4th of July Half

Sorry I know I left a little teaser post yesterday about the 4th of July Half Marathon so here is the full report from a nonrace. Thursday night after a fun picnic with friends and kids I got home telling Matt I was not excited about the race, I had no idea what running I could do, how much and if it would result in more stupidity and injury. I knew there wasn’t a PR in sight but I just wasn’t exited to get up at 4am to run. So we were off to sleep, alarms set early and ready to take what the race threw at me!

As always the morning was rushed, we got there with limited time and found the long port-a-potty line. I drank my UCAN and waited. Just as we were done I heard “30 seconds to race start!” We headed to the back and waited, I didn’t want to get caught up in the emotion of racing and knew my best approach was a late start without focus on pacers and others around me. This was a strange start, no watch but I had music. My only goal was to run comfortable and walk if it hurt, okay and I was hoping a sub 2.

I ran whatever pace felt good, the hills felt great! I soaked in every minute remembering exactly how this part of the course felt the past 4 years: how I suffered on the nasty hills at Mile 6 last year, how the downpours started at Mile 7 the first year, how it was so hot/humid 2 years ago the race was cut at Mile 5. I was thrilled as I passed the halfway point and still felt great, I skipped through my iPod to the good songs (time to update my playlist!). Mile 9 and I saw a friend who was running the relay, chatted for a little then pulled ahead. Mile 10 passed a friend volunteering and had to stop myself from pushing the last few miles. Soon I was at Mile 12 and high 5ing O! Just a little to go…and I cross the bridge and then the finish line! 1:52:xx on the clock, so maybe 1:50??


I checked time final results and I was shocked! 1:48:16 and even better a negative split for the first time ever!! First half avg 8:17 pace, second half 8:14 pace! Oh my gosh I ran a negative split, a comfortable race and enjoyed it! I then looked and realized that 1 year ago when I was still pretending like I wasn’t injured I race 1:53 on this course. 


Comments

  1. jillconyersJuly 8, 2014 at 6:30 AM

    Awesome Jen! Negative split, comfortable and enjoyed the run...that's how a race should be run :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Coach JenJuly 8, 2014 at 7:46 AM

      Thanks Jill! I was so happy considering how running has been :)

      Delete
  2. UnknownJuly 8, 2014 at 8:48 AM

    WOW! Totally impressed!!!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. UnknownJuly 8, 2014 at 9:20 AM

    Congratulations!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Kimberly July 8, 2014 at 10:41 AM

    Congrats on the race and NS!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Mindy BobeJuly 8, 2014 at 11:46 AM

    Great job Jen!!!! A comfortable race is the best kind!

    ReplyDelete
  6. AnonymousJuly 8, 2014 at 4:07 PM

    That's awesome! Great job on the finishing time! Do you think not wearing a watch had anything to do with it? I'm thinking about running my next half watch-less because it always psyches me out but I also don't know if I can handle that!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Coach JenJuly 9, 2014 at 8:39 AM

      Without a watch it was much easier to focus on how I felt not pace. Unless you have a real time goal I say run without.

      Delete
  7. UnknownJuly 8, 2014 at 4:55 PM

    WOW way to go....and I need to really update my Ipod too....its been too long. Nice job!

    ReplyDelete
  8. UnknownJuly 8, 2014 at 7:43 PM

    Congrats!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Deborah BrooksJuly 8, 2014 at 9:16 PM

    Wow really impressive! Nice job
    Confessions of A Mother Runner

    ReplyDelete
  10. Coach JenJuly 9, 2014 at 8:39 AM

    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A few Races...

Image
Stillwater half was my final pre-marathon race. The weather was a mess, hot humid and gross! I ran with the 1:40 pacer to keep a nice pace and actually held myself back the first haf but yikes then we turned to the road and no shade and it all faded! I struggled to keep the "easy" pace as did everyone around me. I was happy to finish just 45 secs behind the pacer 1:40:45 and not too far off my goal of 1:38. That heat was brutal... Photo credit Stillwater Gazette Grandmas Marathon  For those who don't follow me on IG  @marathonmom28  here is the short version... I started great, on pace to PR then I became hypothermic (yes in June) and once the rain started it was painful (thank you Raynaud's). I finally walked off the course between mile 19-20 where Matt met me with dry clothes and a warm car. Grandmas this is strike 3, I think I am done!  I spent the car ride home thinking of next races and wondering if I could jump back in, (dumb I know). As we drove...
Read more

GoMacro Thrive Review and Giveaway!

Image
All runners know that post marathon week(s) are filled with the fight to keep eating healthy yet indulge a little. I try to carry healthy snacks wherever I go to avoid the munchies. Needing gluten free makes finding healthy foods quick even tougher. I have my go to foods but love finding new options with such variety. I think my only complaint is the carb to protein ratio which for each bar is 3 or 4:1. I prefer a snack more along the 2:1 carb to protein ratio. To help this I add a few extra nuts to the bars when I have them for a snack, problem solved! Like all GoMacro products, Thrive are USDA-Certified Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, Kosher, Gluten-Free certified, 100% Vegan, and soy-free. Thrive is currently available to purchase online and will become available to Whole Foods this month! GoMacro is offering 30% off to all my readers with code Thrive30 for online purchases Here The Thrive Bars come in 6 flavors: Caramel Coconut, Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip, Blueberry ...
Read more

Friday Thoughts: PB Cake & a Giveaway

Image
This post is going to match my mind lately as it races from thing to thing… I’m sitting here post-holiday craziness, on the verge of vacation and ready to go! Bell Plantation Peanut Butter Single Serve Cake (Gluten Free) 2 tbsp PB2 1 tsbp water 1 tbsp Almond milk 2 tbsp applesauce ½ tsp baking powder 2 tbsp coconut flour 1 tbsp raisins or choc chips Mix all together and microwave bowl and cook for 2 minutes. And guess what I got so excited after I mixed it up, I never even took a picture of my yummy creation! Any fun snacks you’ve been eating lately? So what else is going through my mind today…This weather sucks and I continue to stalk the forecast for Dopey! Guess what we get on Monday, -50 wind chills!! I thought last weekend was bad, yikes! I can’t wait to be in sun and warmth, I see people complaining about running in upper 70s but I figure I’m not racing so I plan to have fun, enjoy the weather and be happy being warm! Now on top of this we are ...
Read more