I signed up for the USA Women’s Half Marathon in Key West a while back. I got the opportunity to run with one of the sponsors, Hyland’s, and thought it would be a great way to test my fitness before the Los Angeles Marathon. Sadly, I got sick three weeks before the race. While I never tested positive for anything, I had about 10 days of stomach issues and then 5 days of full-body aches. I felt tired, lethargic, and the body aches were so bad at one point I thought I had a stress fracture in my shin. I took a few days off. My doctor thinks I likely had COVID.
So, anyway, the week before the USA Women’s Half Marathon in Key West, I had no idea if I was running. I didn’t even make the decision to go to Florida until the Wednesday before, when I felt decent enough. We went to Florida with the thought, if I felt up to it, I would run. If I didn’t, then I wouldn’t. I tested several times the week before and monitored how I actually felt (why would I want to travel if I felt like garbage?)
Before the USA Women’s Half Marathon in Key West:
Instead of running hard, the USA Women’s Half Marathon in Key West became a quality long run, something I really hadn’t had since the 20 miles in Huntington Beach. I didn’t plan to run 20 miles, just the half marathon.
We arrived in Key West without much issue, picked up the bib, and then went to bed early. The USA Women’s Half Marathon in Key West started at 6:30 am, which was so early, especially being on West Coast time. It came very early too. I woke up feeling tired. I walked the half-mile to the start and then walked a bit more before the start. I didn’t want to run because I hadn’t run 13 miles in 2 weeks and wasn’t even sure about the half, let alone adding more mileage. During marathon training, I like at least a 2 mile warmup before the race but since I considered the half marathon a long run, I figured I would warm up during the race. Plus, temperature wise itw as 70 degrees and humid.
USA Women’s Half Marathon in Key West Race:
The USA Women’s Half Marathon in Key West started on cobblestone, just when it was getting light. I was somewhat worried about twisting an ankle, so I took it even easier. I fell into what felt like a comfortable pace. Luckily, we left the cobblestone pretty quickly, and I found myself running a 7:40 pace. I was honestly pretty surprised. I hadn’t run faster than about 9 minute miles for the last couple of weeks.
As mentioned, the weather at the USA Women’s Half Marathon in Key West was very humid and already 70 degrees. I kept hoping for rain because it felt like it could pour at any time. Luckily, it did rain from about miles 5-8. If I had come in feeling 100%, I would have adjusted my goals anyway because it was so warm!
I ran most of the USA Women’s Half Marathon in Key West alone. There were about 10-15 women in front, and I was just plugging along. I had headphones, but I hit a button that caused my music to stop around mile 3.
Miles 3-5 had a tailwind, and it already got really hot. Someone in front of me dropped their bottle, and I picked it up for them. I could feel the tailwind and knew we would have a headwind coming back since the race was just an out and back. The wind wasn’t terrible, in fact the heat would have felt worse without it. I was running about 8-minute miles, and they felt ok. Not great, because it was so humid and I still had gunk in my lungs, but good enough.
I got excited when it started to pour rain because it felt good. I was taking Gatorade and water at each aid station. I would pour the water on myself to keep cool. I could hear the 1:45 pacer coming behind me, which felt weird considering I was a full minute ahead of an 8-minute pace. My first few miles were around 7:40 which put me a full minute ahead of 8 minute pace.
We turned around at mile 6 and headed back to the start. We had a headwind, and it was raining. I thought it felt great. Most of the USA Women’s Half Marathon in Key West was done on the sidewalk or running paths. Some between miles 10-12 was done on unclosed roads.
Around mile 9 of the USA Women’s Half Marathon in Key West, I felt my pants start to come down. I love the rabbit fuel n fly, but when they get super sweaty, plus having a phone, they tend to fall down a bit. I decided to stop and pull them up (like the Long Beach half). I ran an 8:30 mile with the stop.
I stopped again twice to pull up my pants (around miles 11 and 12, I believe?). The rest of the time, I was just focusing on finishing. No part of me felt good, especially because it was so hot. I just focused on the finish, and before I knew it, I was there. The USA Women’s Half Marathon in Key West was about 1/4-1/3 mile short, and I finished around 1:44.
USA Women’s Half Marathon in Key West Thoughts:
Obviously, before the Los Angeles Marathon, I would have loved to have a “fast” time. To be honest, I am nervous about the marathon because the last time I had an upper respiratory issue, it took a lot longer than 3 weeks to feel “normal” again, so I’m hoping that is not the case now. I’ve had a lot of bad timing with marathons. I’m happy I finished and even a week later, I’m feeling better than last week (although no perfect).
You can see Strava here and all race recaps here.
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Questions for you:
What is the hottest weather you’ve raced in?
Have you been to Key West?