Tattooed Kicks

Oh, and I completed my very first half marathon in Phoenix! Life was moving especially fast back in January, so I didn’t even think to recap it. Let’s just say I never thought I’d be a half marathon finisher, and I feel like completing that race and struggling through the tough parts has mentally prepared me for the challenges 2016 has also brought. 

I have 3 races on the horizon in the next 2 months, all ones I’ve completed before. I’m trying to decide how I’ll proceed after the hot and heavy summer arrives. Will I go for another half marathon this year? I’d certainly like to, now that I know what goes into it.

As I look to the week ahead, an especially tough one with a lot of emotions to overcome, I’m thinking about getting my ladyballs on and showing up to my first November Project workout. That scares me because I’m not in my best shape, and I don’t want to be the last one in the pack. I know my fears are completely against NP’s philosophy, but I think it’d be a really decent thing to do for myself... both to get fully back on the horse, and to conquer a fear. 

I want to start off with a disclaimer to end all disclaimers: forecast aside, I had a head cold and forgot my knee band. 

There, better. 

My goal for this race all along was to net out somewhere between last year’s time, and last year’s Philly 10K time (which was the most brutal I’ve run, and my shittiest performance to date). I did that, even despite everything and my very first race bathroom break. Let me just tell you that soaking wet compression shorts don’t maneuver easily. At all. 

I woke up not wanting to do this, but as a Distance Medley participant, I forfeit my standing in the program if I miss a race. I sucked it up and got out there. I ended up joking around with strangers. That’s what I love most about the running community; we’re all in this together. And to the hundreds who skipped out this morning, I hear you. But you missed a good time. A time where you feel a little bit better about humanity because everyone is on a level playing field, going through the same conditions you are, smiling and supportive. 

Running communities are amazing everywhere, I’m sure. Boston’s is the best by a mile. The volunteers were in great spirits and made the morning a lot easier. And The November Project, which started here, was out in full force. I had a guy sing a bar of Smash Mouth to me. Even if I was soaked, it was fine. 

Now, I look ahead to the B.A.A. Half in October, the conclusion of the medley, and my farthest distance attempt yet. I’m scared shitless, I’ll be honest. These races are full of elites, the cut-off time is intense, and I’ve really struggled to get into the groove of training this year. I have no other choice but to finish it. 

I didn't PR this as I'd originally hoped signing up. Last year, I was a bit lighter and faster. All things considered, though, I'm not too far off. I could feel the difference the strength training I've become diligent about doing made. And, where I could barely move after the race last year, this year I'm pretty fine. I think that's something. I am really happy I didn't attempt the half, though. I wasn't ready for Broad Street; two races without proper training in a row is bad news. The shorter distance was the way to go.

There are some issues with the timing from the race this year, so I’m still awaiting my official time. They chose to start the race in pulses for the first time, and I suspect many chip times are being reported as net. When I got my preliminary results, it said I had run this race in 1:20, which would be impossible given when my pace pulse started. (It’s also about a 16:20 pace, which I didn’t even slow down to at Broad Street.) After reading through the Facebook page and noticing many other runners with the same issues, I’m going to trust my watch. It makes sense, given where I’m at this year and when I started. We’ll see what happens!

Timing aside, this race is one of my very favorites. The course is beautiful, the size is just right (about 12K, which I’ve come to like a lot), and the starting area is right near my office. Free gear check? Yes, please. The thing I do want to mention is that this race was short a ton of volunteers this year, and some first-timers were frustrated with deserted water stations, etc. I know I need to get better about this, but the best way for us to support our fellow runners is to volunteer at races we don’t run. And that’s that.

I’m now looking ahead to my final race of the summer on June 21, and then I’ll be doing nothing but training for my very first half in October. Right now, I feel pretty great about both. 

PS: Those Sriracha chips they handed out post-race? Need. Every day of my life.