Most of my training was spent recovering from the Runner’s World 5k and Half Marathon. Earlier in the year, I also signed up to do the inaugural base half marathon on Saturday. If it had been any other race, with no special meaning to me, I probably would have skipped it.
Of course, it was pouring rain, windy as well as hailing…but why wouldn’t it be? Pour rain, hail, wind and 40 degrees is my race anthem of 2016.
| Monday: | Easy Run |
| Tuesday: | Easy Run/Deep Tissue Massage |
| Wednesday: | Easy Run |
| Thursday: | Rest |
| Friday: | Easy Run |
| Saturday: | Base Half Marathon 13.1 (1:25.30) |
| Sunday: | Easy Run |
Thoughts:
All of my easy runs were easy and solo. I missed running with friends this week and don’t have anything to say about any of the runs. My body spent most of the week recovery from Runner’s World and with the help of a deep tissue massage, I did just that. I didn’t fully recover, but I did the best I could.
Base Half Marathon (1:25.30)
There were several races this past weekend I wanted to do. The Atlantic City half, as well as the Perfect 10, are both competitive and fun races. I’ve run with both organizations and can vouch for either. As I mentioned, if it had been any other race I probably would have skipped it but running the base half marathon meant a lot to me. Since it was the inaugural race, it was much smaller (200 half marathoners). There was also a 5k and full marathon. (Which realistically I could have done the 5k instead too…I’m a sucker for the 13.1)
Due to a storm, the race was delayed 41 minutes. So we stood outside in the pouring rain for 41 minutes. So it was cold!
My goal was to run 6:40-6:50 pace for the first half and then hopefully negative split. I did just that and cranked hard in the second half, with the final mile in a hail storm (yes hail!) as well as a nasty headwind. I’m very happy with my performance, and despite not feeling 100% recovered plus being cold and miserable, I made the best of the situation and didn’t have a repeat Shamrock. I’ll have a long recap this week. 
As you can see, I had a great race for what I was looking for. This race gives me the confidence I am in half marathon PR shape, but I have a lot more room to improve.
In summary, I’m happy with the week, and I’m happy with my race performance at the half marathon. I’m probably back to square one in recovering, though…
Questions for you:
Do you have any races that are close to your heart?
Have you ever had a delayed race?
That’s an awesome race and awesome race strategy! I have recently come off injury and have a rust buster half coming up- do you recommend using that strategy for my half? I know you recently recovered like a champ from injury, so I was wondering how your racing strategy flowed into your recovery strategy?
I don’t have a big race strategy actually. I’ve only jumped into races when I’ve felt comfortable. It’s hard to give any advice since everyone’s injuries heal differently. My best advise is wait until you feel comfortable and then go for it. The first race will never feel great (and honestly it’s taken me several to feel good again). Let me know if you have anymore questions!
Dang! You really cranked it down miles 8 through 12. I can’t even imagine running in those conditions. Back to back weekends of half marathons is impressive too. You are a rockstar!
That sounds so cold and miserable at the start! But wow, such solid pacing and an awesome negative split! Definitely a huge confidence booster!
You did a great job in the base half! I don’t blame you to run it if it is a good cause and means a lot to you. I am sure that contributed to your excellent performance as well because I always do better when a race is close to my heart. Plus those conditions sound crazy… I have had delayed races mostly due to traffic (people were still arriving close to the start time) or because the staff could not get the traffic off roads to close them… but no weather. I hope you get some recovery this week!
OMG, that is really impressive performance in those conditions! I would absolutely never be able to run in hail and wind! I don’t even like to sign up for races ahead of time because I really only enjoy racing in perfect conditions. I do remember running a 10k in the rain, but that was in Austin, so I don’t think it was cold. We used to do a Jingle Bell run on my husband’s AF base in CO. I remember not running it one year because the course was packed snow and icy and I did not want to fall. I didn’t get the memo that everyone else had crampons.
I’m the same wY Bobbie! I only sign up for races if I absolutely have too…I’m a fair weathered runner myself 😉