Carlsbad Half Marathon - RunHalf Marathon

Took my first gel (power bar) at mile 5 or so. Only had half and made sure I had water within minutes. I resisted the urge to go out too fast. I was near the 1:50 pace group sign and didn't think I'd run that fast (and I didn't) so I kept monitoring my pace to make sure I wasn't going to fast. With this injury I"ve had I wanted to make sure I didn't injure myself further and/or burn out early in this run. I think I did a good job of gaging that. I kind of took it at 4 miles increments. The first 4 I was warming up and seeing how everything felt. Good strong pace, not too fast, not too slow. Second 4 I started feeling a little hungry and peeled some layers off, still strong and nice mostly flat along the coast.

At mile 6.2 I was a bit tired and knew I needed to pick up the pace if I wanted sub2. Then I realized it really didn't matter what my time was, what mattered was how was my HBS (injury) and how am I holding up for a strong finish? How is my stomach? My right hip flexor and hip and glute was tightening up some and I debated about whether to stop and stretch, but decided against it. It was never THAT bad, or I"ve learned to ignore certain pains. The serious ones I listen to, or at least try to. Felt that my left calf was cramping up some so tried to get my margarita blokes out but with this new spy belt I couldn't easily get to the zipper so I just made sure I drank some ultima, which has some electrolytes in it.

The next 4 miles were more challenging and around mile 10 I ate 1/2 of my other gel knowing the caffeine would help tremendously. I saw a guy with a decent pace come by and I just decided to stay with him, or very close to him. I did until the next aid station and he somehow ended up behind me and I never saw him again. several people were finding their kick around mile 11 and started to pass by. I slowed on the mild incline right there but then once I crested the hill I felt pretty good and knew I could make up some time on the other side, since it was a decline.

I wouldn't allow myself to look at my pace or time from this point on. I just wanted to run how I felt. Sometimes all this technology takes away to just go how you feel. I was afraid if I looked at my watch I would think "I'm going too fast" and slow and I didn't want that to happen. Looking at my GPS afterward on the computer I see where I was around 7:45 pace at that point and I might have slowed down had I known that. Coming into the final 1 1/2 miles, I knew I could push a bit harder and I realized I had been pushing because I was feeling queasy and thought about getting sick. I wouldn't have, but my stomach might have had other plans. I continued to speed up a bit and was able to power in. Had one guy yell my name (names were on our bibs) and that really helped. I was very focused, just listening to whatever metal song my son had put on my running list and pumping like I could with arms and legs in rhythm.

This felt really, really good, no great, to be able to kick it in that last little bit. While running down that last incline, I felt a nudge on my right elbow and looked over to see the 2:00 pace leader running alongside me. He and I stayed at the same pace for a while, then he went ahead a bit, then when I was pushing it in, I passed him. He was looking around to make sure his peeps came in under 2. My watch said 2;02 so it will be interesting to see what the official time is. I came to the corner and knew I was able to really do a respectable kick. Not so much that I didn't run hard enough, but just enough to know I was spending what was in me.

Woo-hoo. Nice, nice finish and really a great run. I feel like I made some good decisions with regard to fueling and drinking. I didn't stop at the PP once. Remarkable really.

Got my medal from a nice boy with a red cast on his arm. Pretty medals this year, too. They have a little surfboard on them. If I can get my act together I'll try to get a photo and post.

Other than not have an injury, I think I made really good decisions and had a good run.

Walked around and stretched some. Got in line to retrieve my bag then hit the porta potty again and then walked to the car and stopped to stretch a bit. Once I got to the car, got my wallet and went into Henry's to get some chocolate soy milk as a recovery drink. All they had in light was a 1/2 gallon so that's what I got.

Came home and went into the neighbor's unheated pool to chill my legs and booty. Felt good in a weird way. DH went over and chatted with me. Had some hummus egg whites and yogurt and hot tea (decaf of course). Now I"m chillin' in front of the TV on the bed after a 15 or 20 minute hot shower. Oh, I stretched on the floor with Sadie and Augie (dogs) and a kitty.


My ongoing but-getting-better injury.


This is my 3rd Carlsbad 1/2 marathon. I like the wave starts. They really help with the congestion at the start, especially with that little up and over to get over the freeway. The bands were really great this year, too! Volunteers are always plentiful and friendly. Good race, well done!