Gobbler Grind - RunHalf Marathon

The First 3 miles was pretty wild. I've never been in a race with that many people. There were Marathoner's, 5k'ers, and 1/2 marathoners all at the mass start. The first 3 miles was pretty slow until the course split. The pack really forced me to slow down which is exactly what I needed to do. Interesting enough, I found myself pretty tired after mile 2 and thought no way am I going to finish this. Pretty weird that I felt that way. I think it was because I was cold, I felt uneasy with running in tight quarters when I usually run alone, plus I was bummed that my family didn't come out to watch. I felt kind of crummy I guess but it was really too cold for my kids to come out that early anyway so I just needed to get over it.

Once the course Split I really settled into a nice rythm although about mile 5 I needed to pee really bad. I saw so many people just going into the woods to pee so I took about 40-60 seconds to pee then I got right back into it. I wonder what my time would have been had I not had to take 40-60 seconds to pee. Oh well.

Funny Note: A older man was playing this itty bitty miniature guitar for us runners as we ran under this bridge. It was so cool. And on the way back in he was at a different part of the course playing that guitar for us. I made sure to tell him how awesome he was for doing that.

At mile 7 I felt great. I was really enjoying the run. I got passed a couple of times but I felt like I was passing alot of people so that made me wonder if I was pushing too hard. I just tried to maintain good steady form by keeping my arms to minimal movement, holding good posture, and just finding a nice rythm AND finding that happy place to focus my mind on which was my family. At Mile 8 I noticed that I had ran the last mile at about a 9:30 min mile so I knew I was making up some ground from stopping but I also thought maybe I'm pushing too hard.

Ok about Mile 8-10 I noticed that it got really Hilly. I believe it was mile 8 to 9 that the entire mile was on an incline. I went up a hill and then turned a corner and went up another long long hill. All I can say is "THANK YOU" blue springs neighborhoods for being hilly. I totally slayed the hills and passed several people. I really didn't push the hills too hard at all, I just kind of slowed my pace and maintained good steady form. I was pumped that I still felt strong and that my endurance so far was holding up.

From Mile 9-10 I started to feeling hot and sweaty. My running cap was dripping lots and lots of sweat so I knew that I probably needed more fluids. I slowed down and took extra gatorade at the last few stops. I had already downed a GU pack at mile 7. I also started having some stomache cramps which forced me to slow down so I didn't burn out. There went my 9:30 pace, but at the time, I really didn't care about a damn pace as I was running with cramps. I just wanted to finish this sucker and no way was I going to peter out with about 3 miles left.

I remember Mile 11 because the cramps had left and I knew I was getting closer to the end. I was tired and my legs were pretty exhausted. I tried to turn it up but I just couldn't. I thought forsure my pace was going to be horrible. I felt like I was barely moving.

The last half mile I felt wiped out. My legs hurt and my feet were starting to really bother me. I was so glad to see the finish line and all the people cheering. Midwest people are awesome! Even though my family couldn't come out to cheer me on It was cool to have people that didn't even know me tell me great job and way to go. I love the Midwest!

I was thrilled when I finished and couldn't believe that I just ran a half marathon without stopping....well except for a quick pee :)

All day long I wondered what my race pace was going to be. I knew my time but had not calculated my race pace. I told myself I would be happy with an 11 min mile considering I wasn't 100% ready for this race. I was thrilled when it showed 10:08 min per mile. I'm very satisfied with that pace and hope I can improve over time.

I really wouldn't do anything different other than maybe take two gu packs with me. I think I might start a little closer to the front part of the start than the middle to back of the pack.

This was a good run for me considering I was sick the past couple of weeks and that kind of messed up my running plan. I'm so glad I listened to everyone about tapering down. I think I would have been a mess if I hadn't taper properly. I got to remember that for Triathlons because I'm not good about tapering properly before a race.

Drank water, ate a bananna and a bag of Doritos. Also had a cup of good coffee. On my drive home I drank another accelerade and ate a Snickers Marathon Energy Bar.

I got home took a hot shower and met up with my family at church even though I was 20 minutes late :)


Nothing you can do about being sick before an event. I learned all you can do is go with it, trust your training and ability, and give it your absolute best. You can't dwell on what you should have could have been if I weren't sick. I am happy with my results and I look forward to the next one .... whenever that will be :)


Overall this was a well organized race and I would recommend it. Its not like a triathlon where you get lots of free stuff in your goodie bag but then again alot of the proceeds of this race go to a great cause so I can't complain.