Marathon Shmarathon

I love those runs where I feel unstoppable and could just run for ever!  Ever have one of those?  They come around once in a great while.  Those are the times where I think to myself how ready I am for a marathon.  I know that I can finish with no problem.

And then, there's the other runs.  The runs where I hate every minute, every mile.  Those are the times where I completely doubt everything.

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Yesterday was one of those days.  It was one of those races where I doubted my ability to not only complete a marathon, but to complete the half that I was running.  I hate looking back and wondering if I could have done better?  Could I have pushed harder?  Or was I really at my limit?

I had completely forgotten to even check out my splits.

I think the weather must be for the start.  It was 64 with 88% humidity.  The humidity went away as the day went on, but the heat increased.

The first 5 miles went okay, but then I really went downhill.

I keep looking back wondering why, what could I have done differently?  I really don't know.  Maybe I have to start running by myself more.  I depend on Becky a lot on our long runs.  She plans our routes and picks our pace.  She is really good at staying steady and holding back until the end.

When running, how does one become stronger mentally?  I thought I was doing okay, then things like yesterday happen.  I really need to come up with a game plan.  I mean, 26.2 doesn't run itself.  And I'm already signed up for the Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon.  I need to work on building my confidence back up and sticking to the running plan.

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How do you mentally prepare for a race?

Rockford Half Marathon Race Recap

Today I ran the Rockford Half Marathon.  It was my fifth half marathon and my first time doing this race.  My long runs have been going okay and I thought this race would go fairly smoothly.

The weather was forecasted for humid in the morning and warm all day.  I didn't think too much of it until we stepped outside that morning.  I guess I'm use to it being cooler, living by Lake Michigan.  I knew it would be warmer inland, but I wasn't prepared for how much.

This picture is before the race.  Weirdest pose ever by me.  

The race started at 7 for both the marathon and the half which is way earlier than I am use to running!  I think I started out too fast.  By mile 3 I was having some problems.  I was way overheated and starting to feel like I was going to pass out.  I told Becky to keep going, because I had to walk.

The rest of the race was just a struggle for me.  I had Becky in my sights for a bit, but she was long gone by mile 5 (and ended up PRing!).  I ran/walked the rest and stayed by the same group of about 5 runners the whole time.

I finished at 2:55, much slower then I thought before I started!  That just goes to show, you never know what race day will bring.  And it turns out, word on the street is that this race is always really hot.  Oh, well.  I finished and that is an accomplishment in itself.

Becky had to get a shot of me with all of my food.  I was choking down a giant bagel and they were giving away whole bags of this puffed corn stuff that turned out to be pretty good.  And we got coupons for a free ice cream cone from McDonald's.

Overall, I liked this course.  The race support along the route was awesome.  There were water/gatorade stops, people riding on their bikes handing out GUs, a GU stop, a sponge stop (where I told a volunteer that I loved them), and they even had ice at the last water stop!  I don't know if I'd do this race again just because I am not good in the heat.  I hate summer races and am glad for the cool weather here most of the year.

Did you race this weekend?