I signed up this race mainly because it will be my last race in my current age group!!! I’m aging up into the 30 age group next month and couldn’t pass up an opportunity to race along the ocean again. I did this same course (but the loop went in the opposite direction) back in 2013- I finished it in 2:13:01 (10:10 min/mi pace). I’ve been super busy and most of my runs have been done early in the morning, so I really had no idea where my fitness was. I haven’t had time to really build-up my race expectations or think too much about speedwork and paces (like I used to keep myself up at night thinking about them) because I just haven’t had any extra moment to think about them. My coach had pre-programmed my paces and splits for this race and a quick run-down of the race on the Wednesday before the race, which kinda intimidated me! She had me a running a 1:42 half marathon, which would be a 2+ minute PR! She also wanted my splits to be: miles 1-4 7:45 pace, miles 4-8 7:50 pace, miles 8-10 7:35 pace, miles 10-13.1 7:40 pace. I knew that she believe in me and just came into the race holding onto that confidence that she had in me.

We had Veggie Pad Thai the night before the race and I got up around 6am (Thank you Daylight Savings for making it feel even earlier). I had my usual Oatmeal with a sprinkle of Honey, Salt, and tablespoon of peanut butter topped with GrandyOats Coffee Crunch Granola. We left the house around 7am (it was around a 2 hour drive) and got there by 9:15am (the race started at 10am). Parking was super easy ($5 to park which wasn’t crazy) and within 1/4 mile of the start/ registration tent. I headed to get my bib and check-in while Alex and Stella parked the car. The inside of the Ballroom was complete chaos with people everywhere. That was not so fun, but I was relived to get my vest and bib and be out of there within 10 minutes. I stopped over at Porta Pottys before going to meet Alex and Stella (there was no line = winning!). We walked back to the car where I changed into my sneakers, put my bib on, and had a Lara bar (PB cookie is my favorite) with a banana. I did a few strides in the pretty empty parking lot and we headed towards the start. I also wrote my splits on my hand with sharpie, which I then immediately covered-up with my mittens sooo that wasn’t the best decision.

The views at the start were SO beautiful! It was a tad windy with temperatures in the 40s, but honestly perfect running weather. I saw so many Boston Marathon jackets and felt a bit intimidated. BUT I knew my race strategy and goals and kept reminding myself that I belong. I felt confident in my abilities and knew that my coach believed I could do this, so I just tried to stay calm. I did a few stretches and headed to the start line with 10 minutes to go. It was self-seeded, so I headed a bit towards the front and honestly- I felt a bit like an imposter. There were SO MANY FIT RUNNERS around me. The woman next to me said that her goal was to run 7:45 pace and I was thinking to myself ‘wow, that is REALLY fast!’ - I had to remind myself that I, too, hoped to run 7:45 pace and that I do belong here. I continually thought of those words throughout my race- I think it really helped with my confidence.

Once we started going, it’s a small 3 mile loop before you run by the start/finish area with the 5k runners and then head out for a 10 mile loop. I looked down at my watch around 5 minutes in and saw that I was running 6:40 pace and thought ‘ woooah - I gotta slow myself down!’. Ha. I never thought that I’d feel like a sub 7:00 minute pace wasn’t challenging. I kept my cool and tried to stay within my coaches goal paces. I did auto-lap on my watch (I always do this for races to keep it more accurate to the course)- my first 4 miles were 7:39, 7:40, 7:38, 7:42. A bit faster than 7:50 pace, but the wind was in the right spot and I knew that I had to be a bit brave in the beginning (but also hold back). I road that fine line between pushing too much and pushing not enough for the rest of the race.

We headed out along the water and at one point, the waves were so strong and the wind so crazy that a runner (not racing) coming towards us along the sidewalk got completely drenched with a wave that came over the concrete boarder- it was so strong that it stopped him right in his tracks. Kinda crazy. Kinda funny. We had to run through giant runoffs from the waves along this section (miles 4, 5 or so). I decided to run through the water rather than use energy and run around. I took my first Spring energy gel at mile 4 with a big swig of Nuun Endurance (I didn’t use any of the water stations- but they looked pretty amazing).

We headed towards the hills for the next 4 or so miles (and by hills I mean- the race gained 150’ total so really they weren’t anything crazy- just not flat). I tried to keep my pace closer to my goal of 7:50 during this time and did pretty well. Next four splits were: 7:44, 7:45, 7:52, 7:48. I took another gel (Huma Apples and Cinnamon is my jam!) at mile 8. This section was kinda a blur, but I remember hitting the half way point and trying to do math with how slow I could go to still hit my goal of 1:42- I don’t think I ever came up with a clear answer with what pace I could run (yeah…don’t do math while running a race!!).

I remember thinking that the next few miles should be my fastest based off the course profile, but honestly I felt like the hills/ wind still lingered for the next mile or so. I stayed strong and started to pass a few more runners. Miles 9 and 10 had splits of 7:38, 7:26 (so I guess they were my fastest!). We then began our stretch back along the water for the last three miles- facing the headwind. I kept thinking about the strong women I saw running in the crazy winds at the Olympic Marathon Trials in Atlanta a few weeks ago- this wind was nowhere near as strong as it was then and I drew strength from that. I got a huge boost of energy at mile 10 dreaming about maybe being able to break 1:40 today (I needed to be a bit stronger throughout)- that mile was 7:26. Ha. I’m now more determined that that 1:39:xx is within my reach though!

The next two miles were a struggle. The wind was strong, cars were along the course (I don’t care for a lot of traffic looking at me while I’m on the struggle bus), but I also remember how I felt about this section back in 2013. I was reminded how much stronger, faster, smarter I am now than I was then. That felt pretty amazing. Back then I only dreamed of running below a 10 minute mile pace during a half marathon. Never did I believe that I would run 13.1 miles below an 8:00 min/mi pace. I knew that Alex and Stella would be waiting for me at the end and that really helped push me to give it all I could that last 1/4 mile. I got passed within the last mile and rather than being defeated, I tried to picture holding onto her with a string and having her pull me along. I took a half of another Spring gel around mile 12.

I gave it all I could the last 0.10 and that hurt. I couldn’t believe it when I crossed the finish line (I’m still in a bit disbelief). My last two miles were 7:46, 7:53 with 7:37 for the last 0.10. I finished in 1:41:39 at 7:46 average pace.

I felt that I finally am starting to nail down my mental strategy while racing. I also feel like my nutrition was better than it has been in the past. I drank more water, stayed more positive, and forced those gels down FAST (rather than holding onto them for like a mile). We celebrated with Panera afterwards and a whole lotta carbs. Also coffee and a donut = awesome fuel for those post-race recovery miles (ha).

I had a 4 mile recovery run on the schedule afterwards (after that 2 hour drive home), which was TOUGH. My legs were sore and I was just mentally tired, but I got them done (great training for my ultra!). I also did 20 minutes of yoga that night just to help flush things out.

I’m excited for the future and honestly feel like hiring a coach was a game-changer. Having someone else set the paces and believe in me made a big difference. Anyone else run this race? What are your thoughts on it?