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?

Running is Rad!

Today was my fourth half marathon!!  Woo-woo!  I can't believe I have willingly ran 13.1 miles four separate times.
The race was called the Skeleton Skamper and was a Halloween race, so we got to dress up.  I had to figure out a functional costume that was fun and that I could run in.  I decided on a 90's themed outfit.  Mostly because I wanted to wear a side pony-tail!
I made leg warmers for Becky, Melissa and myself.  Bought a sweatshirt at the thrift store and cut it up, and cut up one of my fluorescent race shirts that I never wear anymore.  And I even found a three pack of scrunchies at Family Dollar!

Skeleton Skamper 2012 Pre-Race

I was really surprised how well the race went.  It was super cold out, but after about half an hour I started to warm up.  Last week's long run totally blew, so I was hoping this would go well like I told myself it would.

Becky and I stayed together.  We ran the entire time, except through water stops. I was really surprised how well I felt most of the race.

The course was a little bit hillier then I thought it would be, though.  There were really long, gradual hills and not always downhills afterwards.  At mile 10 there was a long climb and I almost stopped to walk, but didn't want to bring down Becky mentally or make her think it was o.k. to walk.  So, I kept going and there was a hill to run down on the other side.

Finally mile 12 passed.  It got really windy as we turned.  I kept looking at my watch telling myself, "Only .9 miles, only .8 miles, etc."  With only .2 left to go I started really slowing down.  There was a fierce wind and we were going uphill...again.  Becky was inching ahead and I started walking.  She realized I wasn't next to her and turned and raised her arms like, "What the f@#$ are you doing?"  And motioned to come on!  I chuckled a little at what I just did and started running again.  By then Becky had sprinted off to the finish.  There were a few people at the end cheering and the whole cheerleading section of a local high school cheering me on at the end.  That was pretty cool and actually sped me up a little.

I ended up PR-ing the race by 7 minutes with a 2:40, which was not even on my agenda...mostly.  I just wanted to have a good time, which I did.

It was a pretty small race and most of the racers were done by the time I finished.  I stretched for a few minutes and headed over to get my after race snacks.  I stretched a lot more while eating.

Melissa's awesome pants AND fanny pack!

Leg warmer buddies!

After the race we went to Q'Doba for refueling and then Starbuck's for more refueling.  I don't know what was up with us, but EVERYTHING was funny.  We could not stop cracking up!  I think it was delirium and exhaustion.

After I got home, showered, and changed, I felt myself start to crash.  My head was starting to hurt from the gels I took wearing off and my body was tired and sore.  I took some ibuprofen and laid on the couch watching T.V. most of the afternoon.

Now, I am going to eat well deserved pizza and then going to my neighbor's for a Halloween party.  I don't have a costume, so I am going as a Packer fan by wearing my Packer shirt.  I forgot I had it.  I found it yesterday in my drawer when I was looking for my running tights.

Have a safe and happy Halloween!

  

Two More Weeks

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This morning was my 9 mile long run.  Next week is ten miles and then my half marathon!  It will be my second half in five weeks and my third half in five months.  That is definitely the most miles I have put on since I started running.

It hasn't been as hard as I thought.  No, it's not always easy or convenient to get up early after working late or fitting in my long runs, but it's something that I have really wanted to do.  I've really wanted to put more miles on my legs to build a good base to start marathon training.  I wanted to get use to running on tired legs and to keep going when all I wanted to do is quit.  I will have to think back to times like now and know that I will finish because I will know that I can.


This morning I had a running date with Becky.  Thank goodness I had someone to go with, because I would have been procrastinating all day!  I knew I would be exhausted after closing at work the night before, but I dragged myself out of bed and made some coffee.  It was SO cold this morning.  This isn't fall weather, it's winter weather.  I had no idea what to wear so that I would be comfortable.  I ended up in capris, a short sleeve tech shirt, and a heavier pullover tech hoodie.  Then I wore a Bondi Band over my ears to double as a sweat band and as a light ear warmer.  I thought this was ingenious!  I ended up being comfortable the whole time.

After I got home I hopped into the shower and Kevin and I ran some errands.  We went to K-Mart to look at a coffee maker that was on sale. Ours had died a couple of months ago and we have been using one his parents had.  It was just a simple on/off coffee maker.  I missed my options of setting a timer and having it turn off automatically after two hours.  And the one we were borrowing did not match our other appliances.  We ended up with the new one.  It has everything we need.


 After we paid for the coffee maker, we went to the Little Cesars that was inside K-Mart.  We were both hungry so ordered a large pizza.  It was only $5!  I couldn't believe it!  I ended up eating the whole half of the pizza.  I didn't realize how hungry I was until I started eating.

Kevin enjoying his pizza!

I forgot to mention that after I took a shower, I thought it would be a great idea to cut some bangs for myself.  No, I'm not a hair stylist, but sometimes I think I am.  I cut my hair while it was wet.  I thought I made it long enough, but as soon as I dried it, I couldn't believe how short they got.  Five minutes after this they were already driving me crazy!  They are right in my eyes.  In about two weeks they will be the right length, but for now I will have to suffer.  

Have you ever cut your hair yourself?  How did it turn out?