Sunday, May 11, 2014

The Heroes Half: Could there BE any more wind??


On the last Sunday in April, I ran the Heroes Half.  Last year I ran it with Erika and got a PR of 2:04.  I felt like this was the race that I could sub 2:00 this year.

Well, as you know if you've been reading lately (when I actually post), my training lately has been less than stellar.   However, since I had paid the entry fee, I decided to suck it up and run the race, focusing on the "joy" of racing and "forgetting about" the PR.

TriGuy came along to spectate, and once we got to the race venue I  stopped at the bathroom.

Tangent:  Why is it that no matter how many times I go before I leave the house, as soon as I see that starting line my bladder is suddenly full again??

I finally got through the line in the bathroom and when I came out TriGuy informed me that the race had already started.

See?

I nearly missed the starting mats because uh, because the uh, the starting area wasn't very well marked. Yeah, that's what it was.


Or maybe I just wasn't paying attention.  Moving on.

This race is a fundraiser to support the military through the USO.  Amongst the runners, walkers, dogs, strollers, and children (there really were children doing the half!) were also soldiers,


and lots of people wearing superhero shirts and costumes.


I was wearing my new TEAM TOUGH CHIK shirt!


Unfortunately, I did not feel tough.  My hip was really bothering me.


It hurt for the first 6 miles.  

I left my fuel belt at home, which meant I had to drink from the paper cups on the course while running.


It didn't work out so well.

I had put together my playlist so that once I got close to the turnaround I would have an extra musical boost. I may or may not have been singing and dancing a little when Ke$ha and Pitbull came on.





I'm pretty sure I was not actually singing out loud, which was probably even weirder.

On the return half of the run, I felt like I was not seeing many people, meaning the majority of people were ahead of me.  Despite my plan to let go of my PR hopes, I was still stubborn motivated to try for it.  I had my Garmin set to show my average pace, and knew that if I got it to 9:09 per mile I would cross the finish in 1:59:59.  I was edging the seconds off of my 10:45 pace, though the wind picked up, especially on the uphills.


I mean, there was a SERIOUS head wind.


For SIX AND A HALF miles.

When I looked at my watch and realized I would have to run the last 3 miles in 16 minutes, I knew it was time to let go of the PR dream.  Still, at the end, I decided to just give it all I had.  Through the beautifully scenic last mile:


I became focused on running as fast and smoothly as possible. I put my game face on.


And then promptly broke out of it to take a "good" picture when I saw the race photographer.


I seriously need a jazz-hands intervention.  

Once I got past the last turn, I immediately got back down to business, and ran past TriGuy and across the finish line.


After trying to convince TriGuy that I did not, in fact, need a piggyback ride to the car, I limped to the sidewalk and stretched while waiting for him to drive over to me.  

I finished the 2014 Heroes Half Marathon in 2:13:25 , a far cry from my 2:04 finish last year, and an even farther cry from the ever-elusive sub 2:00.

For now, I can be happy that:

A) I finished, even with a wonky hip
2)  I beat the average pace by 5 minutes (there were lots of walkers), and
C) I placed 29/66 in my age group

And at least it didn't rain...

Oh, look what I just did there:


Stay tuned.

UPCOMING POSTS: YOGA, SOMETHING MAYBE TO DO WITH RAIN, VISITING A RUNNING GURU

34 comments:

  1. Good job! Congrats on powering through despite hip pain I and hills!

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  2. That race was my first half two years ago and the exact same thing happened to me at the porta potties, ha! Sounds like you toughed out the race despite the challenges--great job!

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    1. That's funny, Sybil! I actually waited first inside the hotel but that line wasn't moving. Lots of wasted time there.

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  3. Wait, you cannot run 3 miles in 16 minutes?!?!?!?!? AH HA AH! You needed the Superman Cape ;) JK! I definitely COULD NOT DO THAT EITHER - screw it! I don't go for the numbers, I just am proud of myself when I ACTUALLY ACCOMPLISH SOMETHING! BOOM! and look at that you accomplished this race, regardless of the OBNOXIOUS WINDDD!

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    1. You're right, I do need that cape!! I should have asked to borrow it. And, you're also right that I did accomplish the race :)

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  4. lol, love your graphics. You did amazing- be proud!

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  5. That's like almost exactly my time from me half marathon three weeks ago! In ny race (at my age) it was good for 3rd in my age group.

    BTW, I love jazz hands. They make me smile. See: :-). Nice job in spite of tough circumstances.

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    1. That's so cool! I was the 2nd fastest woman my age...just not in my age group :P And i'm so glad jazz hands make you smile, and that you showed me your smile :D

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  6. love that you persevered through a tough race. great job!

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  7. Great job pushing through! I ran that race a couple years ago:)

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    1. Thanks Rachelle! It's not bad, right? It's smallish and relatively flat...ish :)

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  8. Nice work kicking ass!!
    I hate when you get the mileage math done in your head and you realize that a PR isn't going to work out unless you are on a bike.

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    1. Yes, that's pretty much exactly what it was! So annoying. But thank you--I was definitely glad to finish!

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  9. I feel you on the Racer's Bladder. I basically try to hold back on pre-race hydration otherwise I regret it. TMI?

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    1. Not TMI...I mean, not for sports talk :) And given the long line-ups prerace, I would say we're not alone!

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  10. Same bladder issue here. So glad I am not alone! Why is that???? I have learned to try to ignore it...that doesn't always work.

    Awesome job!

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    1. Thanks Erica :) Yes, sometimes I can ignore it and the feeling goes away. That's weird, isn't it??

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  11. Hey, you're back! Nice job on the spit-curl on the Superman cosplay-runner.
    It looks like other factors were at play in your run so your time, given the conditions, is pretty great.
    And by the way, Wonky Hip is the name of my funk band.

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    1. Thanks very much! I always appreciate your appreciation of my drawings :D Love your band name; I'm guessing that--aside from you--it's full of middle-aged hipsters?

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  12. Good for you for finishing! I probably would have gone home after I missed the start. Also, I would have missed the start on purpose.

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  13. Your'e too funny. I love all your drawings. :) My fastest half is 2:28 so I'm jealous....but not about the wind. Hate me some wind.

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    1. Thanks so much :) Yeah wind sucks big time.

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  14. LOVE your posts!!! The fact that I would not even get near what you did with a perfect feeling bod makes you a rock star to me!!! :)

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  15. Great job TriGirl, I know it is hard to miss out on that P.R. but honestly, I hope you are able to savior that you are running :) I'm still 1.5 years with no races under my belt from a car accident. So so happy for you and I hope your hip heals well!

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    1. Thank you Marnee! I am so sorry to hear about that--I hope you're continuing to heal!

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  16. Love, love, love the drawings. A true artist in your own league! Good job on the half and for focusing on the positive.

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    1. Thank you for all those compliments, Jeanne! It is hard focus on the positives sometimes!

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  17. My family has been bugging me to go running ever since I've gone to the gym. Cardio is good for you they say! Stop lifting so many weights!

    Maybe I could tolerate it a bit more if I get your winds and (potential) rain. I love that kind of weather.

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    1. Rain is ok, but running in the wind is not so fun. I tend to focus on either weights or cardio. But I think doing both is what is best :)

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