Spokane Half Race Report…it’s been awhile

Hello Friends!!

As you know I ran a half with my wonderful husband on Sunday. My first half in over three years. It’s been a long time!! And I just happened to pick one of the hilliest half’s in Spokane, but one of the prettiest. This was my second time running it.

Most of the marathon is ran through the Centennial trail and in the Fall it’s gorgeous on the trail. The weather on Sunday couldn’t have been more perfect. Although, it was cold standing around, once the race started I got a little toasty in my arm warmers. It was sunny and a high of 60 for the day, with a 40 degree start.

Marc and I woke up feeling a little bit stuffy and flu like. I woke up with diarrhea. Every runners dream on race day!! Needless to say, I memorized where all the porta potties were going to be on the course, hoping I wouldn’t have to utilize them……that came back to bite me!!

I did start the morning off right with Nuun and my Procompression socks, and I couldn’t forget my Handana, which was great for catching the snot (and it fit nicely over my gloves).

I did my business before the start and lined up with my hubby. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to run with him or try to win. Since I wasn’t feeling the greatest, it sounded more appealing to just make it fun and run it with him. About 5 minutes before the start, I told Marc, I needed to go again. His reply: “It’s all in your head.”……. 3…..2….1 and we were off.

I started out great running under 6:30’s and felt fine. By mile 3 I realized it wasn’t “all in my head” and I needed to go. I held off for a bit. At mile 3 I powered up a hill losing the girls who were running with me, and taking the lead. At mile 5 we hit the trail and passed the porta potty. I didn’t want to break stride, and tried to fight off the urge to use the restroom. A 1/2 mile after passing the john, I was regretting this.

• Mile 1: 6:23
• Mile 2: 6:36
• Mile 3: 6:24
• Mile 4: 6:46
• Mile 5: 6:40

My mind was stuck on trying not to poop myself (sorry for the TMI) that I paid no attention to the hills. They definitely weren’t on my radar, probably a good thing. At mile 7 I looped back to the porta potty, barely making it. This cost me the lead. I booked it to catch the lead girl, thinking it was hopeless but I hadn’t lost too much time.

• Mile 6: 6:40
• Mile 7: 6:59
• Mile 8: 6:34
• Mile 9: 6:38
• Mile 10: 7:23 (obviously this potty break took some time)

We coasted downhill for a bit before climbing a short hill, only to lead to the infamous “doomsday” hill!! Strategically placed 3 miles before the finish. At the bottom of Doomsday I was ready for a porta potty again. At the top of the hill I made a pit stop and was off again.

Here I am coasting up Doomsday. Photo credit from a teammate on the running group I am apart of, the Spokane Swifts!! Who are ALL amazing!! Those not running came out to cheer us on. It made the last miles seem a little bit faster.

The last three miles were tough for me. My stomach was in knots. I was set on finishing and trying to keep my distance from second place. I finished 1st, with a new PR of 1:29:13. It wasn’t the 1:25:00 I was looking for, but not bad all things considered. This was the first race, since high school, I have won.

• Mile 11: 6:43
• Mile 12: 6:53
• Mile 13: 6:48

13.19 miles, avg pace of 6:45

Marc came in with a new PR of 1:34:45. He did great, considering he hasn’t been faithful to training since July!! This is definitely a hard course to PR on.

This was our first race as a married couple together. I loved how we both PR’d and I could share the win with him!! He’s one of my biggest fans and supporters. Even though I felt like crap (literally) it was still fun!! And I can’t complain about the hardware and the gift card for 2 free pizzas and cookie dough.

Happy Running!!