Cherry Tree 10 Miler Relay Race Report
After five days off from running I was itching to get out and get moving! And Sunday was the perfect day for the Cherry Tree 10 Miler 3-Person Relay in Prospect Park in Brooklyn – sunny skies and warm temps in the low 40s.
I was also in NYC for Presidents Day last year and thought about doing the Cherry Tree 10 Miler, but it didn’t work out with our schedule. This year it was perfect though! Gina just finished the Couch to 5K program and was our first leg, and her brother-in-law Greg was our second leg. I was the anchor!
Funny story – right before the start I was looking for someone to take our photo but felt like I couldn’t ask anyone because everyone I saw was a runner rushing to the start. I thought I heard someone saying “Kim” but I ignored it because I figured they were calling another Kim – I don’t know anyone in Brooklyn, right?
Turns out, it was Tracy and Tara! It’s too awesome that I ran in to them! I had not seen them both since last July when we all ran in Central Park together. So I asked them to take the picture above. Ha ha. Then we chatted for a short bit before the race start.
Then Gina was off! Greg and I chatted while Gina was running and before we knew it, it was time for the first hand off.
Gina did an amazing job on the first leg (a PDR for her) but made sure to warn me about the monster hill! We chatted a bit, then I got in to the relay exchange line on a whim, and all of a sudden Greg was sprinting it to hand me the “baton” (slap bracelet) and I was off!
The first part of the course was mostly downhill, then there was an uphill. But I was just SO HAPPY to be running, I did not notice it. I felt like I was on Cloud 9 thinking “I love races!” “I love running!” “I love NYC!”
I saw Steven and Steve along the course, then surged up the hill and caught up with Tracy and Tara (and a friend of theirs) and chatted with them for a bit. Then I went on for another mile, then sprinted out the last .38 miles.
I ran 3.38 miles in 27:41 and our team time was 1:37:22 for an average pace of 9:45! I think we made an excellent team and we are already talking about doing it next year!
Have you ever run the relay version of a race? (this race was a 10 miler or 10 miler 3-person relay)
I was really giddy when we were done with the relay – that is what a few days off running does to me. Or maybe it’s just that I love running in NYC with my friends? That’s probably it!
Themocracy
great job!
I love the picture of you sprinting at the end – you look full of joy! I have never done a relay but it does sound fun. Enjoy your time in NYC and have a safe trip home!
YAY for running!!!
Awesome job! Looks like fun!
That looks like so much fun! Great job!! I have to ask, what does your Bondi Band say?
It’s a headband from the NYC Marathon that says “ING NYC Marathon 2011” 🙂
Awesome!! Sounds perfect for running in NYC!
I’m officially hiring you as my race photographer – you took the best pictures of me that have been taken in running clothes!
(Except I just realized you couldn’t have taken the one that’s posted here, since you’re in it. Hm.)
It was so nice seeing you yesterday! Yay!
Aww, thanks! I think it was all you!
I hope we get to see each other again this year. A planned meeting this time 🙂 (or we can run in to one another!!!)
Sounds like a good time! I did a relay marathon once (5 person team), up in UP Michigan. It was an overall fun weekend trip with the Madison Hash House Harriers, and I was the first leg in my group. It was at a difficult point for me in running (VERY LOW motivation), but I had a good time.
Congrats to you! You’re looking quite speedy out there!
Yay! I’m glad the race was fun and left you feeling excited!
how fun!! I have never done a relay, but it is definitely on my to do list!!
YAY! I am SO glad you felt good, ran well, and had fun!
Congratulations! Great job!!!
How is your ankle holding up?
Good! It’s not swollen at all after the race, so I think I am in the clear… I am keeping a close eye on it though!!!
A relay? That looks so fun! I’ve never run a relay race before – well outside of middle school, of course. 🙂 I need to find one of these to put on my calendar…And a few other people to run it with me!
Great job – looks like so much fun! I have never done a relay. I should try one!
It looks like y’all had a blast and Gina did fantastic!! Go Gina Go!!! I hope the run didn’t bother your ankle!!! I am so proud of y’all!!!
=^..^=
p.s. I can’t wait to hear all about your trip!!
[…] however, was no match for Kim. Rumor has it that she was doing cartwheels all the way up the hill. Ok, not cartwheels, but the hill didn’t faze her one bit. GO KIM! Interesting side note: as another runner went by Steve and Steven, he asked them if […]
I loved seeing how happy it made you to be finally run after your unexpected hiatus. You looked amazing! Thanks for being my biggest cheerleader. I can’t do any of this without you. And bagels. and donuts.
That sounds like a fun race! I have never done a relay like that before but I the 4×800 and 4×400 in high school track were my favorite events. Some friends and I were looking to do a relay sometime this year though. It is longer and I think has about 12 legs but isn’t like Ragnar because everyone only runs one leg. I can’t even remember when it is so I’m not sure if we are still doing it or not. I guess this wedding has taken away my ability to remember any dates beyond March at this point.
That sounds really fun! I don’t think there’s to many relay races out here are there?
I just run across marathon relays from time to time. The Illinois Marathon has one.
You look like you are running soooooo fast in that photo!! Way to go! This relay sounds like a fun option. I think I like the idea of these kinds of races for more participation from friends who may not be as into the longer relays. I could find many more people interested in running this type of relay. Glad you were able to do it!
I don’t think the elevation profile does that hill justice!
Sounds like fun. Would like to do a relay someday.