4.30.2013

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!


21 comments:

  1. I'm not sure I've ever heard of a half where there wasn't crowds, no water available, no mile markers, etc! That sucks Des! (Although I have to admit, I would have kinda liked the flatness.. I could run all day on flat terrain!). Anyway, don't be too hard on yourself for coming in under 2! That's a great time!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I would say you beat your PR if you ran an extra half mile on the first loop!! Great time even if its not what you hoped for...we all have good ones and bad ones, the bad ones keep us coming back just as much as the good ones do :) Congrats!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh my lord what kind of race was that?! NO WATER STATIONS!? I would have asked for my money back, LOL. And a sub 2 hour half is awesome! Now did you actually run on the sand/beach because that in itself is a workout. I cannot run very well on the beach.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I've never heard of a run whether 5K, 10K, half, etc. that didn't have water or mile markets, etc. How random! Running on the beach must have not been the greatest either but at least you came in under 2 hours and that's still awesome!

    ReplyDelete
  5. That sucks that it was not what you thought it was supposed to be. I'd deem your "bad"(I'd kill for that time:) time to the unfavorable conditions in which you knew nothing about. The conditions affect your time considerably-I never run as fast as I do when I'm in a race-so I'm sure if you had been in a normal race, you would have crushed that time. Now you can set your eyes toward that next 1/2...hit one up in the midwest-I'm sure they're more reliable:) :) :) and PLENTY of hills!

    ReplyDelete
  6. You did so great! I think it would have killed me not having it chip timed. I did a girls on the run race with a friends daughter and it killed me not knowing my time....I mean I wanted to seriously hurt someone. On the smaller runs I skip the water stations but they come in handy on the halves. I can't imagine not having them there.

    You did super great!!

    Laura@MiceInTheKitchen

    ReplyDelete
  7. wow. that sounds like a pretty legit race! yikes!
    keep up the hard work and I can guarentee you will kick ass next time!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Way to go lady!! Love the completed training schedule. Are you going to miss filling those out? :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Um, that sounds like the worst race ever, in the sand with no water stations? No thank you - for the situation I think you did amazing, I know youre not happy but you still kicked major major butt and I know of a half mary you can run...somewhere called Indiana...haha :) Proud of you!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. You did great girl! Don't be so hard on yourself. Especially since you ran past the smiley face :) Haven't these people ever heard of a mile marker...lol I think you can still sign up for the Hospital Hill run in KCMO :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. YAY!!! You are done!!! Great time! I know it's not what you wanted, but if you ran more that 13.1 miles if you ran 1/2 over the turn around point!!! Here's to the next 1/2!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I think you did an awesome job!! I can't imagine running that distance with no cheers, mile markers, water... heck, who am I kidding... I can't imagine doing it with those things!
    You are amazing and be proud of your accomplishment!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Still, to now that you ran 12 mils in SAND! Sand is hard to run in! Way to go!
    morrellfairytale.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. Give yourself some credit. You did it. Lot more than I can say for myself ;)

    And you look amazing! Sweat and all!

    ReplyDelete
  15. What!??! who put that race together!?! Weird! I'm sorry it wasn't the best experience! YOu finsihed and I think you had an AMAZING time don't be too hard on yourself look how far you've come!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Even if it wasn't the time you wanted, you still did it, and that's most definitely cause for celebration. HOWEVER...I would be disappointed in that "race" as well. In my (admittedly limited) experience, with the hype of a race--the gun going off, the cheering, the sprint to the legit finish line--comes some extra adrenaline that you don't get with a normal run. Boo on whoever organized it, and good luck finding a better race next time :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. You did amazing!! I'm sure you'll get the time you want with the next one. Don't be so hard on yourself!!

    ReplyDelete
  18. you did awesome though!!! You should be so proud! and you should get to take off some time since you ran extra! and you look adorable too!

    ReplyDelete
  19. You are awesome in my book!!

    ReplyDelete
  20. OK that sounds like the strangest race ever. I think you should be so proud of that time...I'd definitely take it :) Plus you did extra so I say you made it! :)

    ReplyDelete
  21. Wow! That sounds ... Interesting! This just proves you have to come to Indy to beat your time ;)

    ReplyDelete