I love this half marathon. It was my first half marathon back in 2010 and I performed so much better than I ever could have expected back then. I had such a positive pain free day and I was cheering everyone on as I ran through the streets.
This year, the best way to describe this year would be BONKED. Although I got to see my good friend Amy for a little at the beginning and end, I just wasn’t mentally in the game this year. I had been feeling icky all week and had taken a light training week because my quads were wrecked from running down the Kinsmans. Had this been my first half, I would have been thrilled with the time. Because it was my 3rd of the year, I was disappointed, but happy to have done it.
I didn’t get many pictures, but rest assured it was a perfect bluebird day on the New Hampshire coast. The beach was gorgeous and the water flat. The temperature was a great 40F with just a slight breeze. I started off in my Nike Pants, Sparkly hearts long sleeve shirt, pineland farms short sleeve shirt, vest and some light gloves. I finished with the long sleeve tied around my waist.
I felt pretty good at first, I was happily running 9 1/2 min/miles. But it wasn’t long before I was feeling my left ankle and it wasn’t a good feeling. I had to stop 3 times to stretch it out.
The course is interesting, we start off along the coast, veer off into some residential areas (including a wooded area), come back out to the coast, head back in for about a mile and finish the last 2.5 miles on the coast. It’s not flat as a pancake, but pretty close for New England.
My biggest problem that lead to the bonk was nutrition. I ran out of fuel. They say you should have a gel (or food of some kind) every 45 minutes to an hour. I didn’t get a gel till mile 8. I pretty much knew I didn’t have great reserves around mile 6.
Yes, it’s an excuse, but in my head it was a huge problem. I had to start a lot of self talk. Once you get to 7 miles you’ll be over half ay there. Once you get to 9 miles, it will only be 5 miles to go. Once you get to 10 miles, it’s only a 5k, you can do a 5k in your sleep. Maybe if I had had a gel earlier on, I would have been able to hold onto that gel as a safety blanket.
Note to self: always bring a gel to a half, you never know when the first aid station to carry them will be.
Overall, I still finished and I still enjoyed the race. My left ankle did not but it does not get a vote in this blog post. I got a seashell shaped medal, some soup and a cup of beer for my effort. It was worthwhile, especially on such a stunning day. For next weekend’s half I definitely need to bring a better attitude, some gel and somehow con the weather into staying nice.
For the year: 3 half marathons, 2of12 months done for #12half12
I'm an engineer, an animal lover, a runner and an ex-rower. I like medical devices, big ships and mountains. This is my journey teaching myself to make healthy foods and explore the world of vegan and vegetarian cuisine.
Amazing. You were sick and your ankle hurt and you weren’t completely prepared, but you still finished it. My best running accomplishment was doing a 10k in just over an hour and I thought I did pretty well. I can’t even imagine finishing a half, let alone with the set backs you had! Don’t beat yourself up.
***end pep talk***
Sandra Kohlmann recently posted..Meatless Monday: You Need a Great Scrambled Tofu Recipe
A 10k in just under an hour is actually a pretty decent time. I think the half is about the furthest distance that is achievable to most people. The full requires 3-5 hours ever weekend for a long run. The half requires a 2 to 2:30 hour long run on weekends for training with a few short runs during the week. I’m sure that if you ever wanted to you could achieve a half marathon.
The biggest problem with winter half marathons is that there aren’t a lot of first timers in the race, so it places me in the bottom 20%. I’m usually in the 50%-60% of finishers range.
You know that I am always impressed that you even START those things. Finishing is mind blowing to me, gel or no gel. Keep it up Miriam!
Mindee@ourfrontdoor recently posted..February Can Be Done Now
I am having fun, it’s just so hard not to let my competitive edge get the best of me
[...] my race on Sunday, I met up with my lovely friend and former teammate Laura. She lives on the New Hampshire [...]