My first ever 'winter race'

I didn't want to go into a lot of detail in my last post about the Cedar's Frost bite 1/2 because the focus of my recap was more for Sherry than it was about the race itself. So here is more of some thoughts leading up to / during the race

I convinced Ashley to do this race with me about a week ago, so I knew I'd have some company on the drive. I'd like to think I have mad persuasive skills considering I convinced a co-worker I just met, Jack, to run this race only days before- he had to pay the late fee- a whopping $13. 

We all car pooled together, and despite each of us having different goals for the race, warmed up together. Although I'm an excellent stretcher, I normally don't warm up so this was a nice change of pace--- especially since it was 24 degrees and windy, I needed the extra warmth from blood flow. 

Photo repeat - Before warming up 

The Good

• race was semi-local- 45ish minute drive
• Registration was $6 sans shirt and medal. Technically it was $8.50 after text, but still a great steal
• Everyone there seemed to be FAST. If you like competition, and passing people, this is the race for you. 
• Small race, about 600, so no overcrowding
• They had the walkers start 1 hour before the runners- so no people to trip over right when the gun goes off. 
• free pizza afterward... and coke. I LOVE a little bit of coke after a long run, rarely get to do it. 
• had an indoor center that shielded us from freezing temps before and after race. 
• despite a hard race and walking a ton in the end, still a descent time- 1:53:47
• First race I ran for a purpose- For Sherry 

The Bad

• start time 11am- great for sleeping in, difficult for figuring out what to eat and then it taking up a large part of your day because you finish later than what you're used to 
• during the trails it was single file and it took a LOT of effort to pass- had to zig zag from one side of the trail to the next in order to do so. 
• the weather- low 20s and windchill. I actually ran in tights, long sleeve, and gloves- only removed the gloves sometime into mile 3. My body likes the cold, but it makes my nose run and I had to stop frequently to blow my nose ( i've tried running and blowing.... apparently that needs to be worked on along with my talking and running)
• scenery was boring and depressing
• no spectators and only 3 water stops--- I actually don't need spectators, and the 3 stops were fine considering the conditions, but if you are the type of person who needs these two items, bad move to do this race

The Ugly

• the whole first half of the race--long hills on uneven gravel and potholes My legs haven't been this beat up since the crappy terrain of the Mississippi Blues 1/2. Finally got a break  sometime after mile 6 
• No idea if it was mental or if my body really did give up, but shortly after Ashley passed me around  mile 9.5ish, I just died. I was freezing and my legs were so sore WHILE running (normally get sore afterward) that I decided to walk every so often. 
• 2 mile stretch at the end of upward hills running along the highway- I hate when I can see forever in the distance of where I'm trying to run to.... especially when I'm exhausted. 
• To sum it up--- HARDEST 1/2 on my body in a LONG time. My hamstrings are actually sore, and they NEVER get sore.

Although the race was difficult, I'm glad to get some serious hill and uneven terrain  training under my belt. It reconfirmed how important it is to have tissues handy, as well as updating my ipod so when a motivating song comes on, my body will respond positively. 

Considering the conditions, we all did well-  me just under 1:54, Ashley just under 1:51, and Jack with the big win and a new PR- 1:34. He's training to qualify for Boston 2013, a 3:05 marathon time, so although we ran together on Thursday, he's WAY out of my league for everyday training runs. 

The numbers

Mile 1- 7:46 (was aiming for an 8:30- way off pace)
Mile 2- 8:07
Mile 3- 8:47
Mile 4- 8:12
Mile 5- 8:34
Mile 6- 7:56 (woo off the trails)
Mile 7- 8:47
Mile 8-8:55
Mile 9- 8:03 (Du Hast came on play list and gave me some running mojo)
and then some serious walking
Mile10- 9:14
Mile11- 9:51
Mile12- 9:42
Mile 13- 9:13
Mile.12- 6:05

Cedar's Frostbite half Marathon- My Run for Sherry

If you're a runner (and hopefully even if you're aren't) then I'm sure you're aware of the tragedy that happened to fellow runner Sherry Arnold.
Beth and the rest of her family organized a nationwide remembrance virtual run for Sherry on February 11 and I knew I wanted to pay homage and take part in this event.

Since I'm slowly trying to build up my mileage base to better survive my ultra relay in May, I thought it would be perfect to run the Cedar's Frost Bite 1/2 marathon as both a training and a remembrance run. 

Saturday it was an out of ordinary balmy 24 degrees with a chill-to-the-bone wind mixed in-- LOVELY. Luckily I tricked got 2 people to tag along for race so at least I wouldn't suffer alone

Thanks Jack and Ashley!

Ash and I pinned our Sherry bibs on our back and I had quite a few people throughout the race comment as they were passing me. 

Lately my calves have been giving me a lot of issues with constantly tightening up- knowing that this course was hilly, I just wanted to start out slow and keep a steady pace to enjoy the run and remember why I was out there this morning. 

Since I wasn't "racing" I didn't bother to look at my garmin to see what my pace was until mile 7. The first half of the race was HARD. The course was inside a state park which meant rocky and uneven terrain. If you have weak ankles or hips, this is not a run for you. Miles 3,4,5 were spent on a 2 lane single file trail. When you needed to pass someone you had to zig zag over the pebble median to the small uneven patch of "runnable terrain" - don't get me started on the hills

although in this photo it looks flat, its actually a slow and painful uphill 

Although I was already tired and my body hated me, I think the reason I kept pushing through was I kept reminding myself that I am fortunate enough to be here on this morning to run.  I am lucky to be alive, to breathe in this fresh air when others like Sherry don't have that opportunity anymore. 

After the trails my legs rejoiced to be running on normal pavement and to have some flat surface to run on. 

Like I said earlier I looked at my garmin at mile 7--- 7 miles is one of those mile markers where I  kind of pace where I'll  finish on what the clock says. I normally hit 7 miles right at 1 hour or 1 hour and 1 minute---- regardless of the finished outcome, this seems to be pretty routine for me. Today I was surprised to see 58 minutes. 

I guess when you run for something greater than yourself, you don't realize when you're going faster than you had told yourself you would.  If I kept up this pace I would totally PR, but since that wasn't my gameplan for today, I would evaluate if at mile 10 I was 1:22 or lower.

Sometime around mile 9.5ish Ashley caught up to me looking strong, where I was starting to struggle and my legs just kept feeling heavier and heavier. I watched as she passed and kept getting farther and farther away. Shortly after, I hit the mile 10 marker at a 1:24 and my body made the decision for me that the last 3 miles were going to be slow... like really slow.

Mile 11 and 12 were a L-O-N-G steady uphill that was boring and made me feel like a little kid repeating over and over in my head "are we done yet" --- didn't help that I walked a lot which obviously makes the time tick by that much longer. 

FINALLY we turned back into the park for the final mile and as much as I wanted to just be done, I reminded myself once again that this wasn't a run for me --- this was for a greater purpose and I was just thankful to be part of such an amazing running community (even if a large part of it is virtual) who all came together on one day to run in memory of a woman who was taken from this world far too early during one of her daily runs. 

Total race time 1:53:47

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