Left Hand Half Marathon (Race Recap)

Longmont, CO

Sunday, April 27

Half Marathon #198

Weather - Warm and sunny at the start, fog in the middle

Random race that we signed up for pretty last minute. I knew I would have some running on schedule and since I'm still trying to hit my lifetime 200th half, figured that an inexpensive half marathon not too far from home that finished at a brewery would be right up our alley.

There was a "competitive" wave that started at 7:15 and then the slower folks were starting at either 7:30 or 7:45. (I still don't really know what the 7:30 wave was, but since I had only signed up a few days earlier I definitely knew I was in the last wave). We left the house just after 6:30 for the 35ish minute drive to Longmont. We hit some fog on the drive up (like visibility of about 10 feet), but by the time we parked at Left Hand it was sunny and getting warmer.

We picked up our bibs and used the bathroom before pinning our numbers on and heading to the start. I had been debating whether I wanted to just run as long as I could or if I wanted to start with intervals. Last minute decided to just see what would happen, I could always start intervals later.

It seemed that we would be starting in a group of maybe 40-50 runners, and the course was an out and back on the bike path. Zero expectations on this.

We started right on time at 7:45 and both of us planned to run with music in. The course was incredibly well marked! Lots of chalk arrows on the ground, plus signs at each turn AND course marshals anywhere it could be confusing. I had worn my vest even though we found out that we would hit a total of 7 water stations on the route.

I wore the rabbit button down until about mile 8-9 and took it off because I was chafing under my left arm

The first mile and half to the first aid station (and 5k turn around, which started at 9) went fine. I grabbed a cup of water and walked through the aid station. Everything seemed to be going pretty well until maybe 3-4 miles in (maybe right after the second aid station which was around 3.7 miles in. For a bit I started to take short walk breaks. Nothing seemed familiar until we hit a stretch near the St. Vrain Greenway, which I recognized from Rev Run and the Longmont half that I had run 10+ years ago. I told Ben that I was going to set up 2:30/1:00 intervals. For a while, these worked well and I was able to keep average pace under 11 minute miles.

Somewhere around 4-5 miles in the fog we had driven through hit the course. It was nice because it immediately lowered the temperature. About this same time was when I was suddenly feeling very sore and tired and my interval pace slowed substantially. Still  managed to DO the intervals, but the running pace was a lot slower. I don't recall what time we hit the turnaround, but we did get passed by at least a half dozen people in the half mile leading up to it.

Took a picture of the fogginess around 7 miles (?) in:

I was really struggling and it didn't help that my shuffle was playing garbage songs that I had to keep skipping through. Stopped to use the bathroom at the next aid station, and pretty sure we got passed by more people. Unfortunately the fog broke and it got pretty sunny again, although with the high forecasted to be close to 80, it didn't feel nearly as horrible as it could have.

We continued to get passed by people here and there, although even with our intervals we managed to keep a few of them in our sights. 

Once I knew we were getting close to being done (and the other folks started to take walk breaks) I tried to push through all my soreness. We both had a relatively "speedy" sprint of the last quarter mile or so at 9:30ish pace. Thankfully, it was finally over.

Official Time - 2:29:16

Overall Place - 88/110

Gender Place - 33/53

Division Place - 9/19

Garmin Time - 2:29:18

Garmin Distance - 13.18 miles

Garmin Pace - 11:20 (run time 2:06:31, walk time 22:08)

Mile 1 - 10:05

Mile 2 - 10:22

Mile 3 - 10:23

Mile 4 - 11:05

Mile 5 - 10:57

Mile 6 - 10:58

Mile 7 - 11:34

Mile 8 - 11:39

Mile 9 - 12:29

Mile 10 - 12:22

Mile 11 - 11:58

Mile 12 - 12:16

Miler 13 - 11:30

Mile 13.18 - 9:25 pace

We stuck around for our free beer, although there was not a ton of places to sit that were in the shade.

Thoughts:

• Signed up about a week out. Paid just over $70, using the discount from an ambassador that basically saved me money on the fees/taxes that were charged. Race registration included a shirt and medal (that doubles as a bottle opener), plus a free beer or NA beverage. Live music and vendors at the finish line. There is also a 5k that is not chip timed.
• Course - relatively flat, about 225 feet of gain/loss. (All the climbing was on the way back, I discovered after looking at my stats). Incredibly well marked.
• Would I do again? Probably not, but really only because I don't do a lot of road races anymore and this just happened to "fit" in my schedule. It was well organized and seemingly got a lot of bang for my buck compared to some other events.

Backcountry Wilderness Half Marathon (Race Recap)

Highlands Ranch, CO

Saturday, November 2

Half Marathon #196

Weather - Sunny, nice

For the last few years, I hit October and I dream about running shorter races again. I happened to post on Facebook asking what races everyone had coming up. I still want to hit 200 (official) lifetime half marathons - a task that's been moving at a snails pace over the last few years since I only have been running one or two a year. I remembered that I'd run Backcountry again, and signed up to run again (right before a price increase) and convinced Jandy, Christina, and eventually Ben, to also sign up.

Race Day

This was my 7th time running the race. I told Ben we needed to leave by 7:15 because I wanted to be parked by 8 since we still had to get our bibs and I'd need to use the bathroom, etc. We headed out on time, but had to turn back shortly after leaving because I forgot my sunglasses. No one wants to listen to me complain because I forgot those!

We still arrived shortly after 8 am and parked almost exactly where I had parked last year. We immediately headed over to get our bibs and saw Jandy along the way. We were in line for our bibs when Christina joined us. Had to head back to the car to drop off our swag and get our packs. Ben was taking forever so I left him at the truck so I could get in the bathroom line - which ended up taking a decent amount of time.

We got some pictures at the start and finally found Ben. I told him that he should go into an earlier wave since he is definitely faster than we are. None of us had a wave number on the back of our bibs, so we ended up jumping into the 4th wave. I had hoped to have "at least as good" a race as last year - when I race right after Katy. Probably 6 or 7 minutes into the race, however, I could tell it was going to be a long day.

I had to take my first walk break relatively early. The pace wasn't even that fast, but I was breathing insanely hard and my heart rate felt really fast. Christina and Jandy got ahead of me pretty early. I definitely had plans to just hang on. We ran within a close proximity for a few miles. Sean was photographing again and got a ton of pictures of us somewhere between maybe 2 and 3 miles in.

Christina fell back at some point around the first aid station (which I can't remember what mile that was). Jandy and I stayed together for probably at leas 6-7 miles. At some point I had to stop and take off my long sleeve layer because I was soooo hot. I ended up losing Jandy on the big climb (that I thankfully remembered from last year). 

This race kicks my ass every time! I stopped at the aid station when I got to the road and hoped to run it in, but I was just so tired. I did a lot of run/walk (no set intervals). Knowing the last mile was all downhill helped. 

I ran the whole last mile for my fastest pace of the race. I saw Ben near the finish line and he was poised with his phone to take pictures. I remember shouting "I don't especially want my grimace coming into this last hill."

Definitely was disappointed with the time on this one. Out of all the years that I have run, this was actually my slowest. I have had a few big races recently, so trying to cut myself some slack. 

Official Time - 2:52:32

Overall Place - 387/453

Division Place - 39/53

Garmin Time - 2:52:42

Garmin Pace - 13:09

Elevation Gain - 1,333'

Mile 1 - 12:43

Mile 2 - 13:09

Mile 3 - 13:48

Mile 4 - 12:07

Mile 5 - 12:00

Mile 6 - 13:13

Mile 7 - 14:24

Mile 8 - 14:57

Mile 9 - 14:48

Mile 10 - 13:36

Mile 11 - 13:06

Mile 12 - 12:54

Mile 13 - 10:35

Mile 13.13 pace - 10:20

We found where to get our finisher mugs and I filled mine up with water. For some reason, I thought chocolate milk might taste good, but it was weird to drink. Saw Jandy coming in and ran to get pictures of her crossing, and Christina was just a few minutes behind her.

We stayed at the finish line for a bit talking. Somehow we all forgot to get the pancakes though. 

Thoughts:

• I have run this event a lot, and I will likely run it again next year. It's well organized, relatively inexpensive, and good swag.

Week in Review (October 29 - November 4)

Tuesday (13,378 steps) - Olive walk before going to work in the office. Quick StairMaster, climbing Big Ben.

Also did a full body workout and stretching. Apparently today was National Candy Corn Day. Unknowingly, I wore my candy cane shorts.

Took Olive for a walk when I got home from work. Enjoying fall and daylight while it is still around :(

Made burrito bowls for dinner and watched Murders - sadly, it was the season finale!

Wednesday (14,346 steps) - Olive walk before going to work. Strength training and stretching at lunch. Pretty sure we watched one of the last Friday the 13th movies, but won't get them all done before Halloween.

Thursday (18,260 steps) - Work from home. Went for my run and it seemed really sunny and hot. Felt pretty good though.

Temperatures were a bit cooler for Olive's walk. Since it was Halloween, she wore her costume.

We went to Kristin's for dinner and Trick or Shot. It was pretty chilly after the sun set and I had to convince Ben to get out of there around 7:45. It was nice sitting on the couch and watching another Friday the 13th.

Friday (14,669 steps) - Wash Park with Olive and the gang! Chilly, but a nice sunrise. I wore my new North Face puffer mittens and my hands didn't get crazy cold. (Of course winter isn't actually HERE yet, either).

When I got to the office, I set up my winter lights. NO, they are not CHRISTMAS lights. Backstory - I bought Ariel lights to decorate her door and dorm room for Halloween and was jealous, so I got some fun lights for my desk.

Meanwhile, Olive had to suffer through another boring day at work.

We went to Torchy's for dinner since we missed our standing Thursday visit because of Halloween. There was not a taco of the month so I tried the quesadilla plate, which was decent.

Took Olive for a walk when we got home. Sad to see the Halloween decorations are coming down so soon.

Saturday (39,769 steps) - Backcountry Wilderness half marathon, recap to come.

Took Olive for a walk when I got home while Ben went to the library to vote. (Long story, but our mail carrier didn't deliver his ballot, and apparently election mail cannot be forwarded, so he had to vote in person). Olive had her grooming appointment, so we had lunch next door at Four Noses while we waited for her to be finished. The BBQ was a new-to-us food truck and it was delicious!

Olive's haircut turned out great!

Maybe this was the night we started the "Nightmare on Elm Street" series?

Sunday (13,838 steps) - Stupid time change. We were up before our alarms. Got ready and headed out to get coffee and pick Ariel up. We headed over to Runners Roost in Golden for our end-of-year race team gettogether. 

I had promised no running (not that I wanted to anyway), so we planned on a walk/hike. Jeannene and Ollie joined us for a loop up/around South Table. 

There was coffee and snacks at the store, we planned to go out to breakfast so we only had the coffee. After the "party" was done we went to Table Mountain Inn for food. Thankfully they had an enclosed patio that Olive was allowed on.

Breakfast was DELICIOUS, and the portions were HUGE.

We dropped Ariel off at home and then headed back north. Ben went out to run some errands and I took Olive for a walk and then did some driving. Another Nightmare on Elm Street.

Monday (15,829 steps) - Work from home. It was CHILLY since we had received a small amount of snow overnight. I needed to run and walk Olive and put it off ALL MORNING. By the time I braved walking Olive it was nearly 11:30 and it was overcast and brisk. I got dressed for my run and nearly headed out completely overdressed. The sun came out and it wasn't bad at all. 

It seems the new trailhead at the library is nearly complete! I haven't run by here in a bit.

Planned to do some driving after work but only got one offer so I met Ben at Parry's for dinner.

We took Olive for a quick walk when we got home. Can definitely feel the cold weather rolling in, this was chilly! We watched "Nightmare on Elm Street 3" and I fell asleep at the end. Bed just after 9 pm?? I don't remember the time change affecting me so badly in years past.

Stats:

• 130,089 steps
• 23.34 miles run
• 18.67 miles walked
• 8 minutes of cardio
• 80 minutes of strength

Austin 3M Half Marathon (Race Recap)

Austin, TX

Sunday, January 21

Half Marathon #195

Weather - Cold!

Months ago, I saw that a few of my Texas friends (from running Banff) were running the 3M half marathon. I ran back in 2011 and didn't remember hating it. I checked to see if Ariel wanted to join for a weekend, and once she said yes, I registered and booked flights. I had stayed at Heather's house the night before and we had plans to leave around 5:30 am so we could stop to get coffee at Dunkin.

Alarm was set for 5:10 am. I hadn't slept wonderfully, but I'd had the sense to lay everything out the night before so I was ready to go on time. Sadly, Dunkin wasn't open, but McDonald's was, so we got coffee there. We stopped to pick up Heather's friend Rachel on the way to the start line - and she brought breakfast burritos! Even though I had already eaten my waffle, a burrito sounded good, so I ate that too.

We parked at the Sam's Club nearby and sat in the car until maybe 6:40? 6:45? We had just enough time to go through the (incredibly organized) bathroom line, and then it was basically time to jump into the corral. My last road half marathon was Space Coast in 2021(??) so I had no idea what pace I'd be capable of. 

For whatever reason, the winter is hitting me harder this year, and I bailed on almost all of my speed work, so I was VERY optimistic when I jumped in around 2:15 pace group. I was planning on listening to the Eras Tour setlist, and got my headphones ready. One quick picture of the start line, and off we went!

Mile 1 was consumed with the fact that my headphones were encountering MAJOR interference. I have never had this happen that I can remember, so maybe this is just the biggest road race I have done and someone else's Bluetooth was somehow messing with it. IT WAS SUPER ANNOYING, but I dealt with it and after maybe 10 minutes it went away. In that time I also tossed the long sleeve throwaway Heather had given me - it lasted all of 7-8 minutes. I was very glad I had worn thin long sleeves and gloves, although I did play the "I'm hot, wait, no, I'm cold" game quite a bit.

This course boasts "Downhill to Downtown" - yet I hadn't remembered that from when I ran before. I had looked at the elevation profile from my Garmin and I thought it had much more gain, and couldn't remember any of it once I started running, except for mile 12 being the hilliest.

I literally didn't look at any race information, but I assumed there would be aid stations every few miles, and I planned on walking through all of them. The second aid station ran in front of Austin Beerworks, which I doubt existed 13 years ago.

I took electrolyte (was it Nuun? I have no idea) at every stop, and sometimes water. I was running a lot faster than I expected, but I was zoning out to Taylor Swift and trying to keep an eye out for Mel, Crystal and anyone else I might know. I almost forgot I had even brought nutrition, but then I saw a girl next to me take a gel, so I decided to eat my applesauce. Yay, fuel. I ended up taking a gel at mile 7ish (ewwww, cold salted watermelon GU). Actually, I think I only ate half of it, then I had a gag reflex to thankfully there was water after. Mistake on my part. I don't know why I still think I can eat those. I remembered the liquor table from the last time, and sure enough, they were back! I can't remember what mile this was, maybe 8? I took the one next to the tequila, because I definitely did NOT want that. Turns out I grabbed bourbon. Which wasn't much better, but I didn't throw up, so that was good.

I was still feeling surprisingly good, and my overall pace was still under 10 minutes! (Which is INSANE). I definitely was zoning out and mainly just trying not to trip over curbs, but overall their roads are in much better shape than Denver's. Before I knew it, we were on the UT campus, which meant we were close!

I was consistently about a tenth of a mile over on my watch, but I pushed the last few miles and had enough oomph left to get up the hills, which a LOT of people did not! I cruised through the uphill finish with my best time since 2018! (And I probably top 20-25% EVER), so I was VERY pleased.

Official Time - 2:10:48

Official 5k - 30:50

Official 10k - 101:50

Official 15k - 1:33:24

Overall Place - 2727/4720

Division Place - 147/303 (top half, wooo!

Garmin Time - 2:10:51

Garmin Distance - 13:22

Garmin Pace - 9:54

Mile 1 - 10:07

Mile 2 - 9:47

Mile 3 - 9:43

Mile 4 - 9:48

Mile 5 - 9:55

Mile 6 - 9:49

Mile 7 - 10:04

Mile 8 - 10:03

Mile 9 - 10:03

Mile 10 - 10:07

Mile 11 - 9:58

Mile 12 - 9:42

Mile 13 - 9:42

Mile 13.1 - 9:11 pace

I did a quick selfie trying to get my full outfit. In retrospect, should've just asked someone to take my picture, but oh well.

Since I've only had Strava since 2014 (?) - it's pretty impressive that in TEN YEARS, this was my second fastest half!!

Can you find my name?

I followed the signage to get my drop bag. I was already getting cold since I sweat so much. I had last minute thrown my R1 in my bag so that I would have a long sleeve top, jacket AND joggers in my bag. I walked over near the capital to add my layers.

I figured I would hang out in the beer garden to wait for Heather and Rachel. There was only ONE heater in the whole area and I have to say that my layers basically did NOTHING. By the time Mel texted to find out where I was, I was soooo cold. I felt really badly for people that hadn't brought enough clothes!

I ran over to the finish line so that we could watch them finish. Once they crossed we were out of there pretty quickly.

Thoughts:

• VERY chilly for Texas. but that meant perfect running weather for me! I was still sweating even though it was in the 30's. 
• Medal is awesome!! 30 spins and so does the star in the center! 
• Race was relatively expensive (I paid $140), but they were doing registration at the expo for only $79, which is pretty good for a city race that's point to point and requires a lot of police and road closures.
• I didn't like the shirt and gave it away, but with the 3M sponsorship, the rest of the swag is fun.
• Would I run again? Sure, it's not too much money since I have friends/family..