New new & Margarita Half Recap

Well- I guess this really IS the year of PRs! I shaved 10 seconds off my half PR that I set 3 years ago (in 2020 just before the pandemic started) a few weeks ago! I ran through the 10+ mph winds and rain to finish in 1:41:26 and a heftier elevation gain than I was anticipating (over 400’ up).

I’m pretty pumped about my NEWLY minted PR in the half- considering how this was just a training run and isn’t even my goal half yet (next month).

Also very important to share that the girls also did a carbo load with me and they’re coming around to the idea of spaghetti. They’re still wondering why it seems very similar to worms (which they can’t eat), but I’m convinced they’ll come around.

I would also love to know when to expect the girls to stop making messes at mealtime. I know it’s coming eventually, but WOW has it really tested both Alex & mines neat-freakness. I think it’s also important to mention that I’ve finally introduced them to bubble baths and they are obsessed. I’m not a huge fan of Charlotte attempting to ‘taste’ the bubbles by dipping her entire face into the water (this is when I not-so- gently remind myself: “it’s just a phase. It’s JUST A PHASE!”)

Back to my race recap! I did my 3-day carb load (I promptly had a salad for lunch today - thank goodness) from Featherstone Nutrition’s carb calculator and didn’t really do any sort of taper- I did however only run the week leading up to the race and had one strength training session (no biking or swimming), so I came in ‘fresher’ than I normally would have on other training weeks. I also focused on sleep the week before and would work my runs in during the day (rather than getting up early). I had a 4 mile shakeout at 10:27 pace the day before with a few strides.

I knew it was going to rain and be pretty windy, so my expectations went from seeing what kind of fitness I was at to just use it as good training run. It’s funny, but ever since having the girls my approach to running and racing has totally changed (for the better!). I now sleep well the night before a race (unless the girls wake up) and have so much more confidence in my running and racing (I think having an awesome coach has helped me with this too). I fully believe in myself as a runner and know (generally) what I’m capable of. I was fairly confident that I would come in under 1:45 and thought if it was a really good day that a PR was within my reach (even on just a training run). With the weather, I decided to just go at it as a comfortably hard pace and not worry about paces (my watch had my splits a bit early so it wasn’t even reliable anyways). I’ve never had a race start in a Target parking lot until this one. It was weird (but oddly awesome after the race! Hot Starbucks drink, a clean bathroom, and shopping!). I also used this as an opportunity to get my fueling back under my belt (I’m not the greatest at fueling during training runs, but always do it during races).

The start of the race was very weird (also wet- my feet were soaked in the first mile)- we ran a lap and a half around the Lowe’s/ Target parking lot before heading out on some rural roads. I tried to keep my pacing easier to get warmed up for the first few miles and then wanted a comfortable- hard for the remainder. I think my pacing was pretty good! Because the weather was so terrible, there weren’t many spectacular out.

Around mile 7 or so (I think?) we ran near the airport which was windy. At the turn around point of the course (near mile 8), I got excited because I love seeing and knowing I’ve already ran this section. I took in a gel every 4 miles (with the caffeinated one in the middle) and used the lemon lime scratch in my water bottle. I didn’t stop through any aid stations and felt really good the whole time. I love my new Garmin because it tells me my lap (mile) splits through my headphones- a big confidence booster that I also loved during Wineglass! I decided to push myself a bit the last mile - mainly because I was wet and cold and wanted to get on with my day (shopping / outlets/ Trader Joe’s - the important things). The fans that were out cheering at the finish were awesome, except that they were kinda blocking the turn into the finish chute.

Overall , I’m proud of this race in really gross conditions (I kept telling myself that they were the best running conditions) and for not pushing it too hard. I’m hoping to continue to build my fitness in the shorter stuff for a bit before switching over to the triathlon and then marathons this Fall.