Little Miami Half-marathon Morrow, OH Aug. 21, 2011

CatScratchfever · #1 08-22-2011, 01:09 AM

Copied from my blog:
Up at 5am and into the pre-race routine. Whole wheat bagel w/low-fat cream cheese, banana, and Ensure. Gathered up my things and had a 50 minute drive to the race site. Stood in line for my bib and shwag, then went to the car to put on bib and chip. After that, I needed a restroom, so I got in the long line. 3 port-a-pottys for over 250 entries, this didn't look good. It's 7am and the race starts at 7:30. At 7:20 I'm still in line, it was not working, so I thanked the Lord for my outdoor plumbing and found a tree and headed for the start line. I warmed up and chatted with my fellow runners, the race would be delayed 10 minutes for the restroom issue(surprise!), so I tried to determine when everyone around me expected to finish to judge where I needed to begin. Soon enough we were off and I tried to settle into a steady pace for the trip out. We began on a roadway, but jettisoned quickly onto a bike path and things got very congested. I was running my race but still passing many runners until I met Dana.

Dana, I found out, was a mother of 4 in training for the same marathon as I. Our pace was identical, so I stayed on her shoulder and we sat down on a 8:00 pace. As we chatted along we passed a few more runners and got to know a little about each other. It was my first official race without music, so I was super glad to have found somebody to chat with. It began to rain a bit, there was some elevation change, and our pace would vary in the low 8's. We ran through the water stations and were close to the turn-around. Lead runners were making their way back and I began to give them names in hoping to catch them later. There was mohawk guy, and pink shirt girl, and water bottle guy. All on my list. 6.75, had a GU and water and started back. Dana started to fade close to mile 10 and told me to go on if she was holding me back. I enjoyed her company, but picked it up in hopes of reaching my goal time. I picked up my pace and saw pink shirt girl a quarter mile ahead, I dug down for whatever kick I had left. After her I reeled in water-bottle guy, he chatted for a minute and I moved on. Mohawk guy was last, with 1 mile left to go. I had a strong finish, negative split with plenty of power at the end. Unfortunately, the clock read 1hr 46min when I hit the line. Missed my goal by 1 minute! But it's okay, a 13.1 mile PR, new medal and a ton of confidence heading towards the AF Marathon. Good race!

LOST · #2 08-22-2011, 01:29 AM

nice read... and a great time! did I read it right?? you were the fastest....?you took first?

CatScratchfever · #3 08-22-2011, 02:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LOST

nice read... and a great time! did I read it right?? you were the fastest....?you took first?

No, no. They were just people I picked to pass to keep me motivated. I finished 32/250 overall and 7/24 in my age group. It's terribly hard to place in my age group, 3 of them in top 10 including 1st overall with a 1hr 15min, yikes! But I'm still showing improvement and am grateful for that.

Gerald84 · #4 08-22-2011, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CatScratchfever

Copied from my blog:
Up at 5am and into the pre-race routine. Whole wheat bagel w/low-fat cream cheese, banana, and Ensure. Gathered up my things and had a 50 minute drive to the race site. Stood in line for my bib and shwag, then went to the car to put on bib and chip. After that, I needed a restroom, so I got in the long line. 3 port-a-pottys for over 250 entries, this didn't look good. It's 7am and the race starts at 7:30. At 7:20 I'm still in line, it was not working, so I thanked the Lord for my outdoor plumbing and found a tree and headed for the start line. I warmed up and chatted with my fellow runners, the race would be delayed 10 minutes for the restroom issue(surprise!), so I tried to determine when everyone around me expected to finish to judge where I needed to begin. Soon enough we were off and I tried to settle into a steady pace for the trip out. We began on a roadway, but jettisoned quickly onto a bike path and things got very congested. I was running my race but still passing many runners until I met Dana.

Dana, I found out, was a mother of 4 in training for the same marathon as I. Our pace was identical, so I stayed on her shoulder and we sat down on a 8:00 pace. As we chatted along we passed a few more runners and got to know a little about each other. It was my first official race without music, so I was super glad to have found somebody to chat with. It began to rain a bit, there was some elevation change, and our pace would vary in the low 8's. We ran through the water stations and were close to the turn-around. Lead runners were making their way back and I began to give them names in hoping to catch them later. There was mohawk guy, and pink shirt girl, and water bottle guy. All on my list. 6.75, had a GU and water and started back. Dana started to fade close to mile 10 and told me to go on if she was holding me back. I enjoyed her company, but picked it up in hopes of reaching my goal time. I picked up my pace and saw pink shirt girl a quarter mile ahead, I dug down for whatever kick I had left. After her I reeled in water-bottle guy, he chatted for a minute and I moved on. Mohawk guy was last, with 1 mile left to go. I had a strong finish, negative split with plenty of power at the end. Unfortunately, the clock read 1hr 46min when I hit the line. Missed my goal by 1 minute! But it's okay, a 13.1 mile PR, new medal and a ton of confidence heading towards the AF Marathon. Good race!

Very nice account, I always enjoy reading the race experiences. Your pace is amazing, running 8 minute miles, chatting, and a negative split! Good work!

LOST · #5 08-23-2011, 02:35 AM

lol... really. if Im running any kind of 8 I am not talking.... infact.. my breathing aint all that good...lol