Alexandria Running Festival Half Marathon
May 25, 2014
2:25:17
Temp: high 50s and sunny to start but quickly warmed from there
What I wore: hat, short sleeve shirt, Skirt Sports Happy Girl skirt,
PROCompression socks, and my trusty Altra Intuitions
Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right – Henry Ford
I went into this race mentally defeated. The combination of hormones, warm weather, and just flat out being mentally done with racing put me in a not good place on Saturday night and I couldn’t seem to leave there. I didn’t sleep well and it took everything I had in me to drive to the race. Thankfully, a ton of MRTT ladies were running and Sue was escorting Woody, so the hanging out before the race was a blast.
Until they had a half hour delay due to course marking issues.
I called Beer Geek to tell him and his response? “You have to run the race. You can’t leave.” Apparently, even though I hadn’t said anything to him about my mental state, he knew. So, I did. And I made the best of it.
I hated every single step of that hot, miserable run on a course with little to recommend it. But I talked to tons of people, high fived every kid I saw, and guzzled Gatorade at every water stop. I met a lady who had run the Great Wall of China half marathon, I cheered on my MRTT ladies, I got cheered on by MRTT and some half fanatics, and I sprinted to the finish chasing after a dude who’s legs were nearly as long as I am tall.
It wasn’t pretty. I was able to exfoliate with all the salt on my face. I spent the entire rest of the day rehydrating. But I finished.
ONE MORE TO GO!!!
The good:
- The packet pickup and parking on race day went super smoothly.
- Indoor bathrooms and never a long line.
- MRTT – such awesome ladies!
- The volunteers were awesome.
- The random people I chatted with on the course
- The cold Gatorade that was handed to me at mile 11.5
The bad:
- The heat
- The course – it was uninspiring, often unshaded, and changed surface type way too often.
- My attitude
The Annoying:
- Old school timing chips to wear on our shoes
- The constant little out and back jaunts
- The medal is the most boring medal I’ve received this year
The ugly:
- The half hour delay. It messed up my hydration, my fueling, and had us running without shade at the end. A half hour makes a big difference in Virginia in the late spring.
- The Bia GPS said I ran 13.81 miles??? Garmin said the course was closer just under 13.
Would I run it again?
No. It’s too likely to be hot and the course just really did nothing for me (and I’m generally not one to complain about a boring course.) I know my mental state played a part in not loving this race, but it had very little that makes me want to give it another try.
At least we had Monday off, so I was able to celebrate being done.
12 down, 1 to go. I know that ZOOMA is going to be hard – it’s hilly and it’s going to be warm, but that’s ok. There are other things to like about it and I’m so excited to be done that I’m going to embrace every single slow step.
GIRL you already know this…but you are so so so my running SHERO.
Carla recently posted…I’m your Venus.
Nah, I’m just crazy LOL.
You are doing an amazing job! One more, one more, one more!
Angela @ Happy Fit Mama recently posted…5 Body and Soul Benefits of Trail Running
Thanks. I’m actually looking forward to Zooma ’cause it’s kind of a girls’ weekend, but I’m glad that it’s my last race.
Sorry to hear that this race was less than desirable. I appreciate your candid thoughts about the race organization though. Although there were more positives than negatives, delaying a race by a half hour due to something that could have been avoided is a huge issue. Thanks for your honesty.
Btw, you’re awesome and awe inspiring with the number of races you’ve recently run! Keep up the amazing work!
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running recently posted…Keeping Running Fun
Thanks! I was hoping a great race would overrule my bad attitude, but it the delay just made it worse.
Yikes that does not sound fun. I can’t stand it when races don’t start on time, it is my biggest pet peeve! On a happier note your skirt is super cute! Congrats on finishing a tough race!
Thanks! I love the Skirt Sport skirts. I think I have 6 of them LOL.
I want that margarita! Good job on getting the run done even when in a bad mental place. One more to go!
Tiina recently posted…Whether the Weather is Good…
It was really yummy. I usually get there regular margarita (which is awesome) but I wanted variety and it was a great choice.
see you friday in annapolis 🙂
Courtney @ Eat Pray Run, DC recently posted…Juice Cleanse Review + Giveaway!
Looking forward to it!
you’ve run a lot of races lately girlfriend and it must certainly take a toll mentally and physically. You’re almost there and then hopefully you will take a little break. It’s supposed to be fun right? You will have lots of MRTT friends at Zooma this weekend to cheer you on. Hang in there!
Deborah Brooks recently posted…Top 10 Rules of the Road for Bikers & Runners
Yeah. I feel pretty good physically, but I’m mentally tired.
I so dislike when a race starts late, but I’m Ms. Prompt so I can’t understand when others cannot be prepared. I had one race that was delayed about 15 minutes due to parking issues but never because of course marking – which like an above commenter should have been caught the day before!
Jade recently posted…Weeks 21 – 24
The company that was supposed to drop cones arrived late, but really? You shouldn’t cut it that close.
LOL, you nailed exactly why I didn’t sign up for this one. Good for you for sticking it out!
Coco recently posted…Money Makes The World Go Round
I had a dream that I didn’t do it and was scrambling for another race LOL. I had to get it done.
The number of halves you’ve already racked up this year is impressive. I thought I was having a big year with four on my plate. You make me look soft.
Char recently posted…The Tale Of the Wayward Button
You aren’t soft – I’m just crazy LOL. I only have two more this year…
Just one more – you got it!!!
Way to run the race even though it wasn’t your favorite!
Kim recently posted…18 Years Ago
Thanks! I’m glad I’m nearly done.
You are amazing!! Congrats on another finish despite the conditions. I thought about signing up for that half, but just felt like sleeping this weekend 🙂 Good luck in Annapolis, you will have a great time.
Jennifer recently posted…NYRR Brooklyn Half Marathon Race Recap
I’m looking forward to having a while off and being able to not schedule my weekend around a race…
Sorry to hear you hated the race. If it’s any consolation i did too. The late start completely threw me off and although I was glad of the frequent water stops for most of the race, one more on that long lonely highway home would have helped! Hope the last one goes better.
Kate recently posted…Me Made May the first few days
Always good to know I’m not alone. The last bit of highway was not awesome. I carry a handheld and I used it quite a bit in that stretch.
Congrats on #12!! Sounds like a rough day, but you did it – and you got your picture taken with a giant. Those are good things. =)
Zooma is this weekend, right? With the rain we’re getting this week, maybe it won’t be too hot for you! Fingers crossed.
Diana recently posted…I’m Not Dead, I’m Just Boring
It’s looking to be a bit cooler and it’s supposed to start at 7, so that should help.