Scenic City 1/2 recap (Race #1 for 13 in 2013 Challenge)

Here it is the end of  February and I'm just now finishing my first half marathon in 2013 for Jill's 13 in 2013 challenge. I blame the whole 'no working out' first 3 weeks of January + then trying to hopefully to gain some of my stamina back before attempting to run a race of any considerable distance. 

Half Marathon # 43
TN 1/2 # 6
Time: 1:49:21

Originally my first race of the year planned was for this upcoming weekend in Vegas, however I just felt wrong going 2 WHOLE months with no races, so I started looking around for something driveable toward end of February. Chattanooga is only a 2 hour drive + the race is the last weekend in February so it maximized how much I could build back base before having to push myself.

Want to know how to tell when you register for too many races around the same time? When you arrive at packet pickup and you find out you didn't register for this race--- YUP, that HAPPENED.  The real embarrassing part was that I had scoped this out in early January, planned to do it with one of my gfs, but she  backed out and I managed to convince my friend Bryan to sign up the week prior letting him know I was already good to go. Registration closed on Wednesday, so with no way to officially sign up, I decided to bandit run and then drop out before the finish line so at least I could run a half mary and get the miles in. 

I never sleep that great in hotels, so 6am wake up call came way too soon. We slowly started getting ready and then went downstairs for free breakfast (race day first not doing my traditional lara bars) I think I have died and gone to pancake laziness heaven <insert photos here>

They were delicious and ended up being just the perfect amount of food for the race, not once did I get hungry.

The Start:

• Original plan was to get to start area around 7:15 so Bryan could do his traditional 45 min race warm up / stretches, buuuuuuuuuuuuut that didnt' happen and we go there around 7:40- minimally stretched, and walked over to the crowded start.

• Small race- 1500 or so participants with standard 7min/ pace, 8min/ pace 9 min/ pace etc paceholders to help determine where to start in the cluster of a corral.  I settled in the 8 min / pace knowing I'd slow down but at least would allow me to get a comfortable start. Had zero idea about pacing since I have been running more frequently, but keeping the runs shorter (1 8 miler and a bunch of 4-6 milers) I went into the race thinking it would be "cool" to break 1:50-- no game plan or strategy, just see how my body reacted and hang on as long as I could.
• Although the weather was PERFECT temps at start high 40s/ low 50s, I kept my throwaway on so it wouldn't be obvious that I didn't have a bib. I was sweating just standing there waiting for the start, so I knew it would only last me 1 mile before I finally said goodbye to my trusty purple fleece I rocked for Idaho and Portland

so long old friend :( 

The Race

• Within seriously 2 min of starting the race I was burning up and decided that the jacket would have to come off right at mile 1, which it did. 
• I'm traditionally always a 7:30 first mile girl- its what comes natural when I want to get a good start but not feeling like I'm dying, unfortunately I can't keep that pace up so I've been trying to be conservative and slowly back off the first few miles so my pace won't be all over the place--- mile 1: 7:42, mile 2: 7:43--- perfect. 
• Right after mile 2 a girl in front of me ran over to her boyfriend who then got down on one knee and proposed..... at mile 2? Why not wait till later in the race bud? Aside from that, the only thing of note was the constant uphills- there were 2 downhills in the first few miles of the race, then all up the remaining. 
• By mile 3 I was done-- I was wheezing like a fat kid in gym class and I just felt uncomfortable. My legs were carrying me, but my lungs were working as if I was at mile 12, NOT at the 5k mark. I somehow managed to get lost in thought a few times and ever though I thought I was going to keel over, I didn't stop and walk--- woo huge accomplishment. 
• Mile 6 I decided to take a gel in hopes to get my energy up a bit.... I'm telling you now I am SOLD on  Cliff double expresso. I took this bad boy (first time trying it) and within 15 min I was a new woman 

• Miles 6.5ish-9 were amazing- although I wasn't super speedy, I felt like "me" again- lighter on my feet, better form, controlled breathing, and actually happy out to be racing. I actually passed a guy and while doing so he said "not fair, you make these hills look effortlessly!" haha. Although I don't love hills, they are a part of every outdoor run I do (not by choice, but by topography of where I live) That being said, just because I run them a lot, doesn't mean they're easy, it still sucks, however I just bounce back quicker. 
• Although its called scenic city, the course wasn't very scenic--- this is about as good as it got:

• Mile 10 breaks came off. For those of you who remember my little heart problem I experienced last winter- well I had an episode around 10.5. No I didn't pass out and wake up in the arms of a man carrying me this go round, but my heart did feel like it was going to explode out of my chest so I had to stop and walk- dang. 
• Unfortunately the walking didn't help completely, but it did calm my heart down, so the rest of the race I had to dial back my pace. 
• I knew Bryan would finish about 1 mile before me so at mile 12 I texted him to see how the finish line was (i was debating on crossing line and just not taking medal)- he let me know they were announcing  names as they crossed so that i should in fact bow out. Luckily I had been taking corners wide so i could run off tangent and gain some distance well before finish line. 
• I hit 13.1 right after turning a corner and seeing the finish line in view- walked off the course, toward finish line and Bryan. Was THRILLED to look at my watch and see 1:49:21. I don't have my garmin to show total time first screen (have to click on 2nd screen), so I was shocked that I broke 1:50 despite my inconsistencies and hating the last 2.5 miles. 

This is my 3rd race I've banditted (first was Air Force to pace my brother as they were sold out, 2nd was air force when I had to drop down from full to 1/2 and they wouldn't let me) 

43rd malf marathon to date

Mile 1: 7:45
Mile 2: 7:42
Mile 3: 8:01
Mile 4: 8:18
Mile 5: 8:32
Mile 6: 8:29
Mile 7: 8:24
Mile 8: 7:59
Mile 9: 8:39
Mile 10: 8:18
Mile 11: 8:57
Mile 12: 9:05
Mile 13: 8:37
.1 8:50

Overall I'm pleased with my legs holding up (although they were incredibly sore, calves and hips, afterward). My stamina definitely needs some work as expected. Last year at this time I was in the midst of trying to break 1:50, and since I did that with ease this race, I'm really looking forward to what later in the year will bring.

The race is a small no frills, great for hill training, but very boring. I wouldn't drive 2 hours again to run it, but would be idea to add to schedule if your nearby Chattanooga

I leave today for San Diego then Vegas to do the Caveman March 1/2 on Saturday- hills galore and higher altitude so i'm not sure what to expect, but at least I have a better understanding of where my fitness is. 

Run for the Buds (DE) Race Recap

As much as my body hates me afterward, I really do enjoy double headers! This weekend I was knocking off DE and NJ (DENJ) with my constant travel buddy Kim, and the long awaited meeting of Alma. Prior to this race, Delaware was one of those states I was about as excited to go to as Iowa or Nebraska. All I kept thinking about was Wayne's World when they're doing the traveling to cool places montage video and then they get to Delaware (I may or may not have quoted it several times when we were in transit from Philly to DE)

To my unexpected surprise, Delaware actually broke into my top 5 most scenic / perfect weather races... not to mention I had a blast. Who knew? Our race was in Wilmington, so I highly recommend flying into Philly and making the 45 minute drive into DE to save some $$ on your flight.

Race:

Run for the Buds 1/2 Marathon

State #34

This race actually raised money for the Down Syndrome Association of Delaware. They had a 'bud run' where all those who had down syndrome were paired up with a a bud to make sure they completed their race (5k or shorter) and everyone got medals. It was neat to actually see how much support the community had for those living or affected with down syndrome, and the turnout was much bigger than I originally thought. 

Me, Alma, Kim

Despite the frigid cold temps early in the morning (high 30s), once in the sun it was actually PERFECT fall running temps by the time race started - 9am. Kim's cousin, Steve, made the commute from VA early in the morning to come cheer us on and be our personal photographer for the day. As an added bonus, that meant we could hold on to our long sleeves as long as humanly possible (I love running practically naked, but I'm a wuss when it comes to standing around)

Kim and Alma had decided they were going to run together, which left me solo with my music (I actually have a hard time racing with people so this was fine by me) I had very little expectations of myself for this race. This would be my first time running a longish distance in my new shoes, as well as the first time really pushing myself due to knee issues in 1.5 months. The night before we were looking at the year prior's results and it looked like there was a possibility that all 3 of us could place in our age groups if we ran descent (they did it by 20s, 30s, 40s etc). Spoiler alert we each placed 9th or 10th in our respective age group. 

The first 5k of the race was an out and back that (pretty uneventful)we also ran with those who were doing the 5k--- they got to go back to finish line, we got to be diverted to another path which actually took us on MANY out and backs throughout the rest of the race. Normally this would annoy me, however this time it was nice because 

A.) it allowed for plenty of opportunities to see Kim and Alma / get some action shots of myself for a change

 B.) The scenery so beautiful - plenty of paths alongside water, changing leaves, and some trails thrown in the mix

Despite the fact that the weather was pristine and the scenery was pleasant- the race wasn't all sunshine and unicorns.. infact not even half way through I was hating life. Apparently when you take time off you lose a little something call stamina. Common sense right?? Tell that to my legs- they wanted to go fast but my lungs just couldn't keep. First 3 miles were 7:40, 7:50, 8:00 and the pattern kept going up and up and up.

About halfway through I could feel my heart beating rapidly through my chest that I was forced to take several mini breathers. Normally I would shrug this off as just being "out of shape"- but the truth is I still somewhat ran at least 1x week and did bootcamp, so it's not like I've been lazy in the last month. The last thing I want is another episode of me passing out on the run again- although waking up in someone's arms rescuing me isn't so bad ;)

This pattern of me running until I could no longer breathe pretty much continued the rest of the race. At mile 10 we were so lucky enough to pass by the finish line only to  have to do the out and back 5k again--- I was hot, there was no more shade, and for whatever reason my right quad / hip was tightening up (hindsight is I think I'm so worried about my knee I was compensating)

By the time I was nearing the finish line there was no one in front or behind me within reachable distance, so my finish line experience was pretty uneventful. I grabbed my water and goodie bag, stretched, and munched while waiting for Kim and Alma to finish

water, apple, mini oranges, pretzel, pb and j sandwich... minus the apple I ate it all! 

Alma and Kim (being an airplane) rounding out to the finish

unfortunately I caught them after they stopped holding hands. 

My official time was 1:54:04- although its not a bad time, its frustrating because it is the SAME EXACT time I ran in Iowa when I gave up miles 2-8 then turned it on again the last 5 miles. There was no "turning it on" during this race... just a slow progression of increased time. 

Despite not feeling the best, there were a lot of perks with this race:

• Start time of 9am- it was incredibly cold in the morning so it was nice to have it be manageable by the time the race went off. I wouldn't have been upset if it started at 8am... but 7am in Delaware might be a bit much
• Scenery- so much to look at- great for photos
• Powerade gels at every station--- I was able to try (and love) their double latte. I may have kept some to power me through day 2. 
• Volunteers were amazing. We spoke to one of the main race officials for a few minutes before the race- she even took our photo since she was impressed we came all that way for a race
• 5 minutes after you finished you could go over to one of the laptops and type in your bib number to see your official time and placing 
• Bling (picture doesn't do it justice)

• Weather was PERFECT low 50s- last 2 miles I was hot, but considering how much I heat up when I run, I'll take it. 
• Great backdrop for photos (3 diff poses for diff cameras)

Kim showing 15, Alma doing hang 10, me showing 34

The famous celebrity pose 

Definitely my favorite... definitely. 

So Delaware was proof that you can not run that great, but still enjoy yourself. The company and my surroundings made up for the fact that I thought my lungs were going to explode. 

If you are racing the states, there really aren't too many options to run for Delaware. I know a real popular one is in December, but who wants to run on the East Coast in December. I HIGHLY recommend the Run for the Buds if you're wanting to do a half here. 

Next up Day 2 of double header- NJ