Lincoln Tunnel Challenge 5K?

jlsAhava

Hi All,
I was just wondering if anyone else is planning to do the Lincoln Tunnel Challenge on 4/17. It'll be my first 5K and I'm really looking forward to it!

Atlantique

Hi All,
I was just wondering if anyone else is planning to do the Lincoln Tunnel Challenge on 4/17. It'll be my first 5K and I'm really looking forward to it!

Good luck!

Hope you're doing some hill runs in your prep, as all the bridge and tunnel runs are downhill for half and uphill for half. It's not generally a steep grade, but it's consistent and sustained.

Years ago, I ran the Cooper River Bridge Run in Charleston SC and a lot of the locals had difficulty because they were training on flat ground only as that' what you find in a coastal town. Lots of them just flat out stopped within the first mile (which is uphill).

The uphill half (which I'm guessing will be the second half in the tunnel) is hard on your muscles and your lungs.

The downhill half is easier on your lungs, but it's still hard on your body. If you think about it, running is halting your body's falling through space. It falls farther with each step when going downhill, which means it's also hard on your muscles and bones. It's best to still try to have your feet landing UNDER you, not OUT IN FRONT of you on the downhill as a bent leg underneath you is the safest way to absorb all that shock.

I'd try to get some hill repeats in one day a week as you prep for this race.

jlsAhava

Thanks for the info! I had no idea! Will definitely keep that in mind as I continue to prepare!

Atlantique

Thanks for the info! I had no idea! Will definitely keep that in mind as I continue to prepare!

You're welcome! It was a big surprise to me as well on that first bridge run. I just got lucky that I was living in a very hilly city at the time and doing hill repeats already!:blushing:

It's going to be a challenging race, but that makes it all the sweeter when you finish it! :glasses:

jlsAhava

Bumping, since I posted this earlier in the day while many potential runners may have been at work.