MVP Healthcare Half Marathon - RunHalf Marathon

I was kind of concerned because I wasn't nervous for the race, or excited for the race, or anything. If I had any emotion towards it, it was to just get it over with. And maybe some curiosity about what I would be able to do. Not really the attitude I hope for before a race, but what can you do? Rob was raring and ready to go, though. That was evidenced in his minor berating of another driver to get the hell out of his way at an intersection so he could turn left. (I wanted to slunk down in my seat - he's really not usually like that.)

After the much needed potty stop, we pretty much sprinted to the start line, which was at least a 1/4 mile away. I was afraid I'd spent all my energy just for that. We started off zigzagging through people, and that pretty much never ended. It wasn't as crazy, necessarily, as the Boilermaker, but we were in large groups the entire time and often had to negotiate how to pass people. I settled my brain into thinking of the race as chunks - 1st 5K, 10K, 10 miles, last 5K. That helped.

We kept a pretty consistent pace the entire race, right around 8:30's, the first couple of miles I was impressed with the pace we were maintaining. I wanted to keep it up, but I was also worried that I would really regret it towards the end, so I kind of wanted to slow down. I also kept waiting for Rob to slow up, but he kept plugging along. I had several more long runs in than he, so I didn't know he'd be able to keep such a pace for the entire time. His goal was to finish in 2:10, but more importantly, before any of the full marathoners finished! He more than succeeded in that.

I took some gels along but decided to use the water stops and not take my water with me. that worked well. I took a gel at mile 5ish, then took the water at the stop at 5 1/2. But I didn't want a gel after that. At miles 9 and 11 (I think?) I chose to try the powerade with water instead. I don't know why, but that's what I wanted. I think it worked alright, but I, obviously, should train with drink mixes before a big race... I was just on the verge of taking in too many liquids - my tummy was feeling like it was almost too full. I walked 3 of the water stops. One thing I did experience, that I've never experienced before, was an ALMOST hamstring cramp or pull. It was in my left hamstring, and it just felt like it was going to act up, but it never quite did. I wondered at that moment if I was dehydrated, but I think I took in more liquids than normal. Maybe it was a reaction to not taking my normal gel? But I think it's more likely that it was just my hammy telling me it hasn't run this hard, nor this long, before and it wasn't sure it wanted to any more. :-)

Rob was a mad man the entire run! He kept my pace going more than once. A little after mile 10, though, I looked at my watch and wondered if I'd be able to make my secret 1:50 goal I had, plus my plan was to try to kick it into gear with 3 miles left anyway. I did a wave to Rob, and he told me to go, and I attempted to pick up the pace. I succeeded in picking up the pace for the next 2 miles to 8:20, but I was sooooo dying. The last 2 miles of this race were just pure hell. I spent the entire time trying to drive the desire to just WALK out of my head and to convince myself that it would all be over very soon and I could relax and enjoy my strong efforts in just a few. more. minutes.... My last 1.1 miles was an 8:08 pace! I'm sure I looked like death warmed over as I was approaching the finish chute, but I think I managed to maintain my form and finish strong.

uh, maybe actually train? Run more than 2 or 3 times in a 2 week period?? Summer events are always hard for me because when the kids are home my schedule and routine seem so incompatible with training. Some day that will get better.

After getting my medal and chip taken off, I sat for a few seconds in a chair until I saw Rob. He only finished 24 seconds behind me! He was very pleased, and I was very proud of him (and a bit surprised at what he pulled off!) :)

We met up with Ken and his BIL very soon after finishing. He had finished well before us, so he was looking pretty good. Rob and I were still trying to decide whether or not we needed the medical tent or a garbage can still. ;-) I approached the pools just as they were filling them with water and ice and decided to try the ice bath since it was still so fresh and clean.
OH YEAH! I failed to mention that I twisted my damn left ankle at about mile 8.5. It hurt pretty badly, and my pace slowed down for a minute or two until I could get rid of the initial pain. It pretty much went away after a little bit.

So, anyway, the ice bath felt heavenly on my feet and ankles, and then I decided to kneel down in it to get my knees and calves iced down. Ken joined me so we could say we've actually bathed together... :) It really helped a lot (the ice, not Ken). I've never done that before (sat in an ice bath with Ken). Although, after the St. Louis marathon in April I think I filled our hotel tub with cold water and sat in that for a little bit.

After standing around talking for awhile, I needed to sit down because I didn't think I was feeling very good. After I sat I was better. Food did not sound pleasing to me until later. I eventually tried a piece of pizza but that wasn't doing it so I threw it out and went for a banana, orange and chocolate milk, all of which were great.


Train. Lose some lbs.


A really great race, well done, lots of amenities. The goody bag was filled with good stuff, not just ads. And there were a decent amount of spectators out cheering the runners on. I'll have to do it again.