MCM Mama Runs

MCM Mama Runs for Beer and Bling

  • Home
  • About MCM Mama
  • Racing the U.S.A.
  • I Heart Craft Beer
  • Product Reviews
  • Recipes
  • Disclosure
You are here: Home / 14in2014 / Half Marathon #3: Charlottesville Half Marathon

Half Marathon #3: Charlottesville Half Marathon

April 8, 2014 by MCM Mama 15 Comments

Charlottesville Half Marathon
April 5, 2014
2:20:55

charlottesville-swag

Temp: 49 degrees and windy
What I wore: hat, Champion short sleeve shirt, Sugoi arm sleeves, Happy Girl skirt,
PROCompression socks, and (of course) my trusty AltraRunning Intuitions

charlottesville_outfit

I’m not going to lie: this was one of the hardest races I’ve ever run. I had nothing left at the end. Nothing.  Why? Well, here’s how I described it on Facebook:

The first 6 miles were just relentless. I’d barely get my heart rate down and we’d be going up another one {hill}. Then there was a huge hill at mile 7. 7-11 wasn’t bad. 12 nearly killed me and 13 stole my soul…

The good:

charlottesville-half-marathon

  • I love visiting Charlottesville.  I lived there for 6 years (4 as a student, 2 as a “townie”), so it was fun to run through areas I spent many happy years *walking*.
  • I got to see some college friends the night before the race and crashed at their house (saving me from having to get a hotel room.)
  • Race logistics were a piece of cake.
  • Clean, warm, REAL bathrooms at the start.
  • The Gu right before the huge hill at mile 7.  Somehow I lost the one I brought and I was starving! (I need to eat breakfast closer to start time.)

The bad:

  • The hills.  Intellectually, I knew it was going to be a hilly race – after all I used to live there + I looked at the route.  But, OMG! One after another.  Just…constant.  By mile 6, my legs hurt so much I didn’t even enjoy the downhills.

The ugly:

  • The hill at the end of mile 11 (I think).  I think it was almost a half mile long. I had nothing left at that point.
  • The hill at 12.5.  I just wanted to be done. I didn’t care that I only had a half mile to go.  I walked that sucker. And wasn’t sure I could start running again.
  • The hill at 12.9.  I mentioned the hills were relentless, right?  I made myself run it, but I really wanted to walk.

charlottesville-finish

As I said on Instagram, this half marathon handed me my a$$.  But I kind of want to do it again.  There’s something about running through a place where you have so many good memories that makes the pain worthwhile.  I want to go back and run it well and actually stop to take the pictures of my favorite places that I didn’t take because I was afraid I wouldn’t start running again. Beer Geek thinks I’m crazy.

charlottesville-medal

And in other BIG news – last night I had the opportunity to register for Nike Women Half Marathon (check out their facebook page, there may still be bibs)!  I now have all 13 races paid for and on the calendar!

3 races down, 10 to go to get to Venus!

Screen Shot 2014-04-07 at 10.09.00 PM

To celebrate #3, I’m giving away a $35 gift certificate to RoadID!!  Enter here!

Follow on Bloglovin follow us in feedly

More from my site

  • Here we go againHere we go again
  • A lovely four mile swim runA lovely four mile swim run
  • Thankful FridayThankful Friday
  • Five Minute Friday: #RunWithMirnaFive Minute Friday: #RunWithMirna
  • Isn’t that the way?Isn’t that the way?

Filed Under: 14in2014, Half Fanatics, half marathons

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CommentLuv badgeShow more posts

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Comments

  1. Twins RUN says

    April 8, 2014 at 7:48 am

    4 words to describe Charlottesville Marathon – humbled by the hills!
    Twins RUN recently posted…Charlottesville Marathon PRMy Profile

    Reply
  2. Deborah Brooks says

    April 8, 2014 at 7:52 am

    I love to read your race recaps. Even when you know there is a hill sometimes it just wipes you out more than you expected. Glad you got into Nike-loved that race last year. Have fun!
    Deborah Brooks recently posted…Rent The Runway-If only Cinderella had known about this…My Profile

    Reply
  3. Diana says

    April 8, 2014 at 7:53 am

    I hate hills! You are a better woman than I. I would have cried. LOL Congrats on #3! Can’t believe you have 10 to go, but I know you’re going to rock them all!!
    Diana recently posted…Bloomin’ Terrific – Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Miler Race ReportMy Profile

    Reply
  4. Michelle @ Running with Attitude says

    April 8, 2014 at 9:57 am

    I ran a half like that a couple years ago and vowed never again. You are a braver/crazier 😉 soul than I to want to do it again! Congrats on #3!!
    Michelle @ Running with Attitude recently posted…Training Check-in Week 5My Profile

    Reply
  5. Chaitali says

    April 8, 2014 at 10:50 am

    Congrats on finishing this tough half! And yay for registering for the Nike Half. I’m vounteering for that one at the post race water station so hopefully I’ll see you there 🙂
    Chaitali recently posted…Baked potato barMy Profile

    Reply
  6. Jade says

    April 8, 2014 at 1:02 pm

    I hate hills too! I like where I live, it is the flat-est of the flat-est, but if I go into the city to do races, the hills kill me every time.
    Jade recently posted…OTPYWG #2My Profile

    Reply
  7. Kathryn @ Dancing to Running says

    April 8, 2014 at 5:51 pm

    Congrats on finishing this race! We ran in Charlottesville back in October – my husband ran the Fall Classic Half and I ran the 10k. Boy oh boy do I remember how hilly that race was!
    Kathryn @ Dancing to Running recently posted…Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run Expo…and a Pre Race MeltdownMy Profile

    Reply
  8. Char says

    April 8, 2014 at 6:22 pm

    Hills are what scares me most about this weekend’s run. When you haven’t run in a place before they’re an unknown. And it seems that even if you’ve run in a place before they can be an unknown. Well done on your half. It sounds like it was a tough one.
    Char recently posted…Four Days Till CanberraMy Profile

    Reply
  9. Coco says

    April 8, 2014 at 8:43 pm

    LOL. Isn’t this course famous around here for it’s hills? Or maybe that’s all Charlottesville races. I worried about the hills on the GWPC this weekend because this winter I didn’t run on that part of the Mt. Vernon trail as much as usual.
    Coco recently posted…Resetting Healthy Life PrioritiesMy Profile

    Reply
  10. Johann says

    April 9, 2014 at 7:39 am

    Well done! Super run while getting really tested. This will just make you tougher for the remaining ten.
    Johann recently posted…A Lovely Trail RunMy Profile

    Reply
  11. Tiina says

    April 16, 2014 at 5:25 pm

    Yay for having all 13 confirmed and paid for!
    Tiina recently posted…Monday MusingsMy Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      April 17, 2014 at 6:08 pm

      Indeed! I’m much more relaxed now!

      Reply
  12. Elizabeth C. says

    April 18, 2014 at 2:56 pm

    Did you go to UVA? That’s where I went! Sorry the race was tough, but Charlottesville is one of the hilliest places you can run!
    Elizabeth C. recently posted…Saving Time, Gas, and Money with a 20-milerMy Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      April 21, 2014 at 7:23 pm

      Yep, but I’m guessing I was there a few years before you. ;o)

      Reply
  13. christine says

    August 10, 2014 at 8:38 am

    I was just looking into running this race (marathon) i like small races, plus it is not too far from me. But the hills you mentioned scare me. What to do?
    christine recently posted…Baby carrier review: Moby Wrap vs ERGObabyMy Profile

    Reply
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Who is MCM Mama?
A slightly obnoxious mom and wife who loves good beer and running, who struggles a bit with depression especially in the winter and when running isn’t allowed, who’d rather go on a fun vacation than upgrade the kitchen or add a master bath, and has a minor addiction to the Marine Corps Marathon.

Recent Posts

  • Half Marathon #85: Appalachian Series – South Carolina
  • Half Marathon #84: Appalachian Series – Georgia
  • Coffee with a side of rain
  • Half Marathon #83:Appalachian Series – Alabama
  • Hotel Coffee is better than no coffee…
  • Training for Back to Back to Back Half Marathons
  • Runfessions of a Really Cold Runner
  • Kicking off the year with coffee!

Archives

A slightly obnoxious mom and wife who loves good beer and running, who struggles a bit with depression especially in the winter and when running isn’t allowed, who’d rather go on a fun vacation than upgrade the kitchen or add a master bath. Read More…

Half Marathon #85: Appalachian Series – South Carolina

Half Marathon #85: Appalachian Series – South Carolina

Mainly Marathons Appalachian Series – South CarolinaMarch 27, 20222:47:45 What I wore: hat, tank top, long sleeve quarter zip, capris, and Altra Rivera Location: Seneca, SC (State #41!) Let’s just start out with the truth – this race was the hardest of the races and pretty much sucked. I chose to do the early start […]

Copyright © 2023 · MCM Mama Runs on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in