Race Report: Cox Rhode Race - half marathon

Finally, my 3rd Half Marathon arrived!  

 

I drove down to Providence (which is about 50 minutes from where I live) on Friday afternoon for packet pick-up and the Expo (lame, especially after attending the Boston Marathon Expo a few weeks back).  The Convention Center in Providence is attached to a Mall, so needless to say, I made the most of the situation by getting some shopping done while I was there.  :)  It was all pretty uneventful, except that I wore a pair of sandals that were a little too new, and ended up with a blister on my little toe.  stupid stupid stupid.

 

Anyway, race day was Sunday and I was all carb-loaded and foam rolled.  The alarm went off at 5:15am for a race start at 8am.  I stretched for about 15 minutes before getting out of bed (which is normal for me every day).  John got up and put on the coffee and made my protein drink - he pretty much makes my shake for me every day that we're together regardless of whose house we are at.  LOVE THAT!  We were on the road by 6:05am, which wasn't bad considering he asked me for stuff that I didn't anticipate ahead of time (I had all MY stuff packed/laid out, etc the night before).  

 

We got to the race, parked, etc and I had plenty of time to stretch and relax and pee (3 cheers for flushable toilets to use at the convention center).  About 15 minutes to start time we wandered over to the corrals and I ate my first Gu, handed over my fleece top and John went off to watch the start.   I turned on my MP3 player and then put it on pause so that I could chat up the runner next to me about his shorts since I'd wondered about them - they have exterior pockets like a cyclist jersey.  He had nothing but great things to say about them.  Anyway, when I went to turn on my MP3 player again, NOTHING. silence.  I tried everything I could think of, but nothing.  I almost spent the first mile of the race screwing with it.  I gave up, tried again at mile 4, but nothing.  I gave up.

 

I like to be identifiable, but OMG, this shirt got small.

 

 

I was feeling awfully tight before the race, in places I don't normally feel anything.  My hamstrings were awfully stiff and my quads weren't much better. Oh well.

 

The race started on a short downhill, with the Marathoners and Half Marathoners running together.  The full marathoners broke off at the top of a hill at mile 2.  I made sure I had studied a bit of the course map to know when/where that would happen, cuz I didn't want to be one of those people who goes the wrong way.  The race crew did a GREAT job of making it all VERY clear, with signs, by telling us repeatedly before the start, and again telling us as we approached the split.  I shouted a good luck to those folks, and we continued on.

 

The rest of the course was pretty flat, with the exception of one very noteworthy downhill (short, but STEEP) at mile 6.something.  It was really a lovely course, and I was very happy to see my sister, brother-in-law, nephew and niece (and their dog!) at mile 4.7 and 7.7.  I had worn my name on my shirt for people to cheer for me, but it's extra-nice when you know the people cheering for you!

 

I had been working hard at conserving on the front half of the race, and to save some kick for the end, and I wonder if not having music was helping me stay on task for the race.  I tried really hard not to look at my Garmin too much, I knew that since I felt so tight at the start (and throughout the race) that I didn't want to worry about a PR the whole way since I might hurt myself.  I just tried to feel good and enjoy the people around me, follow what I knew I needed to do, which was Gu every 4 miles or so, and walk to use my inhaler every 3-4 miles.  I carry Gatorade with me and took water at most of the stations.  Right before Mile 10 a spectator told us we were under a 10:00/mile pace, and the pretend goal in my head was a 10:30, so I was excited to see how it would turn out.  

 

I met a woman around 10.5 miles and chatted with her a bit, and as the crowds got bigger I was hearing more "GO SUE" coming from people.  I felt as good as I did the whole race, so I told myself to take one last walk to use the inhaler, one last Gu and then it was time to GO.  The scenery was gorgeous, it was sunny and high 50s outside.... I couldn't ask for more... until I rounded the last corner and could hear the PA system.  I'm pressing faster (I have to really build up to speed thanks to my asthma) and I hear "and here comes SUE" over the PA.  I laughed and was excited to hear him talk about me for 5 seconds or so.  I knew John knew I had finished - I didn't see him but he caught me with the camera before they started talking about me.  I saw the clock time at 2:19 something when I crossed, which was awesome cuz I had a few goals coming into the race.  

Goal 1: PR - anything under 2:20 was a "win"

Goal 2: 2:17 would be a 10:30 pace, which I thought was a good push, but attainable

Goal 3: 2:15  maybe for next month's race, but no complaints if I did it!

Goal 4: no STOPPING to use restroom or stretch.

 

3 out of 4 goals ain't bad!  My official time:

 

1818  2539 Sue                  Doucet                     2:17:30 10:30 2:19:18 36 1000/1450 F 292/412 F3039

 

Here's my Garmin accounting, that shows my very pride-inducing negative splits at the end.

 

I'll get that 2:15.  If not in June, then maybe in August.

 

Post-race I met up with John at our designated meeting area.  I drank a bottle of water, ate a slice of pizza, ate some pretzel MnMs, half a Twix bar, a 15g RTD Protein drink and did some stretching.  Sitting down felt good, though I worried about getting back up.  I did use the ice packs from the mini cooler on my hams, then quads, then calfs, then feet.  I enjoyed about 30 minutes of rest and food (and some clothing changes) before I went in search of my free beer.  (priorities!).  Scored a Narraganset Light and box of Coconu****er (they were giving away boxes! - 12 bottles, figured it was worth a try).  I also managed to get a shot of chocolate milk, and then we headed out.

 

20 minutes in the car was enough for my toes and calf muscles to cramp up and make John laugh at my pathetic inability to speak or get out of the car.  Jerk. standing up helped a lot, once I finally managed to get out (he undid my seatbelt at my request).  i had another bottle of water, a bottle of diet coke and half a bottle of lime coconu****er (my review is ICK).  

 

After a shower and another clothing change, I was ready - we - my family, John, my best friend Gina and her stepdaugher - went out for brun*****elebration of my birthday which is Tuesday.  

 

Good day, all around!!!

(a few action pics are on Facebook, if you are interested)

 you are such a rock star Sue.  I love the shirt, I need to make one like that for me in my next half.

Thanks!  dollar store electrical tape held the whole way!

Way to go on the PR! Can't wait to see the "First marathon" section filled in!

 Great job Sue!!!  You will get your time!!!  My first half is in 20 days...I am starting to get a little nervous!!!

Congrats!!!!!!  You are amazing!!!

rocked it!  i'm still impressed with that kick, you must have been in a full on sprint down the chute :)

You were fantastic! What a race. Felt like I was right there with you. Way to go on the PR and enjoying it. Congratulations! Love the shirt!

Jan

Great job! It sounds like the perfect race temperature wise. Awesome your shirt got people to cheer for you,  You will get that sub 2:15 for sure!

Awesome job. Having people call out your name really helps the spirit in the latter part of a race. One tip I got after my first marathon was walk down stairs backward for a while. It helps the legs recover faster and not tighten up. Good luck with your next challenge.
Rob

Great time and awesome race ! You da man , I mean you da wo-man.