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| Yvette cheered me on at mile 7! |
Race Details:
Prior to the race, I took three days off from exercise and running. I feel that this was beneficial and useful time to let my muscles rest before the big day. I drank plenty of fluids and ate a mixture of carbs and proteins in preparation for the event. I also went to bed super early the three nights before the race. We're talking 10:00 PM and 9:30 PM. It was hard to adjust to going to bed so early, but for me, it paid off.
The race start was at 7:00 AM. Stefhan dropped me off at 6:15 AM which felt was the perfect time. If there's one thing I'd need to figure out for the next race, it would be working out the pee schedule because that was really tough. The lines 15 minutes before the race start were unbearable. I barely made it into a porta-pottie before hurrying and having to get to the race start. Even going right before the race wasn't enough. By mile 3 and 4, I was about to pee myself and I strongly considered the idea of just peeing my pants. The lines at the water points were also 15 minutes long, and to me, that defeated the purpose of a race if you spend 15 minutes waiting in line for a bathroom. I ended up running 13.2 miles, because .10 miles I spent running to a bush, which I'm pretty certain was visible to the public. I relieved myself and got back on course to carry on the race. I'm happy I wasn't arrested or disqualified from the race from my impromptu decision. I figured it was the better decision over the alternative-- peeing myself which would have been really uncomfortable for the next 10.1 miles.
The atmosphere is as fantastic, if not better, than everyone described. Seeing residents with signs and cowbells the entire route of the race was inspiring and motivating. I don't know if I could have made it without the wonderful fan support from total strangers.
I was truly relieved that once I reached the finish line, I felt like I could have kept running. Part of me was disappointed that I wasn't prepared for the full-marathon and envious of those that completed the 26.2 miles. Soon enough, it'll be my turn!
My best friend, Sarah, was at the finish line waiting for me with cookies and Recoverite. My friend Rick was there, too, however somehow I missed him and I'm so sorry for that! I am grateful for all the support from my friends and family! Stefhan was there in spirit and I know that he is proud of me. Stefhan was a pallbearer at his brother-in-laws unexpected funeral and couldn't make it to the race. Immediately after I finished my race, I iced my knees while driving an hour away, just in time to make it to the funeral.
As I promised myself, I have an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon to take a look at my knee on May 9th. Oddly enough, my knees felt pretty good during the entire half-marathon with only minimal knee pain. I really believe that three days rest prior to the race were beneficial for my knee pain. I also iced my knees during those three days.
The entire 13.1 miles feels like a blur to me. I couldn't believe how fast the miles passed by. It seems I got fatigued at mile 10, but I caught my second wind and was able to sprint to the finish line. My body is aching now and I really can't get myself to run today. I'm going to reward myself with some good rest and relaxation. I'm real excited to start my training for the full-marathon.
Thanks again to all my friends and family for the support. The training isn't over and I will continue to need your positive thoughts and encouragement. Below are my statistics for the race and a few pictures. When I get a few more, I'll be sure to post them!
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| 6 AM, Devil eyes and ready to run! |
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| Dave the Tarahumara and I at the start. Dave finished in 1 hr 37 minutes and placed #257 |
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| Racers getting read for the sound of the race start! |
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| At the finish! |
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| Behind us is a man in a full leotard and face mask. He was a cat of some sort! |
Thanks again!
Bib #: 3759
Age: 28
Chip Time: 2:15:39
Chip Pace: 10:21
Age Division: 289 out of 501
Place Overall: 2653 out of 4444
Sex Overall: 1375 out of 2715
Gun Time: 2:20:33
Gun Pace: 10:43
Time to Start Line: 4:54
I had negative splits most of the way. They are not entirely accurate because they're from my app on my phone, but they give you an idea.
Mile 1: 11:25 min/mi
Mile 2: 10:58 min/mi
Mile 3: 10:28 min/mi
Mile 4: 10:24 min/mi
Mile 5: 10:46 min/mi (this is when I peed)
Mile 6: 10:19 min/mi
Mile 7: 9:53 min/mi
Mile 8: 10:02 min/mi
Mile 9: 10:10 min/mi
Mile 10: 10:23 min/mi
Mile 11: 10:11 min/mi
Mile 12: 10:23 min/mi
Mile 13: 9:07 min/mi
Looking at my splits, I wonder if I left all of myself out there on the course. I woke up this morning wondering if I had saved too much fuel
along the way and if I could have gone faster. It's all a learning curve and this was only my first race, so I have lots to learn.
I know now, with how sore I feel, that I still worked hard and I'm happy overall with the results from my first race!
You are so awesome! I had a question, I'm running the Wasatch back and I was wondering what type of fuel you found best to consume during your run? My legs are: 5.6 with a steady incline, 4.9, and 7.9 with an incline then drop. I'm mostly worried about the 7.9 because by then my body will be exhausted what would be the best way to recover so I'm not hating the 7.9?
ReplyDeleteHey Liz! Thanks for reading and cheering me along the way! For fueling, I had about 24 oz of water on my hydration belt and also brought three packs of Gu with me. I used the Roctane with caffeine Gu packs. The flavor was blueberry/pomegranate which is my favorite out of all of them. After every thirty minutes of running, I'd eat a pack. It worked out that I refueled at mile 3, 6, and 9. It takes about 15 minutes to start kicking in, which I like because it creates a nice mental boost. At mile 9, I was starting to get tired, but mentally, I knew I would be getting a boost at mile 10.5, 15 minutes later. And it worked, I did get the boost and was able to sprint at the end.
ReplyDeleteI also drank a few ounces of water every mile. I'd say I had about 2 ounces (what would be the equivalent of 2 shots of liquor) every 10-12 minutes. I think the hydration was super helpful, although I didn't really start consuming the water until mile 3, mainly because I had to pee so badly.
It doesn't hurt to take a Gu pack 15 minutes before your run and it also doesn't hurt to take it at the end to supplement any vitamins and minerals you lost during the run. As you know, I swear by my Recoverite and was glad it was there with Sarah at the finish line!
All the other "regular" Gu packs (not the Roctane) are just as good The Roctane with caffeine seemed to have the biggest boost. If you don't like the Gu's, the Shot blocks are good but I had trouble chewing them when I got tired. Clifbar also makes an energy gel, but I thought those tasted like crap compared to Gu. Hammer also makes energy gels which I also thought tasted pretty good. Also, I would try to practice with some of those to make sure you don't cramp or anything. I usually cramp pretty easily but didn't have any problems.
I do swear by the refueling though. I can't believe I used to try to run without the stuff! I would also say that for all your legs of the race you should probably have at least one pack and definitely for you 7.9 mile leg, without a question. You might want to take one 15 minutes before, since you'll already be tired and then every 30 minutes after that.
Oh yeah, and stop by REI or Salt Lake Running Company or any store like that and pick up a little trial pack of Recoverite/Chocolate for $3 or so and give it a try after a long run. You'll start to crave it after you've been running for a while!
I'm excited for you and jealous too! I would love to be able to run that someday!
You're going to kick ass no matter what!
Cool thanks! Starting in May I will really be hitting the long runs, I'm excited to try the recoverite :)
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