Sunday, June 10, 2012

If you ain't first, you're last!

Oh Ricky Bobby, you are so wise!


Lets face it - i knew i wouldn't be in first yesterday at the 13.1 half marathon (or ever, for that matter).  Despite the high temps, i keep forgetting that i ran a marathon last weekend.  And another one two weeks before that.  I am both physically and mentally not up for racing right now.  And probably not for a little bit - but i did pay for this race, and as the only one who actually paid to run it - i better freaking show up.  And there would be other bloggers there.  And cameras.  If i ever miss a photo-op you should probably be concerned.  
I am far too lazy to link everyones blog, but luckily, Maggie already did it here.


I saw three potential outcomes for this race:


1.  Push myself, and while i would not be able to sub 2:00 in these conditions, i probably could have run a 2:05, but i would have had to push myself to the absolute limit, and risk getting heat sick again, or worse - injuring my still tender footsies.


2.  Push myself, realize somewhere around mile 6 that i would never meet my unrealistic goals, and lay down and start crying.  Finish race, but realize i am so burnt out that i take the next month off from running.


3.  Not race at all, and just try to spot people out on the course, work on my jokes and dance moves, and have a generally awesome time.
photo: Erin


Obviously, i chose number 3.  I just mentally can't handle racing right now, especially not in heat.  But man, did i have a good time.  And i don't mean to sound like a total asshole, but after Rockford, which was about 10-15 degrees hotter, this actually felt like a nice day.  I was warm, but i never felt too warm, i never felt sick, and i never even felt the need to dump water over my head.  I felt really good, and finished the race feeling like i could run a few more miles.  Granted it was my slowest half marathon time ever, but i was more focused on chit-chatting with my friend Keren the entire race.  She was definitely hating the heat for the last few miles, but i like to think that my side splitting humor helped her forget about it.  And i got to see lots of people out on the course!  Super speedy Chicago Runner Girl (way ahead of me, obviously), I saw Kim a few times, Zack blew by me, and i saw Cary twice!  (although she only saw me once)


I tried to make myself stand out so that people could see me easily too, so i wore bright colors and giant pigtail buns.  It was really nice to just run this casually.  It makes me want to be a pacer for future races.  


My biggest regret is that they did not blow the horn three times when they switched the flag from green to yellow.  They sent an email the day before saying the would, and i had an AMAZING game of thrones joke lined up.  (One horn- "ranger returning!"  Two horns- "Wildlings!" Three horns- "WHITE WALKERS, RUN!!!!")  Ugh, i was denied.  That was a good one.


Either way, i had a great time, mostly because of all the friendly faces.  I felt great for the entire race, although i am still burnt out on racing and will be taking a little break-a-roo to focus on training.  The race did a good job of preparing for the heat (its mid-June, are we really surprised?) but for me, the course was really familiar and a little boring.  I ran down there all last summer, so it wasn't very exciting.  I wouldn't run this race again because of the price.  It's WAY too expensive for what it is.  There are at least half a dozen half marathons that take place on the lakefront path, so i don't understand why this one is SO much more expensive.  And, again, as they only runner there that they didn't give a free entry to, you can believe me.  I would much rather run the Chicago Half Marathon, which in my opinion is a more exciting race. Or one of the suburban races that would have a more interesting course and parking. 
The tastiest Michelob Ultra EVER.

25 comments:

  1. Your pigtail buns were super cute, and they definitely helped me spot you! (Even if I did miss you the second time.)

    I'm glad you had a fun race - which, isn't that the reason why we do this to ourselves anyway? :)

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    1. Thanks! :) I think after having so many miserable races this year, i am just focusing on enjoying them for a while - it is way too early in the season to hate running, haha. Thats for September!

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  2. Nice way to take the race. I wish I would have felt that way. I was miserable.

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    1. You were also running much faster than me! If i had run faster, i would have been equally miserable, i assure you.

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  3. Great movie - I reference the "always delicious Taco Bell" and "sweet baby Jesus" lines all. the. time.

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  4. you are adorable and so peppy! I am glad I got to meet you and now know your blog!! It seems the day was not kind to most of us, but seriously that was one of the best views I have had on a course in a long time, the whole thing pretty much was gorgeous.

    I need to find myself a friend to race with, I'm pretty sure it would help when I hae those rough moments

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    1. I highly recommend running with a friend for longer races! At least for a portion of it. The only time i really go solo is if it's perfect conditions, and i really feel like i can PR

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  5. Nice to finally meet you in person! I saw you run by at the start and my goal was to take a photo, but alas. Blogger Fail. Imhappy you had an enjoyable time despite the temps!

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    1. It was great to meet you too! Congrats on your super speedy finish!

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  6. I love your hair. Yay for having fun, I hear that is what is supposed to happen ;)

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    1. Thanks! sometimes its better to focus on having a mentally successful race!

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  7. Way to go lady, so sorry I missed meeting all of you!

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  8. "time to shake........and bake"..........."shake and bake".
    "I'm just gonna keep talkin'........and acting tough"
    "just say 'I like crepes' "
    "Help me, Allah....help me Jewish God......help me Tom Cruise........help me Oprah Winfrey"

    Oh, I could go on and on...........great write up and great pics. Looks like you had a fun time!

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    1. Seriously, such an awesome movie. That Will Ferrell is a GENIUS!

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  9. ahhhhh I'm SO jeal!! that looks SO FUN! Glad you had a great time!! I miss running with you and Keren!

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    1. We will be ready and waiting when you are all healed up and ready to rock!

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  10. I am happy you had a fun race! I had fun being with you for awhile :)

    I liked the course but probably wouldn't have been that in to it if I had run it before. I really just kept looking at the beach wishing I was in the water.

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    1. It is pretty, i just seriously did all my training runs down there last summer to avoid the crowds, so i could probably run it blind-folded! Glad we got to start out together!

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  11. Nice job! I'm glad you enjoyed yourself out there! It was nice meeting you!

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  12. You rocked this weekend, not only did you run strong and obviously could have finished a lot faster, you made the race fun for yourself and believe it or not, myself too. Yay for slow times and good times - thanks again! I hope I wasn't too much of a putz in the heat. Wait. Don't answer that. I promise I'll work on adapting to the heat. Not all of us have had as much practice as you this year ;)
    xox

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  13. Glad you had fun and enjoyed all the meet ups! What was I smoking to think I might be finished with the flaming Ragnar relay from hell in time to see some of you? I'll meet you one of these days...

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  14. at least you had fun girl! it was great to meet you. i can't mentally handle racing in the heat either, it's almost like my body becomes possessed by external forces where i somehow lose control of everything. including my sanity. they did say they would blow a horn didn't they? jerks. they also said there would be ice, and i waited and waited for it and not a single aid station volunteer knew what the heck i was even talking about when i asked.

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  15. Awesome, I'm glad someone out there had a good time! I mean, I didn't have a terrible time, but I don't know if I would call this race fun. The pre-race and post-race were fun. During the race? Not so much.

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