In addition to 2013, I ran this race in 2011 & 2012. Both years I swore I would never enter the lottery again. Both years I was placed in corrals that were much slower than my ability. 2011 in particular I was place in one of the last corrals. As a new runner, I honestly thought the corrals were based on last names. (Don't laugh at me...I had just started running. Who knew?) It was horrible. Congestion, dodging walkers 5-6 deep... I really thought big city races where not for me. In 2012, my corral was a tad better (but not much). I, again, had an awful time the first few miles with the massive amount of people (most of which were much slower than I). This was the first year with the new course, as well. The finish was frightening. Thousands of us runners trying to get out of a small area while spectators were also pushing to get into it. I thought, for sure, someone would be trampled and seriously hurt.
When I got in to 2013, I was much faster than years past and for once, put in my anticipated finish time as the time I HOPED to finish, rather than my last finish time. I figured, if everyone else can do it, why not me? Clearly NYRR didn't verify this info since people who I knew who are much slower than I am always seemed to have better corral placement. It worked. I was put in the perfect corral for my speed!
It was bone chillingly cold. So cold, infact, that my feet and hands never warmed up. The water at the aid stations were turning to ice and any water spilled in shady areas where also becoming slick.
The park was tricky, but once out on the road, when you were able to spread out, you were cruising!
This was the first half marathon I have every run fast and it didn't feel like an all out effort. I got my half marathon PR (1:37:40) with much fuel left in the tank and feeling like I could have pushed harder.
The finish area was figured out from the previous year and I had no problem getting my heat sheet, medal and get on the road. I'd love to run this again and really go all out to see what I could do on this course.