Author: mrsartis

Pittsburgh Half Recap

I don’t know where to start…

It was a great first half for me, and definitely the first of many.

The weather was perfect–all week we’d been vascillating between showers and t-storms. It ended up being showers, which was amazing. It was a very light rain that decreased through the duration, overcast but not dark, and nice and cool. The actual rain cut the humidity so it was perfect running weather (in my opinion). I’m not usually one to like running in rain, but I was so happy for it today.

I started too fast–it’s hard not to. But I was able to recover. I walked more than I wanted to, but overall I was very happy with my time. I was expecting to come in around 3:15:00, but my unspoken goal was 3:00:00. By mile 11 I was starting to hurt (my longest run in training was 10), by mile 12 I knew I wouldn’t make 3:00:00, but I knew I wouldn’t be too far off it either. I ended up coming in at 3:06:11, which I’m thrilled with. And as glad I was to be finished, and as sore as I am right now, I really can’t wait to do it again.

The whole thing was very emotional for me. I teared up when I crossed the start line–I was there, this was happening and I was really doing it! I teared up at other points along the route because I was doing it, OMG I was actually doing it. I wouldn’t let myself cry though, because it would have messed with my breathing and breathing was a million times more important, so I sucked it up and went along. I smiled almost the whole time because I’m that girl. Maybe not when I’m on a training run, but when I’m running in a race I smile. Less for the cameras and more for the sheer joy of the race. I’m a geek, what can I say?

I haven’t taken my medal off except for to shower. And I’m wearing my I ::heart:: 13.1 shirt. And I’ve already signed up for my next half marathon–that’s how much I love it. This is my distance. I’m not super interested in doing a full at this point, but if I ever do an official full marathon it will probably be Pittsburgh because running through the city was so much fun. Each of the different neighborhoods had a party going on with bands and cheerathoners.

Now, it’s time for some pictures:

my name on the wall at the Expo.

me all serious like at the start

me at mile 10 (when my boyfriend showed up on the sidelines!)

me and @runstaceyrun at the finish

Pittsburgh Half Marathon

finished in 3:06:11.

Booyah! Beat not only my training plans predictions, but my own, so I’m amped.

When can I do this again?

Full race report to follow, but I’m going to need awhile to decompress, use my Stick and eat something.

Update…

Working on race day logistics with The Boy. First round of carb loading has been done. Working on the hydration (I spent most of the day in the car so drinking a lot was a bad idea (I had one very close call in which we found a sub shop just in time).

And I’m watching “Becoming Chaz” while I have access to OWN. So good. Super interesting.

More tomorrow after EXPO and dinner with the crew.

Finally! The Tumblr app on my phone is working again. Hopefully it will work on Sunday so I can share my pics and stuff after the race (gotta do something on the ride from Pittsburgh to Waynesburg).

I love that I was finally able to share my running with my boss. I knew he’d be supportive. It may seem silly, but when it’s really just two of you day in and day out, getting along is even more important than it is in a regular office environment.

Half marathon splits and finish will be posting to my FB and Twitter accounts on Sunday. Wish I could route them to Tumblr for you, but if you look at my actual page and not just the dash I have the last 5 Tweets feeding to it. Not that anyone has to follow it, I’m just putting it out there that it is happening (or at least that it should be). I’m most skeptical about splits posting, but my finish definitely should.

Jitters

I am so pumped for the race this weekend. Like in a ridiculous way.

Told my boss this morning. I was shaking so hard (literally shaking) when we were talking about it and I don’t know why. I’ve been a little nervous talking about it with him, but I’ve not been that nervous talking about it with ANYONE else.

I’ve started to fret logistics. I’ve started to worry about timing and fear being dragged away kicking and screaming. I know that won’t happen, I know that I can do this. The hill at mile 12 isn’t quite as steep as the one I usually take so it will be a snap. I realized, in the midst of my AWESOME 10-miler on Saturday that I don’t push myself as much as I could; I was taking my regularly planned out walk-break and realized I didn’t really need it, there was no reason I couldn’t be running. And all of that, coupled with race day nerves and adrenaline mean I have this in the bag. I can totally do this. And I am genuinely excited to do it. I.Can’t.Wait.

Does anyone have The Stick? Because I just saw a video online that made me go “I NEED THAT!” and I’m interested in opinions before I lay down the money (hopefully at the EXPO next weekend, because I can think of few things that sound better than using that in the days following the half).

So…The Stick. Thoughts?

Today’s run = AWESOME!! My standard/favorite route + some to get the 10. Anticipating the ginormous hill at mile 12 of next week’s race, I wanted to do my usual hill somewhat fatigued, so I did the +3 to my usual route first, then went into the regular route so I was hitting my big climbs about halfway through. And I felt amazing. I felt really strong. And it seems like the longer the distance the faster I get. I can’t wait to see what happens next week in the race!

Thanks for the feedback on the shirt, all.

Duly noted, Stacey. I’m going to give it a go as the shirt is ’technically’ wicking, but it looks and feels very much like a plain cotton tee. If it doesn’t work out, I’ll still have time to go to the store to get paint and do it up (which I was contemplating anyway, because I really wanted the letters to match the ridiculous color of my capris. Seriously. So.Bright.).

Feel good about the way plans are coming together for next weekend. Definitely looking forward to it. I have one hell of a busy week leading up to it, though, so I think I might need to do some planning spreadsheet action (in addition to the ‘to do/buy/pack’ one I currently have going).