Race Recap: Runner's World Half Marathon

This past weekend I took a trip up to Pennsylvania for two important reasons: 1. To see Steven & go to the shiny place. I've been craving some good 'ol diner food 2. To run the Runner's World Half Marathon
It worked out perfectly that the race was happening the weekend I planned to go visit Steven. I was going to be in big trouble if I had to try and find a route by myself to do my long run. I was lucky!
The backdrop for the race was the old Bethlehem Steel. At one point in time, Bethelehem Steel was the second-largest steel producer in the U.S. I thought it was so neat!

The expo was held on Friday and Saturday. We chose to go on Saturday around noon, so we got to also watch the Eukanuba one-mile dog run from above. It was so fun to see all the different breeds of dogs who were running! Everything from a yorkie to a pitbull to 3 golden retrievers dressed as football players/referees.
The expo was inside the ArtsQuest building. It has 4 floors and the expo was spread among them which was PERFECT because it didn't feel too cramped. The first floor was the cafe, some Runner's World gear & books and the bib pick up. The second floor was the shoe lab and a couple of tables promoting Bethelem and local races. The third floor was the "main expo" with things you can buy, free water, Moe's had some food samples, treadmills, bondibands and sweaty bands were there to represent, as well as PRO Compression - which is the only place I bought something. I finally went for it and bought some calf sleeves. I really think they will help - and was told a million times while looking at them - that they will help me on these super long runs. The fourth floor was t-shirt pick up!

The race was Sunday morning at 8:00. I got up around 6:15 or so and ate some belVita breakfast biscuits which I got for free at the expo. OOOOOHHHHH my word. They are amazing. Didn't have any tummy problems running so I give a thumbs up. We got to the race at 7:00 and found great parking - woo! - then headed to the ArtsQuest building. Did the whole stretch/bathroom/shot bloks routine and then walked to the starting line around 7:40. It was in the 40's so I was trying to stay inside the building for as long as possible! Steven and I parted ways at this point - he went up to the 1-mile mark to wait for me.

Since I was running this as my "training run" for the week, I settled back with the 2:10 pace. I didn't want to run too hard. That put me at a 9:55 pace, which was perfectly comfortable for a hilly 13.1. I stayed with the pace group for the first 8 miles, then I picked it up a bit after the big hills were done and ran on my own.   Here is the 2:10 pacer. Shout out to Ingrid! Very encouraging the whole way:

Picture courtesy of Runner's World

If you look under her right arm - the grey shirt is me! Also a bit of my pink compression sleeve between her legs.   Some fun things about the race: - RW editors running with you! It was so fun to see Runner's World editors and staff members running the race with us. David Willey just came breezing on through cheering everyone on. Then Bart Yasso was high-fiving at the finish line - and really could be seen everywhere helping out. It was awesome!   - Guy handing out free twizzlers if you smiled - "Twerk for a skirt" Free running skirt, all ya gotta do is TWERK IT! -  Lots of music, cheerleaders, bands along the course - Lots of support from the town - Finish is mostly downhill and really exciting   Here I am at about the 10 mile mark:

  Kudos to Steven for that picture! Whenever I know someone is taking a picture of me running, I try to do the smile/thumbs up. It says: "Hey, I'm doing fine and having fun!", which is typically the case. Plus I hate pictures of me running where I look MISERABLE. Trash.     My official results:

  I am so happy with how I ran this race.  Stayed conservative, picked it up for some negative splits in the end, and still felt like I had some juice in the end. Perfect training run I would say. And I felt pretty darn good for having done 18 the previous weekend.

Overall I have nothing but positive things to say about this race! I am so thankful for Steven who ran around the course to see me at 3 different points - and bless his heart had to sprint to see me at the finish. Shouldn't have picked up my pace... :)
If you're looking for a fun, supportive, beautiful and challenging half-marathon, this is it! I would absolutely run this race again and hope to in the future!

Race Recap :: Hokie Half Marathon

My 3rd half marathon is in the books!  

Yesterday I woke up at 5:15 to get ready for the Inaugural Hokie Half Marathon right here in Blacksburg.  It was really weird to be sleeping in my own bed and be getting ready in my house for such a big race -- normally I have traveled and am staying in a hotel.
The race started around 7 am so Mom, Sadie and I left the house at 6:15. It was about 49 degrees, which sounds colllldddd but when you're about to run 13.1 miles it sounds awesome! I kept my sweatshirt on until about 5 minutes before the gun. I met up with one of my really good friends Sara and her husband Dave who I've done a couple training runs with! She is awesome!!

Me, Sara & her husband Dave

  This race is new and therefore the course is new. Part of the course is on the Huckleberry Trail which is the most popular trail in town...or rather the only one. #smalltownprobs However the first 4 miles were on a main road which I never run on because it's so busy so it felt weird to be running there. There was only 1 hill in the first 4 miles and it was pretty minor. On the Huckleberry, which is 6 miles, there are about 4ish hills, most of which are pretty decent.  Again, though, I train on this trail so I knew when I needed to push and when I needed to save some energy.

About to get on the Huckleberry:

"Hi Sadie!"

I took Gu at miles 4 and 10. Kind of odd timing, but I had to go with the flow. All worked out well with water stops!

The course had high school bands and small musical groups throughout which was really fun! I'm all about crowd support so it was nice to hit the pockets of people cheering on the sideline.  Special shout out to the rescue crew at the halfway point on the Huckleberry - y'all were awesome!
The last 3.1 miles were on neighborhood roads, back on the Huckleberry for a teeny bit - which was a little tight since there were people running in both directions, but fun since we got some high-fives - and then into the Corporate Research Center for the finish.  The first half of the last mile was flat, but then you hit an uphill.  I knew this was coming so I made sure to keep some juice in my legs for it, and I was fine. The last .2 or so was completely downhill. An AWESOME finish through a huge crowd of cheering and another band. My high school coach, who is the ring leader for all of the races around here, was announcing people as they finished. He's great!  

"Yay, downhill!"

My finishing time was 2:03:00. I'm super happy with this time on a hilly course & being in the middle of marathon training. Sidenote: it was ALL worth it for the 2 shirts we got AND the sweet Hokie Bird medal!
Overall, this was an awesome first Hokie Half and I can't wait to run this race again and again!!

National Running Day :: I'm Marathon-ing!

Not today, but in 163 days I will be a marathoner!
In honor of today being National Running Day, I thought I would share my fall plans with y'all.  I might add some other small local races for fun.
So far, I have these races lined up: June 22: Downtown Sundown 5K September 15: Hokie Half Marathon November 16: Richmond Marathon

My big brother surprised me by paying for my registration for "America's Friendliest Marathon" for graduation, and my Dad gifted me with a Garmin Forerunner 110, so I'm super pumped to get to training! Ideally I wish I were living in Richmond and could participate in their training group, but I'm confident that I'll be able to train just fine here on the hills of Blacksburg. Of course not without my trusty Hal Higdon training plan!
It's intimidating to think I'm going to run 22 miles and NOT have a cheering section, medal or free food to greet me at the end of that training run, but with each run I just think how worth it it will be to be able to make it to that finish line and the sense of accomplishment I will feel.
My older brother is running it as well, however I'm not sure if we'll try and stay together or not.  I think he's probably going to run faster than me!  I'm just trying to keep moving and finish :)
If anyone has ANY marathon training/racing advice, I would love it!
Now, get out there and run today! Even if you aren't a runner, 1 mile is better than nothing :)

Happy Running!

Half Marathon...in Blacksburg!

Calling all runners!!
Come run the beautiful streets and trails of Blacksburg with me this fall!
Announcing: The Hokie Half Marathon September 15, 2013

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SO PUMPED FOR THIS!
For those who know Blacksburg, you are probably thinking this won't be the easiest race. And you are right.  It starts at the CRC, runs down South Main St all the way to the mall, runs down the length of the Huckleberry, runs up Preston, down Airport, then back on the Huckleberry and towards the CRC to the finish!
Definitely won't be the easiest half this season, but I'm excited to be a part of a new tradition in here Hokie country.
Ready to sign up yet??? :) Find registration here :)

Speaking of running...I've started my "Runner's Bucket List" which I would like to share on the blog soon to get some input! I'd love to see if any of y'all have run the races I have in mind! I'd also love some advice for taking the next step towards running a full. Keep an eye out for that!
Have a great week!

Yuengling Shamrock Anthem 1/2 Marathon

My second 1/2 marathon is in the books! Last Saturday we headed down to the 757 for race weekend. This was pretty much the best weekend ever...finishing out Spring break with a race & St. Patty's Day!   This was my brother James' first half-marathon which also made this very exciting. We picked a great race for his first! So flat. It was a nice relief from my hilly Blacksburg training runs.    For anyone looking to run their first half-marathon, or even just looking for a fun, fast race...this is it!   Our first green drinks of the weekend...and mimosas! When on vacation...

At the expo!

I can't see these things and not get a picture!

Haha this one cracks me up!

CAN YOU BELIEVE they had this shirt? Apparently I was the first Hokie fan to walk through! Of course I had to buy it.

Arriving at our hotel!

Didn't mind having this view from our room. Just wish it were warmer!

"Woohoo we're here!"

My outfit for the race. It was in the 40s, and yes the beginning was freezing, but I felt great while running! The headband is from bondiband (got it at the expo) and I loved it! Great no-slip, wide headband that you can use to cover your ears as well as keep your hair back.

6:45, ready to start!

I moved up to Corral 3 because...well, I do what I want. I tried to get up with my brother to find the 1:52 pacer but couldn't find him.

And, WE'RE DONE!

Reached our goals!

Official chip timing - was impressed to receive this in an email! This race was so organized.

With our sweet finishers blankets at the sand castle - those blankets were the PERFECT thing to receive...it was so windy/cold when we finished!

The perks of having Yuengling sponsor...4 free beers. Holla.

Very crowded beach tent! And this is only a fraction of the half-marathoners.

 Peeking down at the marathoners from our hotel!

Post race lunch at Beach Pub

More green drinks!

Went to the Virginia Aquarium!

So fun!

The river otters! My absolute favorite.

Last green drinks of the weekend at our hotel! These were so delish.

Overall I had an amazing weekend. I am so glad that I signed up for this race and pushed myself through the cold, sometimes snowy, training runs. It all paid off to reach my goal of running under 2 hours.   I'm already looking for my next race to sign up for in the upcoming months. Any suggestions? Also trying to decide whether I should take the leap into full marathon training. Any advice/suggestions would be appreciated :) Have a great Tuesday!