General Discussion Race Reports! » Gulf Coast 1/2 Marathon Rss Feed  
Moderators: k9car363, alicefoeller Reply

Gulf Coast 1/2 Marathon - Run


View Member's Race Log
United States
Gulf Coast Pacers
50F / 10C
Precipitation
Total Time = 2h 09m 50s
Overall Rank = 118/176
Age Group = 35-37
Age Group Rank = 4/9
Pre-race routine:

Alarm went off @ 5:00, the race was about a 45 minute drive from my parent's house. PLUS I wasn't pre-registered. Mom got up with me and had coffee ready when I had gotten out of shower. Grabbed a Cliff bar and a bottle of water and was on my way. Found the Stennis Space Center without a clitch. No rain on drive down
Event warmup:

Registration was a breeze, no line, no waiting. Very cool t-shirt. I put it on over another long sleeve t-shirt and asked a stranger to take a picture. Stretched and did some brisk walking, but no running. RAIN started about 7:53...it poured on me from then until after mile 11. At about 11.5, rain stopped and sun came out. I had running tights on to start with then changed to shorts and running tank right before the race.
Run
  • 2h 09m 50s
  • 13.1 miles
  • 09m 55s  min/mile
Comments:

I had never run in the rain before. It poured the whole time, I was cold, my arms were chilled and never really felt 'warmed-up'. I actually ran with my eyes closed a couple of time. I forgot my hat, would have been nice to have one on. I thought that race director would have postponed the race due to thunderstorms, but he didn't. Saw lightening about 3x and heard thunder several times. I really missed having a buddy to run with. The walkman just doesn't do the trick. It was a very hard run for me...but I now have no doubts that I can finish an olympic distance tri...if I can run in the pouring down rain for a little over 2 hours, I am no longer intimidated about the oly distance.

My stomach was great...no nausea or cramps. Never got cotton mouth because I felt like I was swimming, open mouth rain pouring in! :)Gatorade at 4 stops, orange slice at mile 7, two jolly ranchers
What would you do differently?:

bring hat for rain
not miss my last two long runs (hadn't run long since Oct 23)
would have brought my flips for after the race
Post race
Warm down:

Last two miles were killer, it took everything I had to continue...but no way in heck I was going to quit.
My feet were white prunes...all shriveled...YUCK
had a sprite, 4 choc chip cookies and bowl of jambalaya
Many were drinking Coors, but I just haven't acquired the stomach for it yet right after a race
I was glad that I could eat jambalaya, at the 20k in Oct, I couldn't eat BBQ due to nausea

What limited your ability to perform faster:

RAIN
missing my last 2 long training runs

Event comments:

For my very first 1/2 marathon, and considering the conditions, I was pleased.




Last updated: 2004-10-21 12:00 AM
Running
02:09:50 | 13.1 miles | 09m 55s  min/mile
Age Group: 4/9
Overall: 118/176
Performance: Below average
Course: Very flat around the Stennis Space Center. NO traffic at all.
Keeping cool Good Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall:
Mental exertion [1-5] 4
Physical exertion [1-5] 3
Good race? Ok
Evaluation
Course challenge Just right
Organized? Yes
Events on-time? Yes
Lots of volunteers? Yes
Plenty of drinks? Yes
Post race activities:
Race evaluation [1-5]

{postbutton}
2004-11-27 2:28 PM

Veteran
166
1002525
Alabama
Subject: Gulf Coast 1/2 Marathon


2004-11-27 3:02 PM
in reply to: #86965

User image

Elite Veteran
628
50010025
Atlanta, GA
Subject: RE: Gulf Coast 1/2 Marathon
K, you did a great job despite the nasty weather. I'm glad you are no longer intimidated by a 1/2 marathon. I sure am! Awesome job!!! Proud of you to push through the rain and cold and still come away with a good time.
2004-11-27 3:42 PM
in reply to: #86965

User image

Extreme Veteran
386
100100100252525
Fort Worth, TX
Subject: RE: Gulf Coast 1/2 Marathon

That's awesome Kristi!  Good for you for sticking with it through the rain, and motivating yourself.

Sounds like you are well on your way to demolishing an Oly.  You just ran *twice* the required distance! 

2004-11-27 4:43 PM
in reply to: #86965

User image

Expert
1279
1000100100252525
Northern VA
Subject: RE: Gulf Coast 1/2 Marathon

FANTASTIC JOB Kristi!!!!!!!!!!!! and in MISERABLE conditions!!!! Overcoming ALL those obstacles to finish is not easy. One of them - running in miserable cold rain - I'm familiar with, lol. I can feel your pain.

Congrats on your first 1/2 Marathon, you should be pleased and very proud!!!!



Edited by glf33 2004-11-27 4:46 PM
2004-11-27 6:53 PM
in reply to: #86965

User image

Expert
1180
1000100252525
Iowa
Subject: RE: Gulf Coast 1/2 Marathon
You Rock! Congratulations! Yes, a couple more long runs would have been good, it would have been nice if the rain had not come, a hat would have helped. But hey ... you tested yourself ... and you won! I love your attitude!
2004-11-27 10:57 PM
in reply to: #86965

User image

Expert
1152
10001002525
wrightsville beach, North Carolina
Subject: RE: Gulf Coast 1/2 Marathon
WOW..you should be pleased!! Terrific times, unfourtunate for the precipitation but hey it made the day memorable in more ways than one. Congrats and take a few rest days.


2004-11-28 8:36 AM
in reply to: #86965

User image

Extreme Veteran
339
10010010025
Atlanta, GA
Subject: RE: Gulf Coast 1/2 Marathon
GREAT job in miserable conditions! I hope to be that strong (mentally and physically) someday. What an inspiration.

james
2004-11-28 7:17 PM
in reply to: #86965

User image

Master
1494
1000100100100100252525
Kingston Ontario
Subject: RE: Gulf Coast 1/2 Marathon

Great job on your first half marathon.....you are one tough cookie to stick it out through all the crappy weather.  You CAN do an oly with that great attitude, no problem!!!

Jen

2004-11-29 5:40 AM
in reply to: #87139

User image

Master
2447
200010010010010025
Marietta, Ga
Subject: RE: Gulf Coast 1/2 Marathon
Congratulations, Kristi, on finishing.  That is quite an accomplishment considering the conditions!
2004-12-15 9:35 AM
in reply to: #87217

User image

Regular
110
100
King George, VA
Subject: RE: Gulf Coast 1/2 Marathon
Hey Kristi, great race report! Way to finish strong!! And good "hints" on what to do different: hat, flips for post-race - I haven't thought of that...

Running in the rain sounds like a bummer.

Keep up the good work!
jlk
General Discussion-> Race Reports!
{postbutton}
General Discussion Race Reports! » Gulf Coast 1/2 Marathon Rss Feed