The day started off abruptly , waking up at 4.20 and trying to rush out at 4.40 am still shrugging out the hangover from my system . Had to reach JFK to drop her and in the morning I realize that there is a schedule change for E train .. Hell screw it , will catch something else . Once we got out from the apartment , realized that the big suitcase's handles were broken and that I had to lean all the way to lug it along . Ok , accepted that and moved ahead to reach the station on time . When we reached , realized that we missed the train and had to wait a long time , screw the weekend schedules ! Now next challenge was to catch a cab from WTC to the airport and reach there on time . Once I had dropped Maya , I could still feel the sleepiness in my eyes . So got a coffee and was rethinking about the idea of doing the 4 mile run in Central Park ... But thought that I would push on .
Some background : I love running and I love Central Park , so couldn't resist the combination . I had signed up for this race a month back and had been training for this .
Once I reached the race site , I could feel the excitement in the air .. I was 4 mins late and people were still rushing in to join the crowd . I didn't waste much time to change into running gear and dashed to the starting point . Then I realized one thing , man its freaking cold .. But reassured thinking that my blood would get warmer in the next few minutes . And then I started off with a girl who was also a bit late.
And then things started getting better .
After 0.5 miles , I was feeling warmer and started waving at the volunteers .
After 1 mile , I realized I have covered it in 10 mins and paused to tie my shoe laces . I also started noticing so many people running around , bikers shouting and waving at us and then I decided that from now onwards I am gonna smile and run !
After 2 miles , it just got better and I was feeling good . Now I started enjoying the views , the trees and the lake on the way . Ah , and in between mind started wandering here and there .
Didn't realize that I had reached 3 miles , and on the way I went past 100th st , close to my future home . Now people were cheering all the way yelling 'the last mile..go further' . I thought I would give my best run for the last mile .. Finished that stretch in 6 minutes ( that is still my best ).. Grabbed a banana , an apple and a bagel from the finish line .
While I was recovering from the fatigue , I decided to walk the entire length of the park back to catch the train . Before boarding the train , I just felt glad and proud that I was able to do this .. The day was long for me . The uneasiness of waking up early on a Sunday morning just after 3 hours of sleep( heavy ) , the round trip to airport from jersey( long ! ) , but the elation that you get when you realize that you are a part of the 5000 other odd newyorkers who are out there beating all odds ..PRICELESS !
PS : This race was sponsored by Newyork Road Runners and was done for a fundraising for people suffering from AIDS . The website is https://www.glwd.org/race/
