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Adidas Helvetia Half Marathon - RunHalf Marathon


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Hillsboro, Oregon
United States
Oregon Road Runner's Club
60sF / 0C
Total Time = 00m
Overall Rank = /3700+
Age Group =
Age Group Rank = 0/
Pre-race routine:

I got up early after a fitful night's sleep (big surprise) and took a leisurely shower, then made some coffee. Had a waffle with peanut butter and headed out the door 90 minutes before race time. At 6:30 am, Hillsboro is only about a 30 minute drive. It is Rose Festival week here in Portland and the Grand FLoral Parade was this morning too. On my drive out to Hillboro I got stuck behind the Budweiser Clydesdale trucks and their police escort. I tend to be a little heavy footoed on the gas pedal and I was relegated to the speed limit which sort of irritated me. And I must have thought I was the only one racing, when, in fact there were 3700+ runners all trying to get to the Hillsoro Stadium at the same time. As I approached the exit I looked at the forever line of cars trying to get off the highway and realized I might be cutting it a bit short on time. I ended up parking my car about a 1/4 mile from the stadium and I left my backpack there since I wasn't going to have time to fiddle with bag check. I took off my sweats, grabbed my fuel belt and treked up to the stadium to get my packet, use the restroom and head to the start. I made it to the start right at the start time. I like to be a little more leisurely. Despite my harriedness to get checked in and such, I was calm and not panicking. My spirits were good.
Event warmup:

The mad dash to the stadium, the bathroom (where some ladies were actually primping! WTF??), and the start. Not stretching which for me is a big thing. I like to be nice and loose before a long run/race.
Run
  • 2h 28m
  • 13.1 miles
  • 11m 18s  min/mile
Comments:

The first 2-3 miles were nice and easy, and very crowded. With 3,700+ runners, it's takes some time to spread out. I really tried to make sure I didn't go out too fast, which was easy enough with all the people. Once we hit the 3 mile mark the course lead into a couple gentle rollers. I felt fine physically, except for a little GI trouble, but mentally I already wanted the race to be over. Mile 4 was a long, drawn out incline, much like the hills around my house so I wasn't too worried about it. This was the first big hill and I was fine. The down hill actually really hit me good and my knees, and GI troubles were speakin' to me. I needed a potty stop. (there were port-o-potties at every mile which was awesome!) By mile 6 I was ready for the course to even out a little but mile 6 was all down hill to the turn around point which meant mile 7 was up hill. This was a big ass hill. I ended up walking a portion of it. Oh well. After mile 7, the course evened out, and even was slightly downhill. I thought I would be able to pick it up here, but I just didn't have it mentally today. It was raining, which I wasn't prepared for (freakin' weather report...they never get it right for crying out loud!), and should have had my long pants on, and I got cold which doesn't bode well when the mental game is already lacking. I knew my splits were a little slower than I wanted so my new goal was to hit the 10 mile mark and try to pick it up to the finish and not walk. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA...didn't happen. I walked a few steps.
Splits:
1. 10:44
2. 10:49
3. 11:09
4. 11:23
5. :33 (oops! technical difficulty.)
6. 12:26
7. 11:00
8. 11:19
9. 10:37
10. 10:34
11. 11:34 (wow...stick a fork in me!)
12. 11:13
13. 11:18
14. Forgot to stop clock
What would you do differently?:

Stick to the training plan(!); make sure I am sleeping more. I am not sleeping enough which takes it's toll after awhile. Also I will make sure I run the next race with someone. There was a good possibility that Jon and the kids would not have made it to the finish line and it would have been a big bummer to not have anyone there to cheer for me.
Post race
Warm down:

Got my finishers medal (which I gave to my daughter who was thrilled beyond words!), got a few samples of Jamba Juice smooties, picked up my t-shirt and headed to my car. I was too cold at this point to stick around for the famous Helvetia Burger, and I wasn't hungry anyway. Kids were wet, cold and NOT dressed properly for the weather! Hmmmm. What was Mr. Nightowl thinking?? :) No pictures either...hubby is not so good with a camera. Plus he was running late to the finish, and he had to juggle both kids who were probably wanting to go to the snack bar! Cole doesn't usually do well in crowds either. It's always a little if-y with Cole and crowds.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

Lack of training...I skipped too many workouts. Not enough sleep all around which I know is not good for me. I know how good I feel when I am sleeping well. I really need to get into a regular training group. This is the last race I train for alone.

Event comments:

This was a fantastic event, but the weather sucked this year. The course was beautiful, even in the gray, NW rain. It's why I love living here!

I am not at all happy with my performance today. Finishing it doesn't even make me feel better. I know that I can run better than that, but I didn't train enough, and it showed today. Chalk this one up in the "character builder" category.

The time is an estimate since I forgot to stop my watch and look at the clock at the finish. Race results aren't up yet.




Last updated: 2007-02-28 12:00 AM
Running
02:28:00 | 13.1 miles | 11m 18s  min/mile
Age Group: 0/
Overall: 0/3700+
Performance: Below average
Course: Beautiful farming country in Hillsboro, Oregon. Easy entry into some gentle rollers before getting into a couple good sized hills that seemd to go on forever. Last half of the course was flat and fast (for someone else.):)
Keeping cool Average Drinking
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall:
Mental exertion [1-5] 2
Physical exertion [1-5] 3
Good race?
Evaluation
Course challenge Too hard
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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2007-06-09 10:38 PM

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Master
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State of Confusion
Subject: Adidas Helvetia Half Marathon


2007-06-10 4:07 AM
in reply to: #837460

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Champion
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Sydney
Subject: RE: Adidas Helvetia Half Marathon
Awesome job - doing things that build your character make you stronger! Great the kids made t to the finish line to see their mum... Im sure that was a HUGE buzz for both you and them
2007-06-10 3:40 PM
in reply to: #837460

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Pro
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Broomfield, Colorado
Subject: RE: Adidas Helvetia Half Marathon
You did great!  LOL, funny RR too.  Best line "flat and fast....for someone else."  I have thought that before too!  Nice work
2007-06-10 6:01 PM
in reply to: #837460

Champion
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Subject: RE: Adidas Helvetia Half Marathon

LOL...What was Mr Night Owl thinking, bringing the kids not dressed properly?  Hmmm, what was Mrs Night Owl thinking, not dressing properly?  Must be genetic! 

Don't be too hard on yourself, 2:28 is a decent time considering the hills and weather.  I'm giving you an "A" for Awesome Job!!!

 

2007-06-10 8:56 PM
in reply to: #837460

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Master
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Portland, OR
Subject: RE: Adidas Helvetia Half Marathon

Yesterday wasn't ideal...but good job for pushing through!  I did Blue Lake yesterday and wondered if you were out there.  Are you doing Hagg Lake in a few weeks? 

 

2007-06-10 9:49 PM
in reply to: #837460

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A very cool place in Colorado :)
Subject: RE: Adidas Helvetia Half Marathon

Experiences like this are designed to make us better appreciate when we DO nail it in a way that makes us feel proud! Again, character building as you said - which is priceless    I think you are AWESOME for training alone for this, for pushing through it despite your stomach, cold muscles, and being tired. That takes more strength than it does to go out there and perform at your best!!

"A" for AWESOME JOB from me, too!!



2007-06-12 1:39 PM
in reply to: #837460

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Expert
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Hawaii
Subject: RE: Adidas Helvetia Half Marathon

I hope that you are starting to feel (at least a little?) proud of yourself.  It sounded like it wasn't too much fun, but you pushed through. 

I'll have that image of the women primping in the bathroom in my head for quite some time!

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