How I walked MORE Women's half-marathon in 4:24

Here’s my saga of MORE mag’s third annual marathon & half-mara for women over 40. It was also an official race co-sponsored by New York Road Runners and a qualifier for the NY Marathon. In 2003 I ran Nairobi’s first women’s 10K in 1hr 40min. Compared to Kenya, nearly 4-thousand women registered for the MORE race while 10 to 11-thousand women ran Nairobi's women's 10K against HIV/AIDS. MORE was my very first half-marathon, even if I did walk. I registered early but two days before the race my participation was touch and go due to schedule conflicts. (Thanks Pam!) Finally I made it to NYC on Amtrak where I stepped off and discovered I’d returned to winter. Burrrr! Bummer. No hat; no scarf. Thank goodness I'd brought layers. Checked into hotel then made my way to MORE’s spaghetti dinner at Tavern on the Green where I met a nice group of women who traveled all the way from Lansing in Michigan to run. Post pasta and salad I popped into a pharmacy & bought an extra pair of tights. Lifesaver! At my hotel I hung out with an old friend and a new friend and had a ball catching up. Did I maybe stay up a bit late?! Early race morning I woke to drizzly weather & a craving for tylenol - effects of our bar-side chat. The first hour of the day was agonizing and not only because of my head. At 6AM the sky was ominous. Out the window I could see people with umbrellas raised. Despite my toughness I knew I was not mentally up for running in the rain with no headgear. Should I stay? Should I go? But we forged ahead. Washed, dressed, a little breakfast with fluids. Taxi’ed to Central Park where zillions of women were arriving to race. I was in the right place! The half mara started at 8:00. I started out jogging then switched to a walk. Weather was a bit chilly but thank God didn’t pour. The cool temp actually made near-perfect race weather. The half mara was twice around the park. Despite two restroom breaks (guess what: a women's race that needed more stalls - duh!) my official time was 4:24. I’d never even been in CP before. This was great fun and worthwhile so now I’m looking for more races and working to do even better next year!

Comments

[Julia]

I was googling something else and your More Marathon account came up (!). I also participated in the More race, but I ran the marathon. I had a great time, came in around the same time you did, though the half marathon started before the full. I sure could have used some company in those last 10km!
Good luck on your running :-)

[Marian meself]

Thanks Mama Mia (and Sour Duck too). How are things over at Village Market?? The 2003 women's 10K through downtown Nairobi was great fun; a true inspiration. Mrs. Kibaki was one of the lead runners/walkers. Those were the halcyon days in Mwai's early presidential administration. Cheers & asante!

[Mama Mia]

Congrats !! 10-11 thousand ladies ran the Nairobi marathon - wow, I'd better make sure I'm one of that number next time .... I keep planning to start, but never quite get off my laurels :)

[Melinda (Sour Duck)]

Congratulations on completing your first marathon!