Red, White, and Boom! Half Marathon - Run5 Mile

I was VERY glad I wasn't doing a half marathon today, for many reasons. The heat would have done me in and I am just not as trained as I should be for longer distances. So, the change to 5 miles was a win/win for me. Also, TCM is giving a $25 credit for another race, making this a win/win/win! It couldn't have turned out better for me.

The day started out hot and muggy with a temp of 79 and 85% humidity before 5:00 am. I made it to the race start and just standing around I was totally soaked with sweat. Unfortunately there wasn't a ton of breeze.

The race started and I actually felt pretty good. The slight uphill in the first mile felt a bit harder, to be expected, but the flat bits felt good. It was hard to get a breeze with how many folks were on the course, and the general lack of breeze, so the occasional air movement was a treat. I would get overheated feeling, but not to the point of panic. I just slowed a tiny bit and a little breeze would materialize and I kept going. By mile 2 I was just over 18 minutes, so I was doing great.

After the first mile a rubbed spot started to hurt on the top of my foot. I stopped a few times to adjust my laces in hopes of taking the pressure off, but I couldn't stop it. Every step was getting more and more painful. I saw Bob just before mile 3 and asked if he had a bandaid or lube (he had ridden his bike, so I thought he might have some thing in his messenger bag). He didn't so I asked him for his sock and he quickly obliged. What a great husband! When I drove in this morning I asked myself, why am I going sockless? I do it for tris, but there's no need for a running race. A foolish oversight!

After getting the sock I felt like a million bucks. Then I kept a great pace. Fortunately it was cloudy, or it would have been a totally different deal. I bet I passed 200 people at the end, it was great. Too bad there weren't timing mats at every mile :) I suppose I lost up to 2 minutes with the sock, both adjusting and finally getting the sock off Bob and on me. I figured with the heat I could go up to 55 minutes, so I was happy to have done what I did. I am glad I wasn't planning a PR for today :)

Wear socks!

Bad planning


I always enjoy the TCM events. I didn't check out the festivities at the finish line, but I did notice they had set up games for before the race. Nice touch!