Today is Tuesdays on the Run, but due to crazy busy lives (or just plain lack of cell service for an entire week), April, Patty, and I decided to go with a “free topic” week. Feel free to link up any running related post!
Center of the Nation Series Half Marathon – Wyoming
September 17, 2015
2:33:32
Temp: Low 40s and windy
What I wore: hat, short sleeve top, arm warmers, Brooks jacket, Skirt Sports Happy Girl Skirt(this is an affiliate link), compression socks, and Altra Running One 2.5 (affiliate link).
This was my least favorite course of the race. I woke up feeling beaten down, the temps had dropped, it was windy, and much of the course was not very pretty. While I won’t say that I mentally defeated myself on this one, I will say that I wasn’t at my best. This course required a higher number of laps and each lap had three long shallow uphills into the wind. Yes, we did also have downhills with the wind at our backs because the race was two different out and backs, but I spent at least half of the race thinking “I hate this. Why do I even run?” Luckily, the people were awesome and I even got to run part of a lap with Beer Geek.
But I never warmed up enough to take of my jacket or my arm warmers, I felt like I was working really hard for the pace I was running, and my cough had settled quite nicely into my chest by the end. But I got it done. (Also turns out that the elevation here was 4700+ feet versus the 3000 feet of the previous races and the near-sea level where I train. I’m guessing that had something to do with how I felt.)
The good:
- I finished upright and sort of smiling.
- The rice krispy treats.
- The smiling people who were having a better day than me who helped keep me moving along.
The bad:
- My attitude. I was just grumpy.
- The slight uphills into the wind. This is the closest to walking I came the entire series.
- The temperature. I was too warm when the wind was at my back or when I was protected, I needed my jacket zipped all the way up when I headed into the wind. Very frustrating. My zipper got a lot of use.
- I was really trying to finish every race in under 2:30, but I missed it by a few minutes on this one.
The ugly:
- I apparently can’t run a tangent to save my life and with all the curves and multiple laps, I ran 14 miles. Oops.
After the race, we headed to a brewpub for lunch. I totally deserved a beer at that point!
Then we went and saw some wildlife, including bison.
Finally, we headed to the Mammoth Site which is this location that used to be a sinkhole. Mammoths would fall in and get stuck and eventually it filled up and became a hill. Construction workers found the bones and now it’s an active dig site – in the middle of nowhere South Dakota. It was really awesome!
Then it was off to Nebraska for race #5
Four down, two to go! Read about the first three races: Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
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Nice job! I think it would be weird to run in 40 degree temps and wind right now…the cooler weather might feel good but wind can be very frustrating! Glad you got to enjoy a beer at the end! Looks like a fun race series.
Lisa @ Running Out Of Wine recently posted…The Things I Won’t Run Without
I hate when it’s cold and windy. I can take either but not both. You absolutely deserved a beer after that race.
Lesley recently posted…Strength Training for Runners
Congratulations on finishing your race. Sometimes the harder ones are make you the most proud. Sorry to hear the weather didn’t cooperate. Doesn’t sound like ideal race conditions but your pushed thru and completed it. Way to go!
lacey@fairytalesandfitness.com recently posted…This my friends is one thing I can’t run without, can you?
Your adventure has been so much fun to follow – you are absolutely amazing!!!!!
Kristen Grimes recently posted…ToTR: I Never Run Without…
I’m sorry you had a grumpy race. But at least you got it done and you got to see all the cool stuff after!
Ugh sounds like a tough one – but you got through it! You definitely earned those beers!
Michelle @ Running with Attitude recently posted…Running Must Haves
Tough race. Congratulations on getting it done. Shows exactly what a strong-minded runner you are.
Char recently posted…Sydney Half Marathon – Remembering Why I Love To Race
Hey, I think just the fact that you finished them all definitely means you deserve those medals!
I think I’d be way more than grumpy after 4 half in 4 days. You are a rock star!
Judy @ Chocolaterunsjudy recently posted…5 Things That Help Me Get My Run On
Ok first off, congrats on completing 4 races and going for two more! That’s so great and so much more than I think I’d be capable of! Your stamina amazes me.
Secondly, those bison are super cute! I want to pet one haha.
And the mammoth dig site would be totally cool.
Montana @ Pretty Lil Mudder recently posted…My Next Big Challenge…or Three
Great job getting it done even when you weren’t feeling it! Four races so close together is tough. I admire you.
Amanda recently posted…Staying Balanced with BOSU & Marathon Training Monday {week 5}
That sounds like a miserable loop to run! You definitely earned those beers. 🙂
Jessica S recently posted…Tuesdays on the Run: Looking to a back-to-back race
Can I say I am SUPER jealous about your starting temps?
Smitha RunningwithSDMom recently posted…Guest Post: @RunRevel #BigCottonwood Recap #TOTR
That mammoth site is really cool!! Sometimes we all have those races where our attitude gets the best of us. The positive, you did the race, you survived and now you can move on to the next one. Good luck at the next race!!
I would be grumpy too if I had the week you had!! LOl congrats really impressive
Deborah Brooks @ Confessions of a Mother Runner recently posted…Freekeh Black Bean Burgers-Meatless Monday
OH wow, that dig hole is pretty impressive! Very cool. Great job on the race despite not feeling well and the other rough conditions. Running at a higher elevation is no joke!