The (Sort of) Half Marathon

Race day came and race day went. I finished and I didn't die. Though, several miles along the way I thought my legs would stop moving.

When we arrived to the race site I instantly knew this would not be like any other half I'd ever run. The "event" (and I use that term loosely) was held on a public strand along the beach. After speaking with the event coordinator I quickly realized this run would be more like participating with a running club rather than actually running a race. 

There was no start line, no actual finish line, there was no bib, or timing chip. The course went out and back. Twice. The turn around point was marked on the strand with a smiley face drawn with sidewalk chalk. There were no water or aid stations. Water could be found at water fountains connected to public bathrooms, just off the strand. And, the entire course was flat (holy hell, someone shoot me - just thinking about all that flat is brutal). 

My first trip out I missed the smiley face and ran a half mile past the turn around point. Whoops. 

In my mind I wanted to run a sub-2, which I did. My finishing time was 1:59:17. However, I was really hoping to hit closer to the 1:56 mark. To say I'm disappointed with my time is an understatement. Four years ago I PR'd at 1:56:47, and I was really hoping to get close to that. When I saw my time (which I kept track of with my own GPS) I was mad. Really, really MAD.

Upper left: I found the sweetest note from Scott on race morning.
Lower left: Finisher's Medal.
Right: Training and 1/2 complete. 

Did I not train hard enough? What could I have done differently? When is the next race I can run? That time needs to improve. 

I really missed a crowd cheering on runners along the race route. That extra motivation, that extra push of encouragement would have been nice. A finish line to cross would have held extra motivation as well. 

While the point of this post is not to complain (though it kind of seems like it, huh?) it's simply a reminder to myself that I did finish, sub-2, like I hoped, and that I need to keep running. I need to do better. I need to run faster. I have to keep pushing myself. I cannot, will not settle, and I am not happy with my time. I'm on the search for another 1/2 (one that is a little more traditional) so I can blow that 1:59:17 to smithereens, which is right where that time belongs. 

After the run. At least the scenery was pretty!
And woah buddy, look at that nasty tank. HA!