Well, that didn’t go quite how I expected. But I am totally fine with how it did go!
Looking at my previous two years at this race, where I’d tried to race something I was too heavy for, and started to slow down around mile 7, I figured that is what would happen to me again today. I figured we would stick to our 8:23-ish pace for those 7 miles, then I would tell Kelly to go ahead and get a kickarse PR, then I would slow down to a 9:00 minute mile and finish under 2:00 hours.
Um… not quite. Ha ha.
We stuck to pace for 5 miles. At that point, I told Kelly I could feel I was slowing down, and for her to go ahead a bit if she wanted. She said she really needed to stop and use the restroom. She stopped, I adjusted my ponytail that was making me nuts (this was after I ditched a hat that made me nuts!) and ran ahead slowly. She caught me and I figured we’d run a bit slower for her to catch her breath. We ran just over 9:00 for mile 6. Okay, good, I was thinking. We’ll speed back up in the 8:00s again now.
But by this point, we were on the horribly pot-hoely out and back part of the course (seeing people on the out and back is fun… thinking you’re gonna trip? not so fun), and all of a sudden, everything on me felt so heavy. Even my arms felt heavy. It was odd.
The sun was out at full force. We had another mile just over 9:00. “Dammit,” I thought, “I am totally screwing up her race again, like last year!” Gah. I don’t want to be that friend who makes you go out way too fast then you have to slow way down to finish the race. Sigh. But that was me today.
Kelly went ahead at mile 7. I was confident she would go ahead and PR, and I felt good I wasn’t holding her back anymore (although I did appreciate sharing my misery with her – I can run faster with a friend by my side).
I slowed down a bit, to a 9:19 mile for mile 8. “Oops!” I thought to myself, “gotta keep it towards 9:00s, Kim, to come in under 2:00.” I hoped Hanna catching up with me would make me get back on track. Ha ha, no! It was nice to chat (and to meet her) though!
I stopped and had my water bottle filled up just after mile 9. That slowed down my pace. I started seeing splits in the 10s! What the heck?
But… I was smiling. My body was happy I slowed down. The sun was beating down on me and slowing down was just what I needed to do, unfortunately.
The last two miles got even slower (in the 11:00s!). I never walked, but had to stop and get water AGAIN. Rachel caught up with me and said she was feeling the same. And said, “I don’t think we’re recovered from that ultra.” Nah…
I saw Kelly on the out and back by the finish and was so happy to see her and know she was going to PR! When I (eventually) got close to the finish I tried really hard to make sure I didn’t look like death. Because I didn’t entirely feel like it, just had nothing left to give. Steven said he could totally tell I was trying to look happy! Ha, did it work?!
Because I was SO happy to be finished and have that over with! The last three years I’ve set a fast goal for this race in the winter, then gained weight and still went for the goal at the race. It’s a horrible cycle, and kind of horrible to do that to the people I run it with!
But, I know Kelly doesn’t care and is happy for our time we run together. I am too. And she did PR today! I’m so proud of her. Sigh. I am going to miss her so much when she moves next month. Yeah. Haven’t mentioned it before because I am ignoring it… anyway.
Me? I ran a 2:06:16. Hee hee. A good half marathon time, for sure, but a horrible way to execute it, I know! I’ll make it a goal not to do THAT again this year. I need to be more honest with what I can do with the weight I am at!
Steven had a lot of fun taking photos at the race. R2D2 was a hit! When he had the balloon on the ground near the end, he said little kids were coming up to give it hugs, and one kid even said “R2D2, I love you!” Awww.
Our friend Pablo helped Steven take photos, and his wife and son hung out with him, too! We saw a ton of people from the studio, Rachel and her crew (ha, Kelly and I were on a “team” with them – our team name was “Four Swiss Misses and a Bratwurst,” since we had four ladies and one man), and a few people from the running club. Oh! And I saw Kelly cheering people on! That was a nice surprise. Oh! And seeing Ian at the turnaround, as well!
A few people from the Efit crew – we had quite a few more!
This was my seventh year running this half. I’ve run it every year since the inaugural, and will continue to. I will just try not to have wild ass goals next year. Ha.
Now, this seems a bit Debbie Downer, but like I said, I am completely cool with it all, and Kelly is happy with a PR (especially with the silly cold she has). But let’s end with some positives, right?
- I didn’t fall this year! I was very careful with my footing.
- I got to run this race for free, since I am (a version of) a race ambassador. I have been the last two years, and gotten a free entry then too, but have paid for my BiL to run it both times (as a gift).
- There was no wind in the beginning and a nice breeze at times when we needed it (it was 49° when we started and 65° when we finished, so we definitely needed it).
- I got to cheer lots of friends in to the finish, and chat with lots of friends, too!
- Someone told me they liked my tattoo!
- The medal and ribbon are really cool this year! I love that it has the course map on it. I heart maps.
- Steven seemed to be having a good time, and we ran some fun errands after the race. It was nice to have him there and spend the time together!
Until next year, Wisconsin…
Sorry it didn’t go to plan 🙁 but at least you enjoyed the race. Some days it’s not meant to be anyhow. Even with equal training and weight some races just don’t go well for me. But it’s so close to the ultra you did chances are you are still recovering..my suggestion, another half in a month or two. I’m gonna ask a really stupid question is R2D2attached to Stephen because that ballon looks ginormous and I want it!!
Thanks! But it’s really okay. I felt good once I slowed down, and was actually smiling. And, you are right, even if I had been at racing weight, the sun still would have held me back. Unfortunately, I haven’t figured that out yet!
If I try another half I will probably wait until it’s cool again. Unless I somehow figure out how to race in the heat. I slow way down when it gets over 60!
That R2D2 is meant to sit on the ground, but we didn’t put the weights on it so we could tie it to his backpack! http://www.partycity.com/product/r2d2+balloon+giant+gliding+star+wars.do?kwid=r2-d2%20balloon%20-%20giant%20gliding%20star%20wars&qcid=&ref=ci&extcmp=pla%7cGoogle
you had an amazing time! Congrats
Despite not turning out how you planned, it still sounded like you had a great day, surrounded by lots of friends! Love the R2D2 balloon!
Yeah! It was so nice to talk with all my friends and hear that the sun destroyed most of them, too, lol!
Seriously, you win the award for being most photogenic in races. You always look SO happy! Congrats on a race that didn’t turn out how you planned, but was still a fun time. LOVE the balloon! I need to remember to have my spectators carry a balloon. Although I never have any. LOL!
Aww, thanks. There were definitely a few death face pics. I just don’t always share them. Ha!
We need to get you some spectators! LOL!
I’m sorry you didn’t have the race you wanted. Tell you what. If it’ll make you feel better, I’ll come run it with you next year and slow YOU down. lol That’s fair, right?
Ha ha, sounds like a deal! 🙂
I wish my fast paces were as good as your slow paces 😛 bummer about not having the race you wanted, but at least once you slowed down, you got to enjoy your race!
It was definitely a good overall half marathon time but I wouldn’t wish that pacing strategy on anyone, whatever the paces may be. It was dumb dumb dumb 🙂
Loved seeing you (and love your new masthead). I especially loved seeing that, despite KNOWING you were hating the weather by mile 2, that you looked smiling and happy when we saw you on the out and back. I was worried that you would be miserable.
That was I think my slowest WI half, but one of my most enjoyable. I love this race 🙂
I didn’t really feel super bothered by the heat until I got to Carthage. But I bet it taxed me earlier than I thought. I was so thirsty! 🙂
I think I will be happier doing this race in the future if I keep it slower. LOL!
Great job staying positive – I think that is the hardest thing to do when a race doesn’t go as you hoped/planned.
I love the R2D2 balloon! That’s a great marker, and so cute that he (Steven) got all sorts of shout-outs.
Hee hee, it’s super easy for me because I am so easy about myself and don’t mind giving away any goals I’ve set! I only felt bad that Kelly was involved too. I should let her do her own thing. It will be easier with her moving in June 🙁
How was your race?!
The balloon was such a hit! We really had fun picking it out!
That is a great half marathon time! Sunshine and hot is tough, specially when you probably have not had very long to adjust to it yet.
I felt the same way at my last race, I was okay when I had to slow down, there’s no reason to push and make your self miserable, it should be fun! You always look so happy in your pictures 😉 I love your group picture.
I think you look amazing and you are very fit! Congrats on a great race 🙂
Great job getting it done. It’s so hard when you’ve got a goal in mind, but the day has other plans. I was pretty upset yesterday, but realized I did my best and that’s all we can do! I am so glad you had fun, and that you didn’t fall! hehe! The heat this weekend was no joke!
You did wonderfully Kim- congrats to you! That heat can be killer, but you did great…and I love Steven’s balloon. I was living vicariously through your photos and experience- hope to be back for this race next year with you!
Congrats!! Man that heat was brutal. I’m sorry you didn’t meet your goal but so happy for you that you had fun anyway! The attitude of a champ!
It was great to meet you briefly while running, too! You caught up with me on an incline and our chat helped take my mind off of it! Sad I didn’t see you and R2D2 at the finish though. Oh well!
That’s still a wonderful finish time. Heat makes a huge difference. You look like you are enjoying it! I don’t think anyone could miss Steven. Love the balloon!
I’d love to do this one again. The course is so pretty. I had a hard time when I ran it because as usual, I went out too fast!
You still finished well. Even if it isn’t the finish you wanted. Great job!
I know the feeling when things aren’t working, but you still got a great time! Love R2D2 as well. That’s a balloon you can pick out.
You’d told me this race didn’t go as planned, but I hadn’t read the details of it. Do you feel like the way you felt during the race affects how you feel about your overall time?
I’m sure your friends enjoyed having you at the race! You’re always so positive, even when you’re having a tough one.
Like, I felt crappy during the race so I feel crappy about my overall time? I don’t care about my overall time at all. Well, hours, minutes, seconds. I just cared about Kelly’s time! 🙂