Belated North Shore Half Marathon Race Recap

1:57:40 (8:59 average pace)

Post race showing off my medal

This race was a course PR since I have never run it before and most importantly, it was the first sub-2 that I've run since the Big Sur Half Marathon back in November 2011.  So, needless to say, I was pleased with my performance and results.

The day, however, did not start out well.  It was cold and it was drizzling.  These are good conditions to run in, but having to wait to run was not fun.  Thankfully the wait was nowhere near as bad as the wait for the Soldier Field 10 Miler.  I only had to wait 9 minutes as opposed to 26 minutes.  My legs were definitely stiff since I wasn't warm.  I really have to do something about this in the future.  Maybe I need to get there earlier so I have time to run around some so I can warm up a bit.  I was also very worried that it'd start to rain harder, but thankfully, the rain held off.

While waiting, I could have sworn that I saw this guy my mom and I chatted with last year after we all ran the 5K.  He was waiting for his "lady friend" to finish the race and he brought his awesome dog with him.  I saw them in my corral for the half.  I wanted to say something since I think he noticed me, but didn't want to be creepy so I left it alone.  I never saw them on the course so I assume that they ran faster than me.

Anyway, I had no expectations going into the race.  The 10 miler went well, but my longest runs haven't gone over that so I didn't know what to expect.  I figured that I'd go for a sub-2 since the weather was good for running.  If all else failed, I really did not want to go over 2:05 and if even worse than that - just sub-10s.

Splits per Garmin:

Miles 1 & 2: 9:28 & 9:02: The first two miles of the course were run through part of downtown Highland Park and by Ravinia.  I recognized some of the paths I ran on when I raced a 10K there in 2011.  This was the same race where an overweight man flew past me on the way to the finish.  My boyfriend was shocked upon finding out that he had finished before me.  Running along that dirt trail brought back memories of him blowing past me, but eh, it happens.  I also ran past Baker Boys and I really wanted to pull off and shove my face with cupcakes.  Alas, a pit stop was not in the cards...

Miles 3, 4 & 5: 9:02, 8:52 & 8:48: Along the way, I saw a woman wearing a shirt that says "Stronger people are harder to kill".  I decided that I didn't want her to finish ahead of me.  (Spoiler alert: she didn't!)  At this point, I also decided that I hate Sheridan Road with a burning passion.  The course had these slight elevation changes that kicked my ass.  The roads were also a little windy so I wasn't sure when we'd get off the elevation and onto some flat roads.  I thought I was going to scream if I saw another incline.  Spoiler alert: there were more of them...

Miles 6 & 7: 8:57 & 9:01: I freaked out when I thought my Garmin wasn't working because evidently I can't read the signs correctly.  I saw the 1 Mile Maker for the 5K and thought it was Mile 6 for me.  My Garmin was way off so I was starting to panic since I've become so dependent on Garmin nowadays.  Thankfully I saw Mile 6 and knew that I was still on pace to go sub-2. 

Also, what genius decided to include a hill on the course after running 7 miles?!?!  That is just wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong!!  I knew it was coming since I'm a 5K vet (2010, 2011 and 2012) and have seen this hill before.  But, I like to block it out since it kicks my ass every single time.  I tried with all my might to slow myself down on the downhill leading up to it, but I could only go so much slower.  I rounded the corner to meet my fate with the mother of all hills.  *BIG SIGH*  I knew that I had to trot up it even if it hurt since walking would cost me a lot of time.  I managed to "run" up the hill at a slower pace of 9:30 so I was pleased.

Mile 8: 9:05: Shockingly enough, the hill didn't slow me down that much.  Nevertheless, I was still desperately seeking some flatter roads.  I knew they would come as soon as I got to Fort Sheridan.

Miles 9 & 10: 8:54 & 8:56: The last split time worried me a little so I tried to speed it up some.  Along the way I saw a man running without shoes.  We ran past a group cheering and they cheered loudly for him.  He had his chip tied around his ankle.  First of all, that's got to hurt.  And second, I don't want a guy without shoes to beat me.  I think I was ahead of him, but I'm not sure.  I saw my dad entering the Fort Sheridan area as I was leaving.  We acknowledged each other and he told me to hurry.  It was nice to see him and get some support.

Miles 11 & 12: 9:02 & 8:59:  My inevitable crap out started around Mile 11 and the course just seemed to keep going and going.  However, I knew that I would break 2 hours even if it took me 20 minutes to run 2.1 miles, which I hoped would not be the case.  I bumped into two guys who were trying to keep their pace at sub-9.  We chatted for a little bit and they said I could try to hang on with them.  I tried, but they surged ahead of me.  Part of me thinks they sped up so I wouldn't chick them.

Mile 13: 8:49 & 0.12 sprint to the finish was completed in 48.30 seconds for a crazy fast pace of 6:37: On the way to the finish, I see J from my marathon training group this summer blow by me.  I was pretty much fading.  I wanted to keep up with him, but there was no use.  I finally saw the mile marker for 13 approaching and then I gunned it to the finish picking off a bunch of people with my trademark epic sprint.  Sub-2 accomplished!

After the race, I bumped into J and another runner from my marathon training group (R) as I was trying to get my finisher picture taken.  I was super excited to see them again so we took pictures together and chatted for a while.  They're both training again this summer with CARA in Libertyville.  J's moving up to the 9:30s, but R is still going to run with the 10:00s, I think.  I was excited to see familiar faces.

R and I post-race!

Unfortunately, it was not my dad's day and he took longer than he intended so I had plenty of time to wait for him.  In retrospect, I should have taken the time to stretch and get warm.

Funny/Cool things I saw while spectating:
- I saw two men finishing the race wearing Running Sucks shirts.  My first thought was to wonder why they are running the race, but I found them more hilarious than anything.  I really want to get one and run the Chicago Marathon wearing it.  But, I think it would be bad mojo... and goodness knows I need all the good mojo I can get for that one.

- Runners in matching outfits finishing the race together.  Tutus always make me smile for some reason.

- Little kids helping their parents run to the finish line & a sprint off between a kid and his dad.  I think the kid won too.


Bottom line: great race and I'd consider running it again (especially if the weather is nice and cool like this year).  The course is pretty and challenging, which made finishing it in under 2 hours feel a lot sweeter.

Post Race Week:

My legs hurt really bad post race.  Normally, they aren't sore and I can do something two days later.  However, it took me a long time to recover.  My legs hurt really bad Tuesday and my right hamstring was spasming - probably because I was dehydrated as well.  Stretching pre or post race and hydrating pre, during and post race unfortunately have never been my fortes and I definitely was paying for it.

So, I decided to enjoy the stress-free life of a runner not training for a marathon.  I decided to blow off the last week entirely and will start up again this week.  I'm using this training program.  In addition, I need to sign up for CARA's marathon training and get an injury screening so I can see what's going on with my legs.

Would someone like to lend me theirs for the summer so I can run the marathon??  I promise I'll give them back to you and I'll try to keep the black toes/ ITB issues to a minimum!