Rock ‘n’ Roll Raleigh Half Marathon - Run

We were in coral 12 so did not start until 7:25. Inching up I got more and more excited, this is ROCK N ROLL RALEIGH! The emcee was on-point and getting everyone so pumped up! Brian and I had planned to not run together so predictably I lost sight of him about 2 minutes after we crossed the start line.

The first few miles I knew I was running too fast, but justified it in my head that I was "banking" some seconds as I knew the hills were coming. I was sweating already, but very pleased with my wardrobe choice of capri length tights and my Chicago Marathon tank, visor, and hand-held water bottle. Surprised there was not an aid station until after the 2 mile mark - I am consistently happy with my decision to carry my own water each time I race!

I knew from looking at the elevation profile there would be hills. And there were HILLS. I was running up them till mile 4, that was the first time I walked up the 2nd half of one. But otherwise I was chugging away and seriously enjoying the race - SO MUCH FUN! Bands, spectators, the whole nine yards.

Don't remember a whole lot until mile 8.5 where I decided to eat my Sports Beans right before an aid station. Chomped them down and grabbed a Gatorade then more water - this combination pepped me up SO MUCH and I felt so good right after that!

Then at mile 11 something extraordinary happened.
The left side of the path was lined with posters staked into the ground with photos of North Carolina soldiers killed in action. Photos of their faces, with their families, with their kids. Hundreds of them, it seemed. I started to get choked up and kept reading names and looking at faces. Then a lady in front of me moved over right next to the posters and started gently high-fiving the posters, in the way you would bend down and high five a child. One by one, others fell in line behind her doing the same thing. It was now a steady stream of runners gently touching the posters and I absolutely lost it. I was bawling, Tears were STREAMING down my face and I couldn't breathe. After the posters there were then a multitude of volunteers holding American flags, I mean probably 100 of them. More tears and crying - it was the most emotional and most moving thing I've ever experienced in a race. Ever. I will never forget that.
http://www.wearblueruntoremember.org/

After I pulled myself together I realized there were less than 2 miles to go, and my fuzzy calculations told me I could probably beat 2:30, so I concentrated on trying to stay around 11 minute miles. I had to walk up some hill sections here and there, but otherwise was booking it and feeling great!

Around mile 12, the full marathon leader passed us. Wow - he was flying! We cheered him on like crazy and I marveled at the fact that he basically lapped us. So cool.

In my last mile I was floored at the number of spectators leading up to the finish line. SO many people, signs, and encouragement. It definitely had the feel of a big-time race and I soaked it all in. I love racing. I love finish lines - especially ones where I beat my last half marathon time by TWO MINUTES! YEEE HAWWW!!

Not a thing.

We had planned to meet at the family reunion area so I just went straight there. Except I was told they didn't put up the letter signs (we were going to meet a "H"), with no explanation as to why. They just didn't, so you would just have to hope you found your family in a sea of 25K people! OK!

After a phone call we found each other and headed back to the hotel. Brian had finished in around 2:15 and was hurting pretty good. So proud of him though - he said he really enjoyed the race except for the hills. Yup.

That afternoon we went shopping at the outlet malls, then another mall, then ordered in pizza for dinner while watching the Masters and playing card games. SUCH a fun time with such great people!




Lack of run consistency and speed work.


Couple of things: the race start was delayed 10 minutes because traffic was so backed up there were too many people that were going to miss the start. Inaugural year problems, yup, hopefully they will straighten that out for future events. Aid stations were few and far between in my opinion, and only 3 had Gatorade. Being a sunny and warm (70 degrees?) day I was thankful I carried my own water. Post-race they did not do the family reunion alphabet signs as advertised, which was annoying.

Good stuff is everything that Rock N Roll does well - event organization, fun atmosphere, bands and music, etc.

Would recommend this race if you like HILLS! Ha!