Back At Square Zero

Runner, Blogger, Social Media Influencer, Teacher/Coach - Here to help so you don't have to start Back at Square Zero.

  • Home
  • About Me
  • Contact Me
  • Free Social Media/Blog Resources
  • Run Coaching Services
    • Why Work with Me: Client Testimonials
    • Why I am a Bad Running Coach
  • Free Run Coaching Tips
  • My Running/Training
    • Marathon Tips (Great for Newbies)
    • Race Recaps/Results
    • Running Charleston
    • Fitness Bucket List

Dirt Dash Half Marathon – 2015

September 1, 2015 by abby 44 Comments

This past weekend I decided to switch things up a bit.  In all honesty, I was getting a bit sick and tired of running 10-14 miles every Saturday in the 90+ heat and humidity we have been having here in SC for the past 4 months.  I wanted a way to motivate myself to get out of bed for yet another hot and sticky training run.  I discovered that the Dirt Dash Half Marathon would be running through the trails of Marion Forest not too far outside of Charleston and decide to jump on this opportunity, and the extra motivation to get up early. 
I did not plan to race the event since:
– August in SC is HOT
– my ankle is close to 100%, but not quite
– I always take trail races a bit easy

Packet pickup was from 6:00-6:30 am which meant that with a 45 min drive I was out of my house at 5:15 (to allow time to park and be shuttled into the forest).  Tip: If you do sign up for this race make sure you pop the parking lot address into you navigation system the night before as it is pretty much out in the middle of nowhere and easy to fly by in the the dark.  However, once you make it there a bus takes you from the lot to the edge of the forest and then you can walk or ride a golf cart to packet pickup/onsite registration.  dirt dash

The race started at 7:00 (okay 7:10 because we were waiting for people to get out of the porta-potty line) with a pretty small field.
My goals, which are always the same for a trail race, were:
– don’t trip and fall
– don’t get lost
– have fun
As you can tell from the pictures, we ran on the forest’s fire truck roads which were really packed down, so there were not many trip hazards.  However, there were decent sized rocks in lots of spots on the roads.  This meant you had to carefully watch where your feet were landing so you didn’t step on a rock wrong and roll your ankle.

Speaking of ankles, post sprain I have been cleared for running, but my ankle is probably at 90-95%, not quite to 100 yet.  Because of that, I decided to run comfortably and not push it.  I kept reminding myself it was a training run, not a race.  (Especially as people flew by me.)  Those first 3-4 miles while I warmed up and saw what the leg could do were around an 11:45 – 11:50 pace.  dirt dash 2

After mile 4 my ankle was still feeling good so I allowed myself to increase my speed just a bit, nothing crazy, just to around 11:30 a mile to see how the ankle held up.  I held my 11:30 pace until mile 10 when I got hit by that fast finish bug.  One thing my coach and I have been working on a lot is being able to still have some speed left to pick it up at the end of a half and so in any training runs where I am healthy and feeling good I try to really pick it up those last 3 miles.  And boy did I pick it up.!  I knocked out those last three miles like nobodies business, each one faster than the last.   
Overall, I finished the Dirt Dash Half Marathon in 2:28:26 which was an 11:19 average per mile.  (That gives you a clue how fast the last 3 were when the previous 10 were all 11:30 and over.)   Nothing near the race times I was bringing in this past winter, and nowhere near where I want to be this fall, but perfect for a HOT, trail training run. 
*Special thanks to MizunoRunning for providing my the gear for this race, and all my runs.*

Let me know –
Are you able to run races just for training runs?
or do you get to caught up in the hype and end up racing?

Dirt Dash Half Marathon – 2015: My race recap.

Click To Tweet

Filed Under: half marathon, half marathon training, running

« Why Run with a Buddy?
How to Host An Instagram Giveaway »

Comments

  1. Amy Lauren says

    September 1, 2015 at 9:17 am

    Congratulations on completing the race and running a negative split. You guys had a cooler temperature for the race which was probably a good thing for everyone. I hope you get some rest from the super early wake-up call too (at least it was a 7 AM start since it was a half!).

    Reply
  2. Marcia says

    September 1, 2015 at 9:26 am

    Well done Abby! I used to push the pace in every race and I still might do that in shorter races, but not in halfs and longer. This sounds like a fun one!

    Reply
  3. GiGi Eats says

    September 1, 2015 at 9:44 am

    I think running races for training = paramount and so smart!!! Gets you pumped but there is really no pressure!

    Reply
  4. Mary Beth Jackson says

    September 1, 2015 at 10:01 am

    Great job! I have not run enough long races to really have a strategy other than finishing! 🙂 but game on when it comes to the 5K and 10K! The virtual runs I like to add for a fun training run.

    Reply
  5. Kimberly G says

    September 1, 2015 at 10:21 am

    Congratulations! I’m too scare to try running on the trails but they always looks so beautiful!

    Reply
    • abby says

      September 8, 2015 at 9:36 pm

      This is a great starter trail. Flat, no hills, easy to run. That is about my extent of trail running:)

      Reply
  6. Smitha @ FauxRunner says

    September 1, 2015 at 10:23 am

    WTG!! I love trail running.
    And I’m very good at keeping a race a training run. I’m actually bad the other way around – to race a race like a race!

    Reply
    • abby says

      September 8, 2015 at 9:35 pm

      I am somewhat the same way. I have to remind myself to actually race and push it.

      Reply
  7. Annette @ Sweating Through Life says

    September 1, 2015 at 10:50 am

    Sounds like a great race, and those last few miles!!! Awesome! Trail races are tough, but I like them. They always remind me how much more training I could use and how “out of trail shape” I am…I never really train for trail races. And all I have done so far have been smaller trail races, 4-6 miles with killer hills. A trail half is on my bucket list. congrats on the race again!

    Reply
    • abby says

      September 8, 2015 at 9:35 pm

      This one, like everything near hear was super flat, so that make it a bit easier.

      Reply
  8. Carolina John says

    September 1, 2015 at 11:31 am

    I am so glad August is finally behind us now. Cooler days ahead, and more trail time! Great job on this half. It looks like a really fun race!

    Reply
    • abby says

      September 8, 2015 at 9:35 pm

      I am ready for September to cool down though, still so crazy hot. Come on cool weather.

      Reply
  9. Ange @ Cowgirl Runs says

    September 1, 2015 at 12:15 pm

    I find I usually push myself a bit more in races than training runs, but so long as I’m not actually racing it, I’m not super worried. I find they’re such a great way to motivate myself out the door when I otherwise wouldn’t go.

    Reply
    • abby says

      September 8, 2015 at 9:34 pm

      Yes, that is totally what this was, motivation to get up early.

      Reply
  10. Carrie says

    September 1, 2015 at 2:42 pm

    Congrats on your pace! It looks like a gorgeous trail too. Trail running scares me, because, you know…dark spots to trip on… but it always looks like so much fun!

    Reply
    • abby says

      September 8, 2015 at 9:34 pm

      Luckily this trail is really easy to navigate, just have to watch out for a few rocks.

      Reply
  11. Pam and Christine says

    September 1, 2015 at 2:49 pm

    Nice job with the negative split and speedy three miles to finish the race. I love having negative splits at races, but it certainly is harder when the weather is hot. I am running Rock ‘n Roll as a training run this weekend and will probably run a couple miles as warmup before the race start.

    Reply
    • abby says

      September 8, 2015 at 9:33 pm

      Awesome idea, I will admit it was too hot for me to do any type of warm up.

      Reply
  12. Christine says

    September 1, 2015 at 3:55 pm

    Great job in the August heat AND on a trail! We Charlestonians just need to resolve ourselves to the fact that our races in the summer just don’t come close to the times we hit in the fall (for most of us at least – I’m sure there are the few superhuman among us for whom humidity is a non-issue).

    Reply
    • abby says

      September 8, 2015 at 9:33 pm

      I am so ready for that fall weather, I forget what it is like not to melt on a run.

      Reply
  13. Kate @KateMovingForward says

    September 1, 2015 at 4:34 pm

    Nice job! I am a wimp about running in heat and humidity so I guess it’s good I live up north! A shady trail run looks like a great way to get the miles in. 🙂

    Reply
    • abby says

      September 8, 2015 at 9:33 pm

      It is so crazy hot still. 80/90 with no sign of cooling down.

      Reply
  14. rachel says

    September 1, 2015 at 4:37 pm

    What a fun race!! I haven’t raced since Boston back in April… I need to find a local race to motivate me again. 🙂

    Reply
    • abby says

      September 8, 2015 at 9:32 pm

      Yes, this race was all about motivation for me. It is nice to have something to look forward to.

      Reply
  15. Coco says

    September 1, 2015 at 8:55 pm

    I’ll find out this weekend if I can NOT race a race. This one looks like a lot of fun – a change of scenery but not too risky.

    Reply
    • abby says

      September 8, 2015 at 9:32 pm

      Cannot wait to see how you did.

      Reply
  16. Annmarie says

    September 1, 2015 at 9:37 pm

    I just did my first training run race this past weekend and while I started out in training mode I did end up racing a little bit…oops! Hard for me not to get caught up!

    Reply
    • abby says

      September 8, 2015 at 9:31 pm

      It is hard not to get caught up in it all.

      Reply
  17. Charlotte says

    September 2, 2015 at 8:44 am

    Sounds like your ankle is doing very well. The race looked like a fun way to train and keep your tips from coach in mind.

    Reply
    • abby says

      September 8, 2015 at 9:31 pm

      Yes, it was so nice to switch it up just a bit.

      Reply
  18. Sharon says

    September 2, 2015 at 10:38 am

    Great job! Way to push it the last 3 miles! Looks like a cool trail too!

    Reply
    • abby says

      September 8, 2015 at 9:31 pm

      It was a good change from my normal route.

      Reply
  19. AdjustedReality says

    September 2, 2015 at 10:42 am

    I am not good at not racing during a race, but this sounds like a PERFECT way to use the extra race motivation to train (+motivation to run somewhere pretty). Great job!

    Reply
    • abby says

      September 8, 2015 at 9:31 pm

      It was a great way to force myself out of bed early for a run.

      Reply
  20. Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says

    September 2, 2015 at 12:27 pm

    Glad your ankle is doing better! That’s such an annoying injury.

    Reply
    • abby says

      September 8, 2015 at 9:30 pm

      Yes, I am finally back to 100%!

      Reply
  21. Elizabeth says

    September 2, 2015 at 2:42 pm

    I’m considering a cheap, local half two weeks before my goal half marathon (during the 12 mile training weekend). Sometimes I get caught up in the runners passing me and need to work on taking it slower in the beginning. Plus, some of those folks start out too fast anyway and you end up passing them later. Nice job on the race; especially those last three miles!

    Reply
    • abby says

      September 8, 2015 at 9:30 pm

      Yes, I always get passed by lots in the beginning, but pass most of them at the end.

      Reply
  22. Jennifer says

    September 2, 2015 at 3:52 pm

    Congrats on finishing the race! I love to run races for training runs, but it is hard to resist racing it! Lately I switch my Garmin to the pace mode so I know if I am going out too fast.

    Reply
    • abby says

      September 8, 2015 at 9:30 pm

      That is a good idea, to use the Garmin for that.

      Reply
  23. Jessica says

    September 2, 2015 at 5:32 pm

    Congrats on a solid training run! I have a hard time *not* racing races. I will really be testing my ability to stick to a strategy in a couple of weeks when we run the Diva’s Half as part of our training. It’s hard to not get caught up in the race!

    Reply
    • abby says

      September 8, 2015 at 9:29 pm

      Just remember your coach has a plan for you.

      Reply
  24. Sue @ This Mama Runs for Cupcakes says

    September 5, 2015 at 9:24 pm

    Yea….I always SAY I’m going to use it for training and then end up racing. I’m terrible at that…I figure if I’m going to pay for it, I should race it! LOL.

    Reply
    • abby says

      September 8, 2015 at 9:29 pm

      Maybe it helps that I am happily slow:)

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Follow BackatSquareZero

Follow

About Me

I'm Abby, Abigail if I am in trouble. I wear many hats - a teacher, social media influencer, blogger, runner, and running coach (and so much more it would make you tired). I LOVE helping others avoid the mistakes I made when I first started out. I do this by teaching you how to work smarter, not harder, both when it comes to using social media/blogging to grow your brand and also when it comes to training for that next race. Read More …

Connect with Me

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Tumblr
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Run Coaching Information

Running Coaching Info for Sidebar

Social Media/Blogging Tips & Resources

Instagram

This error message is only visible to WordPress admins

Error: No connected account.

Please go to the Instagram Feed settings page to connect an account.

Twitter

Tweets by @BackAtSquare0

Facebook

Pinterest

  • How to brand your Instagram with intentional content and images that help to educate your followers on not only what you do, but how you do it, and how to work with you. By Julie Harris Design

  • It only takes 1 second for someone to decide whether or not they will follow you on Instagram. Power up your profile in less than an hour with these 4 easy steps to make your Instagram profile unforgettable!

  • Follow Me on Pinterest

Privacy Policy

BackatSquareZero does not share personal information with third-parties nor do we store information we collect about your visit to this blog for use other than to analyze content performance through the use of cookies, which you can turn off at anytime by modifying your Internet browser's settings. We are not responsible for the republishing of the content found on this blog on other Web sites or media without our permission, or for the privacy policy of other sites we link to. This privacy policy is subject to change without notice.View the full Privacy Policy:
http://www.backatsquarezero.com/privacy-policy/

Disclaimer

I am not a nutritionist, sports medicine doctor, certified personal trainer, therapist, medical doctor, or anything else fancy like that.
All suggestions, ideas, and stories shared on this blog only reflect what has worked for me on my journey from overweight and out of shape to marathon runner and through my RRCA Run Coaching Certification.
The information given is for informational purposes only and no guarantees are made concerning the accuracy, reliability and completeness of the information, I accept no responsibility for errors or omissions.
When making health and exercise decisions be sure to think about what is best for you and to first consult a medical professional to make sure your body is healthy and ready for exercise.

Networks

FitFluential Is Fitness Found

Photobucket

POPSUGAR Select Fitness

Copyright © 2019 · Foodie Pro Theme by Shay Bocks · Built on the Genesis Framework · Powered by WordPress