile. In the last two miles, body was easy running and passed over the finish line with the chip time 1:18:35.




Bronx 2014 - 10 Miles Timing