This morning was the 2nd Hooters Half Marathon I've done. Last year, I ran with Michelle & Christy as a fun run... it was also when I told M I was doing Chicago and by the end of the race, she was pretty much signed up, too.
Last night around 9, I decided I was going to do a playlist. Haven't run with music since the 2010 Naples Half, but it seemed appealing to me for some reason, so I did. I'll add the playlist at the end since some people like music entries.
This morning it was 77 and windy at the house before leaving for the race. Not ideal for most, but I always prefer hot over cold, so I didn't really have any concerns (at that point...). Arrived at Hooters around 6, found Tasha for my Endurance Sisterhood singlet (we RUN this mutha!), changed, found Christy and the gang and just got ready to start.
Note to all race directors, no need to give long-winded speeches at the start of an event. No one cares and no one can hear you. Christy at some point had said that she hoped it would rain. I reminded her of that about 1/4 mile in, when the sky opened up. I wore a hat just for that reason and was SO happy I had it. It was pouring so hard, the raindrops hurt as they hit us. A cold front was coming in and bringing the rain and wind with it. Thank goodness no lightning, though. I decided I was just going to do what I could do enjoy it. I felt pretty good physically and running is so mental anyway. At that time, I reminded myself that kids love to run in the rain and jump in puddles, so for 3 miles, I was a 7 year old. :)
The rain stopped and we got to about mile 4 when C & I took Gu and water. At that point, she wanted to take a break so we high-5'd and split. Our agreement has always been "if you feel good, go". I'm not terribly observant when I run a race so I miss a lot. I remember a lot of turns in the first half and several wonderful people who were standing out in their driveways playing music and cheering us on. I always try to acknowledge people who volunteer and show up like that, but in these conditions, they got an extra "woo hoo!!!".
At mile 6.5 you get to the relay split where fresh people come out and start passing you. I hit that point around 1:07, so I was a little bummed that I knew there was no way for a PR at that time. I decided to just run by feel and see how the rest of it went. Took another Gu right before the Edison bridge, which is not a nice hill. At one point, I might as well had been walking it, but I keep toodling along. Got to the base and turned around, but on the way back the wind was at our backs, so it actually was enjoyable. Notable ironic songs that randomly shuffled in over and back on the bridge...Maroon 5's "Misery", James Morrison's "Nothing Ever Hurt Like You", and OK Go's "White Knuckles". The music gods were in a funny mood apparently.
I had been running a little conservatively anticipating the bridge, but after the bridge, I decided I wanted to just push it. If I blow up, I blow up, but you never know what you can do unless you ride that edge. Then when I got to mile 10, I realized that I was on PR pace and could actually do it if I did low-9's. Took a Gu as insurance (I think I use a lot more than most, but I've had my blood sugar bottom out in the past so I'm a little cautious that way) and decided the hammer was going down. I chick'd quite a few people and was feeling good most of the way in. There was no point in the race that I felt like I needed to stop, which might be a first for a half. Last mile, that PR was SO tight, but at that point calculations are hard. Just gave it all I had.
Hit the line and stopped the watch at 2:12:10, which was spot on for the recorded chip time. In the end, I missed my PR by 21 seconds but considering I PR'd in St Pete on (what I think) was a relatively flat course on a clear day, I have to be pretty happy with my effort. Negative split that included the bridge in the 2nd half, mind you.
By the end, the cold front was in. About 20 people asked me if I knew my lips were purple. After about 3 bottles of water, a half of a bagel, and a half of a beer it was time to head home. Even got a hot chocolate at DD to try to warm up. Could have stood in the hot shower about 4 hours or so. Then the precious nap that I treasure so much... which was shortened by a call from work.
Playlist:
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