When Sabine Bellevue from “Sabine's Hallway Natural hair Salon” told me what she was going to do for New Year's Eve, I was immediately super excited. The lady marathon runner was planning to start the new year, how could it be otherwise, running!
And this wasn’t a metaphor. The group “The New York Road Runners (NYRR)” has been organizing the #MidnightRun in Central Park since 1978. Up until now it was always three miles, but luckily for me there was an extra one this year. Well, for two years, ever since my knee failed me, I haven’t even jogged a mile properly, let alone four miles.
I was lucky though, because Sabine who was also struggling with an injury, planned to run the race instead of running. Running four miles was no problem for me I thought, because I love running and since I quit the gym I have even started running a lot more. A super fun way to start the new year, or so I thought.
The Midnight Run is a really great event to do. It starts with live music and a costume party at 10pm. And yes, these people run the race in costume. Seriously, I witnessed this with my own eyes. Participants can also write down their New Year’s resolution on a wall, which is aptly named #ResolveToRun wall.
Sabine in style! by the Resolve2run Wall
When I heard about the #MidnightRun on the day before the last day of the year, I didn't know about all these extra fun activities. Unfortunately, I couldn't really prepare myself for it.
When I was told on the day of the race at 9:30 pm that I had scored a ticket and that I had to get my number before 10:30, I quickly put on two layers of sportswear to be on time. My goal was to make it to the start and not freeze to death before the race. It was winter after all.
That was probably my last good decision of last year. Although I initially thought I could have come up with a cooler sports outfit, I was very happy with my double layer of clothing once in the park.
Sabine, who has done this run seven times and has also run several marathons, see (Natural Hair Salon owner Sabine Bellevue from runs her 4th Marathon) gave me a full tour, from the stage where there were performances to the #Run2Solve wall and where there was cool stuff to get.
The atmosphere was great! Everyone was cheerful, in a wonderfully cozy New Year's mood. The music inspiring. Entire families were there, some in pajamas and others in crazy costumes. From fathers as batman to children in the latest super hero outfits.
At exactly 12 midnight the fireworks show started. What a beautiful sight that was. In the dark park, between the branches of the trees, the beautiful colours of the splashing fireworks revealed themselves in the sky. At that moment the #MidnightRun also started. Suddenly everything happened at once. While I tried Facebook Live, the fireworks crackled in my ears, the colours splashed in the sky, music burst from the speakers we walked past and the almost 5,000 participants started the race. The fireworks lasted for 15 minutes. Sabine and I had made a good start by then. We were walking happily.
There was more than enough water along the way and at the half way point, at the two mile mark, even some very appropriate Apple Cider to drink to ring in the New Year.
The owner of Sabine's Natural Hair Salon couldn't resist going for a run after the third mile, despite her injury. There was no doubt in my mind that I could do it. After all, it was only a mile, shouldn't be a problem, I thought.
Just after I had praised the weather gods for the wonderfully mild winter weather, I felt a drop of hail. The little girl, from the tropical republic of Suriname, was not even afraid that her hair would get wet, but that it would melt. Hail, mi Gado! Where could I shelter? Where was a boropasi home?
In all honesty it was really not that bad. After about 5 minutes it was over, but somehow the run had suddenly become horribly hard.
I don't know if it was because I had to stop twice to tie my shoelaces, or just because I'm completely out of shape, but I could barely do it.
I had to do everything I could to keep going. Completely out of breath, I started running slower and slower, my throat felt super dry. I considered stopping and walking. Instead, I switched off my mind and just let my legs go automatically.
Sabine, who had now also slowed down to my snail's pace, encouraged me. Despite the fact that I said "Don't wait for me, just go!" she continued to jog beside me with her angelic patience. No, she said, I have to take it easy myself. That poor child. I didn't like that I was holding her up. My body was so much fitter in my head, I told her.
So we finally ran together to the finish of the #MidnightRun 2017. I still had enough energy to throw my hands in the air as if I were Usain Bolt breaking yet another world record, but I was exhausted.
After catching my breath and doing a little victory dance, I was ready for the return trip. My body was exhausted. I had no legs left.
On the way back I didn't envy the ladies on the train. I knew exactly how they felt, at least as tired as I was, but much less satisfied, with sore feet and pinching shoes. Been there done that.
When I woke up the next day my body was still intact, my legs were completely ok and I felt great! I spontaneously started the year with something new, something I had never done before, with a healthy choice and I started 2017 running!
Oh, and don’t forget, I’ve even broken a few records; I’m the first in my family to do this race, the first woman in my family to do this, the first in my household to do this, and I’m in the very first group of 4,964 runners to complete the four-mile race for the first time. Is that a good start or what? Another goal accomplished in the first few hours of the year!
You understand, I am completely ready for 2017. The webshop with Hair products for Kinky and Curly Hair is open and the first Going Natural event Black Follicles Matter, an exhibition starts on February 1st not far from me in beautiful Brooklyn. Keep an eye on the agenda because there is much more fun to come.
A happy and healthy 2017!
