PR -Tacoma Narrows Half Marathon Race Report ! !
I now have a PR for my first Half Marathon!
First and foremost a few things to note, so I don't forget later:
1) Thanks to you all for the encouragement!
2) I DID WHERE MY TEAM SHIRT during the race. The pic below was after I changed shirts (event tech shirt) and put on workout pants over my shorts.
3) I will post a pic with team shirt as soon as the photographers have them up. I think I have to order the pics!
4) Running socks...with cusion and seamless at the toe - LOVE THEM!!!
5) I will never EVER complain about my feet hurting DURING A RACE! For most of the race I was pacing next to a soldier, running in his full gear (weighted pack, BOOTS, etc.). GOD BLESS HIM!!!
Over 800 runners started promptly at 7:30 a.m. I carpooled to the start with a friend, consumed a banana, and had about 45 minutes to stretch and walk around the small airport (starting location).Pace markers were set up, and I placed myself in between 10 and 11.
The course was paved, and most of it on paved rec trail (Scott Pierson Trail).
Miles 2-3 were on the "trail"/sidewalk, crossing the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. If you don't know what THAT view is like, I encourage you to hit Google! The morning was misty, so the view was limited, but still from that height, it was amazing, and serene. It was very quiet at the pack thinned out. At times I just focused on the clinking of my Dad's dog tags which I wore under my shirt.
There was a steep long grade at mile 3 to 4, then hilly from there on out. The last mile was flat to downhill. My legs felt pretty good! I carried my fuel belt so I didnt have to stop at stations. I carried and consumed 4 gels, one each at miles 3, 6, 9, 11.5 (Trick for me with these is to carry in my sports bra. Body heat makes them thinner and easier to gulp down.)
I did take a potty break mile 6, which cost me a couple of minutes...but at least I was assured I was hydrated! A friend's husband ran this as well. He just started running, and we will check in on FB every now and then. I am typically a bit quicker than him, but when I came out of the potty station, I saw him up ahead. I DON'T THINK SO!!! So I turned it up a bit to catch up and pass him (I am a bit competitive I guess).
Around mile 8 you enter and run the outfield at Cheney Stadium (baseball). I forgot to look up at the big jumbo tron, which showed you BIGGER THAN LIFE as you entered behind home base. Not a big deal ... I hear those cameras add 10 pounds! LOL
Hit the mile 11 marker, running next to the aforementioned soldier, and said, "THIS IS OFFICIALLY THE LONGEST DISTANCE I HAVE RAN!" He congratulated me, and said, "DO YOU FEEL GOOD!!! DO YOU FEEL GOOD!" To which I yelled, "YES! I FEEL GOOD!!". I drank some more powerade, slurped my last gel, walked a bit while doing so, then focused on his boots up ahead of me...and took off again
.
Mile 12, my feet were killing me...big time. Hammi's and Quads felt great..but feet were screaming! The crowd reported about half a mile more... HELL! I CAN DO ANYTHING FOR HALF A MILE!!!
Turned the last corner, to a downhill. I just couldn't open it all out like I usually do on downhills. It was angled, and a bit slick, so I held back speed a bit until I got to the bottom. Turned the final corner, and pulled out everything I had left in me! Ran my butt across the finish line, beating the goal I had set for myself of 2:30.
Have to admit it - after my timing chip came off, I got my water, my commemorative pint glass, and cried. Just a bit. But I feel so blessed to have been able to accomplish this (I tear up just typing about it). And yes, I have already targeted my next one for the end of September!
Here are my stats:
Bib First Name Last Name Race Age Gender Gun Time Net Time Pace
633 Kathy Pregnall Half 47 F 2:25:08 2:24:24 00:11:01
Age Division: 33 out of 46
Gender: 327 out of 467
Overall: 655 out of 843
First and foremost a few things to note, so I don't forget later:
1) Thanks to you all for the encouragement!
2) I DID WHERE MY TEAM SHIRT during the race. The pic below was after I changed shirts (event tech shirt) and put on workout pants over my shorts.
3) I will post a pic with team shirt as soon as the photographers have them up. I think I have to order the pics!
4) Running socks...with cusion and seamless at the toe - LOVE THEM!!!
5) I will never EVER complain about my feet hurting DURING A RACE! For most of the race I was pacing next to a soldier, running in his full gear (weighted pack, BOOTS, etc.). GOD BLESS HIM!!!
Over 800 runners started promptly at 7:30 a.m. I carpooled to the start with a friend, consumed a banana, and had about 45 minutes to stretch and walk around the small airport (starting location).Pace markers were set up, and I placed myself in between 10 and 11.
The course was paved, and most of it on paved rec trail (Scott Pierson Trail).
Miles 2-3 were on the "trail"/sidewalk, crossing the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. If you don't know what THAT view is like, I encourage you to hit Google! The morning was misty, so the view was limited, but still from that height, it was amazing, and serene. It was very quiet at the pack thinned out. At times I just focused on the clinking of my Dad's dog tags which I wore under my shirt.
There was a steep long grade at mile 3 to 4, then hilly from there on out. The last mile was flat to downhill. My legs felt pretty good! I carried my fuel belt so I didnt have to stop at stations. I carried and consumed 4 gels, one each at miles 3, 6, 9, 11.5 (Trick for me with these is to carry in my sports bra. Body heat makes them thinner and easier to gulp down.)
I did take a potty break mile 6, which cost me a couple of minutes...but at least I was assured I was hydrated! A friend's husband ran this as well. He just started running, and we will check in on FB every now and then. I am typically a bit quicker than him, but when I came out of the potty station, I saw him up ahead. I DON'T THINK SO!!! So I turned it up a bit to catch up and pass him (I am a bit competitive I guess).
Around mile 8 you enter and run the outfield at Cheney Stadium (baseball). I forgot to look up at the big jumbo tron, which showed you BIGGER THAN LIFE as you entered behind home base. Not a big deal ... I hear those cameras add 10 pounds! LOL
Hit the mile 11 marker, running next to the aforementioned soldier, and said, "THIS IS OFFICIALLY THE LONGEST DISTANCE I HAVE RAN!" He congratulated me, and said, "DO YOU FEEL GOOD!!! DO YOU FEEL GOOD!" To which I yelled, "YES! I FEEL GOOD!!". I drank some more powerade, slurped my last gel, walked a bit while doing so, then focused on his boots up ahead of me...and took off again
.
Mile 12, my feet were killing me...big time. Hammi's and Quads felt great..but feet were screaming! The crowd reported about half a mile more... HELL! I CAN DO ANYTHING FOR HALF A MILE!!!
Turned the last corner, to a downhill. I just couldn't open it all out like I usually do on downhills. It was angled, and a bit slick, so I held back speed a bit until I got to the bottom. Turned the final corner, and pulled out everything I had left in me! Ran my butt across the finish line, beating the goal I had set for myself of 2:30.
Have to admit it - after my timing chip came off, I got my water, my commemorative pint glass, and cried. Just a bit. But I feel so blessed to have been able to accomplish this (I tear up just typing about it). And yes, I have already targeted my next one for the end of September!
Here are my stats:
Bib First Name Last Name Race Age Gender Gun Time Net Time Pace
633 Kathy Pregnall Half 47 F 2:25:08 2:24:24 00:11:01
Age Division: 33 out of 46
Gender: 327 out of 467
Overall: 655 out of 843
| Bib | First Name | Last Name | Race | Age | Gender | Division | Gun Time | Net Time | Pace | Race Results | Video |
| 633 | KATHY | PREGNALL | HALF | 47 | F | F4549 | 02:25:08 | 02:24:24 | 00:11:01 | Results | N/A |
Every morning in Africa
It knows it must outrun the fastest lion or it will be killed.
Every morning inAfrica
It knows that it must run faster than the slowest gazelle, or it will starve.
It doesn't matter whether you're a lion or a gazelle
when the sun comes up you'd better be running.
RNY 2/9/09 Buh bye Gallbladder 8/28/09; 100% EWL (181 lbs.) on 2/19/10;
It knows it must outrun the fastest lion or it will be killed.
Every morning in
It knows that it must run faster than the slowest gazelle, or it will starve.
It doesn't matter whether you're a lion or a gazelle
when the sun comes up you'd better be running.
RNY 2/9/09 Buh bye Gallbladder 8/28/09; 100% EWL (181 lbs.) on 2/19/10;
Congrats!!!! You did a great job!!!
I love that you shared your "longest run" with the soldier. I got goosebumps! Great moment to treasure.
Welcome to being a Half Marathoner! Such an amazing achievement.
I love that you shared your "longest run" with the soldier. I got goosebumps! Great moment to treasure.
Welcome to being a Half Marathoner! Such an amazing achievement.
Read my blog, BARIATHLETE I run because I can.
First 5K race October 4, 2009 (34.59) PR 5/22/11 (27:26)
First 5 Mile: January 1, 2011 (50:30)
First 10K: July 4, 2010 (1:03.26) New PR 4/10/11 (1:01.14)
First 10 Mile: April 11, 2010 (1:46.15)
First 1/2 marathon: June 13, 2010 (2:22.21) PR: 5/1/11 (2:17.30)
First Marathon: October 16, 2011: 5:47:20
Goofy Challenge: January 7-8, 2012
If you think you can, you can. If you think you can't, you're right. - Mary Kay Ash
First 5K race October 4, 2009 (34.59) PR 5/22/11 (27:26)
First 5 Mile: January 1, 2011 (50:30)
First 10K: July 4, 2010 (1:03.26) New PR 4/10/11 (1:01.14)
First 10 Mile: April 11, 2010 (1:46.15)
First 1/2 marathon: June 13, 2010 (2:22.21) PR: 5/1/11 (2:17.30)
First Marathon: October 16, 2011: 5:47:20
Goofy Challenge: January 7-8, 2012
If you think you can, you can. If you think you can't, you're right. - Mary Kay Ash
Kathy, you are indeed part lion/part gazelle with the inner strength to set and achieve your goals. Congratulations!
Cassie
Cassie
"Hard things take time to do. Impossible things take a little longer."
I guess I'm a bit partial though! 
Morgan,
I grew up a Navy "brat", and have such tremendous respect for our military personnel, and certainly their spouses. You have a hard job too!
The soldier definately put it all in perspective. I heard someone say somewhere, a long time ago, that it is sacreligious to wear someones dog tags. But when my dad died in Dec. '09, I took his tags for my daughter to have when she reaches adulthood.
Until that time, I am their guardian, and when I wear them on my runs, the self-doubt and fear seems to slip away. I feel protected, and I know that if he could do all HE DID during Korea and Viet Nam, if he could survive losing friends during and after servcie due to service related "issues", then DAMN IT! I can get my ass out there and run. I can run away from the diabetes and heart disease that he had. I can fly down the hills like a little kid running to her dads arms.
So I get it. I get the tearing up around the soldier. Truth be told, I tear up still thinking about it. Goose bumps. Surreal.
Hugs to you and your family during this second deployment! God Speed to your Hubby!
Every morning in Africa
It knows it must outrun the fastest lion or it will be killed.
Every morning inAfrica
It knows that it must run faster than the slowest gazelle, or it will starve.
It doesn't matter whether you're a lion or a gazelle
when the sun comes up you'd better be running.
RNY 2/9/09 Buh bye Gallbladder 8/28/09; 100% EWL (181 lbs.) on 2/19/10;
It knows it must outrun the fastest lion or it will be killed.
Every morning in
It knows that it must run faster than the slowest gazelle, or it will starve.
It doesn't matter whether you're a lion or a gazelle
when the sun comes up you'd better be running.
RNY 2/9/09 Buh bye Gallbladder 8/28/09; 100% EWL (181 lbs.) on 2/19/10;
Thanks everyone! I already have my eye on the You Go Girl Half in September. This was a great experience. Not the fastest time, but not a bad starting place for my PR.
It was touching on several levels!
Thanks again you all!
Kathy
It was touching on several levels!
Thanks again you all!
Kathy
Every morning in Africa
It knows it must outrun the fastest lion or it will be killed.
Every morning inAfrica
It knows that it must run faster than the slowest gazelle, or it will starve.
It doesn't matter whether you're a lion or a gazelle
when the sun comes up you'd better be running.
RNY 2/9/09 Buh bye Gallbladder 8/28/09; 100% EWL (181 lbs.) on 2/19/10;
It knows it must outrun the fastest lion or it will be killed.
Every morning in
It knows that it must run faster than the slowest gazelle, or it will starve.
It doesn't matter whether you're a lion or a gazelle
when the sun comes up you'd better be running.
RNY 2/9/09 Buh bye Gallbladder 8/28/09; 100% EWL (181 lbs.) on 2/19/10;
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