Girlfriends Half Marathon - RunHalf Marathon

WHAT WAS I THINKING?

Seriously, though, I signed up for this race back in May because I had heard about the sell-out risk (which it did, very early) and at the time, I was in full triathlon training mode. I created a schedule back at the end of July to get me on track to run the 13.1 miles, but I had a hard time sticking to my schedule. For awhile there, I was doing 2 of the 3 runs per week plus some cross training, but I hurt my back in the beginning of September and didn't run too much after that. And then, at the end of September, I started getting these migraines and completely stopped running.

Still, I figured I could always walk it... But I should have known that come race morning, when I was lining up with all of the other girls and looking at the pace signs, that I wouldn't be able to go all of the way to the back with the walkers. No, I decided to group myself with the 12+ minute mile group which were right before the walkers.

The first couple of miles felt great. My friend Sarah was in my sights for most of the first mile until after 8 minutes I decided to take a 2 minute walk break. I hadn't really decided my run/walk ratio before the run, but I figured to make the math easier, that breaking it out into 10-minute increments would be best. So after 8 minutes of running, I decided to walk 2. Rinse and repeat. That formula seemed to work well for me for the first four or so miles and according to my watch, I was around a 12 minute mile pace for the first couple of miles and 12:30 for the next two.

I was getting tired, though, and knew I couldn't sustain the 8/2 for the whole 13 miles. I changed it up to 6/4 for awhile, probably until about the halfway point. When the volunteer called out that we were halfway done I was so happy because I was feeling so good! That didn't last for long though. Around the start of mile 9, there was a gradual incline that would take us up and over the freeway. I had no energy for that and stopped to walk it, even though it wasn't yet time according to my watch. I grabbed my packet of chocolate Gu and had a little feast as I climbed up the hill and took my sweet time crossing and then coming back down on the other side of the road. From there, we had a nice flat run through Fort Vancouver and I was happy to run again (6/4 not 8/2), but when we reached mile 10 I was expecting water. "Water is up ahead!" called the volunteer stationed there.... "Where?!?" I thought. I commiserated over the lack of any visible aid station with two girls who had been with me most of the race (I would pass them, they would pass me...) and refused to run until I got some water. I walked a good long ways (must have been more than a half mile) until I saw a shopping center with an aid station in front. "Well it's about time!" I lingered at this aid station, probably downing 3 or 4 cups of water and energy drink before heading back up the hill (oh, how lovely, another hill). Excitement at seeing the Mile 11 sign on the way up the hill though... I'll run for a bit. I switched to 4/6 on my run/walk once I reached flat land until sometime after mile 12 when there was yet another uphill. Cruel, cruel, race organizers. Oh, well, how could you really complain too much when you were in the midst of a beautiful park and were greeted by yet another water station at the top of the hill?

From there it was a quick stride back into downtown and around a few turns to the finish line where I was greeted by my girlfriends!

Um, train for this event? Actually, I did remarkably well considering how little I have trained.

Walked around, free massage, brunch with the girls!


Needed way more porta-potties at the start/finish and would have liked more aid stations, but other than that, this was a wonderful race!!! I really love my finisher's bracelet!