Oh boy!! A half marathon a week after a marathon with an injury……it actually wasn’t all that bad. I can’t say my leg enjoyed the whole process, but I love fall marathons. And I have to say, our city’s little marathon with a few hundred participants was much more fun than the Portland Marathon. A lot more scenic as well. It was perfect running along the river, in the trees with all the changing colors, even with all the rolling and steep hills.
I may be a little bias, but the Inland Northwest is amazing in the Fall. The weather was perfect, sunny and 48 degrees, and only a bit breezy. The colors are beautiful. I didn’t get toasty until the last few miles. Running through Riverside State Park and through the cool crisp air was great. I think it helped take my mind off my hamstring. I didn’t plan to go out and race on Sunday, but wanted to keep a comfortable effort. I honestly didn’t know how fresh the legs would feel and how they would hold up on the hills.
Most of my week I did easy runs with the cross country team and one fartlek. So I thought the race would be difficult, but surprisingly I didn’t feel as bad as I was expecting. I had fun. I was able to do a 10 minute warm up before toeing the line. Marc and R were there to send me off and meet me at certain points on the course. It made it fun knowing I was going to see them throughout the run.
For the first few miles I was leading the race, even beating all the males. It was so weird and I kept slowing my pace down because I was thinking maybe I was going to fast. It’s unusual even in this small race a female would win the whole thing, and given I was coming off the Portland Marathon where I had a horrible experience, it felt unnatural to be leading. Marc was thinking “I thought she wasn’t going to be racing?!”
Finally, a younger man caught me after mile 2. We ran with one another for a bit and chatted. He sped onward, and I stayed with my pace. Even if I wanted to race it, I don’t think my legs were strong enough to carry a faster pace. I didn’t want to over due it either. Eventually two other males passed, and then a female. I tagged along with her for a bit, but new it was too fast of a pace for me that morning. Another women caught me before seeing Marc at mile 4. They weren’t far ahead of me, but I wasn’t in for racing.
- Mile 1: 5:57 Mile 2: 6:06 Mile 3: 5:56 Mile 4: 6:23
I had fun throughout the race. Even on the hills, I had fun. I didn’t feel the hills killed me either. Going into the race I was worried about the hills being to much after a marathon, but again surprisingly I felt strong on the hills (even though I slowed down a bit on them). And boy do I forget all the hills on the course. I think the beauty on the course helps to make the hills easier. After a short loop through Riverside State Park, we ran back through Riverside heading east on the trail to head back toward downtown. Marc and R met me after mile 7, before I ran through some thick forests of trees.
Enjoying seeing my family!!
Once out of the trees, I crossed the bridge to head up Doomsday Hill. The worst of all the hills. Hit mile 9 and climbed. Before long my climb was over and Marc and R were waiting at the top just before mile 10. A couple of cheerleaders ooed and ahhed at R, and then cheered for me and told me how beautiful my baby girl was. It made me smile.
- Mile 5: 6:31 Mile 6: 6:36 Mile 7: 6:49 Mile 8: 6:40 Mile 9: 6:45
The hills did slow me down a bit, but I didn’t want to push it. I ran back along the river and headed into downtown. It started to feel more toasty out, and was a bit breezy. The last few miles were more of a struggle with my hamstring aching. I had some sharp shooting pains. I was happy to be nearing the finish line. Under the Monroe Street Bridge, up Lincoln street and finally through the park to the finish.
I finished 3rd overall female and 7th overall. It wasn’t a PR for me, but I wasn’t expecting a PR. I more did the race because it was a paid entry and I didn’t want to waste it. It may have not been the wisest of choices, as I paying for it with my achy hamstring, but it was one of my more fun races in awhile.
- Mile 10: 7:09 Mile 11: 6:37 Mile 12: 6:37 Mile 13: 6:42
Official time was 1:25:00, with an average pace of 6:29. Marc enjoyed my free pizza too and R dug right into my goldfish. First time for Goldfish for her, I let her have at it. Racing is over for a bit for me, for real this time. Once cross country season is over, I can take the much need time to let my leg fully heal.
After the race we enjoyed apple picking and pumpkin picking. I could have ate my little one, she’s too freakin’ cute!!
Until Next Time Be Whole and Be Fit