New pro racing tip! Don’t jinx yourself days before the race:
Look at me and Kelly, being so smart, discussing race strategy ahead of time so no hard feelings/disappointment come on race day. Look at me above, mentioning I might fall. Look at me below, all bloodied up and dirty during the race:
Ha ha.
But. That is not what this race was about! This race was all about Kelly going sub 2:00! That was all I cared about. Kelly shared her training plan with me early this year, and we tweaked it together, planning how she could get in just below 2:00. Her goal wasn’t to go all out blazing, but to run her first sub 2:00 and feel good finishing. We trained together a lot – in crazy weather, at crazy early hours, at crazy paces, when we were feeling crazy…
And she was successful! I am so proud of her! But, I didn’t get to see her finish. Which was a previously discussed contingency plan. Just one I hoped we wouldn’t have to execute!
Like every other year, the Wisconsin Marathon and Half had really decent weather. All week it was cool, rainy and overcast. I was so hoping for those conditions for race day, as the sun seems to be my kryptonite, and this course is not shaded. We got the cool (low 40s and 15 mph wind, yay) but not the overcast – really sunny. It was cool by the lake at the start, but even as we were in the starting corrals, I ripped off my arm warmers and was happy to be in shorts and a tank. And I got really warm on the course. I am happy it was not warmer!
Kelly and I had a set plan – use the crowded-ness of the first few miles to keep us from going out too fast (aiming for a 9:09 pace) then Kelly would pick it up in the last few miles, as she has a great finishing kick (and I hoped I could hang on).
And like I mentioned above, apparently also in the plans, falling. Like, in the first 3 minutes of the race. The ground was a bit slick (I fell in an area similar to the photo above) and I completely wiped out. Scuffed up my knees, hands, got dirt all over my shorts, tank, bib, and sunglasses. Ha ha. Kelly and a very nice gentlemen helped me up, and I tried to brush/laugh it off… but my hands swelled right away and felt weird. Anyway.
We stayed right on plan for the first 7ish miles. Good pace, not running too fast, pumping our arms on the uphills, cruising on the downhills. Not talking too much, but smiling and feeling good. It was really fun to see Steven and Valerie‘s husband, Tyler, who was helping Steven take photos.
I had fun joking around with Kelly, telling her not to wave her arms so excitedly at her husband and to save her energy. Ha ha. We were doing great.
Until, I wasn’t! Ugh. At mile 9, which is in the middle of a “hilly” out and back, my wheels started falling off. Kelly got ahead, and I yelled at her to keep going. I knew I wouldn’t catch her, and stopped to give her husband my pace band (to give to her). And stopped some more with other spectators to ask how she was doing. And looked all over for her at the last out and back and yelled as much encouragement as I could. And kept thinking about her and hoping she would get her sub 2:00.
I felt bad, and almost cried when I hugged Kelly at the finish (she got 1:59:39! my time was 2:06:53 – lots of screwing around in the last few miles*). But she was happy with her time and said she was grateful I kept her from going too fast in the beginning so she wouldn’t die in the end. And that made me feel better. As did her taking me to the medic tent to get cleaned. Ha ha. I never stopped during the race to get my wounds cleaned. I didn’t at my trail 50K** (where it’s totally acceptable to fall, unlike a road race), why would I here?!
But sigh, I’ve really been a shit pacer this year. Time to get my shit together. Hopefully?!
Anyway! As usual, it was fun to see a zillion people I know doing this race! A lot of my multisport club:
people I’ve met through my running club:
blogger buds like Bobbi, Rachel (pictured), Valerie, Anne, Erin and Bethany:
and, like the last two years, Andrew (Steven’s brother) ran the race, and my father-in-law came to spectate:
The Wisconsin Half Marathon is always such an emotional and hectic day. So many friends with amazing goals, just trying to see all those friends, sometimes pacing someone… I can’t wait to see what next year will bring. Gotta keep the streak alive!
I’ve done this half every year since the inaugural – it’s fantastically organized, close to my house, and a lot of fun. Have you done any races every year since the inaugural year?
*Including a running club friend running by and telling me they wished they had my backpack, then me giving them a swig of it. Ha ha.
**I did joke to Kelly that I liked battle wounds and loved that Dean Karnazes commented on mine at my 50K. Where were you today, Dean, huh?
Shit pacer? No way! You picked yourself up and kept going – that’s an amazing pacer! That would have rattled me for sure! Congratulations to Kelly on hitting her goal! How smart that you guys discussed race strategy BEFORE the race. I’m really happy and proud of you guys!
Aww, thanks. I am super proud of her! And you know how pushy I am about pre-race discussions of strategy… lol. 😉
A shit pacer doesn’t keep running after busting themselves up! But maybe I should come run it with you next year to give you a shot at redemption? lol
Ha ha. A shot at redemption of pacing someone for sub 2:00 on this course? Sounds like a plan! Come on out! 🙂
Congrats for keeping on keeping on! If it is any consolation, I ran in your general vicinity for most of the half (I did the full) and I didn’t notice any dirt. I wanted to say hi but I didn’t want to seem like a stalker. 🙂
Aww! I wish you would have said hi! Ha. Happy you didn’t notice any dirt. How did your full go?
If our paths cross again I definitely will! 🙂 My full went great – so glad I chose Wisconsin for my first marathon. Just the right size and it was easy-peasy to travel from northern IL! 🙂
Aww, congrats on your first!!!! I am happy it went so well! Do you have any other races on the calendar?
How cool that you’ve done the race very year!! I haven’t ever done that I don’t think. I did a couple of first-year races last year though. Maybe I should make a point of doing one of them yearly.
Sorry the race didn’t go as planned. 🙁 At least you were able to finish!!
Yes! If it’s not too late. Ha ha. It’s fun to have done “all” in a series 😉
Too bad about the fall (do you think you jinxed yourself by mentioning it in your message?) but you still finished strong IMO! Very, very cool you’ve done the race for the past 6 years!
I must have jinxed it! It was just so odd!
I plan to keep doing this race… I hope nothing important gets in the way. Ha ha.
Dang road bump! Sounds like you did a great job pacing – providing your friend with pacing and tons on encouragement. Her mind was probably distracted thinking about your fall which kept her from thinking about herself. I enjoyed that run last year and will maybe do it again.
I think that was a distraction for her! 🙂
You should do it again! Ride your bike over on Friday then run the race! 😉
I cannot even imagine pacing someone….the pressure, the responsibility let alone trying to keep my senses and run prescribed paces at prescribed times. Kudos to you for taking on the task. So glad you were able to have a plan that took into account multiple scenarios. It’s funny when I saw Kelly at mile 11, I wasn’t worried about her, but rather you. I knew Kelly could get her PR. But when you came up shortly after I was glad to see you were in such good spirits. One of your best qualities: you always have a smile on your face. You are a positive force to be reckoned with. I am so very thankful I know you and get to spend. Couple of days each week with you. Rock on!!
Thanks 🙂 I was so excited that Kelly asked me to help and wanted her to succeed so badly… that was all I cared about! I told her I was trying so hard to stay zen and only focus on her performance at the race (when I knew a ton of other people there, had guests in town, all these other things going on, etc.). Now I am rambling, but I just feel so happy she had a good race! And that I (we!) got to be a part of it.
And thank you for your very nice words and for thinking of me when you saw her solo! I was so happy to hear from you that she was on track! I knew she would be… but had to check. Ha ha!
Laughing reading Dawn’s comment, because when I saw you at 11.5 I was feeling the same way. Confident you’d gotten Kelly to a good place for her to finish strong, but worried about YOU (and I didn’t even know then that you’d fallen)…you are no shit pacer – you are a great pacer and friend!
Ha ha, thanks! Sorry to make you guys worry! I should have made our plan more public. 😉
Shit pacer! No way!! I definitely need to run with you. 🙂 Again, great job!!
I’ve done this race before but can’t remember the year. I do know that I have the same medal as the one on the left.
Thanks!
Which medal? They are in order from year from L to R – 2009 – 2014 🙂
You are an amazing pacer, especially after a rocky start! Great job ladies!
Thanks!
Oh my goodness! What a way to start a race! And I think you were awesome that you were still taking care of your friend and helping her even when you were not with her! Congrats to Kelly for taking that race and owning it!
Thank you 🙂
I definitely love going back to certain races, year after year. There is something about being able to compare the experience that is really cool. As others have said, it seems that you were a great pacer, helping her realize her goal. Congrats on your finish, by the way!
Yes! I do like that! And it helps to have the advantage of knowing the course!
Thank you 🙂
Dude!!! Ouch!! You ran in despite that when I think a fall with swelling would have rattled a ton of people. You still rock 🙂
Thanks 😉
Way to suck it up … JUST KIDDING! I give you mad props for getting it together and keeping her on pace for as long as you did after falling. It’s not just about the pain but the mental part.
Reading this totes makes me want to run WI again!
I kept thinking about how fun it was to have you and Kim at the race last year! Wish I could have spent more time with you, then!
I can’t believe Dean wasn’t there to see your badassery again.
I’m so sorry you fell, but you still did a great job pacing for Kelly! You are not a shit pacer!
Love this race and seeing everyone! Thanks for letting us all use your coupon code again.
Ha ha. Dean. You let me down.
Thanks. 🙂 And thanks for using my code! Maybe one day they will have an ambassador program 🙂
Congrats on a great race, despite the fall! What a fantastic pacer too…and I bet you made sure your tangents were as low as could be?! (Am I using the term right?! lol) Wish we got a photo of the bloggers now that I think about it– arrrgh! That’s ok- next year 😉
Thanks! Congrats to YOU with your huge PR!
You are using it right! People say “run the tangents.” I told Kelly where to be for upcoming turns so she didn’t run extra. But it’s also important not to weave around people just to run the tangents 😉
I tried to do a blogger pic last year and set it up… then missed it. This race is so hectic! Maybe we can make it work, if we all stand in the same porta pottie line? 😛
I was standing at the finish line until the first marathoners finished so I got to see everyone come in. I wasn’t positive about what Kelly looked like but when I saw an Efit jersey come in that I didn’t recognize I wondered if it was her. But then I didn’t see you and I was worried!! I’m glad it turned out okay and now you have a badass injury to show off 🙂
Aww… I’m sorry about the fall. Your communication message was too on point! But it sounds like your friend did a great job and you helped her on her way to meeting her goals, which is what the morning was about. Kudos to both of you and I hope your leg is feeling better!
Oh man, sorry about the wipeout. I swear it happens to the best of us. That is such a fun race and so well attended by everyone I was sorry to miss it this year. Awesome streak you have going and um yes, I think you’re a pretty excellent pacer!
I already knew you were an awesome pacer. When I was re-reading my Women’s Half recap last week, I noted that I had said word was going to get out about you being so good at it – looks like I was right! 🙂
Bob was poking fun at me for being annoyed by the sun and feeling “hot” on the course – he thought the weather was perfect! But like you, sun seems to be my kryptonite. Maybe we’ll luck out and get some cloudy weather next time 🙂
Aww, thanks!
Ha ha ha! Isn’t that funny about the sun? Some people really like running in it. I usually try to avoid it during the summer (for running, I like being in the sun when I am not!).
How are you a shit pacer? You fell and kept going, and even when you had to slow down, your runner made her goal! That’s wonderful!! But next time…. try not to fall. LOL Ouch!
Ha ha ha. I am thinking of an earlier half marathon in the year when I also couldn’t keep on pace, but I think I may have had some sort of infection (the race was the first weekend in Feb). Anyway! You are right! She made her goal and that is ALL that matters! 🙂
You are an AMAZEBALLS pacer Kim! Your positivity pushed us along and ultimately got me to my goal! Thank you so very much for ALL of your determination and support throughout my training and during the race. We communicated, we stayed true to our race strategy and most importantly we are proud of journey to the finish line 😉 Looking forward to our miles ahead, where ever they may lead us 😉 HUGS!
Aww, thank you! I am proud! Proud of us, but especially proud of you for tackling a race goal when it tends to make you so anxious! You did so well with that!
I am excited to see where the miles take us too! Probably from SB down to Alleghany and back. Ha ha ha. I hope we have a lot more runs together!
Fantastic post. Love reading about runners who target a goal and what happens during the race. Kelly is right that you helped her tremendously by not having her go out too fast. That seems to be the key for me for half marathons – my biggest flame-outs (i.e. walking/crawling the last mile) have been when I started way too fast. Hope you have healed up from your fall. BTW, if you haven’t read it yet, Erica A. posted the real story of the “I Beat You Guy” on my latest blog post. 🙂
Thanks! You know, my 5K PR is from a time someone helped me now to go out too fast, and I finished feeling great. Something to be said for that, right?! Sometimes I feel like a dork pacing someone for a long race and saying “slow down” so much in the beginning, but it can help 🙂
Oooo! Thanks for the heads up! Hee hee.
Yes, a too fast start is a novice mistake – one that I’ve made more times than I’d care to remember!
Congrats to Kelly! More people should know about Wisconsin, it really is a great race, even from the first year!
I agree! I am always telling everyone how fab it is!