Tuscaloosa Half Marathon Recap

This week is a wrap.  Now it's time for the Weekend Update hosted by Tara @ Running N Reading. 

My third half marathon (within 14 days) is complete.  One more to go.  Overall, it was half marathon #33.

"Can I get fries with my vinegar,  please?"

I had the worst week imaginable with two unexpected long road trips, the last one on Thursday.  I was either driving or sitting in a hospital.  We all know how nutritious vending machines are.  I arrived home around midnight and was up early the next morning for work.  That's not the way you want spend the Thursday night before your Saturday race!

Friday, I ate my favorite pre-race lunch.  My cup was half filled with malt vinegar to give the fries a good soaking.  Don't judge me -- you should try it!  I did eat a small cheeseburger too but it was quite mangled by the time I took this picture. 

I was sleeping like a rock when my alarm went off at 4:00 a.m. Saturday and I left home 10 minutes later than planned.  When I turned on the GPS (with the address still stored from last year's race) I realized it was 15 miles further than I thought.  Oops!  I would have to speed - a lot!  Thankfully, no ticket.  When I arrived, it was 23 degrees.  It was so nice for Winter to stick around.  Heh-heh.  No worries, there was no wind and it warmed up quickly.

I had planned to meet fellow blogger Tricia from Miss Sippi Piddlin before the race.  By the time I got my packet, visited the porta-potty, returned to the car, and arrived back at the starting line -- I had 3 minutes to spare.  I decided I would hang out at the finish line afterwards and look for Tricia there.  This is the stuff that makes me nervous, never the race itself.  I dream about not making it to the start line on time!  I'm lucky I remembered to tie my shoes.

Roll Tide Roll

I was a total zombie during this race, worse than my normal zoned-out state.  Here's a few things I do remember:  1) Early on, a guy passed out just ahead of me and a group had already stopped to assist.  2)  There were a few substantial hills in the first miles.  We ran this course in reverse from last year and I knew where they'd be.  3)  About half of this race is through the University of Alabama campus.  When we ran by Bryant Denney Stadium (Roll Tide Roll) I looked up to the most beautiful cloudless azure sky and saw a small white airplane flying overhead.  That was my takeaway mental pic {Snap}.  I always have one from each race.  Sometimes, they are oh so randomly odd!

Apparently, zombies have no sense of time.  It. Flew. By.  {Huh?  Mile 9 Already?  What?}  I felt my left IT band pulling on my knee a few times.  Each time, I immediately shortened my stride.  It never became an issue.  Both feet tried to cramp but I managed to keep that at bay too.  Again, no complaints with the old body.

Last year, the course measured long.  I was hoping with this year's changes it would be shorter.  Nope.  My 2:05:31 finish was actually at a faster pace than last week's 2:04:48.  But, when you get 13.3 for distance - what'cha gonna do?  My last mile was the fastest and I'm always pleased when that happens.

Most of the race was on one coned-off lane of very busy roads.  You had to stay inside the cones and therefore had no way to run the tangents.  I must say we had excellent traffic control.  Thanks TPD.

I was stuffing my face with a Chik-Fil-A chocolate chunk cookie when I spotted Tricia.  Because of her gorgeous curly red hair, she was easy to find.  She was running with her friend Leah and they both set PRs!  How awesome is that?  A huge congratulations to both of them!  It was fun getting to know Tricia and Leah, who just started running in August!  I'm sure with us being southern gals, we will run another race together.  Check out Tricia's blog, I'm sure she remembered the race (ha!) and will have a great recap.

Leah, Tricia, and Me

The post-race festivities seemed well endowed.  After visiting with my new friends, I needed to get on the road and was happy with a cookie, banana and chocolate milk.  I could hear a band playing and saw BBQ and beer among many tents.   We were given a short sleeve tech shirt.  The shirt, bibs and string bags were nicely blue & green color coordinated but the medal (although quite large and wonderfully Bama themed) didn't go with anything else.  It doesn't matter, it just seems odd.

I liked this race - what I remember of it - and it was great to meet new friends.  Other than a long course, I have no complaints.  I would definitely do a three-peat.   I can't say the physical fatigue of my half series has affected me greatly, but probably a little.  My time may have been better had it not been for a stressful week, but then again...who knows.  I DO KNOW I was happy to be outside in the glorious sunshine, running and breathing in that cool fresh air, and having a break for a short period of time.  I'd call that a win any day!  I was 6th out of 43 in my age group.  I guess that's OK too.

Camo Yurbuds

My original plans for Sunday were to do as little as possible.  That didn't happen.  It was a beautiful day and I could not stay inside.  I ran 4 easy miles and finally remembered to try my new lime green camouflage Yurbuds.  I'm a convert!  The sound quality is excellent and made me wish I could run longer.  They also stayed put.  I later spent several hours in my back porch swing.  Heaven.

Has anyone else run a race and not remembered it?  
Please tell me I'm not alone!

Don't forget to visit my friend Tara and the other linked bloggers at Running N Reading!