Jacksonville Bank Half Marathon
December 28, 2014
2:17:04
Temp: high 50s/low 60s with clouds and then fog
What I wore: hat, short sleeve shirt, Skirt Sports Happy Girl skirt,
PROCompression socks, and my Altra Intuitions
I went into this race with very low expectations. I had only done 4 double digit runs since JUNE! and 3 of those were other races. I had thought I’d get my training act together in November and December, but I struggled with a weird soreness across the top of my toes and ended up taking lots of non-running days.
Despite a slightly chilly start, the weather was predicted to warm up quickly, so I made the decision to run a bit faster than my recent races and training indicated I could do for 13.1. I wanted to get in as many miles as I could before it got too hot. I went out at a 10:30 pace with the goal of holding it for as long as I could. I embraced my mantra “Run the mile you are in” wholeheartedly. Each mile I just tried to stay as close as I could to that pace, promising myself that I could walk during the next mile. Somehow it worked as my average pace for the ENTIRE race was 10:28. Huh.
The good:
- The course was mostly flat, with just enough inclines to break things up.
- The organization was great: on time start, plenty of water/Gatorade stops, plenty of food at the end.
- Except for walking two water stops, I ran the entire race.
- I maintained the most even splits I think I ever have. My fastest mile was 10:15, my slowest 10:43, but most were within 5 seconds of 10:30.
- I felt strong the entire race.
- Random dude who ran me into the finish and got me to push hard for the last quarter mile.
- I found parking easily the morning of the race.
- It was the perfect number of people – not too crowded, but I was never alone.
The bad:
- Nothing really. It was a really good race for me.
The ugly:
- What my legs felt like after the crazy long drive home. I’m so thankful my husband loves to drive LOL. Three days later and I’m still struggling to sit down…
Would I do it again?
Yes, if it were closer to where I lived. It was a nice race, similar in feel to the race I did in Rehoboth Beach and similar in size to the Frederick Running Festival. Just a fun, well organized, laid back race, which I appreciate a lot since most of the DC area races are huge.
So, that’s it for 2014. I’m done racing and won’t race again until RNR USA in March. Time to write my goals and start a training plan for the crazy ideas I have for 2015. It was great to finish 2015 with a confidence building race!
Awesome! This is great, and just goes to show, sometimes the best races can be the unexpected ones! I love that your good list is HUGE, and your bad and ugly is very small, thats when you know you had a good day!
Tina Muir recently posted…5 Ways to Stay Motivated During Long Runs
Wow lady, 17 half marathons this year?!! Impressive 🙂 and congrats on the recent finish!
Jennifer F recently posted…My Best Recipes, Workouts & Bloopers of 2014 – TheFitFork.com
Congratulations on your race! I had a friend that did the full and he really enjoyed it.
Lacey@fairytalesandfitness recently posted…Our Race Scrapbook 2014
I ran my 17th half this year on Dec 28th too, in Florida! My time was 6 seconds different from yours…FREAKY. However, my race course measured 13.5 — I was not happy about that at all. I did get 2 extra unique medals for being a repeat customer so that helped. Congrats on a wonderful race and a wonderful year!
HoHo Runs recently posted…2014 Year in Review
Congrats on completing so many races this year! I’m glad you got to end the year on a high note! 🙂
Becky recently posted…Looking back and Looking ahead
Sounds like a great race! You never know what you’re going to get when you line up–I think that’s what makes it so fun! And frustrating at times…
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home recently posted…Dr Google is NOT your friend
Yeah, I hadn’t had a decent race in a while. And, honestly, I didn’t deserve one this time. I was seriously undertrained and got lucky.
Congrats on all those halfs!! Love that race tee…Great color!
Melanie recently posted…Motivation?! Where Did You Go?!
It is super bright! It was a great race though.
Congrats on a great race! Love that it went so well!
katie recently posted…Get Fit with Asics: GEL-Fit Sana Review
I seem to have my best races on days when I have zero expectation of a decent race…
Awesome really! so amazed by how many races you’ve run this year. Love the skirt of course!
Deborah Brooks recently posted…My Royal Wow Moments
It’s an addiction. I can’t help it.
Awesome job on 17 Half marathons, seriously you are such an inspiration! I remember the drive back from VA beach after Shamrock last year…5 years in the car right after was tough, I can’t imagine FL!! Congrats!
Sue @ This Mama Runs for Cupcakes recently posted…My Year of Running and Racing 2014
I was a teeny tiny bit sore – for two days LOL. Too much driving this holiday for sure.
I love that outfit! And congrats on another strong run of 2014!
Thank you! I love my Skirt Sport skirts (and did you see they came out with a zebra print?)
Talk about finishing on a high note! Great result and a great way to round up a year of running.
Char recently posted…2015 – 365 Days of Potential
That’s incredible! Sounds like the long rest was good for your legs on race day. I love your running skirt!
Tiffany recently posted…Introductions and 2015 Goals
Thanks! I’m a huge fan of Skirt Sports and they had some awesome prints this last year.