Location: Memorial –> George R. Brown
Distance: 13 miles
Temp: 88

• Got to Memorial Park at about 5:50am.  The park was already crowded with a mix of marathon training groups and preparations for the HARRA Party in the Park at 8am. 
• We did our 2 mile warmup via Crestwood –> Blossom –> Jackson Hill.   As usual, I brought up the rear, this time with Maureen and Randi.   Blossom was busy - we must have passed 5-6 packs of runners from various running groups.  Caught up with the faster SMARTies at Jackson Hill, stretched, then Heather explained the two routes for the morning: 13 miles vs 8 miles.  
• I felt pretty good the first 6 miles.  It was hot, but not like last week's run.  At the halfway point, we slipped into the GRB hotel for some water and to stand in the wonderfully chilly lobby. 
• Heading back, I started struggling between miles 7 and 8, so I took some Gu and water - I think this is where I lost my hat (see below).  By mile 8, I had fallen about 50 meters behind Randi.  It wasn't comfortable, but I knew I could make it through. 
• Right after I crossed Waugh, I looked down at my fuel belt and realized my hat was gone!!  :(  I had attached it to my belt during the warmup, and was planning to wear it when it got sunnier.  I felt terrible because it was a gift from some friends who had recently visited NYC.   I turned around to jog back up Allen Parkway, checking along the path for my hat.  I returned to the spot where I had pulled out my Gu and water bottle near Eleanor Tinsley, but no luck.    I knew I had it at the Hilton next to the Convention Center….but I wasn't prepared to turn my 13 miles into 18+ by jogging back through Downtown.  So, I headed back to the park.  :( 
• On the way back, I saw Vic doing his long run.  Yay Vic! 
• I tried to pick up the pace on the way back down Allen Parkway, but it wiped me out.  I started doing walk breaks at Memorial/Shepherd and stopped in the Shell station to refill with cold water.   I continued my run/walk/run/walk back to the Park, and decided to skip the 2-3 mile cooldown and just walked back to my car.  bleh.   Surprisingly, my actual mileage was just below 13 (12.92), thanks to my hat-searching time.  
• At the Party in the Park, I saw June (yay!) and Jessica.  Yay!

If you happen to see my hat, it is: white, dri-fit cap with "NYC Half Marathon" printed on it.  It looks like the hat below, but the letters are in lime green letters.  There's also a green apple printed on the side.  Please contact me if you happen to see it on Allen Parkway.   *sigh*