I started off the busy weekend bright and early in NYC with 6,000+ other females running the NYRR Mini 10k in Central Park. It was a humid, muggy morning and I was thankful that it stayed overcast for the race otherwise it would have been uncomfortable.
I had no expectations going into this race. Not wearing a Garmin allows me to run at a pace that feels comfortable without worry, concern, or care about how fast (or slow) I am going – so I had no idea how fast I was going until I got to each mile marker. My number (389) meant I could have started in the first corral, but I moved back to the second in order to prevent any temptation to keep up with the women in the front.
I reached the 1st mile marker at 7:40 – which meant that my first mile was about 7:30. It was a lot faster than I have been doing my daily runs, but I felt good. I wasn’t out of breath and was enjoying pushing the pace for a change. The first mile is the ONLY FLAT section of the course and I knew that my pace would naturally slow down – especially since I hadn’t run this fast in months.
We entered the park and were greeted by the rolling hills of the northwestern section and then the lengthy downhill portion of the Harlem Hills. Miles 2 and 3 were great – and I was excited to see that I was maintaining a 7:45 pace through mile 3. I felt awesome.
Mile 4 (8:15) was the toughest (and slowest) mile for me – it included the uphill portion of the Harlem Hills and the northeastern part of the park. I’ve spent most of the last 4-5 months running on the pancake flat Staten Island Boardwalk, so I was beginning to feel the effects of the hills.
Once I was finished with the Harlem Hills and had recovered a bit, I settled back into sub-8 pace for the remainder of the race. Miles 5 and 6 (and the final .2) were 7:55, 7:53, 7:55, respectively.
Some stats:
Mile 1: 7:30
Mile 2: 7:45
Mile 3: 7:45
Mile 4: 8:15
Mile 5: 7:55
Mile 6: 7:53
Mile 6.2: 1:35 (7:55 pace)
Finish Time: 48:43
Average Pace: 7:51
Overall Place: 552 out of 6,122
Age Group: 158 out of 1,416
It was a great “racing” day for me. I never felt pregnant – I had no pains or aches that could be associated with pregnancy. And although I was running faster than I have been, I was never completely out of breath or pushing too hard. This was my first time running a female-only race – and I have to say, I was surprised by how much fun it was! I loved looking around at the start line and just seeing female and especially enjoyed having all of the male support cheering along the course. I definitely plan to do another female-only race again soon!!
One of the best parts of the morning was getting to see and catch up with so many runners that I’ve been chatting with on Twitter. However, my brunch plans had to be cancelled at the last minute because I needed to find a few things for my son to wear to my sister’s wedding on Sunday!
Sunday morning was another early start – my sisters and I were getting our makeup / hair done for the 11am ceremony and the two women getting us “ready” arrived at my sister’s home at 6am! I was EXHAUSTED from staying up late on Saturday night – my younger sisters and I all slept over my older sister’s home (who was the bride) and helped with last-minute wedding preparations until midnight (midnight, for me, is extremely late!)
The wedding was A-MAZING. Simple. Elegant. Romantic. It was a fabulous day spent with family and friends!
Favorite. Picture. Ever.
Thank you to my cousin, Diane, for all of these AWESOME pictures from the day!
Have you run a female only race before?? Did you see/feel a difference? Did you enjoy it?
Do anything fun this weekend?
Wow you ran awesome! Not that I am surprised at all! I love that you never felt pregnant! And you look stunning at the wedding! As do your sisters, especially the bride, of course. I love that picture that you love too, talk about capturing a moment!
jobo recently posted..It’s Friday…let the countdown begin! (12 days!)
Great race! You are fast
I ran the Mini 10k & it was my first all women race. I really enjoyed it!
Alex @ Healthy Life Happy Wife recently posted..The Run That Renewed My Love Affair With Running
You look beautiful and of course so does your sister! Congrats on a great race!
Nicole recently posted..Pregnancy Fitness: Prenatal Yoga
uh yes.
Im just going with the superficial 
not being a runner
how lovely happy calm and content you look.
BEAUTIFUL.
Miz recently posted..Rhyming Miz. What’s my workout is**.
you are the cutest pregnant person ever. seriously, you look fantastic! and speedy!
Kristy recently posted..Strolling vs. Running in Paris
I love weddings! You look so cute with your bump!
Heather Montgomery recently posted..Be Your Own Advocate
I loved running the Women’s Mini — no snot rockets to avoid! Hahah.
Glad you had a good race!
Lora @ Crazy Running Girl recently posted..WHICH ONE DOESN’T BELONG?
ahhh. I’m so bummed I didn’t get to run the Mini. Mostly for the social aspects, if I’m being completely honest. Was really looking forward to seeing so many NYC twitter/blog friends. Ahh well!! SO glad you had a great race.
& your sister’s wedding looks beautiful!!
Charlotte recently posted..Dreams are the Seed of Change.
Wow, great race! You are an amazing prego running mama. At 25 wks, I had a hard time making it longer distances so I can’t wait to see how you do once you have your baby. Congrats to you on a great race.
stephanie recently posted..Week 33
You look GORGEOUS!! Absolutely glowing! And so does the bride, LOVE that shot at the end. So romantic!
AWESOME job on the race — you are killer fast, girl! So glad you didn’t “feel” pregnant during this race, must’ve made the miles feel effortless (almost, haha). Rock on!
Jess recently posted..Celebrating strength (in running)
Thanks, Jess! Having my makeup and hair done was a treat for me!! =)
Hope you had a great weekend! xoxo
Congrats on an awesome race, Michelle!! You’re such an inspirational pregnant runner! Glad you felt so good. I’ve never done an all female race, but it sounds like fun. Looks like such a fun weekend- love your dress, too!
Laura recently posted..Fitness Bucket list and a winner
A great read top to bottom!
You never cease to amaze me, lady. Glad I got to see you, even if it was just briefly!
Awesome time! I would love to do an all women’s race: there’s a Zooma 10K/Half near me in CapeCod but the race is Sept 22. So that one is out (Seriously I could give birth on the course if I tried to do it! Ha!). I’m so glad that you felt comfortable during the race. When I ran my half in May I kept getting awful side stitches along the side of my belly. It really slowed me down. Since then I’ve learned that I really have to hydrate with an electrolyte drink (not just water) before I run; since doing that I haven’t had side stitches or any Braxton-hicks (which I’ve been getting more frequently).
What a fun weekend! Congrats to your sister!
Sarah recently posted..Banana Bread with Flax and Coconut
Honestly, being dehydrated was my biggest concern. I remember from last pregnancy my dr telling me that the stomach becomes the largest muscle of our bodies when we are pregnant and is the first thing to cramp up when we don’t drink enough water. (I also get terrible charlie horses).
Hope you had a great weekend, Sarah!!
You are amazing. There should be a pregnant women racing ranking. I’m pretty sure you would be in first place. We missed you at brunch but completely get the million things to be done before a wedding. You looked great! Glad you had a great weekend!
Jen Correa @ Mom’s Gotta Run recently posted..Yet Another Weekend… Keep’em Comin
You had an awesome weekend! Congratulations to you on your race and your sister. It looked beautiful. That is a great pic.
My first triathlon was a Danskin. I enjoyed it because I didn’t know what I was doing so there was no pressure. Now, I love racing with guys. My favorite part may or may not be “chicking” them.
Lisa recently posted..Weekend of Fun – Cougar Half Addition
Congrats on a great race. Loved that you never felt pregnant – that must be an awesome feeling. You rocked it.
You looked GORGEOUS at the wedding. Congrats to your sister, who was stunning. Sounds like you had a fabulous weekend!!
Melody recently posted..Clarendon: Tops of Tabata
HOLY SPEEDY MAMA! WAY TO GO!
Krysten Siba Bishop (@darwinianfail) recently posted..Its a Musical Motivation Monday — Part of me!
snug harbor?!
way to run, momma!!
Cat @ Breakfast to Bed recently posted..Paleish Pears
YES!! One of the hidden gems on SI =)
I am so stinkin’ inspired by your pregnant running!! keep it up!
Lindsay @ Lindsay’s List recently posted..p28 stuffed french toast (and giveaway)
Wow, great job on your 10K, Michele! That’s awesome! You did have a busy weekend! Congrats to your sister on her wedding! I think on twitter you posted a pic of yourself all ready for her wedding and if I didn’t already know you were pregnant I never would have guessed that you were from that pic!
LifeisaRun recently posted..Wounded Warrior 10K
The wedding looks like it was beautiful! You are one gorgeously tough pregnant woman. Thanks again for the motivation on Saturday!
Jess recently posted..Say it, Do it! {On Target}
I was in that race too! It was so much fun. I do love women only races, but must say that I don’t mind running with the guys either. It’s fun anyway you slice it!
Congrats on running so well while pregnant.
Karen recently posted..Never Again