Potomac River Run Half Marathon
November 17, 2013
2:21:22
When I went to bed the night before this race, I was pretty sure I had a really long walk ahead of me. I was already sore, despite a long Epsom salt bath. I had also never quite gotten ahead of the lack of food and the dehydration (turns out you can sweat A.LOT when running in the rain and not realize it.) To make things even more positive (ha), I kept waking up and checking the time on my phone. I’ve never slept through the alarm, so I don’t know why I was so paranoid.
The alarm went off, I rolled out of bed, and I promptly realized that my legs were shot. Super tired, sore, and heavy. I did indeed consider going back to sleep, but honestly, this blog keeps me motivated. No way I was coming back here and admitting that I didn’t even try…
The good:
- The course was mostly flat and the surface was soft.
- It was a small race, but with the double out and back for the marathoners + two start times, there was always someone around.
- I met up with a friend who was running the full for a bit before the race. (Looks like she won her age group AND qualified for Boston!)
- I got there early and had no problem parking or picking up my bib.
- Warm bathrooms with real toilets.
- The mini cliff bar at mile 7+. (I’m learning I like *food* during longer races, not gels.)
- My pace was remarkably consistent until mile 12 – between 10:25 and 10:50 for most miles.
- Pancakes at the end.
The bad:
- The muddy spots. Nothing better than wondering if you are going to fall off the path into the water.
The ugly:
- My foot. The ball of my right foot hurt from mile 4 on.
- Miles 12, 13, and afterwards. My body was just DONE. I was just happy that I managed to stay under a 12 minute pace.
- The stairs in my house. I haven’t had to crawl up them since my last marathon. LOL
This race was all about mental strength for me. For the first 11 miles, I told myself it would hurt just as much to go a slower pace, so I might as well run as fast as I could. This worked until my body truly had nothing left to give. I honestly don’t think I could have run the race even one minute faster!
Next up: Rehoboth Beach – where I hope to finally get below 2:14 and then Gar Williams where I get to close out the year with a race with my dad!
And then it’s on to Riverboat and 14 in 2014…
Take care of your foot! I hope it stopped hurting when you stopped running.
That half looks pretty and fast.
I can’t believe you have two more before the end of the year. Girl!
I have always wanted to run Rehoboth! I always remember too late then say “next year!”
Congratulations. You asked a lot of your body and it responded (but it”s probably still hating you today).