San Antonio Rock and Roll has passed. That half marathon race was way below my expectations. Hot and humid weather (a "warm" front in the middle of November - gotta love that Texas weather), countless mistakes made. The worst run or race in my 16 month running career. By mile 3, I literally felt like crying and walking off the course but alas, I had 10 miles left to go!
Somehow I managed to make it thru. Well, I shouldn't say somehow. It was with the help of 2 coaches from my training group. Also, since it wasn't in my home city, I had to follow the race course to find my way back!
I threw my time goals out the window pretty early. At some points during the race I had to switch to running to 1 light pole, walking to the next light pole, running to the next, etc. I had a ton of unplanned walking during this race. I also had nausea, cramping, etc - all things I've never experienced on my training runs, even in the heat of the summer. Upon completing the race and returning to my hotel room, I just put the medal in my purse. I was upset with my performance.
Now that the race is over, and a couple of weeks have passed, I am happy that I managed to finish, although it was 22 minutes slower than my first half marathon, and 32 minutes off my goal for this race. Many others struggled during the race, so I'm at peace with my performance in the race now, and proudly display my medal in my car. Notice I said I'm at peace with - not happy with - my performance
Things to keep in mind next time I do this race (and there will be a rematch)
Somehow I managed to make it thru. Well, I shouldn't say somehow. It was with the help of 2 coaches from my training group. Also, since it wasn't in my home city, I had to follow the race course to find my way back!
I threw my time goals out the window pretty early. At some points during the race I had to switch to running to 1 light pole, walking to the next light pole, running to the next, etc. I had a ton of unplanned walking during this race. I also had nausea, cramping, etc - all things I've never experienced on my training runs, even in the heat of the summer. Upon completing the race and returning to my hotel room, I just put the medal in my purse. I was upset with my performance.
Now that the race is over, and a couple of weeks have passed, I am happy that I managed to finish, although it was 22 minutes slower than my first half marathon, and 32 minutes off my goal for this race. Many others struggled during the race, so I'm at peace with my performance in the race now, and proudly display my medal in my car. Notice I said I'm at peace with - not happy with - my performance
Things to keep in mind next time I do this race (and there will be a rematch)
- Bring something to eat while waiting! My breakfast was at 4:20 that morning and I didn't cross the start line until 8:30am. Usually I eat and I'm running an hour later. I didn't think about the fact that I wouldn't start the race until 4 hours later. I need to be more flexible - i.e. don't worry as much about sticking to what I've done on my training runs.
- Salt matters - I am a heavy, salty sweater. I need to increase my salt intake the day before the race and get salt on the run in hot and humid weather.
- Do a few runs in the evening to better adjust to running under the sun - I was out there running past 11 a.m. I usually do my runs at 5am. Even though it may be hot at that time of morning (over 80 degrees and over 90% humidity), that's not the same as having the sun beating down on you.
Time to start training for my next half - It's only 1 1/2 months away!
