Running: 81 Miles
Cycling: 20 Miles
Spinning: 46 Miles
Yoga: 2 Hours
Weights/Core: 50 min
Total: 147 Miles
Feeling pretty good about last month given I was sidelined for over a week with knee issues. This past Sunday I did the Half Moon Bay Half Marathon. I was originally signed up for the full but pulled the ole switcheroo with Nike Women's on October 20th (I think). To train for Nike, I had 20 on my schedule for Sunday so I decided to just integrate the half marathon into that total. I had a lot of back and forth about the best way to do that considering I didn't want to run in pitch black or get up at 3am. I was also very wary of saving the all extra 7 miles for post race because I knew I'd be tired and probably wouldn't do it so I split the difference.
After my 4am wake up, breakfast (2 eggs, 2 fake sausage links, coffee, Nuun and half a LaraBar) and a 30 min drive I arrived at the race around 6:15am. The half wasn't starting until 7:30 so I walked over to the start to get my bearings, use the restroom and then headed out onto the course. At this point the sun was coming up and it was gorgeous views right along the ocean. I ran out 2 miles and turned around. I got some frantic/concerned looks from the volunteers who were setting up water stations when I came running up with my bib on. I tried to keep a nice slow/steady pace since I knew I still had that whole race thing to do:
Mile 1: 9:49
Mile 2: 9:20
Mile 3: 9:33
Mile 4: 9:29
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| 58 degrees, no wind and crystal clear = perfect conditions |
My plan was just to stay with that steady pace and finish without hitting the wall. Considering I haven't done a lot of long mileage runs I knew even this 17 was going to be hard. Luckily I felt good the entire race and mentally stayed in it. This might have been the most beautiful course I've ever run so I tried to take in the scenery but was pretty focused. I had a Gu at 7 miles and probably could have used another one but didn't want to take the time.
The course ended up being 13.65 miles - whoops! They have since dealt with the issue and luckily for me it was just a training run but others were not pleased. That extra half mile was awful, it took all my mental strength not to stop and walk. I kept thinking about this clip and it got me through.
Mile 1: 8:49
Mile 2: 8:51
Mile 3: 9:04
Mile 4: 9:02
Mile 5: 9:03
Mile 6: 8:59
Mile 7: 9:08
Mile 8: 10:12 (lengthy water/gu break)
Mile 9: 9:06
Mile 10: 9:46
Mile 11: 9:10
Mile 12: 9:43
Mile 13: 10:12
Mile .65: 6:26
Final Time: 2:07:28 (9:20 avg. if you factor the extra mileage)
I crossed the finish line feeling like ran a good/smart race and training run. The only problem was I had 2.5 more miles to get to 20 but I didn't want to get stuck in the parking lot with the crowds and I couldn't run on the course. I did a quick change out of my soaked clothes and drove back to SF telling myself that I would do a 2.5 mile run as soon as I got home before I showered. Can you guess how that ended? Food, shower, coach and football wins every time. So I still haven't hit that 20 mark but I felt really good with my 18. I am riding in Levis GranFondo on Sat. and have a 10 mile run planned for Sunday since I can't imagine doing 20 the day after a 60 mile ride. I am aiming for a 22 miler on Wednesday of next week to start/finish my long runs. Maybe I am being naive but I still think I can break a 4:30 marathon at Nike, it's just going to be really close:)
I will post a full review of the race but to give you an idea of how amazing the course is, take a look at these:
HMB looks beautiful!! Glad you had a good race/training run.
ReplyDeleteNice job!! Keeping up mentally!! You are totally going to kill NWM at a sub4:30!! It is going to be awesome!!!
ReplyDeleteAwesome job! That looks like an unbelieveable course. Such beautiful pictures! xo
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