Okay, so running 2:10 in a half marathon wasn’t a complete disaster. It was my first half marathon and I did manage to finish it, even if it wasn’t the time I was hoping for. And what was I hoping for? Something closer to 2 hour - which is essentially 5 minutes or so difference from how I actually finished. Regardless of what I said to L. yesterday (“Tell me not to do this again.”) I will run a half marathon again.
I did lose another 2 pounds which, as of this morning, hasn’t come back on again.
For complete results, go to the PEC Marathon page. My actual time was actually 2:09:29. I’m feeling better about it now.
Monday, October 03, 2005
Sunday, October 02, 2005
Half Marathon
I spend the night waking up every hour only to sleep past my planned wake up time (the alarm was set correctly; the clock however, read PM instead of AM). A rushed shower and gathering of things, then off to the Running Room store for the 5:15 AM bus to Prince Edward County. The marathoners are dropped off at 7:30 for an 8:30 start and us half marathoners arrive at our destination with over two hours to spare.
The waiting is the hardest part. A visit to the port-a-pottie (no line up), a chat with fellow running group members, a stroll up the road for a bit, another visit to the port-a-pottie (long line up this time), and then an opportunity to watch the marathoners pass by. A thin but very muscular black man whizzed by, a minute ahead of two other black men, themselves a couple of minutes ahead of a white guy, himself a full five minutes ahead of the rest of the pack. Much cheering and hollering of encouragement for the soon to be half marathoners.
Shortly after 10 AM we start. There are about 300 or 400 people doing the half on this beautiful sunny day. Unfortunately for us, it’s a bit too hot, too sunny and too still. I seek out the pace bunnies (people who wear a pair of rabbit ears on their heads with their planned time of completion) and spot the 2:00 and 2:10 bunnies about 50 feet apart. It’s quiet and pleasant in the shade and my start is okay.
As the race draws I feel my lack of sleep and the heat catch up to me. I take a power gel and seem to do okay. Still, I’m only at the 8 km mark - still 13 km to go. The water stations appear at every odd kilometre mark and I find myself running from water station to water station. At around 10 km I look at my time and see that I’ve run it in less than 59 minutes - still possible to complete the race under or at 2 hours but it requires a little work. For 2 or 3 km I move a little faster.
But I lose steam. The 2:00 pace bunny is lost in the crowd ahead and I begin to feel a little disappointed and discouraged. Still 8 km to go. That’s four water stations. My water breaks become longer. I take another power gel. I have to stop for a bathroom break. Our running group leader passes me while I use the facilities and I can’t catch up to her. During training she was always far behind.
The course was flat but for two hills near its end. They are not big hills but they are discouraging enough. Near the top of the second hill, at the edge of Picton where the finish line is, the 2:10 pace bunny passes me. He is also from Peterborough and he chats with me, trying to encourage me. For a while I keep up but another little knot take the wind out of me and I have to walk for a bit.
We enter Picton and round the corner onto the main street. “Almost done,” call out the spectators encouragingly. But I look down the street and see no finish line in sight. Another walking break. Some more running. “One more corner,” someone calls out. “The finish line is just around the corner.”
I summon up my remaining energy and round the corner for a spectacular finish. But the finish line is still 500 metres away. “Liars,” I think disgustingly and plod on to the finish line. There is L and the children, cheering me on. S. runs along with me to the finish line and I cross, exhausted in 2:10:39. Much slower than I had hoped.
But I finished and survived. It takes me some time to recover. I find the others from our running group and compare notes. Someone remarks that I didn’t look very happy. I wasn’t at the time and perhaps am still not but it’s done and now I have something to improve on at a later date. For now, I will take a break from running.
The waiting is the hardest part. A visit to the port-a-pottie (no line up), a chat with fellow running group members, a stroll up the road for a bit, another visit to the port-a-pottie (long line up this time), and then an opportunity to watch the marathoners pass by. A thin but very muscular black man whizzed by, a minute ahead of two other black men, themselves a couple of minutes ahead of a white guy, himself a full five minutes ahead of the rest of the pack. Much cheering and hollering of encouragement for the soon to be half marathoners.
Shortly after 10 AM we start. There are about 300 or 400 people doing the half on this beautiful sunny day. Unfortunately for us, it’s a bit too hot, too sunny and too still. I seek out the pace bunnies (people who wear a pair of rabbit ears on their heads with their planned time of completion) and spot the 2:00 and 2:10 bunnies about 50 feet apart. It’s quiet and pleasant in the shade and my start is okay.
As the race draws I feel my lack of sleep and the heat catch up to me. I take a power gel and seem to do okay. Still, I’m only at the 8 km mark - still 13 km to go. The water stations appear at every odd kilometre mark and I find myself running from water station to water station. At around 10 km I look at my time and see that I’ve run it in less than 59 minutes - still possible to complete the race under or at 2 hours but it requires a little work. For 2 or 3 km I move a little faster.
But I lose steam. The 2:00 pace bunny is lost in the crowd ahead and I begin to feel a little disappointed and discouraged. Still 8 km to go. That’s four water stations. My water breaks become longer. I take another power gel. I have to stop for a bathroom break. Our running group leader passes me while I use the facilities and I can’t catch up to her. During training she was always far behind.
The course was flat but for two hills near its end. They are not big hills but they are discouraging enough. Near the top of the second hill, at the edge of Picton where the finish line is, the 2:10 pace bunny passes me. He is also from Peterborough and he chats with me, trying to encourage me. For a while I keep up but another little knot take the wind out of me and I have to walk for a bit.
We enter Picton and round the corner onto the main street. “Almost done,” call out the spectators encouragingly. But I look down the street and see no finish line in sight. Another walking break. Some more running. “One more corner,” someone calls out. “The finish line is just around the corner.”
I summon up my remaining energy and round the corner for a spectacular finish. But the finish line is still 500 metres away. “Liars,” I think disgustingly and plod on to the finish line. There is L and the children, cheering me on. S. runs along with me to the finish line and I cross, exhausted in 2:10:39. Much slower than I had hoped.
But I finished and survived. It takes me some time to recover. I find the others from our running group and compare notes. Someone remarks that I didn’t look very happy. I wasn’t at the time and perhaps am still not but it’s done and now I have something to improve on at a later date. For now, I will take a break from running.
Saturday, October 01, 2005
Half Marathon Training #12: Pre-Race Jitters
I think everything is ready. The bus for the marathoners and the half-marathoners leaves tomorrow morning at 5 AM. The marathon starts at 8 AM and the half starts at 10 AM. I’ve got my breakfast for the bus packed and my clothes are set out. My family will join me to see me cross the finish line in Picton at around noon.
I tell myself that this is really just another run but it is a race. I am obviously not going to come anywhere near first, even for my class, but that still doesn't stop me from changing my goal from just finishing to finishing under 2 hours. To do that, I’d have to push myself. Not imposssible but it would require work. I keep reminding myself I need to pace myself.
And so go the mental games. As always, the mental aspect is a great part of how well you do. Right now I’m hoping for a good sleep.
I tell myself that this is really just another run but it is a race. I am obviously not going to come anywhere near first, even for my class, but that still doesn't stop me from changing my goal from just finishing to finishing under 2 hours. To do that, I’d have to push myself. Not imposssible but it would require work. I keep reminding myself I need to pace myself.
And so go the mental games. As always, the mental aspect is a great part of how well you do. Right now I’m hoping for a good sleep.
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