Marine Corps 17.75
March 28, 2015
1:58:59
Temp: 32*, sunny, and super windy
What I wore: hat, long sleeve shirt, jacket, Skirt Sports Happy Girl skirt, tights
PROCompression socks, and my new Altra Intuitions 3.0.
I found out mid-week that I did not have to run this race. I got into the Marine Corps Marathon via lottery. After a 20 mile run on Wednesday and a slightly sore knee during my 12 mile run on Thursday, I was feeling less than enthused about running. Add in a prediction of unseasonably cold weather and the thought of staying in my warm bed crossed my mind more than once. Thankfully, a fellow MRTT mom offered me a ride down and that was all the impetus I needed to actually get out of bed.
Our trip down went smoothly and we quickly caught a bus to the start line. Then we stood around in the freezing wind for an hour. Ugh. Finally, it was time to run! We quickly turned from pavement onto a hilly dirt/gravel road. I was not a fan and my legs were unhappy. I managed to stick with my MRTT friend despite this and ran until we hit the wicked uphill at mile 4.5ish.
I walked that bad boy. I have no regrets.
After the big hill, I slowly but surely caught up to my friend. I had no real time goals, so I just kept plugging away. We separated again at a water stop, but managed to catch each other again around mile 7 or so. At that point, my runner’s high kicked in and I was able to run a strong steady pace until we turned back onto the awful gravel and mud roads. There were two more steep hills in that section where we walked and then it was just a short way to the finish. From mile 10 to 11, I felt AMAZING. If I hadn’t wanted to stick with my friend, I think I could have really picked up the pace, but I stayed with her until I could see the finish line. I can’t resist a finish line sprint, so I admit I took off. I was shocked at both the 10:37 average AND how good my legs felt after such a heavy mileage week!
The good:
- The race was really well organized. The buses to and from went super smoothly.
- Marines. Duh.
- Plentiful water stops, even though I relied entirely on my handheld bottle full of nuun.
- The medal is really nice.
- Getting the golden ticket at the end. In fact, thanks to friends who did not need theirs, I was able to give 3 lucky ladies entry codes to the Marine Corps Marathon.
The bad:
- The hills. OMG, this course was hilly.
- Having to get there an hour early to deal with the parking and the buses and then stand and wait for the start of the race
The ugly:
- The COLD!
Would I do it again? Maybe. It was well organized and it’s a great way for “locals” to get into the Marine Corps Marathon, but if I weren’t running that, I’m not sure I’d make the effort. The drive + the shuttles + the wait + run + the drive home made for a really long morning.
UM
THE HILLS THE COLD?
the cold?!
you’re my heroine.
Id have struggled to stand out there cheering people on 🙂
Great job surviving the hills and the cold! and now you get into the Marine Core Marathon.. yay!
Way to go still getting up and running the race. On cold, windy days its so hard to motivate myself to get out the door.
Can’t go wrong with the marines huh? Nice to look at for sure. I’d love to do this race one year. Nice job with the freezing temps.
It’s so hard to get amped for a run when it’s cold and hilly, but you did an awesome job! So cool that you were able to let other people into the marathon, too! I need to look into doing the Marine Corps Marathon – and this one, too!
Well, did you ever think the Marines would make it easy? Great job!
Overall it sounds like it was a good race. Love your running skirt. And, um, always yes to Marines. lol
That medal is great!
I struggle with early spring races, you never know what you’re going to get weather-wise and standing around in the cold for an hour?! Dislike!
I’ve heard this is a tough, tough course. I can’t imagine running those hills (I live in pancake flat prairie land) and doing it in the cold. Yikes!
I love your outfit! <3 And yay you on walking that crazy hill! I would've done the same. (The hills and the cold would've made me miserable, hahaha. ._.)
I would have walked those hills as well! Sometimes that is the only way to get to the top!
It must be wonderful to be feeling so great at the end stages of a half marathon. What a good run you had!
Oh not me. Would never never get up to run in the cold. But your outfit is cute and it is nice that you were able to help those others out, too.
Well at least you looked cute for that cold run!!! I love the runners high, sounds like you caught it just at the right time!! And yes, gotta sprint at the end. Always. No matter what!
I would have gotten up too. Can’t miss a chance to race with marines! Hills and all 🙂
Girl you got me at 32 degrees and super windy let alone running with marines. Kudos to you for being awesome!
Congrats on what sounds like an awesome race! No way was I ever getting up to run in the col, especially if I knew I didn’t actually have to lol
Nice job in your awesome Skirt Sports. Tackling hills on a cold windy day can be so tough! Nice way to push through and finish strong!