Sunday, August 16, 2009

Race Report - Mora Half Marathon

Or, more aptly titled, "Non-Race Report."

Don't worry, I showed up. But I definitely didn't race. I'm not sure what it was -- maybe that craptastic month of training (or not training) that was July, Sophie being up all night Friday night, or the heat and humidity -- but I just wasn't feeling it yesterday. When the race started, I began running the first mile thinking I would shoot for a 9:15 pace. After the first mile marker, I decided that I just didn't feel like running and didn't really care what my time ended up being.

We kept plugging away. My running partner Jim was really struggling and just shy of the four mile marker told me to beat it. He stopped to walk and I just kept going, telling myself I would walk at all the mile markers. By the time I got to the halfway point, I was pretty concerned about Jim. He never wimps out and is usually pushing me to toughen up. Since I had already decided I didn't care what time I finished in, I turned around to find him. You should have seen the looks I was getting from the people I passed going backwards. Maybe they thought the heat was getting to me . . .

I found Jim and he was still having a tough time. We ran/walked together for a couple of miles and he insisted again that I go ahead. I fought him - I wanted to support him, but he said feeling like he was holding me back was making him feel worse. I kept moving.

By the time I got to mile 11, I was over it. I thought about walking the rest of the way. I didn't feel miserable, because I hadn't been running hard at all, but I just did not want to be running and did not want to be out in the sun anymore. I resisted my temptation to walk, and barely resisted my temptation to jump into the lake and swim the rest of the way, and finished. 2:27:something. Seriously. Worst. Time. Ever. Thank you, Mora Half Marathon, for the new personal worst!

Highlights: the volunteers were AWESOME. Especially the guy at the 5 mile water stop who drenched me with cold water. What is your phone number? Because I would like to marry you. Oh wait, already married . . . Also, my mom and Sophie were at the finish. After Sophie's sleepness night, I told my mom not to worry about coming to the race because I thought Sophie would be too crabby and difficult. But I was so relieved they were there (and to be done running), I almost cried when I saw them.

Taking it easy definitely had one benefit - no heat stroke (which I suffered from last year during this race), no sore muscles, and no post-race exhaustion. And later? Chipotle for dinner. Yum.

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

And next year will be a Mora Half Marathon PR!

Some days it's just not in the cards. So, you just got a bad day out of the way and survived.

Ali said...

I agree, PR next year! you just don't know how the day is going to be, or how you will feel til you are out there.

I love that you went back and found Jim ... awesome.

ShutUpandRun said...

Jamoosh is right, some days are just off days. We all have them. Good for you for hanging in there. And I will try not to leak anything on private property. Thanks for the laugh.

Running Through Life said...

You can't control the weather and so many other factors. Don't sweat it. Next year will be a different scenario. Way to be a trooper and finish anyways.

X-Country2 said...

Chipotle for dinner will turn any frown upside down. :o) You'll hammer this race next year.

joyRuN said...

GIRL, I don't know how anyone can PR in the heat! The heat KILLS me, & I look forward to cooler weather to attempt even sneezing within range of a PR.

Marlene said...

Sounds very similar to my experience at Ottawa in May. 13 miles is a long way to go when you are NOT feeling it. Good job getting it done! I'll bet your cold drink with dinner never tasted so good. :)

Anonymous said...

Some days you just don't feel it. Great job just going out finishing and having fun!

Erika said...

Dude, I hate hot races. I'd be happy to just be done too.

Hopefully next year will be cooler and you can get your redemption.

MCM Mama

Felice Devine said...

It happens to the best of us! I've had races when I just want to sit down and be done with it. Good for you for finishing!

I Run for Fun said...

Great job on finishing, and more importantly, supporting your friend. I don't know that I ever want to do a race in August again!

Mel-2nd Chances said...

the heat is difficult to contend with, and when it's just not your day, a half marathon is a long way to go. The will make you cherish next year's PR even more :)

B.o.B. said...

At least you got out there eventhough you weren't feeling it. Good for you for going back to help Jim. I am sure he appreciated it. Races like these make you stronger in the long run.

M2Marathon said...

I freaking HATE it when SRS happens on race day! It's the worst! I had a horrible 10K like this last spring and my half in June wasn't a super-lot better. Ah well...we live to run another day.

I think training for some short races is a great idea to change it up a little.

Aron said...

hey you got through it and thats what matters... congrats! :) and you earned that chipotle - YUM!