Officially, my weekend started at lunch Friday when I decided to carbo-load at Five Guys Burgers and Fries with my friend, and fellow runner, Jenny. I love their fries absolutely soaked in malt vinegar. I've had this meal prior to several half marathons and it's worked well. Here's hoping...
The Centerpoint Half Marathon was scheduled to start at 7:00 but was delayed about 10 minutes. I think this was an omen of things to come. It was 35 degrees, the sun was NOT shining, and there was a stiff wind. Holy cow it felt cold. I've raced in much colder temps so it had to be the wind. I had dressed in my typical tank top and arm sleeves but thankfully I had a pullover in my car. I make a quick change and never regretted it. One of my feet and both of my gloved hands and were numb when the race finally started and stayed that way for half the race.
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| We received a tech shirt and decal. |
This was half #2 of my series of 4. It's a smaller event and my third time participating. It's not a flat course but the hills are manageable. I always start slow and then speed up after a few miles of warm-up, aiming for a negative split. I wanted to run faster than last week but not tire myself out completely as I need to remain strong for the next 2 races.
The first two miles were too slow at around 9:40. I had a little trouble getting in the groove. As per usual, I zoned out and can't give you the per mile details. At the halfway point, I calculated (you know how I love that math) a 2:04-2:05 finish. Realizing I had gone out too conservative and could not set a PR, I decided to not overdo it and continue steady with my current 9:20-ish pace.
No knee pain, no side stitch, no foot cramp, no hip pain - I can't complain at all about my body! {Thank you, body. I know I don't treat you well at times. And, sometimes you do amaze me!} Keeping my stride short is definitely the trick for keeping my IT band/knee issues at bay. I finished feeling fantastic at 2:04:48. No, not a stellar performance, but 6 minutes faster than last week! A little niggling, annoying part of me wishes I had pushed harder, especially in the beginning. Hopefully, this sets me up well for the third race next weekend.
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| My friend Valerie had a great finish time! Maybe I'll catch you at the next one. |
For a smaller race, the crowd support is wonderful. The church that hosts the race does an excellent job. There are about 65 turns, all manned with volunteers. There are cheer stations, music stations, and signs galore. My favorite was the over exuberant cheerleaders who formed the human tunnel. Running through that was a fantastic motivator. There was a great band to entertain us afterwards plus plenty of food items to choose from. I ate peanut butter balls, fruit, homemade trail mix, sausage balls, and a mini cupcake from the many options available, And I stopped at Starbucks, of course.
As for the race timing company...they had most everyone's age and gender mixed up! After waiting for an eternity, they still had not figured it out and the director announced they would mail the awards. It didn't matter as I was 4th in my age group. Even after they posted the official results later that day, there were still people in the wrong categories. Utter disaster. How can you get it that wrong?
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| Valerie, Me and Jenny who set a new PR! Run Jenny Run. I've now added 2 more layers for warmth. |
Bad timing aside, this is a GOOD small-town race. I would definitely do it again. However, I hope they will pick a different timing company next year. There are several in the area to choose from.
The remainder of Saturday was spent attending a baby shower and working for a while -- a long day. Sunday was spent doing the usual chores and grocery shopping. After that, I visited an ailing out-of-town family member -- another long day. I'm glad the weekend is over so I can rest.
Tell me about your weekend.
Do you have a favorite pre-race meal?
Have you experienced bad race timers?
Thank you Tara for hosting Weekend Update! Check out her blog as well as the others who linked up.
Conngrats! A 6 minute improvement over last week is huge! SOunds like a great race minus the timing disaster. Geez. Love your skirt!
ReplyDeleteThanks, it's a favorite winter skirt with no shorts underneath. It also has a good pocket...a must.
DeleteCongrats! No pain, finishing feeling so great, and a big time improvement over last week are all great. Good thing you had a pullover in your car! A cold wind can make it seem so much colder.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I left home thinking I would get warm at 35 degrees and sun. But the sun was not out and the wind does make a huge difference.
DeleteCongrats on the finish! Small town races can be so fun but geez I hate it when they can't get the timing right! That is the most important part! Cute skirt and you don't look cold at all :) Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteI think they let us start knowing they had issues. This company does not have a good reputation. I always roll my eyes when I find out they are timing a race.
DeleteCongrats on your race and finishing time! Sounds like you had a busy weekend. ( ps, I have the same running shoes as your friend Jenny and I love them)!
ReplyDeleteThey've done really well for her! I have some similar and that color works well with anything.
DeleteI hate running in wind, so good job! Whenever there is a wind, I always seem to have a head wind, no matter which direction I'm running in. I can be running a loop and always have a head wind.
ReplyDeleteI was thinking the same thing during the race...that I'd turn a corner and it would be behind me. It never seemed like it was.
DeleteCongrats on a great race! I love smaller races for so many reasons, especially for the great crowd support. That's too bad about all the timing mishaps though. Hopefully the race directors keep this year's experience in mind for future races.
ReplyDeleteThese timers don't have a good reputation but they continue to use them, so maybe it's a money issue. They need to realize that this will turn people away.
DeleteHey you finished yet another race and 6mins faster, no pains that is awesome! I too love a small hometown race and to see the support is just great! I have gotten in the habit of eating at a pizza place the night before a race, I usually try the calzones. So far I've been happy with results. Thankfully never had any timing issues. We have a great company, Time2Run in my hometown. Tim does a wonderful job and travels all over Mississippi. Hope you get some rest today! :)
ReplyDeleteWe have several great timers. Our running club does an awesome job timing races. I don't understand why they pick the one with the bad rep. I've tried pizza too. It works well. That's my second pick.
DeleteSometimes the weekends are busier than the weeks, aren't they? Nice race. I've seen times get messed up - rarely - but age and gender too? Not good. Hope your ailing family member is improving.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the well wishes. It's hard when they are alone and don't live in the same town as you.
DeleteAwesome job! That is great you felt so fantastic (and that you eventually could feel your hands and one foot, lol). I don't understand how timing and all that works, but I do wonder what the heck happened when it gets so darn messed up!
ReplyDeleteI hope next weekend is more chill for you! :)
Here's hoping cumulative fatigue is not a factor yet! I've tried hard not to overdo. We'll see.
DeleteCongrats. Your slow times always seem terrific to me. I volunteered at a race yesterday and froze.
ReplyDeleteI've had race where I was in the wrong age group.
I've helped with race timing. All of your info is in the computer. So I can't understand how they report someone who is actually 73 as being 24 and how Raymond and John are females.
DeleteSounds like a fun race! Even in spite of the cold. You're right, sometimes the smaller races are pretty fun!
ReplyDeleteI think I'm worn out from shivering afterwards and not from the race. When I think back, it's always windy at this race.
DeleteOh, my gosh! 35 degrees?!? You're a Florida gal! This is unacceptable - ha! Wow. Way to go, girl; sounds like you did GREAT in some challenging conditions. I'm definitely impressed with your ability to stick with it and respect your body; so glad you are not hurting. Thanks so much for a great recap and for linking up with the blog this week; hope your week is off to a great start!
ReplyDeleteHa ha -- not a FL gal. Well, not full time anyway (although that sounds really good right about now). I am fortunate to get the opportunity to run in FL often as our family has property there. We get winter here...unfortunately, but usually nothing less than 20s.
DeleteCongratulations on the finish time!!! You can't beat a race that had no ache's and pains along the way!!!
ReplyDeleteYou're officially my blogger friend who races the most, and I think it is awesome!!!
Well, if I'm going to be remembered...it might as well be as the crazy woman who runs all the half marathons. Ha Ha Ha. And you know, its fun too!
DeleteWind is the worst! I can handle regular cold, but add the wind and I'm frozen to the bone. So exciting that you ran such a strong race, I think this totally sets you up to finish the next two like negative splits! Bummer about the timing company, I've attended one race like that. So strange that they don't have it all right there on the computer.
ReplyDeleteI hope I'm not feeling fatigued when I start this Saturday (worrying already). I'm aiming for lots of rest this week. IT IS right there in the computer. I just don't understand. Good luck on your 50k.
DeleteGreat finish time and congrats on 4th place! 65 turns sounds like a lot! I wish that we had peanut butter balls like you did after the race. Sounds like a great snack and easy to eat when you're walking around with all of your post-race stuff!
ReplyDeleteI decided a lot of turns keeps it interesting and helps break it into manageable pieces. You know those races where you are on same stretch of straight road for 8 or 10 miles? Not so fun. These peanut butter balls were no bake - with chocolate chips, oats, maybe ground nuts. I need the recipe. They seemed like a great recovery food.
DeleteConsidering the weather, great job on your race and your 4th place finish in your age group. Sounds like a nice race minus the timing company ordeal! Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteThank you. Maybe the next one will be a little better.
DeleteI'd cry like a baby if I took 6 more minutes off the next race. HA! OK, I admit - I had to Google pierogies. They sound yummy. As a child, I loved dumplings. Yep, those destination races really mess with your normal routine.
ReplyDeleteGreat job, girl! I'm so happy your body is being good to you! Two down, two to go!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I should clarify - it felt good during the race. Not so much at this moment! Ha. Hope your hip is better and you got some good news!
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