Mother's Day 1/2 Marathon (Present to myself)

What a wonderful Mother's Day Weekend I am having so far! Mother's Day hasn't even happened yet and I feel like it is finished and it was great!

Today marked the completion of my 5th 1/2 Marathon, Girls on the Go San Diego 1/2 Marathon! I actually PR'ed it (personal record) at 2:46:18. This is almost 12 min faster than my previous PR. I know I did my best based on the fact that I can barely walk tonight! It was a beautiful day for a run in San Diego and it was made even better by my daughter runnig the finish line with me. I was only slightly bummed that I didn't make my goal time, but I had let that go at mile 10, so I was over it.

The race started by sleeping last night at a hotel literally a tenth of a mile from the start line! For anyone who has ever run a race knows the worst part is getting up super early in the AM to fight for parking, deal with port-a-potties, and wait in the cold for the start of the run. How great was it today to get up literally 1 hr before the race, get some food, use the hotel bathroom, and role out the door 15 minutes before the start. I LOVED that! The course ran directly by the hotel so the family was able to hang out in the play area and wait for me to run by with my GU in their hands (didn't have to carry it with me!). At the end of the race there was no mile long walk back to the car, or waiting for a bus to take me back to my car. If you have the choice, this was the way to go!! It was Awesome and the best Mother's Day weekend ever. I don't even need tomorrow to celebrate, we already did!

 

Overall it was a great run, and a well organized race. My only complaint was that by the time I finished all the after race snacks were gone. Now normally I am a slow runner and expect this. However, today I was actually more middle of the pack and by no means last. Come to find out all the people that ran the 5K and 10K had pillaged the food and left nothing for those of us running a longer race. I find this a little disappointing that they would put it all out at once and not save some. Also disappointing that the other runners felt the need to gorge themselves and not leave any for the rest of us. But that is my only complaint.

 

I also learned some lessons during this training and race that I want to share and get down to remind myself for future training and races! Yes there will be more, just haven't decided what yet (other than the 5K with a friend next weekend).

 

Lesson 1: Cross training is a good idea, really should have done that this training cycle. I started out really strong running the first 5K today at a nice fast (for me) pace. I felt strong. I knew after driving the course (mainly a place called Fiesta Island) the road would have a slight slant to it. I also know that means my hips will be feeling it by the time we got off the island. Sure enough by mile 4 my right hip was starting to act a little angry. On the bright side I was running, no walk breaks at this point. I realized, as I was struggling and zigzaging my way around the island, that strengthening my hips and core will be a must before the next 1/2 if I want to improve my performance. By mile 10 I was afraid that if I stopped running and moving I would never start again. I was also already thinking of the pilates and yoga I will be doing during the next training cycle.

 

Lesson 2: Running is running and to let go of the pace! Around mile 7 I realized that I wasn't really looking at my Garmin (other than to get the distance). I was not worried about time. I was listening to my body and paying attention to how it felt. 13.1 miles is a LONG distance for this girl. I forgot how long until I got to mile 9 and realized there was still another 4.1 to go. But once I let go of the 2 hr 30 min goal I really relaxed and actually was able to enjoy the run. I focused on the fact that I am out there and enjoying the run!

 

Lesson 3: Training Training Training! After Ragnar So Cal I lost a lot of motivation. My training went south and fast (or slowly as the case may be). If I had completed the training runs, especially the long runs, I may not be 1-as sore and 2- I may not have missed my 2nd goal time by just slightly over 1 minute. But hey, I still PRed so who is complaining!

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Lesson 4: Sunscreen is always a good idea. It was a beautiful run on a beautiful day, but I have got to remember sunscreen in the future as well! I have some of the weirdest tan lines thanks to compression socks and long shorts. But I would rather have weird tan lines then shin splints and chaffing (if you have never had either you are lucky!).

This race was a great one, but in the future I am looking forward to having more time to train since I will be a stay at home mom starting the first of June! Hopefully that means more time to blog as well. Only time will tell!