MARCH MADNESS HALF MARATHON
RUN : 13.1 // 2:56:20 / AVE PACE=13:26 / 4R:1W
The alarm went off at 4am. DD and I planned to leave my house around 5. It was cold and frosty out when I warmed up the car. I printed out the map on mapquest. As we got closer, we got a little off track -not our fault of course -damn directions. We stopped at a gas station to clarify where we were. I was putting gas in the car while DD ran inside. The attendant immediately thru up her hands signalling she was no help. So DD asked the other person in the store who was apparently still trying to get home after celebrating St. Pat's Day. No help. We were so far ahead of schedule we took our chances. At 630, we got there with plenty of time to spare.As we pulled in to park, we noticed the temperature was only 20.
We went into the HS gym and picked up my packet. As we waited for the race to begin, I began realizing how far that I was out of my league. These were front and middle pack runners. No back of the packers like me. I ran into IRON SNOOPY and Moose. (They looked awesome in matching tights). They are training for Ironman Louisville so fit this race into their training schedule. We hit the Port-a-Pots and it was time to line up. I knew I was in the wrong race when the pace mile markers to line up ended at 9 min/mile. I was shooting for a 13:40 pace.
The course was considered to be a 8 out of 10 with 10 being the hardest. I heard there were a few challenging hills. The course of the Pig has hills so I thought that was a good thing. The first 3 miles cruised by with 12:43,12:59, 12:46 on the watch. When getting ready to go down a rather large downhill we realized the 10 mile marker was at the top of the hill. Damn- we'll have to go back up it. Now we came to the challenging part. The next miles were 13:22,13:07, 13:50,13:45 and 13:53. I felt comfortable but with not much more to give. DD is a faster runner but hung with me for support. She looked so smooth and comfortable. In this section of the course we saw a most unusual sight. The woman in front of us with a red ball hat with wings had pulled over to the bushes but was for some reason trying to poop in a bag. That's a first. Up ahead, I could see a man with orange shorts. I could not let him or the lady running behind him beat me. No reason why just because. Next miles were mainly up with that large hill at 10. Splits were 13:47,13:45, then 11:46 to the finish. Thanks DD for all your support-I couldn't have done it without you.
The alarm went off at 4am. DD and I planned to leave my house around 5. It was cold and frosty out when I warmed up the car. I printed out the map on mapquest. As we got closer, we got a little off track -not our fault of course -damn directions. We stopped at a gas station to clarify where we were. I was putting gas in the car while DD ran inside. The attendant immediately thru up her hands signalling she was no help. So DD asked the other person in the store who was apparently still trying to get home after celebrating St. Pat's Day. No help. We were so far ahead of schedule we took our chances. At 630, we got there with plenty of time to spare.As we pulled in to park, we noticed the temperature was only 20.
We went into the HS gym and picked up my packet. As we waited for the race to begin, I began realizing how far that I was out of my league. These were front and middle pack runners. No back of the packers like me. I ran into IRON SNOOPY and Moose. (They looked awesome in matching tights). They are training for Ironman Louisville so fit this race into their training schedule. We hit the Port-a-Pots and it was time to line up. I knew I was in the wrong race when the pace mile markers to line up ended at 9 min/mile. I was shooting for a 13:40 pace.
The course was considered to be a 8 out of 10 with 10 being the hardest. I heard there were a few challenging hills. The course of the Pig has hills so I thought that was a good thing. The first 3 miles cruised by with 12:43,12:59, 12:46 on the watch. When getting ready to go down a rather large downhill we realized the 10 mile marker was at the top of the hill. Damn- we'll have to go back up it. Now we came to the challenging part. The next miles were 13:22,13:07, 13:50,13:45 and 13:53. I felt comfortable but with not much more to give. DD is a faster runner but hung with me for support. She looked so smooth and comfortable. In this section of the course we saw a most unusual sight. The woman in front of us with a red ball hat with wings had pulled over to the bushes but was for some reason trying to poop in a bag. That's a first. Up ahead, I could see a man with orange shorts. I could not let him or the lady running behind him beat me. No reason why just because. Next miles were mainly up with that large hill at 10. Splits were 13:47,13:45, then 11:46 to the finish. Thanks DD for all your support-I couldn't have done it without you.
The course elevation from my Garmin
I was happy with how I did. I hoped to finish in under 3 hours . I started even after being so intimidated at the beginning. I will never do this race again though. There is no back of the pack support. At one point we were running in a neighborhood and thought we had lost the race. No cones, arrows or other people. The times were incredible. DD and I had a great long run and it was enjoyable.Our celebration lunch that we discussed often during the run was at California Pizza kitchen. It was so worth it. The wild mushroom pizza was great.
Waddling with sore legs.........
10 comments:
Good job!!
And yikes! They didn't have any pace markers beyond 9min/mi?!?!?
You deserved that celebration pizza at the end. Sounds yummy.
That's awesome! You broke 3 hours - congratulations!
Congrats on the 3 hours and on surviving the hills.... not to mention the temperatures.
Awesome job!! That time was pretty darn good for those hills!!! Congrats!! You met your goal, and after a stressful week! Take care!
P.S. Thanks for adding me to your blogger family.
Nice job! Congrats on hitting your goal! It is unfortunate that the support was lacking.
Great job on a hilly course...wow, what a profile from your Garmin!!
You showed good consistency on your splits and the 4/1 ratio seemed to fit well for you.
Doesn't it feel good to get a half under your belt?? And how cool to have a friend pull you along!
Coupled with your good long run last week, I think you are getting in good shape for the Pig.
Way to go!
YAY YOU!
You did GREAT! That was the toughtest race course I have ever been on, and for you to come in sub 3:00 on that -- you are on track for a 5:59:59 at the Pig!
Congratulations on a fine race!
Finally,I would like to point out that neither Moose nor I realized we had matching tights on until you pointed it out. It was not on purpose. :)
Congratulations! I can't believe those hills! It sounds like your celebration was well deserved. *High fives*
Congratulations--you were shooting for 3 hours, and you came under! Good pacing. I hate when there's no back of the pack support. I once had to follow the dumpsters that were picking up the trash at the (closed) water stops to find my way along the route.
Post a Comment