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

Shamrock Sportsfest 1/2 Marathon - RunHalf Marathon


View Member's Race Log View other race reports
Virginia Beach, Virginia
United States
Shamrock Sportsfest
Sunny
Total Time = 2h 39m 1s
Overall Rank = 3326/5000
Age Group = F 30-34
Age Group Rank = 290/342
Pre-race routine:

Up at 5:30, get a bagel to go from the hotel restaurant, have that & some coffee.
Event warmup:

Bouncing around to keep warm - windy!!!! However, not as bad as it was for the 8K runners yesterday.
Run
  • 2h 39m 1s
  • 13.1 miles
  • 12m 08s  min/mile
Comments:

This was my first half-mary. Flipping awesome. One of my buddies was able to come down and hang out - he's done three marathons, so I asked for any last minute great advice - "start slow and ease off" - I feel like I managed pretty well - my pace was pretty darn rock solid.

Just a hair over 11 minutes on the first mile - perfect. I was worried about going out too quickly, and I felt like I'd avoided that. Water stop was a little earlier than I expected in mile 2, but hey, it's all good. The next water stop had a theme - the Wizard of Oz. :) It's not often you see Dorothy giving out Gu. Decided at this point I'd alternate between gatorade and water - all my distance runs have been water only - and yes, such a great idea to change your procedures on a Very Important Race, but it worked out quite well.

Just before the 4.5 water stop, I had to hit the WC. Argh! I've seen lines in bars that move faster, and there weren't even that many folks there, but it was still 7 minutes gone. (Yes, it was a nice break, but I didn't need 7 minutes of it.) Hit mile 5 at just over an hour - feeling really good about everything. Looks like that 3 hour goal is well within reach and then some.

Then it's into Fort Story - where they've put up a series of burma shave signs with trivia questions - a fun distraction. Except for the signs warning of "heartbreak hill" ahead...those were a little disturbing because I didn't remember any sharp changes in elevation from the course map. Well, wherever it was - I missed it.

Hitting mile 7 was GREAT. We're over halfway done! The wind is at our backs and I am still feeling GOOD. Mile 8 water stop is manned by the Boy Scouts - they put up signs a good half mile out letting us know it was coming up. Then it's out of Fort Story, where we had several folks yelling us on at the gate, "it's only 4 more miles! You're all doing great! You're not even tired!" I realized I was feeling great, and I looked at these folks and hollered back, and much high fiving ensued.

Then it's on to water point 9.5 where the rumor was true. The Hash House Harriers were there. MY HEROES! Possibly the BEST beer I have ever had in my life. I was declared a goddess by my beer guy. :)

Hit 10 miles in just over 2 hours. Still feeling pretty good overall, but I am wondering where all the padding in the bottom of my shoes went. 5K to go. Just a little 5K race left. Hit the water stop at mile 11, and realize I am slowing down, but I am still moving forward and that's the important thing, but it's getting a little harder. I find that I'm talking to myself, talking to my parents, quoting movie lines. Around 11.5 I ended up just walking for about 30 steps. Then got annoyed at myself for doing it and pushed on. I swear I can feel someone pushing me along at this point. (Mom? Dad? Thanks.)

Mile 12. Just a mile and a smidge left. So, SO close. I start trying to spot the hotel in the distance. Can't help it. We hit 40th Street, which is where the start was, and what a wonderful surprise - an unplanned water stop!!! My words to the woman that gave me the water: "I am SOOOOOOO glad you are here!!!!!!" It was absolutely perfect and exactly what I needed for that last bit.

37th street and we turn onto the boardwalk. I can SEE the finish. And it's actually getting closer and definitely not an optical illusion. I'm still keeping a steady, if somewhat slower than pre-10 pace. But I am still going. Mile 13. Part of my brain is going "You really don't have to sprint into the end you know, you've just done 13 miles" and yet, something else took over and I find myself speeding up, then I hear them call out my name and it's suddenly a full on sprint over the finish line, with me screaming "YES!!!!!!!!!!!!! I DID IT!!!!!!!!!!"

Stopped for a few seconds and stumbled on, suddenly someone is giving me my finishers medal, and I give her a huge hug, and the crying starts. So, I'm sure I'm quite a sight - can't walk a straight line, nearly fall over twice trying to get my chip off, and full waterworks. What an incredible day.
What would you do differently?:

Just go to the woods instead of waiting in line for the WC, would have saved me 6 minutes...
Post race
Warm down:

Stretching, water, stumbling around, followed by a hot shower & a nap. The lure of crashing out for a couple of hours won out over the festivities. Did get back down and scream in the 7 hour marathoners.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

Nothing really - my pace was really very steady so I could maintain it really well through the whole race - that was a great feeling.

Event comments:

An incredibly well supported race - the water stops were all perfectly placed, and the "surprise" water stop at 12.5 was so SO wonderful.


Profile Album


Last updated: 2005-10-29 12:00 AM
Running
02:39:01 | 13.1 miles | 12m 08s  min/mile
Age Group: 290/342
Overall: 3326/5000
Performance: Good
1----11 1/60 2----11 12/60 3----11 32/60 4----11 29/60 5----11 2/60 + 7 4/60 stop for WC 6----11 28/60 7----11 33/60 8----11 45/60 9----11 33/60 10----11 44/60 11----12 30/60 12----12 12/60 13----12 33/60 13.1---- 34/60
Course: Flat but into the wind the first half - but so nice to have it at your back for the second half!
Keeping cool Good Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Good
Mental exertion [1-5] 5
Physical exertion [1-5] 5
Good race? Yes
Evaluation
Course challenge Just right
Organized? Yes
Events on-time? Yes
Lots of volunteers? Yes
Plenty of drinks? Yes
Post race activities: Good
Race evaluation [1-5] 5

{postbutton}
2006-03-19 4:02 PM

User image

Elite
2661
20005001002525
DC Metro, slowly working my way to NC
Subject: Shamrock Sportsfest 1/2 Marathon


2006-03-19 4:14 PM
in reply to: #373563

User image

Expert
1205
1000100100
Herndon VA
Subject: RE: Shamrock Sportsfest 1/2 Marathon

Hey Cindy,

Great race and congratulations.  It looks like you stuck to your plan and kept a great pace.  I enjoyed the race report especially hearing about the finish.  Way to go!!

Ernie

2006-03-19 4:28 PM
in reply to: #373563

User image

Extreme Veteran
1491
1000100100100100252525
northeast Ohio
Subject: RE: Shamrock Sportsfest 1/2 Marathon

Congratulations!!!!!!!!  Awesome race report too!  Someday I hope to do a half mary too.  Very inspirational for me to read reports by first timers!  Thanks!

Diane

2006-03-19 4:36 PM
in reply to: #373563

User image

Science Nerd
28760
50005000500050005000200010005001001002525
Redwood City, California
Subject: RE: Shamrock Sportsfest 1/2 Marathon
Congratulations and great job today!!!
2006-03-19 4:52 PM
in reply to: #373588

User image

Elite
2661
20005001002525
DC Metro, slowly working my way to NC
Subject: RE: Shamrock Sportsfest 1/2 Marathon

Artemis - 2006-03-19 5:36 PM Congratulations and great job today!!!

You too!  I just saw your race report - you were just two people ahead of me! 

2006-03-19 5:10 PM
in reply to: #373563

User image

Master
1558
10005002525
Pensacola, Fl
Subject: RE: Shamrock Sportsfest 1/2 Marathon

CONGRATS Cindy!!!

Really wich I could have been there with you guys.  Glad to hear that you had a great race....it is all downhill from here.  MCM will be here before you know it...and you will do great there too!

 



2006-03-19 6:12 PM
in reply to: #373563

User image

Elite
3223
20001000100100
Hendersonville
Subject: RE: Shamrock Sportsfest 1/2 Marathon
Congrats on your first 1/2 mary!!!! What an accomplishment!
2006-03-19 6:20 PM
in reply to: #373563

User image

Master
1551
10005002525
Virginia Beach, VA
Subject: RE: Shamrock Sportsfest 1/2 Marathon
Great job with your first 1/2 mary!!! Awesome race!! We definitely need BT running gear so we can spot each other out there
2006-03-19 6:36 PM
in reply to: #373563

User image

Master
1728
100050010010025
Pulaski TN
Subject: RE: Shamrock Sportsfest 1/2 Marathon
Firast 1/2 in the books way to go!!!
2006-03-19 7:26 PM
in reply to: #373563

User image

Extreme Veteran
384
100100100252525
Albuquerque, NM
Subject: RE: Shamrock Sportsfest 1/2 Marathon

Cindy - congratulations on a superb race.  I really loved reading your race report.  You sure earned your nap!  Thought of you today and wondered how you were doing.

I guess it's on to the next challenge for you!

Great job!

2006-03-19 7:32 PM
in reply to: #373604

User image

Science Nerd
28760
50005000500050005000200010005001001002525
Redwood City, California
Subject: RE: Shamrock Sportsfest 1/2 Marathon
BodyCheck - 2006-03-19 5:52 PM

You too! I just saw your race report - you were just two people ahead of me!

That's amazing! We really need some way to identify BT people!



2006-03-20 5:29 AM
in reply to: #373563

User image

Extreme Veteran
584
500252525
coastal NC
Subject: RE: Shamrock Sportsfest 1/2 Marathon

Great race--you are FANTASTIC. Beer guy is right, you are a goddess.

 Excellent meeting you, chica. I think your Marine beau was very brave to weather that dinner.

Full Shamrock next year?? I will if you will..... 

2006-03-20 8:01 AM
in reply to: #373563

User image

Master
2052
20002525
Colorado
Subject: RE: Shamrock Sportsfest 1/2 Marathon

Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet!

Awesome awesome awesome. You rock.

2006-03-20 8:20 AM
in reply to: #373563

User image

Crystal Lake, IL
Subject: RE: Shamrock Sportsfest 1/2 Marathon

You rock. Great race report.  I love the "dorothy" line.  I'm stealing it for my sig, thanks.

Way to keep running when you weren't happy with yourself for walking.

2006-03-20 4:52 PM
in reply to: #373563

Regular
56
2525
Wilmington, NC
Subject: RE: Shamrock Sportsfest 1/2 Marathon
Congrats Cindy!  It was so nice to meet you ... I wish I had seen you during the race, but it was nice to meet you before the race.  You did great, and look forward to seeing you at some more races in the future!
2006-03-20 5:03 PM
in reply to: #373563

User image

Veteran
231
10010025
Subject: RE: Shamrock Sportsfest 1/2 Marathon

Awesome job girlie!  You kicked ass!!! 

You have to stay and drink with us next time   It was fun but I need more estrogen in the tent to shield me from the attorney and his boys...who pounded 13.1 beers each!!



2006-03-20 5:21 PM
in reply to: #373563

Online or Offline
Subject: RE: Shamrock Sportsfest 1/2 Marathon
Congratulations on your first 1/2!
General Discussion-> Race Reports!
{postbutton}
General Discussion Race Reports! » Shamrock Sportsfest 1/2 Marathon Rss Feed