First Light Half Marathon (WW # 129)

The purpose of this linkup is to
support active women.
Rules can be found HERE.

********************************************

Thank you for supporting the NEW Weekly Wrap 

and making Wendy feel welcomed.  

If you haven't read the updated rules, please do so.

There have been a few changes.

********************************************

First Light Half Marathon

January 14, 2018

Mobile, AL

Half Marathon # 50

I've run this half marathon before in 2014 and 2015.  It stays on my list of favorites.  This time, I road-tripped with two friends who were pacing the 2:15 group and who needed to arrive at 6 a.m.  Our 3:30 departure went smoothly and with our yacking, the trip went quickly.  The forecast of feels like 17 at race start was spot on.   Thankfully, we could stay inside the packet pickup location at the Mobile Government Plaza atrium for warmth.   The start line was about a block away. 

My goal for this race was to shave a little more off my recent half marathon finish time; paced at a 9:51.  Rome wasn't built in a day [or you can just insert any old saying about patience here].  With it being my 50th half marathon -- I vowed to enjoy it.  If I couldn't, I shouldn't be there.

Kaye, myself and Laurie. 
Bundled up and ready to go!

I ran into Katie at the start line but didn't take a picture as my phone was tucked deep into layers to keep it from dying in the cold temperature.  It was then I realized my stomach was growling.  I had not factored in the extra awake time (since 2:30 a.m.) and although I waited closer to race time to eat -- I had not eaten enough.  I knew it would slow me down, but I decided to drink Gatorade for calories at each stop.  I typically skip at least half of the stops in cold weather.

 

The course is mostly flat.  I won't go into detail, but it's a very pretty antebellum homes, mossy oaks, French Quarter route (you can read an older recap HERE).    I stuck with my decision to stop for calories.  I'm very appreciative of the people encouraging us from their porches and front yards in the frigid air.  A special thanks to the dude blaring Sweet Home Alabama.  I cruised along and enjoyed the course.

Even with Gatorade at every stop and the 2 GU I had on me, the last few miles were still a struggle.  I felt nauseated from hunger and we were running directly into that cold wind.  My buddies tell me there were oranges and bananas at one stop but I completely missed that!   I put my head down (figuratively) and concentrating on my footfalls I kept pushing.  I'd count to 100 and start over.  All things considered, I ran a pretty evenly paced race.

A decent picture...
except for the usual missing teeth.

My gun time finish was 2:08:19.  Sadly, due to technical difficulties I will not get an official chip time.  My Garmin reports a 9:45 pace so I would guess it's right around 2:08 or even a hair under (shallowly, a 2:07:xx would have been very sweet!).   So yes, a little faster than my previous race. With my extra stopping, I'll take it
.

My feeble attempt to commemorate #50
with the lovely Azalea Trail Maids.

My buddies arrived ahead of their 2:15 target and we retrieved our jackets, blankets, scarves, and hats from the car and returned to the after party in Bienville Square.  The meal of red beans and rice with cornbread was fantastic!  Topping that with two chocolate chip cookies, I felt much better. As we were sitting in a patch of sunshine enjoying the band and our post race beverages, they began giving out awards.  I was shocked to hear my name called for 3rd Grand Master (they award 5 deep in all master categories) as this was my worst finish time at this race.

Post race in beautiful Bienville Square

This race benefits L'Arche Mobile.  Their residents are very much involved in this event, making the finisher medals (and awards) and handing them out at the finish line.  One of L'Arche's missions is to "...make known the gifts of people with intellectual disabilities..."  They put a bio of one of their residents on the back of each award plaque.  It's such a nice, unique and personal touch. 

Hand crafted wooden medals and award plaques.

So, my first half marathon of 2018 is in the books.  I'm still chipping away, which may just become my phrase for the year.  Hopefully, you'll get to hear it often.   It was a great lesson about pushing through to the end -- because you never know -- it might just be enough for an award.  

And that's a wrap!

What is your trick for getting through those last few miles?

Have you gotten up at 2:30 for a race?

Do you like red beans and rice?  Cornbread?

An InLinkz Link-up