Monday, July 23, 2012

How not to prepare for a half marathon.

(or what will here on out be known as "Pulling a gingerfoxxx.")


Friday was my birthday, and the the start of my last year of being able to say i am in my twenties.  Single tear....


So i had managed to finagle a day off from work (by cramming about 50 hours of work into mon-thurs) and did what any other twenty-something girl would do.  


I drove up to Lake Geneva to drag my good friend Eric out on a 22 mile trail run and ruin his vacation. note: I am an awesome friend.  
There is a really awesome trail that runs around the entirety of lake geneva.  It's really awesome, because some parts are paved, some parts are gravel, some parts are dirt, and some parts are literally just running through peoples back yards.  (note: because the trail has always been there, the millionaires that live around the lake are obligated to allow you to run it.  It seems weird, like you are trespassing, but it is totally legal)  


Some Pros: The trail is awesome, because you won't get a chance to get bored.  You will experience about 30 different types of running surfaces, and the view is indescribable.  It is very quiet, but you will encounter a few other runners/walkers. It's a giant loop, so you don't have to deal with the mental fatigue of turning around and retracing your steps.  And because it keeps you on your toes, it makes 22 miles seem not so tedious.


Some Cons:   It's a 22 mile loop with very few spots to get water.  We had some major hydration issues.  It is hilly, and aside from all the hills, you will have to run up/down no fewer than 30 flights of stairs.  All those different running surfaces can be brutal on your ankles, especially the last few miles when you are tired. I definitely have some lingering pain in my right calf/ankle from this run.


I had a great time, but i think Eric had a significantly less great time.  It was cool and cloudy in the morning, so we brought our smallest water containers.  It heated up fast, and we found ourselves frequently out of water and very thirsty.  I had a bigger bottle, luckily, but Eric only brought a flask, and started to get heat exhaustion towards the end.  We definitely suffered the last few miles, and may have resorted to drinking lake water.  We survived though, and i would totally do it again, only with more water!


After the run, i had to rush back to the city, because my BFF Ray-Ray and I were heading the Champaign county fair for some country music!  It was a whirlwind trying to get there in time (along with picking up my RnR race packet!) and resulted in me having nothing to eat all day but half a protein shake up until 7pm.  We got to the fair, and consumed many beers, and got some tasty fair treats, like sweet potato fries!   We rocked out to Lee Brice, who was performing at the fair.  We then consumed more beers, rode the tilt-a-whirl, went to a country bar for - you guessed it - more beers, and lastly, headed home for a night cap of beer and COOKIE CAKE!  Talk about a day of great pre-race decisions!


Luckily, i had Saturday to recover, which involved driving back to Chicago, and running a bunch of errands.  By the time i was done, i was completely exhausted, and it was past dinnertime.  I tried to eat some pasta, but my stomach felt terrible from the all the beer and cookie cake.  I had a piece of pita bread, and went to sleep at 11pm for my 4:15 am wake-up call.


Predictably, Matt and I missed the pre-race blogger meet up.  We made it to the race with just enough time to check our bag, and find our corrals.  I was in corral 7, which was a total joke.  I seriously need to stop signing up for races in January and putting my expected finish time as 1:55 for a July race.  What. a. joke.  I should probably also stop carbo-loading with beer, and tapering with 22 mile trail runs.  I am seriously concerned that i am going to sign up for a fall race, put my expected finish time as 1:55, and have them respond, "You're a dirty liar, you have been about 10 minutes behind every single predicted time you have ever put down for a race.  You get corral Z."
But there is no corral Z!
As you may have heard, the race was hot, and humid, and unpleasant.  I had no intentions of pushing myself, and being tired, underfed, and having a sore calf from the trail run did nothing to sway these intentions.  I had no desire to race, (especially in pain) and was just going to focus on some of the problems i have when i do race - mainly, positive splits, and the mile 12 meltdown.  


I still didn't get a negative split, but i only slowed down by 15 seconds overall for the second half (which for me, is impressive.)  I also ran the entire time.  Not a single stop.  I slowed down once to refill my water bottle, and that was it.  No walking breaks during mile 12 for this girl!  I do regret not pushing myself at the end though.  Everyone was shouting "sprint to the finish!!" and was just like, "No, no, that's not going to happen."


The race was actually managed very well, and the crowd support was great.  I have no one to blame but myself for any misery experienced on this run.  But to be honest, it wasn't miserable, i just didn't bring my "A" game.  I didn't want to push myself because of the weather and my leg, and my time (2:06) reflects that.  My negative split goal was not met, but my anti-meltdown one was.  And i got to watch Matt eventually finish his first half marathon!  I think its a great race, especially for first-timers.  I'm not sure if i will do it again though, just because of the date.  It's July.  What did any of us really expect?  I would love to check out some other RnR events for sure though! 


We also got to have a sweaty blogger meet up after the race:
Maggie's friend, Nina, Maggie, Amanda, Zach, Cary, Marcia, Pete, and meeeee!
It was awesome to have so many CRB's at this event!  I think everyone agreed that it was a great race, but the weather was less than ideal, and made it difficult for any of us to meet our goals.  Also, i should probably start showing up earlier so that i can be photographed without looking like i am dying.


The end.

42 comments:

  1. No! I did not hear that the race was hot, and humid, and unpleasant. Wait! Yes, that is what every blogger is saying. LOL. My feed reader was filled with race reports like that today and I had to wait until I was in the mood to read all that. LOL. It's summer. Sigh. Stupid heat.

    You did great! Especially with only running 15 secs slower for the second half and not walking! It's great to hear that this race is fun and well organized. Most people are just talking about the heat (geesh, am I negative or something?).

    Happy belated birthday! I have been wanting to check out that trail in Lake Geneva. I am excited to run up there for the ZOOMA race in Oct. I only ever did a trail 10K there and it was just in a park. I would like to see more of town!

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    1. You would love this trail - i totally thought of you! I have no idea what the course is for zooma (not this trail for sure, its way too narrow) but that town is awesome.

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  2. 1. That trail sounds awesome. So cool that you were able to run the whole thing. Even if it did involve drinking lake water.

    2. You drove all the way to Champaign for the fair? I lived there for years and I'm not sure I ever went to the fair. Maybe once...

    3. Sometimes a race isn't about time. It's about overcoming something else. Sounds like you made a realistic goal and were able to crush it!

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    1. It was more for the company than the fair - my BFF's family lives there, so we always have a motley crew when we visit champaign-urbana :D And how can you not love the rose bowl??

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  3. You ran 22 and then the half a few days later? You are my hero!

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  4. We all look pretty hot and tired in that pic! That was quite a weekend for you. I thought I was sore and tired today, but since I only ran 13.1 miles from Friday thru Sunday, now I don't feel so bad. I have always wanted to run or hike around Lake Geneva, but have only run about 5 miles in either direction from the downtown area. It wasn't the easiest terrain (as you mentioned). There were lots of steps and tricky footing. Very cool that you were able to do all 22 miles.

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    1. that trail definitely keeps you on your toes! I guess what doesn't break your ankle only makes it stronger though :D

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  5. I So want to check out that trail! You all did great, you should be proud!

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    1. Thanks! I would definitely recommend the trail for a long run - just plan to have a lot of water, or a support crew!

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  6. The trail sounds really cool, although I'm not up to being able to do that distance but should be able to in about a month! Congrats on running a respectable race after all that and dealing with your demons. You accomplished a goal which is all the matters :)

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    1. When it comes down to it i really just love running (obviously) no matter how fast i go or how well i do. why else would i subject myself to this??

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  7. wooooooooooooo! another half down in your books!

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    1. this race definitely made me want to explore my future as an 80's hair metal rocker.

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  8. Happy Birthday! And congrats on another Half completed. I think carbo-loading with beer is perfectly acceptable. It is basically liquid bread. Just pound some Nuun and all is good. That trail sounds awesome.

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    1. Thanks! I think at this rate, i might be able to do one of those beer runs where you have to drink a beer every mile. I knew i was meant to do something!

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  9. Holy cow that 22 mile loop sounds amazing. And I give you major props for sticking that race out when you were so worn down! Awesome work, girl! :)

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    1. When you have awesome crowds, you are too busy feeling awesome to even think about laying down and napping on the course :)

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  10. Happy Belated Birthday! And you always look super-cute, even when you look "gross".

    I also agree with Running in Boise. Beer is liquid bread. :)

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    1. haha, thanks! Definitely one of my sweatier half marathons

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  11. So what the hell made you decide to run 22 miles the week of this race? I'm just trying to understand your thought process on this one :) it looks like a beautiful trail though and I wish it was closer to me because I'd probably run around it every weekend.

    Congrats on the race. You did awesome despite the temps and the 22 miler! And I also put down overly ambitious finish times too. This one was a 10 minute gap for me too.

    RnR San Jose California is one of my favorite races ever. It usually has good weather. I really enjoyed RnR St Pete Florida this year too. I love the RnR events.

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    1. This one was actually Erics plan - we had long ago planned to run the trail when he was on vacation up there, and it just happened to be the weekend of the race. I might make an RnR race a get away next year! :D

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  12. Well it sounds like you had a much better second half to that day. I slept for two hours after the run, and almost couldn't walk to the restaurant for dinner. But I am so ready to do it again :) Congrats on the half, and you'll get that negative split next time!

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    1. I'm glad you are feeling better and don't hate running! YAY!

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  13. I can't believe you ran 22 miles and then ran a 1/2 marathon. Rockstar! :-)

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    1. Thanks! Luckily i am focusing on building up mileage right now and not speed :)

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  14. I can't believe you fit all of that into one weekend!!!

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    1. me either! Needless to say, i had a huge nap sunday afternoon, after the race

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  15. That is the first time I've heard about the Lake Geneva trail, really cool!

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    1. I only just found out about it myself! It's a great day trip for Chicago folk!

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  16. First of all - very cool trail run. Want to do that again maybe when the weather is like 50 degrees cooler and we don't have a race that weekend? Seriously... :)

    Second - don't forget where you started this year and where you were at last year. You have worked VERY hard to be able to run in this heat, you should be proud of your 2:06. Sunday wasn't an easy day, no day this summer is an easy day to run.

    I can understand dissapointment but I want you to know you should be proud of what you have trained your body to do.

    Most importantly - keep running happy :)

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    1. I can honestly say that every race this summer, during a moment of weakness, i have thought - "well, at least it's not as bad as the Rockford Marathon!" I am still really done with "mentally" trying to race this summer though - thats why i want to do more trail runs, you don't even realize it's hot!

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  17. Wow that's a crazy weekend. At first I was reading it and thought you did the 22 miles on Friday and the fair on Saturday, which sounded terrible the right before a race, but then realized you did both in one day, which also sounds crazy. BUT I think a CRB road trip to another RnR race could be super fun ... I might be up for RnR New Orleans or Nashville next year ...

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    1. It's funny that you mention it, because i was totally looking up the date for RnR New Orleans....I wonder how humid it would be that time of year? Nashville would be awesome too - i LOVE that city!

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  18. Look at it this way - despite the 22-mile trail run days before, the beer-laden liver and the relentless, continuing Chicago heat this summer, you knocked out a 2:06 halfer! :)

    See you at the Chi Half on 9/9?

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    1. I will be there, and i will bring my A game! (provided i figure out what exactly my "A" game is!)

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  19. Postivie splits are bad? No! That's always a race goal of mine. Run like a bat out of hell at the beginning and then die at the end. I like it like that. I refuse to let anyone tell me otherwise. I mean seriously, it's one goal that I can ACTUALLY achieve.

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  20. Oh....and I'm so super envious of your trail run. Green with envy! :o(

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  21. I love that trail! We (CRBs I mean) should car pool up there and run together. My mom's old boss ones one of those mansions, I spent a TON of time up there because he was always having events there. He always throws himself a gimungous birthday party on the lawn, it's the talk of the Lake.

    Congrats on a great race!

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  22. Haha only you can manage to run 22 miles, drink beers and eat cookies days before a half marathon and still rock it! I'm impressed :) I am also jealous of your trail run (the views not so much the distance)...I may have to pay a visit to that location in the future!

    The RnR was my first half marathon and I totally agree with you...it was a great half to run for a rookie! Lots of fun crowds, great organization, and many water stops.

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  23. It was so great to finally meet you. I'd be dancing in the streets if I pulled off a 2:06 in that sweat box. I melted down at mile 2. Pansy.

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  24. This made me laugh...

    "...igning up for races in January and putting my expected finish time as 1:55 for a July race. What. a. joke. I should probably also stop carbo-loading with beer, and tapering with 22 mile trail runs..." AND THIS.... "dirty liar" Hahahaha!!!!

    Wow! 22 miles, you are a horrible horrible friend!! How long did that take you?? Trail marathon running anyone??? Looks gorgeous though!

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