3 Races…. 2 PRs… 1 Fucking AMAZING weekend of running!!!!!
That’s right, I survived my Half Marathon this weekend and it was amazing. The rain held off until the end and I was smoking my split times each mile. In the end I killed it coming in below my goal and shaving over 7 minutes off my previous personal best! :)
I am officially a hardcore runner and I feel great.
Thankfully last night I as able to pass the heck out at 10:00 and slept peacefully until the alarm went off at 4:30. I hopped up, ready to take on the next day of racing.
For pre-race fuel I had a Bagel with a smear of Blueberry Cream Cheese and a Big Ole Apple.
The race started at 6:00am and we were thankful the predicted early morning rain was still not bursting from the sky. Caitlin and I came prepared, waterproofing our gear and accepting the challenge of the bleak forecast.
At the starting line, my legs felt great and adrenaline was pumping through me.
As the race started and over 11,000 people started to cross the same start line, there was a bit of a stall and major congestion starting off.
I lost Caitlin almost immediately at the beginning. I was on my own and this race was mine for the taking. I weaved in and out around the crowd for the first couple of miles. Around mile 2 it finally started to thin out and I was able to set a 9:00 minute pace I had been comfortable with the day before.
I kept my head in the game and just focused on running at pace. I turned the volume of Ipod to high and went with the flow. I passed pace group after pace group and each time I did there was this wealth of accomplishment running through me that I was beating that pace.
Mile 5 I took two Orange Shot Blox and let them dissolve in my mouth for a boost of energy. I took two more at mile 10 and was given an orange slice at mile 11. I took water from every station, but did not stop or walk while drinking. I think I have officially mastered the double sip then throwing of the cup.
After mile 7 there was a 3 mile stretch down Bayshore that had us running directly into the wind. It was the most tortureous 3 miles of the race and I saw my pace suffer tremendously because of it. Luckily there was a turn around point that had us finishing off the race with the wind at our back.
At the turn around point I was able to spot Caitlin in the crowd going to opposite direction running about 1/2 a mile behind me. It felt good to see her familiar face.
Then it started to rain!
THANK GOD it held off until mile 11! Everyone started to shout and honestly at that point I welcomed the rain. Luckily it was very light rain that didn’t last for long.
When I saw the finish I knew I had to give it all I had because I was SOOOOO CLOSE to coming under my goal of 2:00. I picked up my speed and was THRILLED to see my final time at 1:58:56!!!!!! I was shouting up and down thrilled with excitement for beating my goal.
Split Times:
- Mile 1: 9:15
- Mile 2: 9:03
- Mile 3: 8:53
- Mile 4: 8:55
- Mile 5: 8:56
- Mile 6: 9:00
- Mile 7: 9:07
- Mile 8: 9:13
- Mile 9: 9:27
- Mile 10: 9:26
- Mile 11: 9:11
- Mile 12: 8:58
- Mile 13: 8:40
- Finish: 0:48
Race States:
- Distance: 13.1 miles
- Time: 1:58:56
- Average Pace: 9:05
- Average Heart Rate: 174
- Calories Burned: 1278
Being my second PR in two days, you can bet I was a big emotional mess at the finish line.
Caitlin and I were in pain but thrilled with out accomplishments.
A guy walking by had hot breakfast sandwiches in his hand and I grabbed a small Bacon, Egg, & Cheese Crossiant which I devoured in less then a minute.
Best damn Croissant Sandwich I ever had!!
Around mile 3 of the race I could feel my shoe rubbing against my ankle thanks to a too low sock. I had pushed the pain out of my mind and refused chance my time by stopping and fixing the problem. When we were walking back to the car I finally got a glimpse of my heel.
I was shocked to see soo much blood on my heel and can not believe I managed to run with this.
I guess this makes me hardcore?… or just incredibly stupid…lol Tis the price a small price to pay for running 25.5 miles this weekend.
After a nice hot shower and some good stretches I re-fueled once more with a Cranberry Walnut Multigrain Muffin and some Fruit Salad.
Now its time to back up and head out. I am very excited to meet some wonderful bloggers this weekend for a Gasparilla lunch met up. And of course I believe there is some Blizzard in the future a la Caitlin!
{ 81 comments… read them below or add one }
Awesome!
and owww for the heel!
Good freaking job Meghan!!! You have accomplished so much this weekend. Yes, you are definitely a hard core runner now!
Have a good lunch! and blizzard!!!
Congratulations!! what an accomplishment. but ouch hope your heel doesn’t hurt to bad
Wow, I am seriously impressed! Your face is glowing in those pics! Yes, you are a hardcore runner!
You are amazing! CONGRATS on your race accomplishments! Your story inspires me to become a runner!
Ouch! Your heel looks painful. You are def hardcore! Great job
Congratulations! What an accomplishment. Ouch to the food…you *are* hardcore!
You’re awesome and yes, I think a bloody torn up blister/ heel makes you hardcore.
Just curious, but did this weekend make your upcoming marathon seem less daunting?
Man not only did you ‘race’ 3 races this weekend but you killed them! Congratulations
BEYOND FREAKING AMAZING!!!!!!!!!! But eek, take care of your heel, girl!!
OH man, you look like Phelps with all of your awesome medals! Congrats! =)
Have fun at the blogger meet up!
OWW! Can’t believe you ran with that heel!! You are amazing!
Amazing Meghann! I’m so happy for you!! You killed that race!
…and look at those abs of steal!
Great recap!! Thanks so much for writing it!!!
Oh my god your heel must have been painful! Congratulations Meghann, you are definitely hardcore!!!!!
YOU ARE UNBELIEVABLE!!!!! I’m so proud of you looooover <333 FEEL AMAZING!
You are TOTALLY hardcore!!! Congrats!!
ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
I am so proud of you Meggy! and yeah you are hard core, I cant believe you ran ten miles with a humongous blister. weirdo.
Wow, you are officially hardcore! 3 races, 2 prs, and 1 humongous blister! Congratulations!
Congrats on the PR! You should be so proud of your fantastic weekend!
Hope the heel feels better soon!
OW!!!!!!!!!! LOL That makes me cringe because the small baby wound I get on my heel sometimes hurt, and that must be a bitch! HAHA
GREAT job..I almost got a little teary eyed for you reading this post.
Makes me wanna begin to race.
OWWWIE! But oh my gosh, you are awesome!
incredible job!!!! i would say the bloody heel for miles and miles DEFINITELY makes you hardcore. enjoy the refueling!!
i just let out a huge “ew-UGH” mix at your bloody heel! YOU ARE HARDCORE! AWESOME JOB LADY!
DAMN YOU A ROCKSTAR!!!!!
you were freak’n blast’n through that race!
I’m def running the next one with you…actually, i was running with you in spirit this morning as I got up and ran 7 miles at 7am in 59:59:58! Whoo hoo!!!
Congrats on all your races!!! You really are a hardcore runner.
Hope the heel doesn’t hurt too much!
Congratulations!! and of course you’re a hardcore runner..duh
enjoy your accomplishment!!
YOU ARE A TOTAL ROCKSTAR!!!!!!!!!
I think I liked reading about your races better than when you called . I’m really proud of your acomplishments this weekend you’ll be walking on air all week !! Love Ya !!
Congratulations!!!!!!!!!! Awesome job!!!
great job. i am jealous of your time! my goal this season is to get under 2 hours just once!!!
aaaaah meghannn you did it congrats to both you and caitlin! that bloody heal makes you a super hard core runner.
Awesome job! I loved reading yours & Caitlin’s posts about this weekends races…you guys are amazing! Awesome job on setting 2 PRs this weekend! Definitely an accomplishment!
Wow, Meghann, congratulations! I can’t even imagine running for 2 hours, and especially with a blister like that! Take care of it, I had a blister that got infected and I had to have surgery. Ugh. Anyway, that bacon egg and cheese looks delicious!
Congrats! You guys are amazing!
http://eatingchalk.wordpress.com
WOWOWOWOW CONGRATS!!!! I loved reading about this weekend, I’m so happy for you!!
wow, you sure are an ambitious runner! so inspiring! I love how your face is all pink and glowing from a hard run! I hope your heel heals soon, though.
I don’t know what to say other than WOW! What an amazing weekend. I am so super proud of you. You are HARDCORE. Doctor up that heel and enjoy the rest of your weekend. Enjoy every calorie you eat today because you have earned them. Love you cuz!
Great job! I hope you get to rest now, and let that nasty blister go away. Hee hee. I am so excited for you!
Great job! That’s an amazing amount of time to shave off your PR. You are right–you’re totally a hardcore runner now, and that’s AWESOME!
Also…you look HOT in your sports bra and capri. Yay for Florida!
congratulations!!! that’s so exciting that you set new PR’s! And i’m so glad to hear the rain held off til mile 11. by then i’m sure it felt good
i’ve done that before where i ignore a blister cause i’m too into running, only to have a bloodstained sock (and sometimes shoe) when i get back. but hey, better that than IT band syndrome or shin splints or something, right?!
enjoy your next days of relaxing and refueling!
Congrats, you are SO hardcore!! What an amazing weekend for you!
Meghann!!! So proud of you girls. What an amazing weekend of running, and 2 PR’s?!? Your whole post had me smiling.
Take it easy today. You’ve definitely earned it and have fun at lunch with all the girls.
Much Love, Heather
meghann this is incredible!! you’re an inspiration and should be so proud! that marathon is in the bag.
congratulations!
Congrats, Meghann!!
Congrats, you are awesome, Meghann and such an inspiration! Your ankle looks like it hurt so bad but that’s awesome you kept going. You rock for sure!
You are totally hardcore. Tomorrow you are going to be totally sore.
Your time is major impressive, ESPECIALLY in the rain and ESPECIALLY after your races yesterday.
Enjoy the HIGH!
Wow! You are amazing!
Sorry about your heel. I have had that happen before, actually worse! Socks are so important!!
Great job!
You are such a rock star. I hope that I can slowly work my times down and distances up! I just signed up for a 10 Mile training program and decided to be an American Cancer Society charity runner so I am super excited.
Now it just need to stop snowing in chicago!
I can’t wait to see how you do in your marathon
You are a freaking superwoman!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!! Not only did you do brilliantly, you’re spirit can’t be beat! I hope that heel isn’t too bad! Looks a little nasty- but totally worth it, right? Have a fabulous rest of your sunday!
I love the pic of you nearing the finish – great big smile!
Congratulations, sounds like such an awesome experience. And you’ve got the battle scars to prove you did it too! Ouch!
Wahooo! That is awesome, girl! You have to feel SO GREAT. Well, except for the heel….OUCH. Congratulations and enjoy your Blizzard for me! And I added you to my Blog Roll – hope that’s okay.
congratulations on an amazing weekend, girl, and those two PRs!!!!! Fantastic
Congratulations again on another amazing race Meghann! I can’t believe you ran 3 races in 2 days. You are hardcore! Way to go on the two PRs too. Nothing feels better than that. Ouchie on that heel. I cannot believe you ran with that and were able to tune out the pain. I think that is truly the mark of a real runner to be able to do that! Enjoy your runner’s high!
i am sooo excited for yoU! you did so amazing and are SUCHHHH an inspiration! you make me feel like i can do anythign i put my mind to and i can kick this 10k’s booty! thank you so much for always showing us you can accomplish your dreams <3
I’m glad I got to read this after seeing you this afternoon! You did such an amazing job! Congrats
Hope you two made it home safely!
way to go this is absolutely amazing!!!!!!!!! i am so proud of you girls and i only know you via blogland… you are such an inspiration… you make me want to run haha
yay! have fun today and good luck w/ that ankle!
great job!!! Love the recaps you and Caitlin had – I felt like I was there cheering you girls on
CONGRATULATIONS Meghann!!! What an awesome weekend! You totally make me want to run races every week!
I’m really proud of you…way to push yourself and set two PR’s…great job!!!
You are hardcore if you were able to get through that blister! That would have been my excuse to stop and grab a beer!
I am very proud of you!
You guys are so awesome! I’m totally inspired by you & Caitlin. Amazing job on setting a PR – I hope you eat everything your heart desires today!
You are SO hardcore, girl! Congratulations on another PR – that is amazing. And even with the rain, which you were unsure about. That is great news!! I hope you are doing some “hardcore” celebrating right now!
CONGRATS!!!!
You rocked those races….just getting caugh up now. Weeeee
Great job!
Sorry about the blister…Ive had some nasty ones just like those and they hurt like a biotch!
You two are amazing! Congrats on the PRs!
Congratulations, Meghann!! You and Caitlin are both such big inspirations!! I’m so happy for you!!!!!
You are amazing! You ladies are so inspirational, especially for a brand new runner like me. I am so impressed. I’m glad you did so well and I hope you have a great night of relaxing and taking care of yourself!
great job girl!! even with that heel… WOOHOO
Did you happen to see Tony the tiger on Saturday? If you did, I was his “handler” or escort or whatever, I was looking out for you, but there was a ton of people!
Anyways, congrats!
I totally saw Tony the Tiger, but there was he was taking a photo and we were wanting food ASAP. If I would have known a reader was the handler, I would have stopped and said Hi…. that’s so funny!
You seriously make me want to just jump up right now and go running…too bad its 9:30pm and SNOWING haha. I can’t tell you how badly I want teh weather to get better. CONGRATS!!!!! You were amazing…AGAIN!!
Hardcore FO SHO! Congratulations on the PRs – aaaawesome job.
Hopefully Monday isn’t too much of a slap in the face – hate that feeling after a great weekend!
GREAT JOB MEGHANN!!!!
Wooty woot!!! How awesome! Totally hardcore
Congratulations! I am starting to train for my first half marathon (I’m going to train for the ny one and hopefully make it into the lottery, if not I’ll try to get in with a charity organization…I am DETERMINED). Hearing your story and seing your success makes me feel like it is totally possible. Thanks for the inspiration! You rock.
CONGRATS! CONGRATS! way to rock the races this weekend!!!
Wow, lady, I am BEYOND impressed. Way to go!
I’m so impressed with both you and Caitlin…you both did awesome, way to go!!
holy crap!!! I’m saying OW just looking at the bottom of your heel… wow…
Congrats on completing such an amazing feat… bravo!!!!
despite the fact that there is a Nor-Easter going on and we have like a foot of snow.. I dragged myself out of bed at 5am to go to the gyml.. my motivation this morning? mumbling to myself… “if Meghann can run two races in one weekend surely I can get my ass out of bed and go run on a treadmil” lol thanks for the indirect inspiration! I did 45 minutes and I felt fantastic (until I stepped outside again.. )
oops! 3 races.. 3!! typo
Wow, that is just awesome. Congratulations!
I am so glad I found your blog!! I love it and I love the spunk you have! I can’t wait to see what future races you compete in!!
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