Scene: my 2nd ever half marathon, the Manhattan Half, January 2007 (?).
I desperately wanted to break 2 hours. My first half, 5 months prior, I had run 2:02 in pouring rain and it had lit a fire under me. I woke up the morning of the race to sub-optimal conditions. Well below zero. Biting wind chill. I jogged to the Met to meet up with friends, then waited in the start corrals, and after running for roughly 200m, I almost stopped at the medical tent. My hands and turned into little claws that I couldn't move. I seriously had my hands in little fists to warm them up while we waited to start, and when we finally started, I couldn't un-fist my hands.
I made a deal with myself to at least complete the first of the two-loops-of-Central Park course and then I could drop out. The first loop came and went, I was well below pace to break 2, and I had warmed up. Then something happened that I will never forget. As I was cresting Harlem Hill, roughly at mile 7.5, a girl passed me. She bounded past, effortlessly, as I was huffing and starting to struggle to maintain my sub-9 pace. But in that moment, all I could focus on was this girl. She was wearing a puffy vest. Not a running vest, but a cute, stylish, puffy vest. And a burburry scarf. Had a cute ponytail (were there even curls in her hair??) and PEARL EARRINGS. I don't know what put it over the top - the vest or the pearls.
I simultaneously envied and loathed her. It seemed so effortless as she quickly ran ahead - would running ever be that effortless for me? I wonder if I can pace off her. [Nope.] I didn't see her again. I watched helplessly as her Burberry scarf disappeared in the distance. I achieved my goal that day. In fact, not only did I break 2 hours, I went 1:49, but all I could think about was that girl in the puffy vest.
This weekend, while sticking to my 'one for you, one of me' Christmas shopping approach, I decided I wanted a running vest. But I didn't want a $50, high tech, reflective 'insert brand here' vest. I wanted my very own PUFFY VEST (on sale in store for 19.99). Perfection in the form of Old Navy.
And this morning, it was FINALLY time to break out the winter running gear. I LOVE winter running. Tights, hat, gloves (OK, I may have gone overboard)...and my puffy vest.
I desperately wanted to break 2 hours. My first half, 5 months prior, I had run 2:02 in pouring rain and it had lit a fire under me. I woke up the morning of the race to sub-optimal conditions. Well below zero. Biting wind chill. I jogged to the Met to meet up with friends, then waited in the start corrals, and after running for roughly 200m, I almost stopped at the medical tent. My hands and turned into little claws that I couldn't move. I seriously had my hands in little fists to warm them up while we waited to start, and when we finally started, I couldn't un-fist my hands.
I made a deal with myself to at least complete the first of the two-loops-of-Central Park course and then I could drop out. The first loop came and went, I was well below pace to break 2, and I had warmed up. Then something happened that I will never forget. As I was cresting Harlem Hill, roughly at mile 7.5, a girl passed me. She bounded past, effortlessly, as I was huffing and starting to struggle to maintain my sub-9 pace. But in that moment, all I could focus on was this girl. She was wearing a puffy vest. Not a running vest, but a cute, stylish, puffy vest. And a burburry scarf. Had a cute ponytail (were there even curls in her hair??) and PEARL EARRINGS. I don't know what put it over the top - the vest or the pearls.
I simultaneously envied and loathed her. It seemed so effortless as she quickly ran ahead - would running ever be that effortless for me? I wonder if I can pace off her. [Nope.] I didn't see her again. I watched helplessly as her Burberry scarf disappeared in the distance. I achieved my goal that day. In fact, not only did I break 2 hours, I went 1:49, but all I could think about was that girl in the puffy vest.
This weekend, while sticking to my 'one for you, one of me' Christmas shopping approach, I decided I wanted a running vest. But I didn't want a $50, high tech, reflective 'insert brand here' vest. I wanted my very own PUFFY VEST (on sale in store for 19.99). Perfection in the form of Old Navy.
And this morning, it was FINALLY time to break out the winter running gear. I LOVE winter running. Tights, hat, gloves (OK, I may have gone overboard)...and my puffy vest.
damn the pearl girl! will you be sporting them with your new (super cute) vest??
ReplyDeletei love that you wore a puffy vest running. like, LOVE.
ReplyDeleteI love this story and your puffy vest.
ReplyDeleteP.S. what's your email so I can make sure to include you on the next blogger meet up :)