The Half Before Jamaica... and... DONE!

So, admittedly, I haven't exactly been updating my training blog as often as I should. There are two reasons for that, I suppose. One, October was an especially busy month, time was at a premium, and therefore, I didn't report on all my training runs. And two, I simply didn't run as much in October as I did in September (92.2 miles for the month of September vs. 47.7 for the month of October). Well, I'm happy to report: MISSION ACCOMPLISHED! Full race report below.

Stats

• Distance: 13.1 miles
• Surface: Paved Road (St. Louis Track Club's 31st Annual Half Marathon)
• Time: 1 hour, 50 minutes, 57 seconds
• Average Pace: 8:28 minutes:seconds/mile

Notes

My first half marathon is now completed and in the books, and I want to capture as much as I can while it is still fresh in my memory.

The Night Before

Folks participating in the race we offered the opportunity to book a room at the Crowne Plaza in Clayton for an incredible discount. So that's what BJ and I did. Mind you, we are driving to St. Louis after BJ had thrown a bridal shower for Alicia (the bride to whom we can thank as our reason to go to Jamaica). So we get to the hotel, check in, and BJ promptly falls asleep. I'm wired/nervous/anxious about the race the next day and sleep is not in the cards just yet. When sleep finally does come, I get one of the best nights of sleep I'd had in a long time.

The Next Morning - Pre-race

Thanks to "fall back" I got an extra needed hour of sleep and actually wake up well before the alarm. I eat some fruit, gear up, and we head out to pick up our race number/t-shirts. I'd debated endlessly about what to wear. The general rule of thumb for race day is to dress as though it's twenty degrees warmer outside than it really is. That is easier said than done when it is near freezing! I eventually decided that my race gear would be shorts(went back and forth as to wear track pants or not), a moisture wicking t-shirt, moisture wicking long sleeve t-shirt, a windbreaker, and a moisture wicking sock hat. Turns out this was pretty much the perfect race attire. We pick up our race packets, I jog a couple warm up laps, and line up near the back of the pack.

The Race

Honestly, the race was pretty much a blur. I know some people can go on and on and recall each an every mile and can recount them with unending detail. Unfortunately, my recollection isn't that detailed. However, there are four distinct moments I can recall from the race that I would like to recount, and several lessons learned. Let's start with the memorable moments:

1. The Arch. Shortly after starting the race, the course makes a few jogs, and as you crest a hill and begin to descend, there is a clear view of the arch. Not sure what it was - I mean I've seen the Arch before about a million times, but there was something about the way the sun was shining that morning that hit me - I'm really running my first half marathon! I'm doing this, and it feels GREAT. I truly felt alive.
2. Family and Friends. At one point during the race, I actually became a bit... emotional. Yes, I know it's probably not very masculine to admit it, but I'm not real concerned about that. One of the things I love about running is that, even though it's an "individual" sport, there is camaraderie in the sport like no other. We are all competitors, yet, we are all encouraging of one another. And on a different note, the spectators (whether you are "there" - actually on the sidelines - or only in thought) are a boost to the confidence, as well. The course was lined with people obviously there to cheer on "other" people - a friend or family member - but they also cheer on complete strangers as well. At one point, I started thinking about all the people (friends and family members) thinking about me and my quest to run a half marathon in less than two hours, and I'll admit it, I got a bit emotional. So, I just wanted to say a HUGE thank you to all my friends and family members who were thinking of me, or ever said an encouraging word, or a word of congratulations - I carried you with me all those 13.1 miles, because you carried me. Thank you. And if all that sounded mushy, I don't care :P I said it because I meant it.
3. Forest Park. Again, I think this falls in line with - I've been there a million times, but never like this. All I have to say is, "St. Louis - you have a jem of a park, and it was a pleasure to spend over half of the race in it."
4. The Finish. Yeah, this one is a no-brainer. Mission accomplished. I think that's enough said.

Now, let's move on to lessons learned...

• NEVER... under ANY CIRCUMSTANCE... pass up an aid station. At least not in a race of this length. I rarely use the aid stations on a 5k, but this was no 5k. I skipped the first one, and spend the next 2.5 miles regretting it. Don't do it.
• The first ten were cake. It was the last 3.1 that kicked my butt. Of course, 2.5 of that was UPHILL... that's a real fun way to end a race!
• It's OK to walk. Walking through the aid stations allowed me to get the water/gatorade IN me and not ON me. However, that thirty-second interval right at mile twelve (where there was no aid station) is the exception - that won't happen again. A pure moment of weakness - in the midst of a 2.5 mile UPHILL (mind you).
• If you buy gels and intend on using them... don't leave them in the hotel room. A lot of good they did me there.
• You WILL make friends (even if only "fleeting, temporary - before they turn on the afterburners and leave you in the dust" friends) during the course of the race. At mile ten, one of the race volunteers remarked how "fresh" everyone looked, even at this late in the race. The guy running next to me turned to me and said, "Guess he's only been lookin' at the PYT(pretty young things) running by!" My sentiments exactly, my friend! At mile ten, my legs were definitely not feeling "so fresh" even if my outward appearance belied my true state!

Well, that's my race report. I'm half-delirious with exhaustion as I write this, so I may go back and re-write it at some point to make it more grammatically correct, funnier, and more coherent, but until then, one last time... THANK YOU FAMILY/FRIENDS. I love you all.

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