3 Races…. 1 Weekend…. part 2

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!