Saturday, March 24, 2012

End of the Trail Half Marathon Recap

I was not expecting big things from this race since I didn't prepare, at all, the farthest I had run since the Tinker Bell Half in January was 6.5. I also hadn't run much in the last week since my big girls were out of school the week before so I only ran a bit with them. Add to that the fact that I changed my diet in the last two weeks and was unsure of fuel, pre and during race, it added up to a big nothing.


Packet pick up was yesterday at the local running store and it was a bit of a mess, I got in the line I was told to get in, waited and then was told I had to wait in the other line. Then, I was told they ran out of shirts, which wasn't the end of the world but didn't please me.


The three big girls and I then went and spent the night at my parents house. We had tacos (mine was meat and salsa on greens), they had brownies for dessert and I had a Larabar. We watched Hook and then we crashed. I slept great until 3:30 am and then I was mostly awake until my alarm went off at 5:30. I got up and had a cup of coffee, using my parents amazing Kuerig - I MUST have one, and ate another Larabar. It got things moving and then I headed out to the race site.


Mama took my reflective pre-race picture


I was annoyed that we had to pay the $6 entry fee to get into the park where the race was starting and finishing, I've held events and you usually can get fees waived or included in your permits so those who already paid for races don't have to pay again!! I met up with my friend Michele, after going to the bathroom again, and we hung out in the FREEZING morning air.


Pre-race FREEZING
Stolen from Michele's Facebook


The race was "chip timed" but there was no pad at the beginning... I'm not sure how that worked. I used my Garmin so I'm not too worried about it. The first few miles I felt amazing and had to keep slowing myself down. It was a really boring course filled with out and backs on country roads. About 7.5 miles in I was DONE! I kept thinking it would be nice to trip in one of the pot holes I had been watching out for so that I could stop. At about 11 miles I started walking 1 minute for every 4 I ran just to keep moving. I was POOPED!! I made it in at 2:19, not a horrible time, but not a time I was hoping to see!! My mom and the girls were at the finish waiting for me so we got some good finishing pictures.


Blowing kisses to the girls


Way back there


Heading in


I got my medal and my finishers hoodie and hat and the girls and my mom were upon me. I was feeling a bit dizzy so I plopped on the grass, which made it picture time!



After that we wandered through the expo and grabbed some fruit and free Starbucks (score!!) and took a picture by the statue that the race gets it's name from.

Bug is wearing my finisher's sweatshirt



I had to share this outtake, because I had just finished saying I saw the hole and wouldn't fall, when I almost fell!

Michele had already left when I finished because she ROCKED, she finished in 1:46! I have to say I was glad to have finished as quickly as I did because they ran out of sweatshirts and hats! I think that is crazy!!

All in all it was a great race and I would definitely run it again!! Even though the course is boring! It's a great price, $56, and too close to home to pass up.

When I got home I took glutamine and an ice bath and I've been wearing my compression sleeves and I'm feeling good. We'll see what the morning brings as far as aches and pains. Tomorrow I'll be back with my plan of action to get a PR at the half in May (that I've yet to actually sign up for...)

DISCLAIMER: I feel it necessary to state, that this race was not expensive so I don't expect all the things they handed out, BUT I do expect that if you pre-register at least 2 weeks in advance (or whatever predetermined date set by those in charge) you should get the things you paid for when it is promised to you.

18 comments:

  1. Congratulations!! 2:19 is awesome! My first half was 3:00 even and I'm aiming for 2:45 this May (California Classic). I've finally decided I'll never be a fast runner and I'm okay with that. I kind of like jogging and enjoying myself lol.

    And I agree with you about the race packets- if they know how many people signed up (obviously, they do) then they should have that many sweatshirts or shirts available. Its not like they don't know how people are going to show up- its a pre-paid thing!

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    1. I know that 2:19 isn't a bad time at all! I just hoped to do better since I was faster in my first half, I guess that is the difference the training makes! I'm hoping to PR at the California Classic too!

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  2. Okay...so that statue makes me so sad. I guess that means the artist did a great job.

    Yay! you did it! With absolute minimal training :) I am about to find out what that's like first-hand tomorrow morning ....aaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!

    I really don't want to see a super sad statue when I finish. Which I won't because I finish in a ghetto...so I'll see super sad REAL stuff :(

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    1. The statue is super sad! It's on the medal and shirt too! You will do great today. Ending in the ghetto is sad too, that is REAL sadness.

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  3. I think that time is great (I am really hoping to do 2:30 in my first half this may but with tonnes and tonnes of training - I started in November 2010 slowly building milage for over a year).
    But I have zero natural ability (or maybe less than zero)!

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    1. I did train a lot for my first half in January and was pleased with my time, this was slower so I was disappointed. I don't think that overall 2:19 is slow by any means, I just know that I can go faster since I have! Good luck on your half!

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  4. You did great for minimal training! I barely did better on my first half on the road!

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    1. Thanks Court, I only did a little bit better on my first half too, I was just hoping to beat that yesterday (I don't know what I was thinking, I can't PR without the work!).

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  5. Wow! Great job! Love races close to home! Good luck on the Whole 30! I sorta fell off the wagon the week prior to my half. Getting back on track this week. :)

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    1. Hey Jamie! I'm two weeks into the Whole30 and really enjoying it. Good luck getting back on track!!

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  6. Great job on the race, especially if you didn't train past 6.5 miles! I've never gotten a hoodie from a race, but that would be awesome! It looks like you had a beautiful day for a race!

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    1. This was my first hoodie, it's cool! It was a perfect day for a race.

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  7. I think you did a fantastic job all things considered :)

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  8. Congrats! Lame that they ran out of shirts and you had to pay for parking:( So nice to have the family there to cheer you on!

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  9. Congrats on your race! Those runs where your legs are just done are SO hard to push through... way to go! You'll get that pr soon.

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  10. congrats on your race! love the pic of you blowing the kisses to your girls...so sweet! and free starbucks sounds like a WIN to me :) sounds like a tough race and you pushed through to the end! nice job!

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  11. I was so glad that the Girlies & I could be there to cheer!! You did great and looked strong at the finish - you are a wonderful role model for your girls and make us all proud! Love that you put the almost falling in the hole picture - hoped you would when I sent it along with the others :-) Yay YOU! ♥

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  12. You did so great- congrats!!
    I have been to a couple races where they ran out of MEDALS! I really think it should NOT be that hard to make sure they have enough of the things they say you will get if you register.

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