Race #118
Half Marathon #36
SC Half Marathon #27
2017 Race #2
2017 Half Marathon #1
Resolution Run Half Marathon #4
We sandwiched this race in between 60 extra minutes. I think our inadvertent taper (10 miler on New Year’s Day without the planned 30 extra minutes thanks to the rain and a long run cancelled entirely thanks to snow last week) may have helped.
We managed to arrive with just the right amount of time to get in a twenty minute warm up on the Swamp Rabbit Trail. (That was another reason that I nixed the extra 30 minutes at the 10 miler; I don’t know the Spartanburg area very well.) We also thought that we had enough time to use the restroom before the start. Thanks to a three minute delay, we did. There were no portopotties available, only two stalls permanently installed in Trailblazer Park.
I’m not a huge fan of the combined start of the 5k and half but since it’s a relatively small race, it wasn’t that much of a problem.
The first 5k is touch. It’s full of all the challenging TR hills, the ones that the Swamp Rabbit conveniently avoids. Thanks to my increased fitness courtesy of Ellis’ strength training expertise, the hills presented a tough challenge but one not nearly as difficult as last year.
As we passed by the turn to Trailblazer Park and the finish line for the 5k, Ellis stood nearby, ready to take pictures. Of course, he had to cheer us on by letting us know that we were “almost done.”
Mile 1: 8:48
Mile 2: 8:36
Mile 3: 9:35 (fuel “break)
Once we got onto the trail, things felt incredibly routine. I miss running on the SRT. Although I love being able to head down the road just a few minutes from my house, I might head back to the SRT for a few runs, especially the next few since the SRT is much more similar to the marathon course than my regular route.
Only two things stand out before the turn around at mile eight. One, we passed a runner (a few times thanks to our routine of walking while we fuel every two miles) who had the strangest breath sounds I have ever heard. Without an audio recording, it is next to impossible to describe what it sounded like. I’m thankful that we didn’t run within earshot of him for too long but I am insanely curious about how/why his breathing made that sound. Two, I noticed that Mom has a habit of throwing in mini sprints when she passes another runner; it’s pretty funny.
Mile 4: 8:39
Mile 5: 8:59 (fuel break)
Mile 6: 8:21
Mile 7: 9:00 (fuel break)
Mile 8: 8:20
At the turn around I felt good but was well aware of the forty minutes we had to run after we finished the half. I kept wondering if we should slow our pace since this was supposed to be just a training run after all. Apparently I’m a glutton for punishment and just couldn’t slow down.
Perhaps it’s because I’m writing this entry hours later than I normally do or perhaps it’s because I just zoned out but whatever the reason, I don’t remember much until about a mile until the end.
Mile 9: 9:10 (fuel break)
Mile 10: 8:36
Mile 11: 9:16 (fuel break)
Mile 12: 8:40
We took our last fuel break and then only a mile remained until the finish line. Both Mom and I picked up the pace a little. Although I knew that I would probably pay for it later, I couldn’t help it. Ellis waited at the corner to take more pictures. This time his encouragement was more appropriate.
We turned the final corner and Mom unexpectedly poured on the speed. As much as I wanted to join her, I held back a little. For the first time in a race that we have run together, Mom pulled ahead.
See! I have proof!
I almost let her pull away but I just couldn’t so against my better judgment I poured on all that I had left in the speed tank and just barely pulled even. Such a fun race finish and sub 1:55 too!
Mile 13: 8:37
Final time: 1:54:48
The 40 minutes after definitely were pretty ugly just like I expected but they got done and we topped 19 total miles for the day. Not too shabby!
Race Review
Registration and Packet Pick Up:
Everything went smoothly. Since I, yet again, did not pick up the packet for this race, I cannot speak to it.
Race shirt:
It’s fantastic. I realized when we arrived at the race that I wore the shirt from last year. I think that’s the first time that I’ve done that. This year’s shirt, a different color, will likely also become a staple in my minimal collection of running shirts.
Pre-race/morning amenities:
The biggest shortcoming here was the bathroom situation. Yes, it is nice to have indoor, permanent facilities. However, two stalls are not nearly enough for the several hundred people who turned out for the 5k and half marathon. Someone from the race had to go to the nearby fire station to ask if we could use their facilities as well. Since I spent 20 minutes in the line, I did not have a chance to observe anything else pre-race.
Course:
This course lacks imagination but is still nice nonetheless. I do not miss the constant hills of the old course. I do appreciate the copious number of motivational signs that the YMCA added every so often along the trail.
Course support:
Since I had my OrangeMud water carrier, I did not partake of any of the water stops. The out and back nature provided plenty of well-manned water stops. I believe all of them had Gatorade as well.
Finish line and post race amenities:
I think the course directors may have read my review from last year about the medals because although they were once again pottery, this year they had holes in the top with a rough rope looked through for a lanyard. (More likely though is the idea that several other people mentioned/suggested that.) The actual hand out of the medals was a bit awkward. Even though the volunteer had plenty of time to see how many runners were approaching the finish line, she did not grab enough from the box. I had to stand and wait for mine. She also did not ask for the strip on the bottom of my bib although I saw her ask for others who finished shortly after. I opted not to grab a couple free Zaxby’s sandwiches because I was running 40 more minutes. (I should have just given them to Ellis to hold for me.)
Race Photography:
There was plenty from both the race and from Pace Magazine.
Social Media:
Since I do not partake in this much any more, I will leave this point off from now on unless something significant crops up.
Race Results:
I love the data provided with racemine and wish more races used it.