Rock the Parkway Half Marathon Recap
Welp, half marathon #4 is in the books.
I just realized that in the last year I have run four half marathons and a full marathon. That is pretty bananas! That’s almost one major race every other month. I’ve also done three 5Ks and a 4-miler on top of that. Not too shabby.
Anyway, I had PB&J for breakfast today. I was feeling extra confident today because our new church delivered us a loaf of bread yesterday, and the bag had a Bible quote on it, so obviously this was not your average bread. I like to think it was a little lucky.
Also, this bread is really good.
My wonderful husband got out of bed early on a Saturday to play chauffeur. We left the house by 6:30, and made it to the starting line by 7:05. It was chilly! I think it was around 42 degrees at this point with some decent wind. I wore throwaway gloves and the random Pittburgh Half Marathon long-sleeved tech t-shirt I got for free at the RnR Chicago expo over my Chicago Marathon short-sleeved shirt. I figured I wouldn’t be heartbroken if I had to part with it along the course.
As soon as I got out of the car, I heard someone ask, “Are you Brie?” and it was one of my readers! Hi, Rachel! I hope you got your 1:50 today!
Other than the chill, it was a beautiful, clear day.
I started with the 2:10 pace group, but didn’t stick with them for super long. They were taking long breaks at water stations, and I knew that wouldn’t work for me. For the first half of the race, I was running probably 2 minutes ahead of the 2:10 pacers.
The first half of the course was basically a constant slow uphill. There were a few small downhills, but it was basically a straight slog up. I ditched my throwaway gloves at mile 4 and took off my long-sleeved tee and tied it around my waist at mile 5 since I was starting to warm up. (I was going to toss the shirt, and then thought, hey, I just ran a half with a frigging tutu around my waist, this is nothing!)
Around the halfway point, the hills started going from tolerable to WTF level with steeper inclines. I let the 2:10 pace group pass me for awhile, then caught up with them at a water station around mile 7, and then let them pass me again. It was a little rough watching them go, but at some point, I just realized that I can only do so much.
Miles 7 through 10 were rough. The pacing strategy handout on the website describes miles 7 and 8 as “rolling” and miles 9 and 10 as “gently rolling.” I honestly enjoyed having hills a bit because they kept things interesting—what goes uphill must come down, which was nice—but they were just unfortunately placed. I always have my hardest time, mentally, in halves from miles 7-9, and the steep inclines were hurting me. I also really had to pee and my stomach was bugging me a little.
(Also, hi to the couple of readers that said hi to me during that point in the race! I think I need to get a Brie Fit racing shirt.)
At that point, I started taking a few short walk breaks—under 20 seconds every half mile. This really got me through those tough miles and I did this from miles 7 to 11. My average pace slowed, but not by much.
Thankfully, there was one big hill in mile 11, and once we reached the top it was basically straight downhill for the rest of the race. (Thank. Goodness.)
I ran the rest of the way from the top of that hill at mile 11.5 through the finish at 13.1. Tim was waiting at mile 13 with the camera and took this epic picture.
Running is super fun, you guys.
I crossed the finish line strong with an official chip time of 2:18:00. I grabbed my medal, water, and a space blanket and collapsed on the grass.
The medal was still in a plastic baggie, my one beef with this race—can’t you unwrap them and put them on us? Every other race I’ve done with medals, no matter how pathetic, will put them on your neck. If they can do that for 30,000 people in Chicago, they can do it for 5,000 here.
Anyway, the medal is yooge and I like it. I also enjoyed the space blanket. The last few miles were windy and I was feeling a bit chilly.
(Random: I got a pair of Oakleys with a gift card for running and they are pretty fantastic. They don’t budge or fog when you’re running, AND I no longer look like the d-bag running in giant tortoiseshell sunglasses like I am in all my other race recaps. They are a sound investment!)
Afterwards, Tim drove us home (with windows open, because man, I smelled), and I showered (with soap, lots of it, per his request) and then had a recovery cocktail.
Chocolate milk. It upset my stomach, so I waited awhile, but now I’m putting on my favorite indulgence for lunch:
You guys, this would be my last meal if I was on death row. (Or at least a part of it.) Amazing.
And because it’s been way too long since I’ve regaled you with a picture of a giant blister, here you go!
I feel pretty good aside from aforementioned blister and a couple of toenails that need to fall off. My legs feel a million times better than they did after my first half.
SO. It wasn’t 2:10, and it wasn’t a PR, but it was my second fastest half to date, and I shaved about 5 minutes off my last half just a month ago on a MUCH more difficult course. I feel pretty awesome about that. I felt strong for most of it, and tackled some pretty gnarly hills without doing much hill training. I also finished with very little gas in the tank—maybe not totally on empty, but I think my fuel light was definitely on. So to speak.
I don’t know if this a problem or a strength, but I mentioned to Tim on the way home that I just can’t get too terribly worked up about race times. I’m running distances that make most people go, “WTF?” and eight minutes does not change how awesome that is. I’m proud of myself. The fact remains that for the first 25 years of my life, I did not think there was any way I could accomplish the things I’m doing now, and I’m not going to split hairs.
Anyway, I’m not currently sure what’s up next on my schedule—I don’t think I’ll do any more halves until the fall, and am just going to work on speed and weight training for the summer. I plan to race some shorter distances, but nothing too long!
Thanks for all your support, guys!
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Congrats! Sounds like a great race! There is nothing like having finished a race you feel good about.
Great job!!! You rock! Also, that mac and cheese looks delicious!!
Congrats Brie! Great Race!
(And the spirals are totally the best!)
Alisha in Ohio recently posted..I must have learned something yesterday
True story. Mac and cheese shapes of any kind > original.
Good lord, that’s an epic blister!!
Congrats on your race! That course sounds tough. It may not have been a PR, but your time is still really good. Also, I love the pic Tim took of you.
Abby recently posted..Welcome Back- Winter
Congrats on a good solid race!
At my last race – the Team Ortho Get Lucky 7K – they didn’t have the medals out of the plastic wrap either. If you have enough volunteers to clip together 4 safety pins for the bibs then you should be able to unwrap the medals. I mean, you’ll need volunteers after the race to pick up all the plastic wrap that doesn’t make it into the garbage when the racers are done. Yeah, a legit peeve if you ask me!
heidi @ runaroundaroo recently posted..Snow! Again! It’s probably karma…
I think they were short on volunteers at that race, but the people handing out the medals could have just done it. It was kind of disappointing.
Nice work lady!!!
Kierstan @ Life {and running} in Iowa recently posted..new wheels
Great job on the race! Hope that blister heals soon!
Savannah @ seesavannahmarathon recently posted..Three Tangent Thursday
Congrats on a successful race! And yeowch what a blister!!!!! Are those new shoes not working out? I don’t know how you ran on that, wow. I think your attitude about race times is healthy. I spent so much time at the Disney race stressing about my time that I barely enjoyed the race. Running should be fun, you know? We should all remember that no matter what the time is, it is an accomplishment. Congrats on another great race!
I’m not sure if it’s the new shoes or the fact that they shaved off my calluses when I got a pedicure a few weeks ago. I had a pretty nice one built up there!
Great job Brie! And thanks for the reminder that running 13.1 is quite a feat, no matter what your time is. I need to focus on that a little more when racing and just be grateful that God gave me this body that is healthy and fit enough to accomplish that.
Agreed. I feel very blessed to be able to do what I do, no matter how fast!
Way to go, Brie! I ran the RTP half this morning too-it was much hillier than I thought it would be. Hope you are having a relaxing afternoon!
Congrats on finishing your race strong. Your perspective is wonderful and someday you’ll get that 2:10, but for now, you’re right. Just be thankful that your body can move and run 13.1 miles. Great job!!
Oh, and that’s one rad blister.
alison recently posted..Regretfully Aging
There were far worse blisters in the early days of The Fit Bride. If you check out my posts from early 2009…this is nothing!
Congrats! And um, chocolate milk is basically my reason for running
Congrats! That’s awesome. I like the epic photo too. I look like a tard in EVERY race photo I have. That’s reason enough to run another race, right?
Congratulations on your half marathon finish! I think 2:18 is a fantastic time as you did just run 13.1 miles and many people can’t!
That’s quite the blister you have!! Hopefully it heals soon
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Congrats Lady!!!!
Jessica recently posted..Sunday Rambles
What a perfect day for me to stumble upon your blog — I did the Rock the Parkway 10K last year! I’m so glad that the weather was better for your race. Mine was just above freezing and raining the whole time! I’ve never been so cold…
Sounds like it was a great race for you! Congrats!
Mimi recently posted..Let’s talk about it…
Great job! I like what you said about your time (which I think was fantastic). You are so right. When I get caught up in worrying about my race times I will remember this. Before last year I didn’t run. Now I routinely run anywhere from 3-10 miles. I will run my second half marathon this summer. It’s not about my time. It’s about the fact that I can run 13 miles and enjoy it. Thank you for changing my perspective on this.
Great job! I am impressed and inspired!
Congrats! Love the pic of you and the medal!
Lindsey recently posted..CrossFit Competition
And the answer’s Chipotle. ALWAYS Chipotle
Lindsey recently posted..CrossFit Competition
Congrats on completing another race! Your husband took some nice shots of you!
Antoinette recently posted..Grooming the fur kids
Congrats on the race!
That blister looks interesting. Hopefully it heals up soon and was that Bubbles in the background of that pic?
What type are the Oakley sunglasses are you wearing? I have been on the hunt for some that do not fog up. Thanks!
I LOVE macaroni and cheese in the bluebox. It tastes AMAZE.
Deva (Voracious Vorilee) recently posted..Just Some Nacho-Makin
Congrats on a strong race! Hope that blister heals up soon…yee-ouch.
Lisa@Cow Spots and Tales recently posted..Fun Stuff and Such
Congrats again on a great race! I love your pics! Uhm, and that blister is ginormous. gross!!
Jena recently posted..Race Report- Suncoast Sprint
Congrats! You are inspiring as always
Great job Brie! Congrats on a great race, PR or no.
Congrats on the race! You are definitely right that its all about finishing, and coming this far!!
It was great meeting you this morning
I’m super glad the weather turned around for us. And I think I forgot about the extent of the rolling hills from last year..but I pulled through and met my goal. Hopefully I will see you around at other races and such.
Great job, Brie! You are such an inspiration!
I’m so glad I found your blog! I <3 eggs and am wondering if you could share your fritatta recipe?
I'm training for a half, and any time I run more than 7 miles I get major knee pain. After running my first half I did PT and I've been keeping up with those stretches, but even when I run 8 or 9 miles I get knee pain. 7 miles, no pain. Any advice?
3 eggs, 4 egg whites, 1/3 c. milk, sprinkle in a little salt/pepper/chives/ground mustard and add whatever cheese and veggies you like. Bake in greased muffin tins for about 25 minutes at 350!
If you’re having knee pain, see a doctor! Knee pain is not something I’ve ever dealt with, luckily.
Congrats! I totally agree with you on not getting worked up over race times. I ran my slowest 10 mile race to date yesterday, but hey, I was out running 10 miles at 7:40 in the morning, which is more than most people can say!
What a great race! Congrats Brie! And yes, Mac n Cheese is awesome. Especially mixed with Greek yogurt.
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