The one where I went into damage control at mile 3.  😦

If 2013 was the year of the PR, then 2014 is shaping up to be the year of the bonk.  At least as far as half marathons are concerned.   But I have to say that this is first race I ever seriously considered quitting.  Even when I ran out steam at mile 7.5 at SLO, I still knew I was going to finish, it was just going to be slow.

For once, I felt like I slept really well the night before this race. I woke up on time and made it to pick up NikeC by 5:30.  My stomach was being its usual self, so I did not eat prior to the race.  This is typical though, so I don’t think it affected me too much.   Parking was easy but time-consuming, the race was smaller than last year, it had about 200 for the half marathon and just under 1000 for the 10K, but parking was limited.  Once parked, we geared up, met up with NikeC’s friend and headed to the bathroom.  Which was where we were when the starting gun went off.    Last year I was still running to the chute when the gun went off, oops.  Thank goodness for chip timing.   We made our way to the chute and were off.

Slowly as there were 100 yards of softer sand to get through at the beginning.  Once on the hard pack, it was easier to run.  I lost both of them fairly quickly.  One moment they were to my left and then they were gone.   Last year’s race was overcast, this year the sun was shining and the ocean was gorgeous.  Last years 10K went so well (easy) that I had minor hopes for a birthday PR but I knew my speed was iffy thanks to my month of stomach issues.   Realistically, though, I was aiming for under 2:10.  So all I had to do was stay under a 10 minute mile- I got that right?  Ummm…

Mile 1- 9:45 -ok, slower than I’d like but there was soft sand
Mile 2-9:45– hmmm felt way faster than that, but consistent at least.  If only this stomach cramp would go away.
Mile 3- 9:51 felt like I had already run the full 13, shifted to a run/ walk method
Mile 4– 10:02 I just choked on air, walk break, take a few pictures.  Now the cramp is on the other side.
Mile 5– 10:09 Wheezing, need air, where’s my inhaler?  Yes nice man in front of me I see the dolphins (which now I think was awesome but then, not so much.)
Mile 6- 9:47 I refuse to hit the turnaround (10K) past the hour mark, pick it up!
6.2 mark– Turn around 59:08-Man, I wish I was doing the 10K.
Mile 7-10:18  oh, my god, why is this so hard
Mile 8– 10:24– my run .9/ walk .1 is falling apart, walking more often and longer
Mile 9– 11:09 another sudden need for my inhaler. Man the water is so much closer now.
Mile 10– 11:25 oh hell, I could take my shoes and socks off and just walk leisurely back to the finish.  I’m mostly walking anyways.  Oh fisherman, please don’t cast your reel at me, that would hurt.
Mile 11– 12:15 Oh, what hell is this?  To make 13.1, we had to go up through the dunes to run a mile on a paved path.  I could have crawled faster through the sand. Is it hot? Why am I so hot?
Mile 12- 11:57  Made it to a 9:20 pace on the pavement, soft sand on the way back to the beach brought me back down.
Mile 13– 11:15  Why is this mile so long!!  I feel like I have been staring at the finish line in the distance forever.   Ugh, just keep running.

Finish- 2:20:21   Ouch.  Literally and figuratively.   My calves were on fire.  Even with running in compression socks, I was so sore by the time I crossed the finish line.  My chip was cut off as I was handed my medal.  It’s freakin’ awesome!  That helped alleviate some of my irritation.   I drank some water and chatted with my family while waiting for NikeC to finish.

Running a race with a friend was awesome.  It was great at the starting line, and we passed each other twice on the course which was a great little pick-me-up.  The finish line was fun too.  I am looking forward to our next race.  🙂

The race course itself was amazing.   Blue skies and blue ocean, and the beach, come on.  Seagulls and dolphins, too.   Given how close the water was on the way back, I understood the early start time more.   There was plenty of water stops.   They had volunteers directing where to turn around and when to turn off the beach.   My only 2 slight negatives were- no on course bathrooms, and I never saw a mile marker.    Now I was pretty much head down in misery from mile 3 on but I still think I would have seen at least one.  As for bathrooms, I realize that it was on the beach and I have never used a bathroom during a race but it’s nice to know they are there if you need one.

For the cost of this race, 50 bucks!, the swag was amazing and I think the medal may be my new favorite.  Plus there was live music and an amazing breakfast buffet at the finish line, eggs, sausage, orange juice, etc.   I only wish I felt like trying some of it.

We headed out shortly after that.     I was having a little shindig that evening for my birthday that I had to get ready for.    Yesterday I was oddly sore in weird places.  My butt and my lower back hurt, guess I ran differently on the sand this time than previous races.

Overall, this race was part of a great day.  Yes, I was seriously disappointed in my performance but hey, I didn’t quit!  I need to figure out what is going with my stomach so I can get back to speed work.   Right now I have no idea how ever ran a 2:05 let alone trying to fathom breaking 2:00.  My next half is in 8 weeks, and it’s flat and paved, so fingers crossed, my time will start heading in the right direction.

Anyone else race this weekend?

Ever run on the beach?