Route 66 Half Marathon
On Friday, a coworker asked if I was running the Route 66 Half Marathon. My first response was no. I had planned on a few months ago (along with the Nike Women's Marathon, which I then decided not to run), but I had not trained for it. I have been running strong and have added two mid-week runs of 7 miles, so I have a very strong base, but not the distance. My weekends are so full with soccer games, TU tailgating, laundry, etc., that getting in a long run of more than 8 mi has not been happening.
I had such a great racing year in 2007 that it has been very difficult for me to be motivated to run. I even balked at the Tulsa Run 15k three weeks ago. I love that race.
But, I decided, why not? I can always walk part of it. She had a similar training background - only 8 mi long runs. We did not intend to run it together, but just standing beside someone else at the starting line helps.
So, yesterday, I wake up and head out. I call E as soon as I park. She had just arrived. We agreed to meet at the starting line in about 10 min. I arrive and cannot see her. I line up around the 9 min/mi marker, looking for the Fleet Feet pacer with the 2:00 balloon. As much as I would love to finish in 1:45, I do not think it is anywhere reasonable at this time. I never see E, but meet a young lady from Newton, KS, who is running her first half marathon. We chat nervously, trying to stay warm and anxiously await the starting gun.
It takes 35 sec to get to the start line, then it is slight uphill and right turn over the 21st St bridge over the Arkansas River. I hit 1 mi at 9:00 minutes. I hit 2 mi at 17:30. I continue this pace for 7 miles. I feel like I am on the moon! It feels great. But then the reality that I have another hour hits me. UGH. But, I am half way done, right? I can deal with that.
In my mind, I remember my friend Anne saying, you can do anything for 45 min (when referring to running, particularly on a treadmill). So I keep that in mind. About 3 minutes after the turnaround on Riverside, I see E running the other way. She is not too far behind and looks strong. Running Riverside is flat, but boring. Nearly every race in Tulsa includes Riverside and it also is part of the Tulsa Parks system, boasting a soon to be completed revamped trail system. If you train for a marathon in Tulsa, you very likely run part or all of your long runs along Riverside. Familiarity does not relieve one of drudgery.
Just before 9 mi, we turn east on 31st St, heading into pretty neighborhoods and hills. Yes, hills. At the end of the race. I walk through my first water stop at the top of a hill. Then more hills. More walking. I try to limit my walking to only water stops, but realize the liquid in my empty stomach is sloshing around and making me cramp.
At 11 miles, I think, thank goodness. I can run for 18 min or so. I do not need to walk any more. One more hill and I know it will be flat or downhill. Whew. I am right.
As I round the corner for the last 1/2 mi, I am hit with the odor of smoking meat at the finish line. Normally, I enjoy this. But not then. I want fresh air, unpolluted. I start counting my steps - 0 (right), 0 (left), 0 (right), 1 (left) - etc. This is my go-to technique for pushing through a hard part of a run or trying to focus on my breathing. One more curve and I see the finish line. I race under the clock at 1:56:00 clock time. Chip time is 1:55:22. I beat my previous PR (Denver 2007) by 24 seconds. I look to my right and I had crossed the finish line at the same time as my starting-line friend. She was beaming with pride - as she should! A photographer took our picture together.
Overall: 391/1633
Age division: 21/170
Gender division: 134/959
10K time: 0:53:11
12K time: 1:02:11
Net time: 1:55:22
Strangely enough, I saw on Facebook last night that my college friend, Vicky, had made a post-baby PR in San Antonio of 1:54:47. Way to go, Vicky!!
I had such a great racing year in 2007 that it has been very difficult for me to be motivated to run. I even balked at the Tulsa Run 15k three weeks ago. I love that race.
But, I decided, why not? I can always walk part of it. She had a similar training background - only 8 mi long runs. We did not intend to run it together, but just standing beside someone else at the starting line helps.
So, yesterday, I wake up and head out. I call E as soon as I park. She had just arrived. We agreed to meet at the starting line in about 10 min. I arrive and cannot see her. I line up around the 9 min/mi marker, looking for the Fleet Feet pacer with the 2:00 balloon. As much as I would love to finish in 1:45, I do not think it is anywhere reasonable at this time. I never see E, but meet a young lady from Newton, KS, who is running her first half marathon. We chat nervously, trying to stay warm and anxiously await the starting gun.
It takes 35 sec to get to the start line, then it is slight uphill and right turn over the 21st St bridge over the Arkansas River. I hit 1 mi at 9:00 minutes. I hit 2 mi at 17:30. I continue this pace for 7 miles. I feel like I am on the moon! It feels great. But then the reality that I have another hour hits me. UGH. But, I am half way done, right? I can deal with that.
In my mind, I remember my friend Anne saying, you can do anything for 45 min (when referring to running, particularly on a treadmill). So I keep that in mind. About 3 minutes after the turnaround on Riverside, I see E running the other way. She is not too far behind and looks strong. Running Riverside is flat, but boring. Nearly every race in Tulsa includes Riverside and it also is part of the Tulsa Parks system, boasting a soon to be completed revamped trail system. If you train for a marathon in Tulsa, you very likely run part or all of your long runs along Riverside. Familiarity does not relieve one of drudgery.
Just before 9 mi, we turn east on 31st St, heading into pretty neighborhoods and hills. Yes, hills. At the end of the race. I walk through my first water stop at the top of a hill. Then more hills. More walking. I try to limit my walking to only water stops, but realize the liquid in my empty stomach is sloshing around and making me cramp.
At 11 miles, I think, thank goodness. I can run for 18 min or so. I do not need to walk any more. One more hill and I know it will be flat or downhill. Whew. I am right.
As I round the corner for the last 1/2 mi, I am hit with the odor of smoking meat at the finish line. Normally, I enjoy this. But not then. I want fresh air, unpolluted. I start counting my steps - 0 (right), 0 (left), 0 (right), 1 (left) - etc. This is my go-to technique for pushing through a hard part of a run or trying to focus on my breathing. One more curve and I see the finish line. I race under the clock at 1:56:00 clock time. Chip time is 1:55:22. I beat my previous PR (Denver 2007) by 24 seconds. I look to my right and I had crossed the finish line at the same time as my starting-line friend. She was beaming with pride - as she should! A photographer took our picture together.
Overall: 391/1633
Age division: 21/170
Gender division: 134/959
10K time: 0:53:11
12K time: 1:02:11
Net time: 1:55:22
Strangely enough, I saw on Facebook last night that my college friend, Vicky, had made a post-baby PR in San Antonio of 1:54:47. Way to go, Vicky!!
Labels: running
4 Comments:
Wow. That's impressive. Congrats.
I love the idea that "You can do anything for 45 minutes." I may borrow that next hard run.
Awesome -- great job, and that with a tough course and not enough training!
I've run a local metric marathon (26.2K / 16.3 miles) three times that I generally like a lot, but the course at times is a bit evil. The description says it all: "Gently rolling hills with significant hills at 12 and 14 miles."
I think we should do the course backwards next year :)
You are a Rock Star.
Here's looking to a 2009 race together!
Woo hoo! As usual, I'm in awe because I was dying just doing the 8K this weekend with Heather. It was awfully fun, though....
You and G need to come here! America's Friendliest Marathon, hint hint!
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