On March 17 I signed up (impromptu-style) for a half-marathon on March 26. The National Half Marathon happened to fall on a Saturday were I was scheduled to run a “shorter distance” so I figured it was NBD to sign up for a race. My thought was to race the 1/2 marathon to see a) where I was at physically and b) to see how fast I could run a 1/2 marathon (considering I’m marathon training and trying to run a BQ).

My goal was 1:35, with the thinking that I could drop back to 1:40 (or 1:45) if I needed to. I felt good leading up to the race, and took it easy (during the week) when I needed to (especially since I had run 22 miles 5 days earlier).


Race day was cold. 33 degrees to start the day, warming up to 35 degrees by 9am. The week leading up to the race I had visions of running in shorts and a tank top. I was completely wrong. I had to wear tights, a tank top, long sleeve top, vest, gloves and a hat. Not what exactly what I had in mind for a race on March 26. Oh well…

There was some confusion on my part with the race start and the bathroom. I have a very nervous bladder, so I was hoping to make one last trip to the bathroom before the start – but the lines were so long and I wanted to find the 1:35 pace group. The race was supposed to start at 7:00am but didn’t start until about 7:10am. In retrospect I probably had time to go but was too nervous to leave my corral or pace group.

I started off with the pace group but they were going a little slower than I wanted to run and I realized my bladder wouldn’t be able to hold it for 13.1 miles. I picked up the pace for the next couple of miles – trying to get enough distance between me and the 1:35 group so they could eventually catch up and I could tag along when I really needed the help. I’m bummed that I had to stop but the plan worked great. I met back up with 1:35 around mile 7 and finished with the group.

Honestly, I felt pretty good. I mean, don’t get me wrong, running an average of 7:15/mile for 13.1 miles is not easy – but I could tell that all of my training had paid off. I crossed the finish line in 1:35:05 (and that included a bathroom stop)! I was extremely happy with my time – and 1:35:05 is a new PR for me!

Stats
Time: 1:35:02
Division Place: 26/1610

Sex Place: 81/5231
Overall Place: 522/9252

Now, it’s back to real life and real training (no taking it easy because “I have a race this weekend”). I have a 22 miler scheduled for this weekend and then I begin my taper – April 1 is the “1-Month-before-my-marathon” mark! New 1/2 Marathon PR feels good – but now I’ve got to focus my efforts on something bigger and better!

On Sunday I ran 22 miles.  The longest I have ever run.  3 hours, 9 minutes, and 19 seconds worth of running.  An average of 8:36 per mile, for 22 miles.

I’ve never felt so cool or so sore in my entire life.  Things in my body hurt that I didn’t even know existed, yet I felt really good.  I think that’s that thing people call “runner’s high”.  And it was a high, running 22 miles is bad-ass!

The Run: We had awesome running weather – low 50′s with some sun and light wind.  I felt really good miles 1-13; started to feel a little like, “Oh, this is long” around mile 15; and pretty much hurt in every crevice of my body for the last 5 miles.  I have, however, been working on my mental toughness because I know that BQ-ing won’t be a walk in the park.  Mental toughness really came in to play the last 5-6 miles - everything hurt but I still managed to keep the pace under 8:45.  But seriously, as soon as my Garmin hit 22 miles I said “Can we please stop??” I couldn’t wait to walk!

Post Run: I walked limped in the door, grabbed a cold bottle of Pelegrino, mixed up a glass of low-fat chocolate milk and stared an EndraSoak bath.  Sweeter things have never been done.  I seriously swear by EndraSoak - my new found recovery potion; the perfect combination of bath-salt-meets-rosemary-and-peppermint deliciousness (I would marry Rosemary if I could).  After said bath, I slipped on my compression socks and headed straight for the couch.  I stayed there until I decide it was time for bed. 

Next Day: But, on Monday morning, I felt great.  Okay, great might be an exaggeration…but I felt a lot better than I expected!  I even went for a (slow) 3 mile run and yoga – 2 things I wasn’t sure I’d be able to do (I wasn’t even sure I’d be able to get out of bed to take a shower).

I’m feeling pretty good about my training – especially after coming back from New Zealand.  I signed up (impromptu-style) for a 1/2 Marathon on March 26 and have one more looonnnggg run before I start cutting back on the mileage (Marathon is May 1).  Yikes – I’m getting close.

Runners: How do you feel after a long run?  A combination of soreness and excitement?  Does your body get used to the milage?  I’d love to know how others deal with their long runs – pre, during, and post.

BJ and I are (unfortunately) back from New Zealand and had the most AMAZING time.  NZ is an awesome country – very beautiful and clean with rain-forests, oceans, glaciers, and mountains everywhere – think California 100 years ago.  We spent 17 days in country, exploring, hiking, wine-ing, biking, dining, swimming, kayaking, and running – it was the perfect amount of adventure, relaxation, and total grub down on delicious food and wine.  If it didn’t take 29 hours and an 18-hour time difference to get there, I’d live there! (For those interested, there are a few pictures below)

In true runner and “I’m-running-a-marathon-May-1” mode, I got some really good runs in. I wasn’t sure how much I’d be able to swing but as it turns out, BJ is very supportive and NZ is very runner-friendly. A total win-win for me. It was also super cool to upload my runs to Garmin Connect and see the New Zealand map detailing my run.

My body is still trying to figure out if it’s in the USA or in New Zealand – but 2 days home, I’m back in full training mode. I have a 22-mile run this weekend (I’ll need all the encouragement I can get for this run – I’m running solo) and just signed up (impromptu) for a half-marathon on March 26. I guess if I want to BQ, there is no rest for the weary….

Queenstown at Night

Ben Lemond Summit – 9 mile hike (hardest hike of our lives)

Doubtful Sound

Rugby Field – very popular in NZ

Fox Glacier – 5 hour Glacier Hike

Wine Tasting – Blenheim, NZ

Morning breakfast – Waiheke Island, NZ

Waiheke Island, NZ

On our way to Auckland (from Blenheim)

Me and my hubs

Downtown Queenstown

View of Queenstown from about 4,500ft.

Doubtful Sound

Abel Tasman National Park- surrounded by mountains and ocean

Vines for wine!