Race Recap: 2022 Brooklyn Half Marathon

By | May 1, 2022

Banana! (c) CheerEverywhere

I had no goals for this race and never care about place, but when I saw him later on an out and back at mile eleven or so, I just knew that I was not going to lose to a banana!

still giggling so hard at this photo. Smile and say CHEESE!

In fall 2021, I had great plans for this to be a Goal Race. And then life, an IT Band flare and heel issue flared. I mentioned it briefly, but the largest logistics going into this race was whether it would be a good idea for me to run it. PT and I came to agreement that it was and I’m pleased to report I finished and beat the banana.

I had the best laid plans of having this done earlier, but nope. And since I have not much running to speak of this week, linking up with Kim and Deborah to discuss the inaugural NYC Runs Brooklyn Half, or as I like to call it, the Banana Half Marathon!

TL;DR: I loved this race and will definitely run it again. And if it aligns with your training or travel schedule, you should too!

Short history: NYCRUNS has had a Brooklyn Marathon since about 2010, but it was loops of Prospect Park. Last summer, they got permission to do a race on the streets and added a Half distance. Adidas came on as a sponsor with a bunch of great events. There was no doubt I wanted to be a part of the inaugural Half. Not doing a good/bad, as there really was nothing I’d call Bad. I had a blast.ย ย  There were some hiccups that you’d expect with a large, inaugural race and they could have used more volunteers at the water stations, but there was nothing that would deter me from running this Half again and I’d wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone looking for a spring half.

This wasn’t quite the excitement of Bermuda, but I’d signed up similarly early (August 24) for the Brooklyn Half and it still managed to sneak up on me. My word of advice if you’re going to run more than one NYCRuns race is to join as a member. Not only does it provide no questions asked deferrals, there’s also a discount. What did I use the discount on? Packet pickup. So no review of the expo in this recap. While I heard great things about it and friends bought some cute stuff, I’m glad I didn’t need to travel to Brooklyn at the end of a (good) crazy week to pick up my bib.

In the lead up to the race, there was a lot of information about the app, the start/corral procedures, the routes, etc. Everyone has a different level of informed they’d like to be, but this was at the volume I expected for a large, inaugural race and you won”t find yourself lacking in info if you run an NYCRuns race.

Race Day

good morning Brooklyn!

Start Zone Map

As a proud turtle, I was assigned to Wave 3, Corral J. Woohoo, come get me Sweeper!

Full disclosure: we were told to arrive close to five and I did not. I similarly did not bag check as that was slated to close at 6:15 and I knew I could manage post-race without. The extra time if not sleep was worth it and all worked out. There were 20K+ runners and plenty of places to sit, so if you’re an anxious runner, follow their timing especially if you’re taking public transportation. I opted to take an Uber to the start as Upper East Side to Williamsburg on a Sunday morning is not worth the clock watching and stress. They had designated drop off zones that corresponded with each wave and that was super easy. There was no need for the map on arrival as I just followed the other runners toward our corrals. The lines zigged and zagged, but moved quickly as the staff manning the metal detectors processed everyone as quickly and safely as possible. The race operated at a security level above NYRR Half Marathons and it was unclear whether fuel belts would be allowed. I chose a random flip belt that I didn’t mind tossing that also fit a charger I wasn’t attached to if I needed to toss it. Turned out those & SPI were fine. Fanny packs were the issue.

I was in the Uber on the way to the start when I realized my key was stabbing me in the side of my thigh when it shouldn’t have been – there should have been a NutriGrain bar cushioning it. Uh oh. Yep, rookie mistake, I left it on the table when I picked up my keys or something. I wasn’t sure whether I could do a Half on just chews, but I was about to find out. It didn’t particularly stress me out since I knew much of the race wasn’t going to be ideal.

Running friends are the best

After clearing security, Mo and I quickly found one another. She was pacing the 2:45 group for Prospect Park Track Club and I decided to spend the corral time with her. It’s always good to catch up. Fun to meet her co-pacer and some of the other runners including a man from Texas who had come in for this race. Unpictured here is a random heat shield I grabbed at the last moment. The skirt was perfect for the race temperatures, but the shield was nice for some leg warmth. I tossed that before we began but kept the Zooma shirt on.

The Course:

The route was part of the reason I was interested in this race. In some portions, it’s the reverse of the current NYC Half route. In others, it overlapped with the 20m marathon training runs. While I don’t miss marathon training, those days were fun and lots of good memories. The Marathon and the Half run concurrently for twelve miles, but there wasn’t a lot of overlap in runners as marathon runners of all paces started at 7 whereas it was almost 8 by the time corral J joined the party. While I’m pretty sure I will never do another marathon (never say never), I can say definitively that I would not do this one. Two out and backs and a loop of Prospect Park. No thanks. Not for me.

As far as comparisons to NYRR Brooklyn Half and the NYC Half, I think it’s both easier and harder, if that makes sense. With the Brooklyn Half, you get the hill out of the way early, but the straightaway on Ocean Parkway is just brutal. NYC Half has Flatbush downhill, but then you have the bridge. All three are good courses and it just comes down to schedule, interest. Can’t beat Times Square for the NYC Half or finishing at the beach for NYRR Brooklyn.

Course Map

across from Wegmans in the Navy Yard

Magic!

and then, of course, there was DUMBO. Couldn’t get any better.

I won’t lie, the course wasn’t perfect. It was downright meanie in some spots with cobblestones in DUMBO, a mile long climb from ~8.5 to 10 and an out and back toward the end, but it was on that climb that the crowds were the absolute best. We passed borough hall and it was like Brooklyn came out to play. There were moments where it was like 1st Avenue on the Marathon or Times Square in the NYC Half and that was just awesome. Part of the questions around this race was whether NYC could support another race and the answer from a participant and spectator POV was an unqualified yes! Between both races, 19,297 runners finished. That’s just wonderful.

best signs. Best cheer crew. (c) Rachel

While I didn’t catch them before they moved to the finish, it was so nice to know I had friends on the course. And if you’re an SVU fan, enlarge the photo ๐Ÿ˜€

While water stations were plenty, I was glad to have my bottle because it was sunny and windy. That plus spring allergies meant dry mouth, which is such a distraction for me in a race. I also loved that they had Nuun on the course for a taste of sweet. While I hadn’t trained with that, I knew it was something my stomach and taste buds liked.

Personal Race:

Dancing Fool!

My personal course? Pretty good. I stuck with Mo and her fellow pacer for the first mile as I knew they were going to go out faster to allow for a slow down on the climb. And then I somehow got ahead of them. I didn’t feel like I was going too fast-but the course was flat, the landmarks were familiar and I was having a good day. There was some mental math going on especially when coming into and through DUMBO. I couldn’t believe it was only halfway as it felt like I had been out there a long time already.

As I came into the Park around mile 12 or so, I was passed by the 3:30 Marathon pacers and holy shit they fly. Fun to watch.

Other than the water stations, which I always walk since I have yet to learn to run and drink, and the cobbled street, I ran the entire thing! I did not expect that. Lesson learned: trust the taper, listen to the PT and get aches and pains looked at vs. turning yourself into a martyr and powering through for no good reason. I could have deferred, but I’m glad I didn’t because writing this a week later, I was in no extra pain from the race beyond Monday’s soreness.

I think I was actually looking for my friends at the finish, but given my love of run/dancing, Dancing Queen is absolutely in my head for the photo above. Goal of finishing smiling? Nah! ๐Ÿ™‚ And yes, that is my beloved Frozen Penguin shirt. First race shirt + penguin = I’ll wear it until it rots.ย  My mask was on my wrist which meant I mostly couldn’t see my watch, and that was good. Until I saw Mo on the out and back, I wasn’t sure whether they were ahead or behind me as I definitely slowed on the climb up to Grand Army Plaza.

My hill training is routinely sub par, but it was also non existent given the aches and niggles since the Central Park Half, so that was a given. If this course hadn’t been mostly flat, I don’t think I’d have tried it, but I’m so glad I did.

 

um, thank you race speed fairy!

I have absolutely no idea where that came from, but my PT earned my race medal. But also, I’m proud of this weird training cycle. After Central Park I got in:

  • 8.13
  • 12.57
  • 7.84 (cut short, heel issue)
  • 6.28
  • 10.09 (Cherry Blossom)
  • 10.78 (yeah, should have been 12 but…)

The mileage was there-ish. This course was about the same altitude gain as Malibu (389/374 feet) but didn’t have the rolling hills, and it was much cooler. Brooklyn is also good to me as it’s home to three of my four fastest Halfs.ย  I can either train on hills or find flatter courses if I’m serious about chasing a Half PR. I think I know the answer on that one.

What’s your favorite flat-ish Half Marathon?

I love my running friends

They’re super fast, but they met me at Smorgasburg and I got to enjoy the awesome signs. We all met over SVU and it was fun to cement our two loves and do a race together.

Recovery:

aggressive non matching is part of recovery, right?

Friends in town, busy work week and lots of walking. We had to walk a bunch out of the park, which definitely helped with post-race stiffness. As did dinner with Coco. I think we’ve met six? times now and forgotten to take a photo three or four of them. The Park is peak spring, and I loved the opportunity to walk through it. The running was mostly on the bridle path which feels so much better. Why not take care of our bodies? Walk breaks to take photos in the park? Absolutely.

Next steps:

I have nothing on the race schedule, although I will sign up for Pride and maybe the Mini. I’m planning on a fall Half, but in the mean time I’m going to take the distance breather I’ve been talking about since Malibu. My lower body needs the break and I don’t want the IT Band, heel issues to linger into fall. April was 83.58 miles, my least mileage on the year. I’ve run 367.57 miles on the year. That’s only ten more than this time last year, but it’s felt like a lot. I think some of that is balancing it re-entry into the real world with work events. Life is about balance. Not perfection.

Running is an outlet, don’t want it to be a to do.

 

 

 

23 thoughts on “Race Recap: 2022 Brooklyn Half Marathon

  1. Kim G

    The race photo of the banana just made me laugh out loud, literally! I’m always amazed at people that can run a race, especially longer races, in enclosed costumes. Awesome job on another race finish!

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      and it was so warm. Not hot, but beyond comfortable in shorts and a tee. I might want it for winter warmth in a short race, but never a Half.
      Thank you!

      Reply
  2. Deborah Brooks

    Ok I love the banana pic and nice job out running him ๐Ÿ™‚ I had a similar goal with a full on turkey man one Thanksgiving. You look so happy at the finish which is always the best way to look. Nice job out there! This one is on my list too. so many races so little time

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      I was .0001% sad that CheerEverywhere hadn’t captured me, but the banana redeemed it all especially since I didn’t get a good pic of him on the course.
      May we forever outrun the mascots! And thank you. It was a good day!

      Reply
  3. Darlene Cardillo

    I love this: Running is an outlet, donโ€™t want it to be a to do.
    Perfectly said.
    That is why my training is my training and doesn’t meet any standards but my own.
    So happy that you did well and that you beat the banana.
    I wish they would change the weekend. It’s too close to my local half… so most likely next year will be the other Brooklyn… and NYC.

    My favorite flat half is the one I’m doing on May 21… I thought it would b a goal race but with my vacation and 5ks. It will be for fun. That’s fine with me.

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      You reminded me that I meant to include a “comparison” of the three Brooklyn races. Thank you.
      Yep. My training is what works for me at a given time. I’ m not even consistent from one race to the next, but I know I can’t force it.
      They might do a new weekend, I think this was just a permit. It’s a new date from the old marathon. NYRR Brooklyn is always hard for me due to industry conference

      Reply
  4. Wendy

    Nice recap Cari and nice job on this race! This race looks so great. I love that last race photo of you, you look so happy. I agree with you–running should never be a chore. We get to do it, we don’t have to. And same with racing. My ultimate goal is always to have fun, even if it doesn’t go the way I wanted it to. Happened to me last weekend.

    Congrats! And my favorite flat half is pretty much anything around here, lol. Not too hilly where I live.

    Reply
  5. Jenny

    Great overall philosophy- don’t get beaten by a banana. Whoever it was running in that costume (why do I feel like it was a guy?) must have had a blast.
    Anyway, this sounds like such a fun race! i’m glad it went well for you and that you’re feeling good. Seems like a great time to take a break and do some shorter distances for a while.
    Congratulations!!!

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      oh it absolutely had to be a guy. While nowhere as warm as your weather, it was too hot for that nonsense and any woman would have more sense

      Reply
  6. Kimberly Hatting

    OMG, that banana!!!! That would be a great goal, for anyone–>Beat The Banana! I love the dancing pic; looks like you kind of have the jazz hands, too! I’m glad this race was such a fun adventure. It looks like a great event!

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      ooh, I definitely have to remember jazz hands next time.
      Fun adventure was the perfect description. It’s never about the race for me, but in this particular one that was especially true. It was just a great day!

      Reply
  7. Marcia

    Yeah you can’t let a banana beat you! Lol! Looks like you had all kinds of crazy fun and ran well too! Win and WIN! Love you in the flouncy skirt!

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      Thank you!
      Cascade just works for me in a way the other skirts don’t.

      Reply
  8. Coco

    LOL on not wanting to be beat by a banana โ€” and yay on meeting that goal and having fun along the way. Those SVU-themed cheer signs are great.

    I have such a bad track record with people able to run destination races, although I did make it to the NYC Half and two races in Denver. Iโ€™ll keep my eye on this one next year.

    So great to see you. A photo didnโ€™t even cross my mind!

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      I didn’t make it to the Fort Lauderdale half, but that one isn’t a destination run to me and I’d run it twice prior. I’d have been disappointed with different scenarios. Would be fun to do a race together!

      Reply
  9. Jessie

    I am so impressed by the banana! That must be warm

    Sounds like a very cool event! Great job too Cari! Glad you had such a fun time.

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      Same. And he pulled off a fairly solid time especially in full sun on Eastern Parkway
      Thank you!

      Reply
  10. Chocolaterunsjudy

    Awesome job Cari! So happy you had a great race. I don’t think an experienced racer needs to go up to 12 for a half — 10 is perfect, especially multiple 10s.

    Would you believe I don’t think I’ve ever been to Brooklyn? Despite a nephew that lives there (when he’s not traveling, you’d probably like him LOL — and he runs!).

    For now I’m sticking to small races and low mileage. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      Oh you should definitely go to Brooklyn next time you’re down here. Even just the bridge for the views of Manhattan. If he races, I’m sure I’ve run “with” your nephew a few times.
      Thank you!

      Reply
  11. Liz Dexter

    You did so well! I remember being desperate not to be beaten by Mr Potato Head in some half or another! There was a Mrs Potato Head at the Birmingham Half yesterday, the hole they stick their legs through is so small, poor things!

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      wow, that is some kind of running to not topple over in that costume.
      I love costumed runners, just not losing to them because I feel like I *should* be faster. Or at least more aerodynamic

      Reply
    1. cari Post author

      Exactly! It’s the little things in life. Thank you!

      Reply

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