Centerpoint Half (WW # 35)

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This linkup is hosted by yours truly and my good friend Tricia at MissSippiPiddlin.    The purpose of this link is to connect with and support other active women. You can summarize your whole week or just a small portion of it.  It's up to you!  Race recaps are also encouraged!  {See rules}   

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Monday  --  Rest
Tuesday --  Ran 4 Miles
Wednesday -- Physical Therapy
Thursday -- Rest
Friday -- Rest
Saturday -- 13 Miles
Sunday -- Cycled 20 Miles

Total -- Ran 17, Cycled 20

After feeling tired on Tuesday's run, I decided to just rest leading up to the Centerpoint Half Marathon (my 39th half).  Last week's training was pretty productive and I felt resting would be the smartest thing.  I had several inches cut off my hair this week and had to go to my double pony-tail system.  This is the only way I can get my hair up when it's too short.  

After two days of heavy rain, race day dawned clear and bright.  I decided to wear arm sleeves after seeing the temp drop to 50.  It was windy and predicted to get worse.  I also wore gloves intending to throw them out when I warmed up.  I never did, mainly because of their Kleenex-ability. 

I've run this race several times.  It is not totally flat having a gain of 234 feet, but the hills are manageable.  My PR is on the course, but I knew I was not in PR shape after my lengthy injury last fall.  I hoped to run strong, pace well and perhaps have a better time than my half three weeks ago.

Debra from Happy Running Sole was there.  I saw my fellow half fanatic buddy Valerie and other running friends too as this race is held in a neighboring town.   Debra and I started together while Valerie took off like a rocket (and had a great finish time with a 3rd AG placement)!   We chatted during the first mile as we were both trying hard not to go out too fast.  I dropped behind her for a while as I was determined not to overdo the beginning.  Debra had a stomach bug earlier in the week so I was very impressed with her performance.

It was great catching up and discussing upcoming races with Debra and Valerie.

The course passes through different residential neighborhoods.  There are over 60 turns so you never see a long stretch of road.  It's a continual up, down, left and right.  I think it keeps things interesting and helps break up the race.  I caught back up to Debra after my warmup and we paced together for a while.  She really helped me find my groove:  9:53 / 9:53 / 9:33 / 9:30 / 9:36 / 9:21.

Sadly, I slowed during the next few miles.  I walked too many steps at the water stops and was fretting over my left knee which had begun to feel tight.  I shortened my stride and slowed occasionally to do some high marching steps to stretch it out.  These miles reflects that: 9:50 / 9:42 / 10:00 / 10:10. 

The race provided free pictures.  I have no idea what mile this is.

The knee pain held but didn't get worse.  I pulled my pace down for the final stage:  9:37 / 9:46 / 9:18.  I continually train for a fast finish and am so proud when the last mile is the fastest!  My official time was 2:06:00 with an average pace of 9:38, although my Garmin tells a slightly different story.  In fact, my watch didn't record a full 13.1 although others did.  I came away pleased with my best half time so far this year and with the satisfaction I'm moving in the right direction.

Side Rant:  The volunteer manning one of the final turns -- which was a  male teenager or perhaps young adult -- yelled to me "YOU GO, GRANDMA!".  {Blink...Blink...Me?}  [Why yes, I am a grandmother and proud of it.  But sonny boy, do you see me running with any grandchildren here? Apparently I look rather old to you, but I am definitely not old enough to be YOUR grandma.  I suggest you never make that gem of a comment to anyone ever again!]   It is simply not what I needed to hear at mile 12.5 trying to hold pace.  Ugh...so deflating to my old ego.    Mmm-k, I feel better now.

I placed 4th in my age group, a common occurrence.  The finisher's medal is very lovely.  The tech shirt is nice, but big.   This is a well-done smaller race with a hometown feel.  They had themed water stops and people were in their yards cheering you along.  One group was dressed in Star Wars costumes and having a light saber battle.  I appreciated the effort!

We celebrated at our neighborhood Mexican restaurant Saturday night.  I love their fish tacos!  Our movie selection for the evening was Blackwood.  It's a thriller with a slightly different plot twist.  Yes, it passed my "Can you stay awake for the entire movie?" test.

Sunday I felt like I had been run over...and backed up and run over again.  It must be the "grandma" factor.  But, I took my bike off it's trainer and went on a 20 mile ride anyway.  I came away with 94 minutes of cardio with an average HR of 147.  A nice workout, I think.  Who could stay inside on a day like this?  I love the combo of blue and green and you can only see this green in early spring.

And that's a wrap!

Was the weather nice for you this weekend?

What's your favorite way to celebrate after a race?

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