Half Marathon Race Report
Today we ran the 35th Annual Lincoln / National Guard Half Marathon!
The weather forecast didn't look real good for today...but we tried to stay positive! About 5:00 this morning, a storm rolled through complete with thunder and lightning. Start time for the race was 7:00am - I counted my blessings that it rolled through prior!
I was SUPER excited to see that our names were on our race bibs this year. This is our home town race - but it sure has grown up. Not only is it a Boston Qualifying course, but it's capped at 10,000 runners and sold out in about 10 days this year! I just love living in such a fitness minded city.
David and I rode our bikes down to the start. We live about a mile away, and it works SO nice to ride down there and coast home! We got there in plenty of time to line up with the 2:20 pacer.
It was a wave start, so we didn't cross the start line until 7:30. It was about 68 degrees and 90% humidity. It was nearly raining...and later we wished it would.
I went out pretty slow, trying to maintain a pace that would bring me to my goal. The pacer I was spotting fell back, so I just ran to feel. I walked the water station at mile 3 and by that time the pace group caught up to me.
I stayed with the 2:20 pace group as they walked the aid stations and worked the strategy set down by Smart Pace. Our pacer was really good, and was making every split about 10 - 20sec faster on every mile. It was a little of a push to keep up with her - especially as she ran faster on the downhills - but I was goal focused.
Then the wheels fell off.
The beautiful Nebraska sun came out about mile 8 and mile 10 is entirely uphill. By the time we walked the aid station just after the 10 mile mark, I knew I wasn't running a 2:20 Half today. I tried to focus on my goal, I tried to focus on the pacers red shirt, but the agony of my legs started screaming.
I poured a cup of water on me and ice down my shirt at that 10 mile aid station and tried to cool down...but my legs! My stupid, lead-heavy legs just wouldn't go!!
I pulled back a little to give reprieve, and just after mile 11, I lost the pace group.
I walked a little to regroup, and started to tear up a little. Damn. I really trained hard. I did everything that was laid out for me. I even rested shin splints for 10 days before the race to ensure I wouldn't be injured. And I almost made it.
The self doubt and shame of not reaching my goal started to choke me. I had walked about a quarter mile, and I thought - "NO." I will NOT be ashamed of myself for any reason while completing 13.1 miles.
So, I started to run at a pace that I figured I could live with for the next mile and a half. It was more like a shuffle, but it was what I had left. My legs were absolutely dead and my right foot had some nice blisters forming, I could tell.
I had nothing left for a sprint across the field at Memorial Stadium. I'm sure that when they took photos of me crossing the finish line at the 50 yard line, it wasn't pretty.
All I wanted was my medal.
And my sweet husband to accompany me home.
I found out the difference between RUNNING a Half Marathon and RACING one. When you run one - it's fun. when you race one - it hurts like hell.
I didn't make my 2:20 goal. My official time was 2:25:05. That is still THIRTEEN MINUTES off my time from last year.
The weather forecast didn't look real good for today...but we tried to stay positive! About 5:00 this morning, a storm rolled through complete with thunder and lightning. Start time for the race was 7:00am - I counted my blessings that it rolled through prior!
I was SUPER excited to see that our names were on our race bibs this year. This is our home town race - but it sure has grown up. Not only is it a Boston Qualifying course, but it's capped at 10,000 runners and sold out in about 10 days this year! I just love living in such a fitness minded city.
David and I rode our bikes down to the start. We live about a mile away, and it works SO nice to ride down there and coast home! We got there in plenty of time to line up with the 2:20 pacer.
It was a wave start, so we didn't cross the start line until 7:30. It was about 68 degrees and 90% humidity. It was nearly raining...and later we wished it would.
I went out pretty slow, trying to maintain a pace that would bring me to my goal. The pacer I was spotting fell back, so I just ran to feel. I walked the water station at mile 3 and by that time the pace group caught up to me.
I stayed with the 2:20 pace group as they walked the aid stations and worked the strategy set down by Smart Pace. Our pacer was really good, and was making every split about 10 - 20sec faster on every mile. It was a little of a push to keep up with her - especially as she ran faster on the downhills - but I was goal focused.
David and I ready for some fun! |
The beautiful Nebraska sun came out about mile 8 and mile 10 is entirely uphill. By the time we walked the aid station just after the 10 mile mark, I knew I wasn't running a 2:20 Half today. I tried to focus on my goal, I tried to focus on the pacers red shirt, but the agony of my legs started screaming.
I poured a cup of water on me and ice down my shirt at that 10 mile aid station and tried to cool down...but my legs! My stupid, lead-heavy legs just wouldn't go!!
I pulled back a little to give reprieve, and just after mile 11, I lost the pace group.
I walked a little to regroup, and started to tear up a little. Damn. I really trained hard. I did everything that was laid out for me. I even rested shin splints for 10 days before the race to ensure I wouldn't be injured. And I almost made it.
The self doubt and shame of not reaching my goal started to choke me. I had walked about a quarter mile, and I thought - "NO." I will NOT be ashamed of myself for any reason while completing 13.1 miles.
So, I started to run at a pace that I figured I could live with for the next mile and a half. It was more like a shuffle, but it was what I had left. My legs were absolutely dead and my right foot had some nice blisters forming, I could tell.
I knew you wanted to see the blisters. |
All I wanted was my medal.
And my sweet husband to accompany me home.
I found out the difference between RUNNING a Half Marathon and RACING one. When you run one - it's fun. when you race one - it hurts like hell.
I didn't make my 2:20 goal. My official time was 2:25:05. That is still THIRTEEN MINUTES off my time from last year.
I'll take it.
Darn proud anyhow. |
Oh bear! I'm so proud of you! You did a great job and you should be very proud of all you have accomplished! You were ONLY FIVE minutes over your goal time--that is AMAZING! (And yes I mean that! LOL!) Thirteen minutes off your last year's time is great! And I'm so glad that we could take the rain for you--it has rained all day here, but we've been inside all day anyway. :) Love you.
ReplyDeleteI am sooo amazingly proud and happy for you!!!!!! I hope you are still glowing from your race! Amazing job on your PR!!!!
ReplyDeleteI love this recap of the race!! (And I have read others lol)
ReplyDeleteYou are still so amazing and inspiring no matter your race time, I hope you know that. :-)
Hi! I found your blog when I looked up "lincoln half marathon race report". I'm Jamie- the 2:20 pacer. I wanted to tell you to keep your head up! That race had some factors working against you for sure! Heat, hills, narrow course- not perfect, for sure!
ReplyDelete