Monday, May 14, 2012

The Race Re-Cap

Well, my first half marathon is in the books... notice I said my first which means there will be more.  Chicago was a great place for my first half.  The course was relatively flat and along the lake shore, what more could you want?  Well, good weather would have been nice.  My first half was run in 50 degrees, thunder, lightening, and down pouring rain.  Yes, I stuck it out and survived to tell about it.

Fortunately the extra moisture did not cause any blisters or chaffing, in fact I had zero blisters and chaffing which I am happy about.  I used my two GU's on the course and drank water and Gatorade at the hydration stations.

My only aches came at mile 10 where I misstepped and really hurt my left knee.  I was having knee issues early on in my training, I think mostly due to pushing too hard too fast.  I thought I was doing OK during the race, I was running at a 10:30 pace and was comfortable.  Mile 10 I ran at a 12 minute pace.  My overall time was 2:27:58.  I had three goals:

1. Finish the race.  My knee was enough to make me want to quit but I couldn't quit my first 1/2.  What a disappointment that would have been.

2. Do not end up in the medic tent.  Had I quit, it would have been for my knee and I'm pretty sure I would have ended up in the medic tent or an ambulance had I been seeking medical attention.

3. Finish under 2:30.  I don't know why I set that goal other than it seemed relatively attainable.  I would really like to do a 2:20 the next time I run one just because without the whole knee thing, I think it would have been doable for sure.

All three goals were met.  Overall, it was a really great experience and I was so relieved to finish in the end.  We celebrated with dinner at Fogo De Chao, a Brazilian steak house.  I can honestly say, I'm OK if I don't eat meat for a while (this won't happen but that is really how I felt).  I was also very bloated after that meal, like I was retaining a whole lot of water.  I'm pretty sure that although I ran my tail off, I put on weight from all the yummy food we ate this weekend.  I was not brave enough to weigh myself today but I will continue weekly weigh ins next Monday.  I still have my 150 goal to reach and I plan to get there.


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