Last week was the annual NYC Marathon. Although I chose not to run it, I still wanted the thrill of passing the finish line (and get in another race for my 9+1), so I ran the NYRR Abbot Dash to the Finish Line 5k the day before.
I lined up at 47th St and 1st Ave, with Andrea and her friend as we got ready for our 3.1 mile journey. Heading south on 1st Ave was a bit slow as it was packed in and I was barely able to run. I hopped the corner onto the sidewalk as we turned right on 42nd St and I was able to begin my race in earnest. Runners filled the street as far as we could see as we headed west and ran past Grand Central Terminal. We turned right onto 6th Avenue at the one mile marker and headed north past such landmarks as Rockefeller Center and Radio City Music Hall as we approached Central Park. We turned into the park at the southwest corner and began the approach the marathoners would take the following day. We headed up and around the Sheep’s Meadow to the lower loop of the park which curved around to the west side drive. As we ran north, we could see the fences then the flags that runners would see as they approached the finish line of the race. The stretch led us up and let us finish our race where others would finish their 26.2 mile journey the following day.
I am slowly getting back into race shape as I run my 9+1 races and begin to prepare for my 2018 races. I was able to finish the race in 27:31, which wasn’t bad considering how packed the beginning of the race was, but I’m proud that Andrea was able to PR at the race on that Saturday morning.
