Woohoo! I survived and gained another medal to add to my collection. (Is this real gold? Bite!)
Overall I did a good job sticking to my race plan and working on my Charleston Half Marathon Goals.
It was cold this morning, 40something degrees, and while I don’t mind running in weather like that standing around for 30 minutes and waiting in it stinks. It took me longer that I thought to get ready because I was trying to find extra warm throw away clothes. Luckily, I forgot how small this race is compared to many larger marathons. We left T’s (my training buddy) at 7:30 and still made it to the 8:00 race start with over 20 minutes to spare. No traffic at all and tons of parking right across from the start line.
What they lacked in car traffic they mad up for in port-a-potty traffic as it took us almost all of those 20 minutes to get through line. We made it out just in time to strip off our throw away clothes and begin.
There are no corrals for the race so everyone begins at once. We spent the first mile doing a lot of weaving, but nothing too terrible. When that mile one split hit I looked down at my Polar and it said 10:30. Not bad, but not quite the 10:00 even I was really hoping I could push myself to hit. I just settled in, enjoyed talking to T (when we are together we don’t run with music), and enjoyed the pretty views on the harbor.
I was shocked then when all of our next miles started coming in between 9:50 and 10:05 until T reminded me that that first mile took us longer with all the weaving. I was hitting my goal of 10:00 minute miles and a 2:10 marathon was suddenly in my sights (my PR on this course is 1:58:27), but I was very happy with a 2:10 possibility.
After about 4-5 miles of pretty downtown views we began to run the rest of the race straight up through the ghetto: abandoned buildings, railroad tracks, and weeds. Oh Charleston, you do not plan a scenic marathon well. However, it is a super flat and fast course so people tolerate it.
We fell in with the 2:15 pace group who were actually on track for a 2:10 pace. The pace leader complemented how good my stride looked coming back from injury and I felt like a million bucks. At this point I started working on convincing T to leave me. When I am 100% she is faster than me, but yet still slows down to train and run with me. However, right now she is heads and tails above me and I knew that she was sabotaging her own time staying with me. She is also the kindest running partner ever so I am sure she would come up with a million reasons why she did it, but I knew she needed to turn the wheels on and take off. I was totally ready for this because I was planning on sticking with the really nice pace group and having them carry me through to my 2:10 finish.
However, around mile 7, her hamstring was bugging her a bit and I mentioned that my injured leg was really pulling. We talked about it, decided this was just a training run, we weren’t setting PRs anyway, so why not be smart – around mile 7.5 we hoped off the course and stretched for 2-3 minutes. I knew this meant that unless I could cut my last six miles at 9:30 instead of 10:00 I no longer had a chance at my 2:10. However, I was fine with it because my top priority was to finish the race without aggravating my leg anymore so as hard as it was to see that goal go out the window it was the right thing to do.
Around mile 9 T asked if she could go for it and I wished her luck and a quick finish. I later found out that after already running 9 miles she really sped up and ran all 4 of her last ones in at an even 8:00 mile pace. I wonder how disgustingly quick she could be if she didn’t train and run with my slow butt, but I thank heavens she does!
I could see the 2:15 pacing group ahead of me, but I just couldn’t quite catch up to them. I popped in some music finally and took off. Mile 9 went well on my own. I held my pace and was happy, during mile 10 I realized I was passing tons of people and got so excited I cut it in at 9:30 and thought maybe, just maybe. However, suddenly mile 11 hit and I hit a wall. My side started cramping like crazy and it hurt so bad to push through. I was so upset, my body was saying, “No!” I didn’t train right for this, I’d only been running 5 weeks, I had not run this many miles in about 5 months, and recently I had never run this fast. That wall sucked, mile 11 was a solid 11-12 minutes, but I didn’t stop and by the time I started to hit my 12 the crazy cramp was gone and I was back on pace.
My beautiful and kind friend C (she had somewhere to be today, but insisted on coming to cheer us on even thought it made her late because “you’re more important”) snapped this picture as I was about to cross the finish line. After everything I have been through over the past year with injures, physical therapy, and numerous race deferments – It felt good to be able to RUN across that line and I didn’t even care about the time, my watch read 2:14:17 for the record.
Then, in pure Abby fashion, I stopped running and bent down to remove my timing chip to drop in the buckets. At that exact moment I started dry heaving right above the bucket, the volunteer who was holding the bucket looked terrified, the entire time I am thinking, “Don’t puke, don’t puke, you didn’t run fast enough to puke, pull it together!” as I try to get it together and get myself away from people fast! Luckily my wave of nausea ended quickly and I was able to grab a water and find some friends at the finish.
As I evaluate my Charleston Half Marathon goals I am pretty proud:
- Top Priority – Cross the finish line smiling and without hurting my leg any more since it is still recovering. This is my first race in over a year – the victory is in being able to run again.
Check. I took my time, didn’t push it too hard (I did push it a bit though), and realized that I am finally getting healthier and 13 in 2013 is a really possibility.
- Smooth Sailing – Try to come in close to 10:00 minute miles (which are a big push for me right now)around 2:10ish total if all is going very well.
While I didn’t finish in a 2:10 like I wanted to every mile was at or below a 10:00 pace except for that crowded first mile and mile evil mile 11. Overall, I consider that a victory.
- Oh, Crap – If it is going badly I will be smart- I will stop, stretch, walk, whatever it takes to not aggravate this injury. I need to get better not worse.
I never used to stop during runs and especially not during races. It was hard for me to know that stopping and stretching would cost me minutes, but my leg is happier because of it. Maybe this injury will turn me into a smarter runner yet.
- Best Day, EVER – I will prance through mile 5.5 while they sprinkle jelly beans down upon me like raindrops. I am a sweet addict and jelly beans are my kryptonite. I pray they rain from the heavens and land happily in my mouth. (Best aid station for sure. F-Gatorade, bring on the beans!)
Pretty sure all I talked about the first 5 miles was these jelly beans. RIP OFF! There were none! I was so ready to scream, “Make it rain!” as I ran by and then to shower myself with these babies. While I was super disappointed I was more worried about the people who planned on getting fuel at the race and not just scampering through jelly beans. I will admit I don’t fuel during half marathons – none of my usual Stinger fruit chews and no eating on the course; however, they listed not only jelly beans, but also bananas, as being available and they were not. I hope nobody was relying on that.
Did you work out today? If so what did you do?
Great race Abby!
Thanks Ali.
So happy you completed your race! AND even happier that you listened to your body when you needed a stretch break, I do feel that my injuries are also making me a smarter and more conscious runner
Saving a couple extra minutes on my race time is NOT worth the months off…not that I have to convince you of that either 
No workout today cuz yesterday I did 1.5hr yoga/barre/core workout! Today is just a fun rest day, gave a tour, helped the high school student I am mentoring with his project and going to do some fun arts and crafts stuff this evening! As long as my leg isn’t achy tomorrow (seems to have a 2 day ache delay, since I dont have an issue today) I will probably do a 2mi bike ride and a 3/4 or 1 mi swim (again, leg depending).
So glad you tried out barre. I love it.
I was thinking, as much as these injuries suck, maybe a year or two from now we will look back and think of how they turned us into smarter runners.
Great job on your comeback half marathon! Bummer on the jelly beans…
Thanks I had a great race, minus the jelly bean fiasco.
Congratulations on your successful run and for listening to your body and not pushing too far, even though it was tempting! That stinks the promised fuel was not available- I didn’t even know because I just got water and I always carry a gu (I eat half of one per half marathon… I had never had one until moving here, actually). Glad you got a good time even though it was a glorified training run, the medal is amazing and I thought the course was great. Yeah, there was a little skeezy section, and I did not care for that gravel even though I knew it was there, didn’t make it any easier. Was fun seeing you at the start, too.
I ran a 1:50:21. Wasn’t very happy with my time but oh well, can’t win em all and definitely couldn’t win this one. Feel like I’m treading the line of success and overtraining and that I took a step toward overtraining lately, so backing off until next Saturday, actually. Let’s see how enjoying my easy 3s goes this week…
I think a 1:50 is super fast, but I guess everything is relative.
I too am trying to figure out training this week since we have Post on Saturday.
I did not run today. I did clean out and vacuum the inside of my car which felt like a workout! And I soaked my legs. I will run on Tuesday and Thursday really easy, no more than 3-4 miles. I won’t forget how to run long in a week.
BTW, I wonder if you and i had the same thought at mile 9… next weekend this will be over here… LOL.
i didn’t even think of that at mile 9, probably a good thing.
It will be nice next weekend:)
I am so proud of you!!
Woohoo. One step closer to MCM and Superhero Shakeout!
Congrats Abby! Good for you for playing it smart, not pushing too hard and most importantly, listening to your body. Keep all that up and 13 in 2013 is definitely possible!!
I can’t believe they didn’t have the fuel that they promised! That’s crazy. I always race with something for a half, usually a couple of GUs, that seems to be enough to get me through a half without caving around 17km.
I have never used full for a half, always thought I didn’t run fast or long enough to need it, but hearing most people mention that they do makes me wonder if I should try.
I am so impressed! Congratulations! And go T for hanging in there with you and C for being such awesome support.
The dry heaves are hilarious, but I’m glad it stopped there. And I LOVE that mid-run shot of you.
I am blessed with two of the most amazing supportive friends ever, who also let me try all their food Saturday night.
I wish I could have taken a picture of that ladies face when I almost vomited into her time chip bucket…priceless.
Congratulations on a very smart race, way to push through that cramp. I’ve definitely done the dry heave at the end of the race and scared people, it’s a bit funny to see the reaction, while also being totally humiliating.
I have no idea why the dry heave happened. The only other time I did that was after I ran by far the fastest, hardest run I have ever done… not the case here. Who knows.
Smart race Abby. Bummer the race didn’t come through with the jelly beans & bananas. That would hurt if you were a runner relying on that fuel to be there. Great finish pic!
Thank Amy.
I was pretty surprised they didn’t have the food they listed. I hope they had stuff for the full marathoners somewhere.
What wonderful and sweet friends you have.
Good job with running smart. Injuries suck.
Yes, I am very blessed to have extremely supportive friends.
Congrats on a great race, focusing on your goals and not over-exerting yourself. I’d say you did pretty darn well for where you’ve come from. 2013 is already starting off as a #comebetter year for you!
Thanks. I am so excited for what 2013 has to offer.
Great job on the race, Abby!!
Yes, I worked out yesterday… did an hour of a weight-lifting class, then followed it up with a Zumba class. Craziness. It was fun though. Have a great Sunday!
I totally admire you for doing Zumba. I am a hot mess at stuff like that.
Is there any weight lifting move I can do for my lower back fat?
Thanks! I’m kind of a klutz sometimes, but you get used to it. As for lifting… well, the short answer is no, there’s no specific move you can do for lower back fat. Unfortunately, you can’t spot reduce fat, it just comes off the last place it was put on & so forth… wish there was a magic tummy one too. LOL Clean & press & deadlifts are good for the lower back though, just to exercise it.
I know I can’t spot reduce, I am working on burning more calories. However, not only is it a super fat back/reverse muffin top, it is weak. Thank you for including some lower back ideas. I stopped dead lifts when I got injured and totally forgot to put them back in. I need to!
What a great recap, Abby! It wasn’t a perfect race, but you should totally count it as a WIN for your first race in over a year. Hope your recovery continues to go well.
Thanks. I am so happy just to have been able to cross that finish line running.
Great work sticking with your plan! You are definitely going to make it back to where you were soon. And I would have been mad about those jelly beans! Especially since they promised. I’ve just determined that I can’t rely on races for fuel. It makes me too nervous and disappointed when it doesn’t work out.
I think this proves to me that when I do my fulls I am going to have to carry whatever I think I need and if they have stuff it will just be a bonus.
I am so proud of you!!! you ran smart and listened to your body, & it paid off! that is still a super great time. I’d be super pissed about the jelly beans though!! I am excited to see how fast you become over this #comebetter year!
I am hoping to be a bit faster too.
And the jelly bean fiasco sucked!
Awesome job, Abby! What a great recap.T sounds like a great friend!
I can’t believe no jelly beans or bananas! That’s crazy.
I ran 16 yesterday, slowly inching towards a marathon.
16 is fabulous. You are not just inching… you are getting really close.
Great race and congrats on finishing race #1!! After back to back long and longish runs over the weekend today is a rest day
Nice job on the race! This was really a fun race (even though there were no jelly beans, lol)
I was scarily excited about those jelly beans.
I am sooo sooo proud of you Abby! Congrats on a great race and on being a smart runner and listening to your body!!!
Thanks Mindy. I hated stopping, but it was for the best.
Aw man! I was so excited about the jelly beans for you! What a rip off! Oh welly ou did it. You made it through without injuring yourself and you are on course for 13 in 13! Yay!
I know, I was beyond happy about the jelly beans. Next time it will be BYOBeans
I can’t believe your first 1/2 marathon {post injury} was 2:14 and some change – that’s fantastic, Abby!! I’m so proud that you stopped and stretched; way to listen to your body!
Maybe I am actually learning something from this Gina.
Thanks Kat.
That poor ladies face. Horrible, but wish I could’ve gotten a blog picture of here terrified look when she though I was going to throw up on her.