This is very belated, but here's how the NYC Half went;
I ended up running a 1:16:51 for 137th overall out of 15,000+ finishers. I am pretty happy with it considering how training went leading up to the race. I was able to manage my ankle injury thing and it didn't give me any problems during the race, but I would have liked to have gotten some more quality work in the lead-up.
I started pretty conservatively as the first 10k was a big loop in central park, the hilliest part of the course by far. People underestimate central park because there are big sustained hills, but it is not easy by any means. It is never flat, and yet never that hilly either, and it is really hard to get into a rhythm because the road is always changing, it makes for relatively slow and hard running.
I tried to save my bullets for when the course left the park to go down 7th Ave. through Times Square and over to the Westside Highway for the trip down the west side of Manhattan.
It was really interesting to run through Times Square with all of 7th barricaded off for you. To be honest it was a little eerie, it was early so the real big crowds hadn't come out yet, and the fog hanging around the tops of the buildings along with the unusually peaceful and quiet atmosphere that was in such stark contrast to the chaos that is characteristic of Times Square made it kind of surreal.
I tried to roll down the west side as it is straight and flat. I kept a pretty good pace and worked on catching as many people as I could. As soon as I would catch a group I would focus up the road on the next person and tie that mental rope around them and set about the business of reeling them in a little at a time.
It went pretty well until about 800 meters to go when I was stymied by a pathetic little grade coming out of the tunnel. My legs didn't have much pop left in them after ~12.5 miles of hard running (not helped I'm sure by the fact that I had failed to take in any fuel even though I had two gels stuck into the waistband of my shorts, it just didn't feel like my stomach could take a shot of salty-sugary goo being dumped into it without yacking on the NYC asphalt). I managed to dredge up some semblance of a kick and got a few more places before the line.
As I got through the chute I was greeted by my loving parents and loving Allison, who wrapped me in a hug and kiss despite the smells I was undoubtedly putting off at that point. My parents were coming into the city by train that morning and planned to meet up with Alli in the park to catch me. With so many variables (train delays, my parents tenuous grasp of public transit and use of a cell phone) I was a little worried they would never find each other. So I was relieved to see the three of them cheering for me as I came through Times Square.
Overall it was a good learning experience and a decent time for my first half all things considered. I am focusing on taking lessons away from my races and training, and making the necessary adjustments to be stronger and faster in the future.
There is no shame in mistakes, only lessons to be learned.
I want to thank my amazing girlfriend Alli, my parents, friends, everyone at The Running Company, and the folks at PacificHealth Labs for all the support!
