I signed up for this race because the registration was cheap, I was itching to do a long race in the beginning of spring, and people said the race was well-organized with about 1400 runners. However, people also said the race was HILLY. Now, I ran the Baltimore half marathon last year and plan on running the full this year (AHHHHHH!), and that is one hilly course as well.
I looked at the elevation (here), and it was comparable to Baltimore so I felt okay about my hill training. I had to train for the race in the winter, so I'm a baby and did a lot of treadmill runs. I tried to get a long run in once a week but wasn't following a training plan and sometimes had less than stellar runs.
Due to my spotty training, before the race I was really nervous but just got layered up and found myself running once the cannon sounded (which was really loud!) to start the race. I was running and not expecting a PR or a fast run and decided to just have fun and hopefully not struggle through the 13.1 miles. It was really cold and windy weather, which I hate, but eventually I found myself chugging along at a pretty nice pace.
I've never been to Wilmington and was pleased to see that the scenery was interesting and that here was also a lot of spectators along the course. The course wound past the waterfront and then there was a stretch through the woods, and that's where Delaware was hiding its hills! I ate a Vega energy gel around mile 8 and made sure to stop and get enough water at stops because I was feeling not very hydrated before the race.
Suddenly I'm coming down to the last 3 miles and see that my time is pretty much on pace with my past two half marathons. I was then thinking that there was a slight possibility that I could PR! Right before the last stretch to the finish line was a hill (why do races do that!) that slowed me down a little bit but as I crossed the finish line I knew a PR was possible but I'd have to see my official time. I should really get better at stopping my Garmin right after I finish, but I always forget!
I ended up PRing by 20 seconds! That's not a lot, but it was such a surprise to run it in 1:43:02! My last half marathon had been in October, a month after my first one, so there was lots of training involved. I scarfed down a Philly soft pretzel, a piece of fruit, and a cupcake from the really nice spread of post-race food that also included pizza, clif bars, and a variety of fruit! After that I was tired due to waking up early but didn't feel drained from the race. Something that used to be so hard and required so much training had become like another long weekend run. The whole race made me think to myself that I've been really hard on myself, and I'm okay at this running thing! I felt great, ran for fun, and even didn't do too bad! I was 5th in my age division and 59 out of all the females.
While I was running I ready and armed with smiles for the cameramen, in hopes they would snap shots while I was looking good but still ended up with mostly awful race photos. Typical. However,I think this one sums up the race. I'm smiling, relaxed, and having a great time. That's what it's all about isn't it?
Congratulations on the PR and placing 5th!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteSounds like a fun time! Crazy that they had a cannon at the start. Congrats on the PR - always an extra nice day when that happens. :)
ReplyDeleteYeah, it put a big smile on my face all day!
DeleteThat's so exciting!!! We need to run together... my PR isn't too much different from yours :)
ReplyDeleteThanks! Definitely! I don't really have any running buddies in the area, which would be nice for my longer runs!
DeleteCongrats on the PR. I dream of times like yours! LOL! Saw your Kelly St. Pat's race shirt and had to check out what run you ran. Good luck on Baltimore! I did the relay a couple years ago running the second leg. Yea. Hills. Thanks Baltimore! LOL!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your unexpected PR! Great time too!
ReplyDelete