This weekend I ran my first destination race, the United NYC Half Marathon! While I usually write my race recaps as part of my race day recovery–what better way to make sure I keep my feet up for a while?–since I wanted to get the most out of our time in New York City, I’ll just tell you the short story: My pacing sucked, the concrete sucked, I wanted to quit, but I somehow crossed the finish line at 1:53:52! Tune in next week for my full race recap.
If you saw my post from Friday, you know I started stalking the weather for race weekend last week. While runners are notorious weather stalkers, I think race weekend weather stalking is a completely justified obsession for a destination race when you have to figure out what to pack. Right??
Race Weekend Weather Stalking
When I started packing mid-week, the weather forecast looked like this:
The weekend was too far off to get an hourly forecast for Sunday morning’s temperatures, but I figured it would be in the low 30s and started planning accordingly.
By Friday night, the forecast looked like this.
Snow! I made sure I had a fuzzy hat, added a lighter vest because 32F is so much warmer than the 20F I race in two weeks ago, and decided to take a wool coat that is several sizes too big to use as my “throw away” outerwear. (They will be collecting/donating discarded clothing.) I packed two options for everything–two different tights, shirts, vests, gloves, headbands (plus the hat), socks, etc. I had to sit on my suitcase to get it to zip, but that’s normal too, right?
When I woke up at 5:00 Saturday morning, the forecast had changed again:
What happened to the snow?? I rethought my outfit options, but the only change I made was swapping out the snow boots I thought I might wear Saturday night for nicer boots.
When we got to New York, it was in the low 40s, and a bit drizzly. It was snowing as we left the expo, but that turned to more drizzle as we were walking around. By Saturday night it was clear, and when I checked the forecast for the last time (Sunday morning) it was great.
As it turned out, the actual weather was even nicer–with full on sunshine!
The view walking up Fulton towards the World Trade Center after finishing!
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Weekly Wrap Training Recap
I’m linking up with Holly and Tricia for the Weekly Wrap and joining Courtney‘s Training Recap link up. While I do not usually “taper” for a race, since this is the first race I’ve really cared about in a while–and my first half marathon in five years–I forced myself to take it easy.
Monday: 3 mile progressive run on the treadmill.
I knew I would not want to get up at 4:15 am so soon after the time change, so I switched my OTF class to Wednesday and opted for a run at home. I still struggled with my 4:40 am alarm, but the extra sleep I stole with my snooze button forced me to keep my run short. To combat treadmill boredom without doing tough intervals, I did a progressive run, with one mile at 6.3, 6.5, and 6.7 mph.
Tuesday: Balance/core workout from Quick Strength For Runners (<<Amazon affiliate link — check it out!).
Wednesday: Orange Theory Fitness
I’m not sure if it was lingering effects of the time change or the snow/ice we got Monday night, but attendance was lighter than usual, so we did a “2G” workout instead of a “3G” workout. That meant more time on the treadmill (~25 min), which didn’t exactly fit with my plans to take it easy, but felt good.
Thursday: Upper body/core workout from Quick Strength For Runners.
I really wanted to go to indoor cycling class, but knew I would not be able to hold back, so I made myself stay at home for a light strength workout.
Friday: CPY2 at Core Power Yoga.
Did I tell you how much I am loving Anne’s classes? Her suggested intention for this class could not have been better for me: Moderation. She explained that while she often encourages us to try something new–something we don’t think we can do–it’s also important to remember than we don’t always have to push ourselves, that it’s OK to hold back.
Saturday: 19,263 steps walking around NYC.
I’ll share more of what we did and saw, but one of the best decisions we made was to walk around the finish area–even if the guys setting up the finish line wouldn’t give me a medal yet. 😉
How soon do you start stalking the weather for a race?
How often does the race day forecast change?
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Can’t wait to hear more about your race! Always impressed by how you manage to pull it out!
Starting out too fast? 😉
I TOTALLY stalk the weather at least a week out! 😉 congrats on your race! It was a great time!
I usually watch the weather like a hawk and then pack multiple options to wear on race day especially if I’m traveling for a race.
Looking forward to hearing more about your race!
Thanks! I did pack two of everything! It I’d brought one more lighter option I would have debated what to wear, but I went with the lighter options and still ended up warm.
Given how crazy Mother Nature’s been of late I think I would have been stalking the weather way in advance too!
Can’t wait to hear more about your race! Congrats!!
I always stalk the weather…usually a week out or so. Even in the summer (with the warm temps), I want to be in-the-know if there’s potential rain/wind. That’s an awesome finish time! Congrats!!
TODAY!!!
IM STARTING TO STALK (and panic :-)) TODAY!!!!!!
Well, you’ve certainly trained in the worst weather possible!
It drives me crazy when the forecast changes like that, but Im glad it worked out for you! Congrats on your race!
The overnigt change from SNOW to no snow was perplexing! And then the weather was perfect!
I start weather stalking at least 10 days out… you have to try and plan your outfit and mentally prepare! It’s crazy how much the forecast can change during that time! great job on your half
Forecasts make me crazy. Seriously. how can you be paid to be so wrong?
I’m not stalking this one so much. It’ll be warm, that’s a given. I’ll be in a skirt & tank. But of course I do need to pack for the rest of the vacation, so I keep an eye on it.
You had such a beautiful day yesterday! I’m so happy you hit your goal. Did you have any trouble with your Garmin (the one 5k I did in the city it was pretty nutso during one mile because of the buildings).
I was a bit worried when I woke up and the Temps for the morning said 33 degrees but real feel of 20! That threw me for a loop and made me more confused on what to wear. In the end it ended up being a beautiful day to run and I was so glad I was dressed appropriately! Can’t wait to read your race recap!
I wasn’t expecting the sun! I was relieved to get a break from it when we exited the park.
I can’t wait to read your recap, congratulations!!
I probably start 5 days out. Anything beyond 5 days changes so much and drives me crazy. At 5 days, I can get an idea of what I’ll need to pack, and I can start making my packing list.
Yeah, I guess the weather channel just teases me with their 10 day forecasts!
I can’t wait to read about your race.
You had a perfect weather day. Lucky you!!!
And like I said, you did meet your goal.
Thanks! I was amazed that I did meet that goal – it was tough.