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Shamrock Sportsfest Half Marathon - RunHalf Marathon


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Virginia Beach, Virginia
United States
Shamrock Sportsfest
49F / 9C
Overcast
Total Time = 3h 15m 10s
Overall Rank = 5119/5778
Age Group = F25-29
Age Group Rank = 683/719
Pre-race routine:

Woke up at 6:00 and checked the weather from the balcony. I could tell it was very windy, but didn't feel so cold. I got dressed and headed downstairs while eating breakfast (water and a clif bar). Met Kristen in the lobby of the hotel and to give her her number and race pack. Once Kristen was ready we headed out.
Event warmup:

Walked to the starting line and tried to stay warm while talking to Kristen and Andy. Got to the right corral and had to walk up and down it a few times to find the 2:30 pace group.
Run
  • 3h 15m 10s
  • 13.1 miles
  • 14m 54s  min/mile
Comments:

Oh sit right back and you'll hear the tale,
A tale of a fateful run.
That started on a windy morn
and wasn't too much fun.

The weather was windy and rough
but I stayed on my feet.
Too bad I had a stomach bug
and not too much to eat.



Well, that's the short version of my run. I was feeling really confident after Saturday. I wasn't feeling too cold at the start. I wore shorts, a short-sleeved t-shirt, a long-sleeved t-shirt over that, and gloves. I started off with the 2:30 pace group (11:27/mile) since I'd been able to run 11:00 miles during my training runs. I hung with them for the first mile and a half until we got to the first water stop. I had a Clif bar for breakfast and wasn't feeling great. After drinking some Gatorade and then trying to go back to running, I felt even worse. After mile 2, I threw up. Really disgusting. That probably should have been a clue for me, but I figured it was just the Clif bar and I should figure out a better nutrition strategy.

Next water stop was at mile 3, so I ate a few jelly beans before that. Had more Gatorade and then threw up shortly thereafter. Basically the first four and a half miles were a struggle between not having enough food and energy and nausea and vomiting. After mile 4.5, I took off my t-shirt and started walking for a minute after running 10. I saw my PhD adviser right at the turn to Fort Story and he gave me a gummy worm. Tasted very good. I made it through Fort Story with the alternating walking and running. My stomach was hurting and cramping, so I didn't eat anything other than the pack of jelly beans and Gatorade.

Coming out of Fort Story, I saw the first marathon runner pass in the other direction. Wow, was he fast!!! I started cramping up even more and stopped to a porta-potty. After that, my stomach was basically cramped so much that it hurt to stand up straight and it was even harder to run. At this point, my goal was just to finish and, if possible, finish before the first marathoner. I power walked to mile 12 (15 blocks from the finish) and then started running again. It was kind of a walk/run shuffle, not even really running. My hips felt like they were moving too much and I could tell I had a blister on the top of a few toes, but I kept going as much as I could.

I finally made it down Atlantic to 37th street. I'd heard that a wheelchair runner was coming, so I knew the first marathoner wouldn't be too far behind. At 37th, Andy was waiting and cheered me on. I got passed by the wheelchair runner. Now I only had the 6 blocks on the boardwalk. I stayed with a nice woman who was walking for about 3 blocks. We talked and tried to just get through. 3 blocks from the finish, I picked it up as much as I could. I crossed the line about two minutes in front of the marathoner. :)

Walked through the finish chute to get a medal, hat, foil blanket, food bad, and got my chip off. I got a chance to shake the hand of the winning marathoner. Pretty cool. :)
What would you do differently?:

Train with more long runs, find some kind of liquid nutrition that gives me enough calories for breakfast, not have a stomach bug.
Post race
Warm down:

After I made it through the finishing shoot, I walked over to Starbucks to meet Andy. He had already ordered my coffee, so I had to wait just a few minutes to get the drink. Then we walked back to the hotel so I could stretch and shower before we drove back home.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

Being sick, not having the right nutrition plan.




Last updated: 2007-10-29 12:00 AM
Running
03:15:10 | 13.1 miles | 14m 54s  min/mile
Age Group: 683/719
Overall: 5119/5778
Performance: Below average
To be added...
Course: Run north on Atlantic to Shore Drive, then North on Shore to Fort Story. Turn into Fort Story and run south on Atlantic. At 37th Street, turn on to the boardwalk to 31st Street finish.
Keeping cool Average Drinking Not enough
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Average
Mental exertion [1-5] 2
Physical exertion [1-5] 4
Good race? Ok
Evaluation
Course challenge
Organized? Yes
Events on-time? Yes
Lots of volunteers? Yes
Plenty of drinks? Yes
Post race activities: Good
Race evaluation [1-5] 5

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2008-03-16 3:48 PM

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Science Nerd
28760
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Redwood City, California
Subject: Shamrock Sportsfest Half Marathon


2008-03-16 4:30 PM
in reply to: #1274737

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2008-03-16 5:16 PM
in reply to: #1274737

Royal(PITA)
14270
50005000200020001001002525
West Chester, Ohio
Subject: RE: Shamrock Sportsfest Half Marathon

Sorry you felt so bad.  I'm going to have to learn from your race to prep for my half mary next month.  Great job hanging in under tough circumstances.

 

2008-03-16 6:37 PM
in reply to: #1274737

Extreme Veteran
541
50025
Virginny
Subject: RE: Shamrock Sportsfest Half Marathon
Wow, Jen, you really stuck through some nastiness there! I think if I had been puking at the beginning of the race I would've thrown in the towel. I was also having nutrition issues, so I have no advice for you there. You've done this more times than me, anyhow! Congratulations on sticking out a really tough race. It was great to meet you and of course, have the bomb!

-Rebecca
2008-03-16 6:53 PM
in reply to: #1274737

Master
1551
10005002525
Virginia Beach, VA
Subject: RE: Shamrock Sportsfest Half Marathon
Sorry you had a tough race; you are togh to hang in there to finish. It was fun seeing you again; come back on a nice weather weekend
2008-03-16 10:06 PM
in reply to: #1274737

Expert
1117
1000100
Shalimar, FL
Subject: RE: Shamrock Sportsfest Half Marathon

Oh geez, what bad luck!  You just never know when something like that is going to kick in, but lousy timing...  In spite, you persevered and overcame.  Congrats!



2008-03-16 11:55 PM
in reply to: #1274737

Subject: ...
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2008-03-17 9:54 AM
in reply to: #1274737

Champion
6962
500010005001001001001002525
Atlanta, Ga
Subject: RE: Shamrock Sportsfest Half Marathon

Jen,

I'm sorry you had some sort of bug, but you toughed it out.  That is what will carry you to greatness later this season.  Just chalk it up as a bad race, but great push to the finish.

Sorry I had to leave this weekend and we couldn't get together.

2008-03-17 9:55 AM
in reply to: #1274737

Champion
6107
50001000100
Out running or enjoying a fine glass of red...
Subject: RE: Shamrock Sportsfest Half Marathon
Way to stick it out...and I love the opening song! At least you have a good sense of humor about it (and you didn't hurl on your adviser, which would have been bad).
2008-03-18 5:48 AM
in reply to: #1274737

Expert
957
5001001001001002525
Reykjavik, Iceland
Subject: RE: Shamrock Sportsfest Half Marathon

Avvv, that was a hard race, but very very very impressive that you finished it

The way you wrote it seems to me like your tummy did not like the Gatorade !! Have you been using Gatorade on an empty tummy before ?

 

You did great getting through it, and it seems you got stronger towards the end you are a fighter, many would have quit the race, but NOT you

2008-03-18 5:59 AM
in reply to: #1274737

Veteran
149
10025
King George, VA
Subject: RE: Shamrock Sportsfest Half Marathon
Way to stick it out!


2008-03-18 12:40 PM
in reply to: #1274737

Master
1289
1000100100252525
Franklin, TN
Subject: RE: Shamrock Sportsfest Half Marathon
Way to hang in there!  You are one tough girl!
2008-03-18 1:52 PM
in reply to: #1274737

Extreme Veteran
608
500100
Iceland
Subject: RE: Shamrock Sportsfest Half Marathon

Way to go for making it through!! That sounds like a tough race but you sure had determination!!

Very impressive!

2008-03-18 5:10 PM
in reply to: #1274737

Champion
5345
500010010010025
Carlsbad, California
Subject: RE: Shamrock Sportsfest Half Marathon

Tough day out there Jen.

Sounds like you really hung in there and reset your goals as your situation changed. I like that bit where you set a goal during the race to finish before the first marathoner. (I probably would not have thought of that)

I have had races where I was not 100% and my body was rebelling against what was happening and know how tough it can get.

Way to hang in there and make it happen. Hope your tummy troubles cleared up quickly

Oh, and G-Ade on the course would make my tummy pretty angry even without a bug.

2008-03-21 2:31 PM
in reply to: #1274737

Pro
4216
20002000100100
Sous Mon Diadème
Subject: RE: Shamrock Sportsfest Half Marathon
Helllooooo Tough Cookie (no, not toss cookie, TOUGH cookie ).  Way to hang in there and finish under some tough conditions.  Love the theme song, just wish it had been a happier themed race for you!  Regardless, congratulations on finishing under less than ideal circumstances.
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