Snake River 1/2 Marathon Recap

Well we have begun racing season in our household. March holds for us 3 races, 3 weekends in a row. That might have been my fault with the race planning. Luckily the next couple are only 5 milers. This was my first big race back post baby. I was beginning to think a 1/2 marathon only 4.5 months post baby may have been a little too much.

Once you have a kid or kids, your body is never really ever the same. Everything shifts, and you can definitely feel it when you’re running. With that being said I was pleasantly surprised with my performance on Saturday. Spoiler alert: I PR’d.

The race was about a 2 hour drive from my sisters house. We stayed out there so she could watch Baby R for us. It was my first time leaving her for more than 2 hours, and I was so nervous about it I couldn’t sleep and was queasy. I fed her before we left, tucked her back in bed and prayed she would sleep a very long time!! We were out the door by 6:20 a.m. and on our way.

I spaced we didn’t have cell service in WaWaWai, WA…yes that’s seriously a place and probably why there’s no cell service. It was a course following the Snake River. Very flat and you could see for miles. An easy out and back.

Once I realized we wouldn’t be in cell service, I was freaking. “How was my sister supposed to call me if something happens? How am I supposed to know how everything’s going? What if something happens?” I had a moment. Marc thought we were going to have to bag the race. I made it through though. 😉

Running Group

We had time to kill before the race started at 10 a.m., so we stayed warm in the car. We did our business, did a few minutes of warming up, took some photos and shed our warm clothes, and toed the line.

I was sick to my stomach, thinking of Baby R, and not feeling motivated to run. My head wasn’t in it. The gun fired and we were off. There was a headwind the entire way out, so I stuck behind the second place girl and a group of guys, drafting off them. The guys would take turns being the wall, while I enjoyed a bit of a wind break.

Mile 1: 6:07 Mile 2: 6:24 Mile 3: 6:27

The course curved around the river, but there were long stretches where you could see forever in front of you. It made the miles drag on, and the race feel like forever. I stayed with my group, following their pace. At times it felt too slow, but I wanted the wind break. I have never had a race where I felt I wasn’t moving, and the miles were so long.

Mile 4: 6:26 Mile 5: 6:39 Mile 6: 6:36

The sun was beating down, but the wind gave enough chill to keep me from getting toasty. Once I could see the turn around point, our group started to break apart. I passed 3 of the guys and the woman before turning around and started into a pace that seemed easy enough.

I felt so much lighter on the way back. There was only a tailwind for 10 seconds though….I was hoping I would feel it like I did the headwind. I enjoyed cheering on the ladies on my running team on the way back and seeing Marc. I remained in second place for the duration of the race. The first place female was cruising. I basically ran the entire 6.5 miles by myself, which at times was mentally tough.

Mile 7: 6:20 Mile 8: 6:19 Mile 9: 6:29

Finally, I looked down at my watch after passing the mile 9 marker and saw that I was at 58 minutes flat. I was surprised with my pace, but starting to feel it. My legs were growing heavy and it was extremely warm. My feet were getting hot, and I could feel a blister on my pinkie toe.

The long stretches of endless road were getting too me. Honestly wasn’t my favorite course. I don’t enjoy flat courses where you can see for miles. I rather have hills. There were a few spectators to cheer us on, which was nice. By mile 10 I was dead. I think the heat was getting to me. For some reason it was a mentally tough race. By mile 11 I felt like I needed to puke.

Mile 10: 6:25 Mile 11: 6:33 Mile 12: 6:34 Mile 13: 6:28

Once I hit mile 12 at 1:17 I was elated. I knew there was only one more major curve before the finish line. You could literally see the finish line in the distance, making the last 1/2 or so mile tick every so slowly by. It was one of my slowest miles for sure. My heart wasn’t in it any more, and I just wanted to get back to baby. I didn’t even kick it in. I had no desire to.

My goal time was 1:28, so when I came across the line at 1:24:38, with a 6:26 average over the 13.14 miles I was surprised. I had PR’d my first race back post baby by 5 minutes. I wasn’t expecting a sub 1:25 1/2 marathon, and my body was feeling it. By mile 9 the lower back pain set in, and my pelvis felt lower. Nothing less than expected.

I jogged to the car and grabbed my phone, later realizing/remembering there wasn’t any service anyway, grabbed some water and jogged back to the finish line to cheer Marc on. I was congratulated for my 2nd place finish. I totally spaced I was the second female overall, as my mind was completely on whether or not Baby R was doing okay. She hasn’t taken a bottle yet, and I later found out she wouldn’t take the bottle, but did fine. She basically slept the entire time.

After I was given my prize money in the form of a gift card to Amazon, Marc stocked up on bagels and the cookies, and we were out of there. Marc did great considering he didn’t really train. He came in at 1:32. I was proud of him. I later regretted not stretching more after the race. Once we arrived home all R wanted to do was eat. I fed her for a good hour, then showered before we went on a family walk.

Missed those sweet cheeks!!

All and all it was a great race. I think I would have enjoyed myself more if I wasn’t so worried about Baby R and feeling guilty for leaving her. It’s seriously so hard leaving her. It felt great to be back racing, and I always love being with the running community. The weather was near perfect, just a little warm for March. Not used to the warm temps yet.

Hope you all had a great weekend!!

Until Next Time Be Whole and Be Fit

How do you juggle racing and family?