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Van Cortlandt Park 5k

August 1, 2019 (Morning)

Exercise Type: Run

Comments:
Took a half day and made my way into the city to hang out and run with David before heading to CLE. I missed a train so came a little later but had enough time to prep up and make our way to VCP. I havent been there in a long long time, and havent run there in probably 10 years. It was really really cool to be back. On every other Thursdays, they have a chill community 5k in the trails up the cowpath. We got there and warmed up around the field. It was just a fantastic evening. Great sunset, so many people out in the park. After all the grinding this year, I took this opportunity to really just slow it down and appreciate the experience. We did a good warm up around the field then got ready for the race. I had no expectations, just hoping to go out there and have fun (and finish)... I didnt hydrate very well or eat that much today so I wanted to keep it in check.

I started way in the back of the pack, which was about 100 people or so. A pretty big crew. David shot out into the front and had a nice pack, while I stuck around and went along with the field upto the path. Once we got to the steps, I started working the hills, trying to pass people as much as possible. I was doing a pretty good job, but had no idea what my pace was or where on the course we were! I knew we needed to cross the street again at sometime, but it seemed like it never showed up. I started to tell I was heating up and the humidity was hitting me. 3rd mile, I know I slowed down a lot. Took the downhills easy and tried to keep my body cool enough to keep going. I was really relieved when we crossed the road and popped out on the field again. There was another older fellow running with me. I could hear him huffing and puffing a while back and knew he was struggling. I tried to pace him and help him into the finish. The field finished on ~ 800m stretch, so we had time to work at it. As the straight away approached, I think the jets came on naturally for both of us. We started rippin it and I could say it was hard to keep up. We went in a full on sprint to the end and I think I edged him out, but it really was too damn close and I wasnt holding up. I didnt know he had that burst in him. It must have been a real cool sight because of the age difference. Didnt get a good look at the clock as a result, but I am sure it was par for the course considering the bulk of that third mile. It took a while for me to catch my breath and HR and cool down to a point at which David and I could add on a few more miles. I was also absolutely soaked in sweat, head to toe. It was nasty. I had my phone with me, stopped to take a few photos. Did not realize it, but somehow the video turned on in the middle of the race, which resulted in a 13 minute video of me running in the woods with no picture, just the swish of my pants. At the end, you can hear people cheering!

Essentials: Stretch

After a good cool down and stretch, I was actually feeling decent. I think I sweat so much I was just revitalized. We took the subway back and finished up the evening with some Dominican food. Good start to my little break from my current reality, seems like I am dipping into the past spending good times with good friends out on the trails. And even after 10 years, VCP is still a beast.