So I may or may not have broadcasted that I was running a “half marathon” last Saturday. *You know what they say, if you don’t blog about it-it doesn’t exist in real life. My parents and two of my brothers were able to attend graduation, so my older brother, dad and I ran a race nearby. (Doug ran the 10k and dad and I-the half…Matt couldn’t run because he is still recovering from his stress fracture).

The course was notably long (it’s hard to make a loop course the “exact” right distance. It ended up being a 13.33 mile race, but I wasn’t too concerned. I was doing this as a family affair. My training won’t expect any PR’s until the Fall but I’m okay with that.
It was fun and I really enjoyed the race either way. Anyways-the morning started off with me forgetting my running shoes…all of them…in the hotel room. We arrived at the race at 7:00am (it started at 8) and drove back to the hotel and got there for real (and ready?) at 7:45.
Then at 7:55 am, I found out that there would only be 2 water stations! (for a hot half!). So I decided to carry (yes bootleg style) carry a water bottle with me. I don’t regret that.
The race itself was hot, hilly and long.
There were no terribly steep hills, but enough rolling hills that it wasn’t going to make it a PR environment even on a good day. The thing was though, the rest of the course was in 1-2 mile stretches (so you could see a mile up)…so you had to watch for about 7 minutes coming closer and closer to this hill.
The straight aways (heat boxes as I called them) were just hot. I got a lot of people saying on dailymile (and it kind of pissed me off-honestly) that told me I had no idea of the heat when I posted that it was 65 at the race starting point.
Well-it was 65 at the racing start and 83 at the finish. There was 100% no shade because it was in corn fields. It was hot, and honestly a bit dangerous of race conditions in my personal opinion. So the sun was beating straight down on you. There were 2 water stops for the entire 13.33 miles.
So yes it was hot.
And yes there was someone that passed out because of the heat (at the end). That is why I ran with a water bottle.
Anyways-I finished the 13.33 miles in 1:30:18. That is a 6:46 pace or a 1:28.40 for a 13.1 mile race (roughly)
Question for you:
Have you ever run a first year race? Was it organized?
Have you ever (would you) run with a water bottle?
Two water stations…for 13 miles!? well that’s something new!
You are one beastly runner though – congrats girl!
Love this recap 🙂 Your family is suuuper cute 🙂
You still did amazing for such hot heat. I need your legs. My legs are so fried right now from running daily and not taking a break.
GIRL I MISS YOU! How are YOU! Okay you are still a freaking beast as ALWAYS .. nothing has changed! Get it girl!!
Geez, good call on the water! I would never do it- same reason I can’t run with an iPod–I can’t have anything in my hands lol
Congrats on EVERYTHING this weekend Hollie
just a little somethin… I nominated you for the Food Stories Award for Excellence in Storytelling 🙂 check it out.
http://foodstoriesblog.com/food-stories-award/
Oh yikes. I would nottt want to be running in that weather..even with a water bottle! No wonder there are less races in the summer!
Congrats on your whole weekend!