Northshore Half Marathon and 5K Race Recap - Dad's First Half Marathon!

My parents and I absolutely adore this race.  The course is really beautiful and the 5k takes place in a residential area in Highland Park.  Also, today is a special day since it's my Dad's first half marathon.

Let me just tell you about my Dad for a little bit.  He's super freaking awesome and I am SO PROUD of him for running his first marathon at the age of 65 (!).  The fact that he's still able to run 3 days a week consistently and run races and bet people way younger than him just amazes me.  I can only hope to still be running when I'm his age!  He can run a 5k under 30 (if he's having a good day), which is better than some people my age!

I posted a picture of Dad and his medal on Facebook and so many of our family and friends have commented on it.  He finished in 2:41:01.  He wanted to run a 2:30, but he started to feel cramps and had a tough time from the 10 mile marker onward.  But, he finished!

Anyway, I decided to run the 5K despite my ITB acting funky.  I had my mom tape it beforehand.  The KT tape works wonders!  I didn't feel it pulling at all either.  I figured that I'd start conservatively and try to just go under 27.  Ideally, I wanted to go sub 25, but with the heat that might not be possible.

I finished in 24:32.  I was the 5th person out of 91 in my age group, the 80th overall and the 22nd woman out of 610.  I'm a little bummed that I missed an age group prize - especially since I know I could have run faster if it wasn't so hot!  But, at least I broke 25!

Mile 1: 7:39!  The start line was moved up a bit so I felt like we ran around the residential area more before we approached my arch enemy.  Mr. Hill.  There is this sweet downhill on the way to mile one where you can really let it fly.  I "fly" conservatively because again, I didn't want my ITB to snap up on me.  I pick off some people who don't know how to take advantage of downhills.

Soon, I'm at the hill on Egandale Road and thankfully I've seen this hill before so it's not new.  People are walking around me and I'm able to pick off some people who have decided to trot and walk up the hill.  For some reason, I do really well until we are almost at the top.  At the top, I start to lose it, but I'm still moving along at a good pace and most importantly, I'm feeling awesome!

Mile 2: 7:52.  I get to mile two at about 15:30 and I'm pleased.  I know that I can so sub 25 for sure and now, I'm thinking about sub 24.  My course record is a 23:01, which was run last year when the weather was cloudy and in the 60s.  I doubt this will happen now, but so long as I can go sub 25:15 (my last 5k disaster) then I will be happy.

Mile 3: 7:40!  Almost negative splits!  I start to pick it up a bit and try to pick out people in front of me that I can pass up.  I can see packs of people in front of me and I try my best to catch up to them.  There is also a little incline in the last mile, which isn't fun especially when you're tired!!

I could have sworn that I broke 24, but the official results don't lie. I was incredibly pleased with my effort.

I went back to find my Mom and we sat in the shade and ate for a while before we went to Starbucks.  We went back and sat under a tent and made some new friends while waiting for my dad.  I talked to a woman who is in her 60s and has been running since 1981.  She was waiting for her husband, a lawyer, who once ran a marathon in 3:23, but now just runs to finish since he's been injured so many times.  Again, I was in awe of her because at 60, she finished her 5k in about 27/28 minutes.  If only I can be that good at that age!!

I made friends w/ a young man wearing Vibrams and toting a really cute Dachshund Chiuaua mix named Rosie.  He was waiting for his girlfriend who was running her first half marathon.  He was going to run it too, but he didn't feel trained enough and didn't want to risk injuring himself since he teaches dance for a living.

Mom met a friend and we hung out by the road leading to the finish.  Dad texted my mom to tell her that his legs were cramping so he was walking it out, but had less than a mile to go.  We finally see him coming up the way and he was walking, but he was able to trot it into the finish.  He got his medal and we met him to chat for a while.  Again, I was SUPER proud of him!

Gear: Red Nike legend short sleeved tee, black tempo track shorts with red side piping, white Asics socks and white RAM racing hat.
Shoes: Brooks Pure Flow Black & Blue shoes

On Tuesday, I get my ITB looked at.  Hopefully it's not too bad and I can do a little rehab and still run at home with the help of KT tape.  I really want to go to my first long run of the marathon training if I can make it.  But, we shall see.

Happy running to all and hope you are having a great weekend!  Take advantage of the sunny day and get out there!