Race Report-Jacksonville Marine Corps Half Marathon
Race morning we woke up at 5 am and started our routines. Well, I started mine, since this was Joel's first half marathon he didn't really have a routine yet. Then, to my horror my seafood lunch from the afternoon the day before came back to haunt me in the form of GI distress. Oh No! Not today! Not NOW!!!!! This problem went on for about 40 minutes or so, and I seriously though I was going to have to DNS and be a Sherpa to Joel for the day. Miraculously, it finally stopped, and I learned a new lesson, NO SEAFOOD BEFORE A RACE!
Made it to the race site around 6:30 am. Was glad we stayed at a hotel, had we not, we would have had to leave home at 3 am. Stood in porta potty line, and as soon as we were done doing our thing we headed to the start line and the gun went off as we approached the crowd of runners. We crossed the start mat to start our personal time and we were off.
The first 2 miles is over 2 bridges, the first one small, the second one bigger, but not huge. This is the most challenging part of the race, so when we cleared these 2 bridges I knew the rest of the race would be smooth sailing. Me and Joel stayed together for the first 3 miles. At mile 3 Joel broke away in front of me, I let him go because I knew how long this race it, I know my pace, and I knew he wouldn't be able to maintain that pace. A mile 4 I caught up to him and he stayed with me for about half a mile, he dropped his pace, I increased mine since I finally felt warmed up and I didn't see him again until after the race. The rest of the race went pretty smooth, no IT band pain, I felt good, I took a gel at mile 4 and 8. During the race I still felt like I had some lingering fatigue from ironman Louisville, but it was only a month ago.
I was rocking and rolling, then I saw something that really affected the rest of my race. At mile 10.5 I saw an older man with a bib number, meaning he was in the race, on a backboard with paramedics frantically giving him chest compressions. My heart sank and I wanted to cry. After witness that I could maintain my pace and did what I could to get to the finish line as quickly as possible. I crossed the finish line, got a medal from a Marine, and went back to the finisher's chute to wait for Joel. My time was 1:52:20. To my complete surprise, Joel came in just a few minutes later at 1:59:43. I was so proud of him for completing his first half marathon in sub 2 hours! He didn't even train for it. I would love to see what he could do if he could actually train for one.
We had an awesome time doing this race together. This was our best anniversary celebration ever. A celebration of our new life, both of us healthy and fit.
Made it to the race site around 6:30 am. Was glad we stayed at a hotel, had we not, we would have had to leave home at 3 am. Stood in porta potty line, and as soon as we were done doing our thing we headed to the start line and the gun went off as we approached the crowd of runners. We crossed the start mat to start our personal time and we were off.
The first 2 miles is over 2 bridges, the first one small, the second one bigger, but not huge. This is the most challenging part of the race, so when we cleared these 2 bridges I knew the rest of the race would be smooth sailing. Me and Joel stayed together for the first 3 miles. At mile 3 Joel broke away in front of me, I let him go because I knew how long this race it, I know my pace, and I knew he wouldn't be able to maintain that pace. A mile 4 I caught up to him and he stayed with me for about half a mile, he dropped his pace, I increased mine since I finally felt warmed up and I didn't see him again until after the race. The rest of the race went pretty smooth, no IT band pain, I felt good, I took a gel at mile 4 and 8. During the race I still felt like I had some lingering fatigue from ironman Louisville, but it was only a month ago.
I was rocking and rolling, then I saw something that really affected the rest of my race. At mile 10.5 I saw an older man with a bib number, meaning he was in the race, on a backboard with paramedics frantically giving him chest compressions. My heart sank and I wanted to cry. After witness that I could maintain my pace and did what I could to get to the finish line as quickly as possible. I crossed the finish line, got a medal from a Marine, and went back to the finisher's chute to wait for Joel. My time was 1:52:20. To my complete surprise, Joel came in just a few minutes later at 1:59:43. I was so proud of him for completing his first half marathon in sub 2 hours! He didn't even train for it. I would love to see what he could do if he could actually train for one.
We had an awesome time doing this race together. This was our best anniversary celebration ever. A celebration of our new life, both of us healthy and fit.
Jillian
Operation Iraqi Freedom Veteran, Army Wife, 3x Ironman Finisher
Very nice. Congratz to both of you. I look forward to my first 1/2 after reading the posts from you and Paul.
Jay
Jay
Jay
First 5K 5/21/2011 00:48:24
First 13 mile run 02:31:39 10/30/2011
5K Race PR 24:38 5/2013
First TRIATHLON 1:48:37 5/7/2012
Augusta Ironman 70.3 6:54:67
Half Marathon PR 1:55:39 6/8/2013 Bootlegger Half Marathon
Awesome job! to you and Joel both. I have to admit I was kinda cheering for him to beat you, sorry I always go with the underdog!
I can only dream of running a sub 2hr.
Paul C.
First 5K 9/27/20 46:32 - 11 weeks post op (PR 28:55 8/15/11)
First 10K 7/04/2011 1:03 First 15K 9/18/2011 1:37
First Half Marathon 10/02/2011 2:27:44 (PR 2:24:35)
First Half Ironman 9/30/12 7:32:04
First 5K 9/27/20 46:32 - 11 weeks post op (PR 28:55 8/15/11)
First 10K 7/04/2011 1:03 First 15K 9/18/2011 1:37
First Half Marathon 10/02/2011 2:27:44 (PR 2:24:35)
First Half Ironman 9/30/12 7:32:04
Congrats on your successful completion and also to your hubby for his first race. I can only imagine the emotions of seeing the older fella down and out. I hope he is alright.
Sian 
"If you can imagine it, you can achieve it. If you can dream it, you can become it."
Surgery Date 8/25/2011
Highest Weight 310lbs - Current Weight 154lbs - Goal Weight 175lbs
An anniversary celebration, a lesson learned, and a sweet run time...sounds like a race to remember.
As always Jill- you are my hero!
:Danni
As always Jill- you are my hero!
:Danni
:Danni >>>AIDS/LifeCycle 10 & 11 Finisher: 545miles on the bike in 7 days <<<
HW390/SW340/CW 208/GW170
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