- This was my first anti-social race. I chatted it up with some nice people waiting for the shuttle, in route, and before the gun, but once the race started, I was iPod-on, eyes-ahead. Part of me kind of felt like I missed a little of the race experience, but part of me didn't want to muster up the energy to make small talk while running. I did pop out one ear bud at mile 6 to ask this nice couple for the time (57 minutes in) and then when they passed me at mile 12, they offered the time again. They were so sweet.
- I didn't study the course map well enough and I couldn't remember where the water stations were. It screwed up my GU schedule and I skipped one water station that I really shouldn't have.
Lessons:
- Even though I've been taught this lesson before, I definitely learned it again today: I can finish a race without training properly, but I cannot enjoy the whole race without training properly. I was pretty miserable the last 3 miles or so.
- It's time to buy a fuel belt, for real. It's not cool to have my GUs stuffed in my waist band and I could have used water between some of the water stations.
- I think it might be time to go for the Garmin. Or at least a new sports watch, but even as I type that, a watch seems really lame and I think I need to bite the Garmin bullet.
Blessings:
- I don't know why I ever doubted that chocolate would be the choice for me in energy gels. It's my first choice in any other realm of life, why would running me different? I thoroughly enjoyed both my Chocolate Outrage GUs...it's kind of like dark chocolate syrup, right smack in the middle of a workout. How could that be wrong?
- Despite my right knee going berserk the last 2 miles, I was able to finish the race in 2:07:58, which is not fabulous, but I think is pretty decent for the amount of training I put in.
Overall, my experience with the Wrightsville Beach Half Marathon was good and I think I definitely earned my hardcore badge by getting up at 4:30, driving by myself to the beach, running 13.1 miles, and making it home, showered, and dressed in time to be in the church choir at 11:00. I iced my knee for a while and took a nap (which I hardly ever do) this afternoon and I don't think I'll be too sore. I do plan to take it easy on the knee the next few days to see what's up, but I think it's just an symptom of undertraining and not anything major.
Give me some tips on fuel belts and Garmins...I think my birthday list will be mostly running gear this year!
REI usually has a pretty good deal on the Garmins, and there is a $50 mail in rebate right now! You can also find fabulous deals on the older versions (205 and 305) on Amazon. GET ONE!! Seriously, you will not regret it!!
ReplyDeleteAnd I love my Nathan fuel belt. I don't plan on ever running further than 13 miles, so I don't need more than 20-24 ounces of water. But if you are going to do another full, you may want to consider a bigger bottle/more than two little bottles. Make sure the little pouch is made out of water resistant material so if you put your phone in there it won't get ruined with sweat (true story, happened to a friend of mine!).
Congrats on the 2:08--that is really fabulous!
I love my Garmin Forerunner 305. You can program it into laps (somehow, I did 1 mile = 1 lap), and that gives me a pretty detailed time/pace/calories/distance for each lap. You can store the info in the watch. My absolute features - setting it to chime when I hit 1 mile, setting it to nag at me when I go too fast or too slow.
ReplyDeleteI don't have suggestions for a fuel belt. I just ordered a handheld bottle from Road Runner Sports. Think it has a little pouch for me to stuff some GUs or whatever. I don't plan on running more than 13 miles either. So... hmm...
Good job on the run! You finished a race.
I bought a Helium 4 Fuel Belt and wish now I would have only bought the Helium 2. It was summer though, and I was so thisty. However, I find that 4 water bottles is just a lot going on. I usually take 2 out, but then look dumb with the empty elastic rings.
ReplyDeleteAnd for races, you can easily fill your two bottles up at one station and then keep going.
Also, be sure to buy and extra pouch for your GUs. the one that comes on your belt only fits 1, 2 super snug, but really it's a good size for keys.
Oh, and maybe you'd like the Helium for if you're doing marathon training...which I am not!
I just got my Garmin Forerunner 305 and absolutely love it. I looked around a got a good deal on Amazon.com.
ReplyDeleteNo advice to offer on the fuel belts since I'm in the market for something myself.
And like you, chocolate is my energy gel flavor of choice.
Good job today!
hey, u finished! u should be very proud! a half marathon is not an easy task!!
ReplyDeletecongrats!!!!!
u deserve it! great work!
Way to run! Just wanted to let you know I'm still reading.
ReplyDeleteCONGRATS on the 1/2--and you still made it to church?? WOW--I am im-pressed!
ReplyDeleteI have a Garmin 405 and I wouldn't run without it!! I LOVE it. It gathers all kinds of information and, like someone else said, it will nag you with a HR or pace that's too low or too high....
I don't have a fuel belt yet since I haven't gone more than 4 miles--YET. But if/when you get one, please write about it to help me figure out which one I need to get!
:D
I love it when we make that financial commitment with our running. I've had two Garmins and even bought my girlfriend and son theirs. I love my 305 if for nothing else but the uploading onto the PC. Lessons learned are great!
ReplyDelete