The Hardest Moments Are The Most Rewarding: United NYC Half Marathon 2025 Recap
If you ever told me I'd be able to hold a sub-7 minute pace for ANY distance, I would have laughed.
800m to go.
It was really starting to hurt now, but I was so close to that finish line. My legs were fading, my watch read: 7:03 average pace. 1:27:30 on the clock. I thought back to that track workout a month ago when I was running 6:18 pace for 800m. You can hold another 3 minutes, Grace. Why did 800m feel longer than a 5K?!
400m to go.
One more hill. One final hill to that finish line. These New York City courses are notorious for their hills. I thought back to the NYC Marathon in November when it took everything out of me to run up that hill to finish at Tavern on the Green in Central Park. The finish line was right up ahead. I could see it clearly now. I cracked a smile — last time I practiced running here, I visualized sprinting this final stretch. Time to pick it up. Sometimes in my mind, during the final miles of racing, I’ll assure myself that I can cross the finish line and just collapse over to the side, and it makes me feel 5% better. That’s probably an odd thought, but in these painful moments, I think it’s safe to say that there’s probably weirder thoughts out there.
Everything hurt, but it would be worth it to cross that finish line any second now. I gagged in mid-air, almost heaving. This is usually what happens to me at the final stretch of shorter distance races. I feel so terrible for the big crowds right at the finish who get to witness this spectacle of me wanting to spit or throw up from the lactic acid build-up.
I cross the line in exhaustion and stop my watch. I need a minute. No, I need like 10 minutes. And NO, medical team, I don’t need a wheelchair. Also another thing that happens to me at finish lines. Medical always rushes over thinking I need to go to the medical tent and I reassure them I just need to walk it out and get water.
I finally have a minute to look at my time: 1:31:57.
And just like that, tears instantly spring into my eyes. My hand is over my mouth, I’m wiping my eyes, soaking it all in. I’m in pure disbelief. What just happened?! As I’m walking over towards the medals, volunteers are clapping and shouting, “You did it! Congratulations!” from all sides.
Yeah, I did. I just time-qualified for this race (United NYC Half Marathon) and the NYC Marathon next year. With 3 seconds to spare.
Some Context Of This Race:
I ran my first official half marathon in 2022 — and it was this race that kickstarted it all. I’ll never forget it too. Literally and metaphorically speaking — long story short: a taller guy accidentally pushed me at mile 2 in Prospect Park and I fell forward and ended up running with a huge gash — blood dripped down my leg, all the way to the finish line. It left me with a scar that I still have to this day. Since 2022, I’ve ran it 4 years in a row through the 4 out of 6 program. It’s been my big half marathon performance race every year, but never did I ever think I would be able to time qualify for it… until now.
A look back at my progress:
2022 United NYC Half: 1:50:54 — 8:28/mile
2023 United NYC Half: 1:38:50 — 7:33/mile
2024 United NYC Half: 1:35:11 — 7:16/mile
2025 United NYC Half: 1:31:57 — 7:01/mile
I started long-distance running in 2020. I ran my own half marathon in 2021 because there weren’t any races during the pandemic, and then ran this race as my first *official* half marathon in 2022.
5 years ago, the thought of running a sub-7 pace for any distance baffled me. “That’s gotta hurt.” “That’s so fast, no way I can ever do that.” As someone who didn’t grow up running, I used to think that wouldn’t ever be me.
Fast forward to now… this is 5 years of consistent training in the works.
Race Focus:
After coming off of the Houston Marathon in January, I knew I had a solid 6 weeks to dial in on the speed work for this half marathon. The goal range was 1:29-1:31. In order to qualify for the NYC Marathon + United NYC Half Marathon for my age group, I needed to run under 1 hr and 32 mins. I was determined.
In my training, hitting 6:50 paces were HARD. If you remember what I wrote in this post 2 weeks before the race, I shared how the pressure was so deafening to me and that I decided to let it all go. I shared how hard the workouts were, and how I wasn’t hitting the goal half marathon pace. On hard runs, I’d listen to my playlist labeled, ‘SUB 1:32 UNITED NYC HALF,’ to remind myself it was possible.
The night before the race, I prayed that I would walk away from this race knowing I gave it everything I had in me to fight and finish strong. And that I’d run the race as God sees best fit.
Race Recap:
On race morning, my brother, sister, and I woke up at 3:50 AM to get ready. We left at 5:15 AM to catch the PATH train at World Trade Center to transfer to the 4 downtown train. The train was starting to get packed with all the runners heading down to the Brooklyn start line. My sister and brother were in the later waves, but it would be easier to commute with me now then worry about not making the train times. I gave them hugs, prayed for them, and headed over to the corrals to warm up. I took off my heat sheet and laughed a bit. I had told every runner asking me questions about this race that it was always a chilly start. This year was different. For the first time in 4 years, the start line wasn’t freezing. This time, it was foggy and muggy out. I could already feel it in the air.
It took forever to move through the line just to get into the corrals. I made my way over to corral B. I could see the start line from where I was. This was it. Game time.
I’m usually very much in the zone right before the start of a race. I have my playlist ready to go, I’m shaking out my legs, doing some jumps, checking my bun for any loose strands, making sure the shoelaces are tied, the pace band is on right, my watch is ready to go… the little things. Maintenance check-ups, as I like to call them. I’m not usually talking to anyone right before. I say a prayer before the National Anthem singer and then my eyes are locked on what’s going on in front of me.
“Athletes, are we ready? Athletes, on your mark…”
The horn goes off and I’m waiting those few minutes before I’m at the start line. And then, I’m off. The pacer for 1:30 is literally right behind me. I didn’t mean to stand in front of him because I know they usually push the pace early on to average a few seconds or minutes under 1:30 and I just don’t want to be pushed (again). I make my way over to the side and watch the huge group follow the pacers. The air is definitely muggy. I can feel it on my skin already as we make the turn heading to the mile 1 marker. I’m pacing it well — holding 6:58-7:00 pace at the start, right where I want to be.
Once we leave Prospect Park and the rolling hills, I take a deep breath. I pass the first 5K mile marker and look at my watch: 21:35.
I laugh internally for a second there. I ran a 5K the morning of my friend’s wedding in Florida a few weeks ago, and was close to the same time. Oh, the adrenaline on race day.
I’m on pace, my breathing feels good. Let’s cruise.
We make the turn to Brooklyn Bridge and a wave of excitement rushes over me. Iconic. First time in race HISTORY. THE Brooklyn Bridge.
I can see it up ahead. Well… kinda. I can kind of make out the shape of it but the fog is so heavy, it’s hidden for the most part. I have no time to be disappointed because I’m so focused on conserving energy going up this hill. I realize my cadence is quickening and my pace is picking up, but it feels really good right here. I start passing a lot of people and stay to the left of the bridge so that I’m not weaving. Once it flattens out on the bridge, I let out a sigh of relief. Here comes the fun part… the nice downhill.
I take this downhill way faster than I anticipated, but I can hear God telling me to push it. I can control it right here. So I do. All the way to FDR Drive.
10K mile marker — 6:55 pace.
The updated text from Bobby comes through my headphones and my eyes widen. This is 6:55 pace? And it doesn’t hurt? I started to quicken my steps even more here between miles 6-9.
15K mile marker — 6:56 pace.
Oh, I’m definitely feeling great.
Mile 10: The Start of the Deadly Inclines
Over the past 3 years, that’s what I’ve called them. As soon as you leave FDR Drive and head to Grand Central, you start to feel the slow and steady inclines from mile 10 all the way to the finish.
I look around me as we make the turn from FDR Drive and the crowds come into view. There are two girls I’ve been watching who have been running in front of me since the Brooklyn Bridge. They’re shorter, like me — and their form looks superb. I’m eyeing their footing and breathing to gauge if they’re tired yet. I can’t tell. All I do know is how smooth their form looks and how fast they’re going. I’m impressed — and that’s all I remember from mile 10, because before I know it, I’m making my way to Times Square. One of my favorite parts of this race.
Now, I don’t usually pull out my phone during races because I’m dialed in, but every year, THIS is the one time where I’ll push myself to get my phone out and capture this Times Square moment. At least for 15 seconds, max. It’s an epic moment to look back on and watch again and again on my camera roll. I groan. My legs are starting to feel heavy. But I soak it all in — the bright lights, the cheering, the crowds. Does this moment ever get old?
My one-and-done filming for the race is done. The phone is back behind my back in my sports bra and I’m locked in again, making my way up another incline to mile 11. This part hurts — I can feel it in my calves, but I keep pushing because right around the corner and down the long stretch to Grand Army Plaza is our cheer zone: Bobby and my friends / family are all waiting at the end to cheer me on.
I turn the corner and pause my music. I want to soak in all the noise. The cheering is so loud here and I’m beaming ear-to-ear. My pace picks up on this nice downhill. I lean over towards the right because I know they’ll be there at the end before the turn. And as always, I spot them.
This year, my brothers and sisters-in-law came out to support. It was their first time watching a race, and I was so excited for them to experience the magic of racing in New York City. I first hear my friend Tatum’s shout. She’s waving and shouting my name. I lock eyes on everyone — Tatum, Bobby, Elisabeth, Mark, and Glenn. Seeing them made my heart so happy. I didn’t realize how fast I was cruising in this moment because as soon as I turned the corner heading to mile 12, my legs felt shot.
Mile 12… to the finish:
This part of the race is my least favorite. I always feel it here, entering Central Park. The painful incline before the next split. I realize I’m running out of gas, so I scoot over to the side and stop to drink some Gatorade. It’s okay, you can pick it up at the finish, I tell myself as I toss the Gatorade and force myself to keep going.
I look around me. People are hurting. People look determined. It’s the grit on their faces that is inspiring me. A few minutes on the clock. Give it all you’ve got.
The 800m sign came into view. And… if you read the beginning, then you know how it ends.
Takeaway:
I’m still in shock at what happened this past Sunday.
I’ve been receiving so many messages from strangers on the Internet asking about my running journey, what pace I started at when I first started running, my shoe recommendations, and a multitude of things that excite me to answer them.
Besides hitting my goal, the best part of this past weekend was the time spent with family. My brother, who recently got into running and just ran his first half marathon this past weekend, got to witness firsthand what it looks like to stay consistent in something / put in the hard work and see the results. My sister, who is a 4th year OBGYN resident and lives the medical field life / barely has time for anything or proper sleep, also ran this race and PR’ed her half marathon time. I’ve always been so in awe of her ability to keep fighting in the toughest conditions that life has thrown her way — in and out of the hospital.
I’m walking away from this weekend overjoyed, and yet so grounded. I’m understanding more and more that this is part of God’s plan for me. He has truly given me the gift of storytelling and running to share my testimony with the world. I know this isn’t over. There’s so much more in store…
Jersey City Half, you’re next!
My favorite part of all of this is the mental grit you needed to even get to the start line. I remember you being so disheartened from workouts after having just come off a marathon. You kept showing up- despite the cold, the stress of nothing "clicking", all of it- and this was the reward. A good reminder next time things feel tough!