I ran the Brooklyn Half Marathon and I really kicked ass. I had hoped to run it in 2:30, but I ran it faster to finish in 2 hours, 16 minutes and 42 seconds. I am shocked. I did not think I could run that far that fast. I felt FUCKING FANTASTIC the entire time on the run (except for that cramp just before mile 3).
And a great day, too. Sunny, blue skies not too cold. Great running conditions. The race started on the Boardwalk in Coney Island. I had the beach on one side and the rides and attractions on the other. Nathan's. The Go Carts. The Wonder Wheel. The Cyclone. It was all there and I couldn't stop smiling. While I was taking all that in Clay called out to me. He said, "Go Tammi!" I blew him a kiss.
After the Boardwalk it was into the streets. We ran up Ocean Parkway which is pretty flat. I made sure to stop at every water station and get some Gatorade whenever it was available. (Learned my lesson from the Scotland Run). That's the only time I stopped to walk. I'd grab a cup, walk briskly, drink it in small sips (so as not to induce more cramps) and then I'd be off again. I was waving at people and high-fiving people along the sidelines. At the turn to get off the highway Gnarls Barkley came on and I started singing out loud. "Out in the sun having fun and feeling free!" You said it Cee-Lo.
The miles seemed to fly by so easily. Damn, Mile 8 already! That was fast. I looked at the clocks at every mile marker and I was always around the same pace, around 10:30. I didn't pay that any mind, though. I was having fun.
I was excited to get to the park because I knew my friend Sarah would be there with her family. I had a slight moment of disappointment when I realized it was 9:43 and I was in Prospect Park already. I told her I'd be there by 10:30! I thought they'd miss me, but sure enough, Sarah, Matt and Kika and Maia were all there standing by the zoo. I saw them and ran over to them. I hugged Sarah and I screamed "I FEEL GREAT!" to her and she said she was proud of me and wished me luck going up the hill. Well, let me tell you about that big hill. It was nuthin'. I swear. I'm not bragging or being brave, but that hill was really no big deal. I took it. I'd run it before. I owned that bitch. It was over pretty quickly. Take it home!
Another mile around to about mile 11 and there was Clay. I saw him from far away and I got so happy. I had to stop myself from speeding up too much (save some for the finish). I blew him a kiss and told him I love him. He didn't hear me. He said, "See you at the finish line".
Not so fast. The course took us to an area of Prospect Park I'd never run through before on the Center Drive. I had no idea there were so many hills. I was not expecting those hills, but my legs and my heart were still in it. I took them all. I remembered my training. Kept my good form. Dug in with my elbows and kept a steady pace up those hills.
Between mile 12 and the finish, it was hilly as well. I kept on going. I wasn't about to stop and walk up a hill after I'd come so far. I kept my good form. Some guy who'd already finished and was walking back called out, "Good form! You're doing great." I sped up a bit. Almost there. The mile marker for 13 was in my sights. Then I saw Sarah again. I ran over to her and high fived her and sped up again. I saw the finish line. I had a moment of doubt that I wouldn't be able to sprint across the finish, but it was very fleeting. The people were cheering. I could see that finish line. The Roots were playing on my iPod but I couldn't hear them anymore. I couldn't hear anything. I just saw the finish line. I ran as fast as I could and I finished the race with my hands up in the air. Yes!!!!
Clay found me right away. He saw me coming in. He told me the clock said 2:21. I couldn't believe it. I was so happy and I felt so high. And then my friends were there. I saw Mandy. Then Fumiko and Alex came. And then Sarah and her family again. And Dorla and Kevin. Then Jason and January. And Denise was there. What a great feeling. Even though I didn't see them along the course, it was great to see them at the end. And then Clarence was there. He ran and finished it in an hour and 57 minutes!!!
Normally after a race all I want to do is eat and sleep. Everything was different yesterday. I went to brunch with my friends. Then we went for pedicures (where I got a really great back rub). Then we met up with Clay and Kevin and had drinks at Union Hall. Then dinner at Fette Sau in Williamsburg. The night ended with Kevin and Dorla coming over to hang out. I turned in early because I was tired.
Truly a memorable day. I ran my best race ever. Clay was there. My friends were there. I'll never forget this.