What an amazing race day!!! Let's talk about.
I was awoken by the sound of barking dogs, my alarm, at 5:30am. Based on the weather report, I was expecting temps in the mid 40s. So when I open my eyes and checked the weather app imagine my surprise when I see that it's 35 but feels like 29 and boy did it!
I had to readjust my outfit choice and switched from my dri- fit cool Nike long sleeves to my under armour cold weather top. I'm so happy I did cause all the way up until mile 10 I was cold.
I ate a banana while I got dressed and had a discussion with my husband about my nerves. Took his reassurance that I could do this, grabbed my cold weather hoodie and got to the car. Nice and toasty leather seats awaited me... thank God for that! Drove the 15 minutes into downtown Petersburg and found a close parking spot with 20 minutes until race time.
I stumbled around with my running gloves, later electing to leave them and hopped out of the car and headed to the Historic Union Train Station. Mixed all together were runners of all ages and costumes. Fairies and Captain America, tinkerbells and skeletons, even passed by Donald and Hilary. The train station was surely a plus as we could stay warm, hear all announcements and were located right by the start!
After checking out some more costumes I decided to stretch and head to the start line. Within seconds, or so it felt, we were off! I didn't see any pacers so I just took off with a group of people. When I rounded the first .5 miles within 4:25, I was shocked. This was going to be 9 minute mile and that wasn't the plan. But wait what was the plan... um hello there was none! This was suppose to be just another long run. I knew I needed preserve energy so as I went to pull back smack in front of me was the first of many hills! The course had an elevation gain of 511ft!!!
The hills naturally slowed me. Once to the top I was able to pick my pace back up. I ran past my favorite Chinese food place, the stores and parks I used to take my kids to. Ran through the neighborhoods where I first started running. Past the track do some of my speed work at. The hills they were brutal but the memories that flew through as I ran a place I once called home was greater.
With the mindset that this was just another long run, the hills were conquered by a combination of runs and walks. I am so thankful for this run because it gave me the chance to get some hill work in as well as pinpoint the perfect spots to do some additional hill work in the very near future. Although I walked parts of this race I still managed to finish in 2:23:56 which is 3 minutes faster than my last!!! I'm so excited and proud of myself.
I didn't see the porta potties that were promised but I also didn't need them. PACERS... I was looking forward to trying one but didnt see any. There is a lack of crowd in this race, which I was well aware of. I think RACEJOY at least for me helped to me to not feel unsupported as my family chased me all around Petersburg. P. S It helped that my husband knew the town inside and out lol. All and all I will be back next year.. unless I'm traveling!
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| Petersburg Halloween Half Marathon |
I had to readjust my outfit choice and switched from my dri- fit cool Nike long sleeves to my under armour cold weather top. I'm so happy I did cause all the way up until mile 10 I was cold.
I ate a banana while I got dressed and had a discussion with my husband about my nerves. Took his reassurance that I could do this, grabbed my cold weather hoodie and got to the car. Nice and toasty leather seats awaited me... thank God for that! Drove the 15 minutes into downtown Petersburg and found a close parking spot with 20 minutes until race time.
I stumbled around with my running gloves, later electing to leave them and hopped out of the car and headed to the Historic Union Train Station. Mixed all together were runners of all ages and costumes. Fairies and Captain America, tinkerbells and skeletons, even passed by Donald and Hilary. The train station was surely a plus as we could stay warm, hear all announcements and were located right by the start!
 |
| The front of Union Station after the race. |
After checking out some more costumes I decided to stretch and head to the start line. Within seconds, or so it felt, we were off! I didn't see any pacers so I just took off with a group of people. When I rounded the first .5 miles within 4:25, I was shocked. This was going to be 9 minute mile and that wasn't the plan. But wait what was the plan... um hello there was none! This was suppose to be just another long run. I knew I needed preserve energy so as I went to pull back smack in front of me was the first of many hills! The course had an elevation gain of 511ft!!!
The hills naturally slowed me. Once to the top I was able to pick my pace back up. I ran past my favorite Chinese food place, the stores and parks I used to take my kids to. Ran through the neighborhoods where I first started running. Past the track do some of my speed work at. The hills they were brutal but the memories that flew through as I ran a place I once called home was greater.
With the mindset that this was just another long run, the hills were conquered by a combination of runs and walks. I am so thankful for this run because it gave me the chance to get some hill work in as well as pinpoint the perfect spots to do some additional hill work in the very near future. Although I walked parts of this race I still managed to finish in 2:23:56 which is 3 minutes faster than my last!!! I'm so excited and proud of myself.
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| My lovely family! And the start of the race |
But wait... there's more!
My husband... my kids, this amazing clan that we have formed!! Thanks to RaceJoy's partnership with the Petersburg Halloween Half Marathon was able to track me and popped up at miles 5,8 and 11! They brought to not only me but to all the runners near me as one runner even stopped me to tell them "thank you." At mile 11 my 3 year old son, Averie, I call him boss, saw me coming down the street. He runs down to me and immediately throws his arms up, gesturing for me to pick him up. I look my boy in the eyes and told him, "race me" and off we went! When I looked up the officers who supported the race were cheering us on and smiling and there stood a photographer... I really hope he documented that moment cause if he did the moment it goes on sale its mine and I'll come back and share with you all!!! I can't thank them, my family, the officers, even the race volunteers enough for their support during this race!!! It was brutal but I did!!! Half Marathon 2 in the books! Now time to stretch and repeat lol!
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| Race Joy tells you your predicted finish time as well.. It was different. |
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| The start and finish of the race |
Quick Review of the Race:
Would I do it again? YES. The half marathon was well marked. The police officers were very helpful and kept traffic away from runners. Water was where it was promised and they offered gels more than once. The staff was friendly and helped to push you along as well! (Thanks to the guy at mile 10.. your words helped alot! )
Shortcomings:
I didn't see the porta potties that were promised but I also didn't need them. PACERS... I was looking forward to trying one but didnt see any. There is a lack of crowd in this race, which I was well aware of. I think RACEJOY at least for me helped to me to not feel unsupported as my family chased me all around Petersburg. P. S It helped that my husband knew the town inside and out lol. All and all I will be back next year.. unless I'm traveling!
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