Half marathon number fifteen is now in the books. As you have read, I was really looking forward to the Heels and Hills and Him Half Marathon this past Sunday. Each race has a personality all its own and this one just feels like family. This was my third time to do a Heels and Hills event and I have been fortunate enough to become friends with Paula and Libby (the race directors) and several other runners who are associated with them. There are always so many familiar and friendly faces at these races.
The fun started on Saturday when I helped out at packet pick-up. Do you know of any other race that includes at least four music therapists who are runners? That just adds to the whole family feeling, I am certain. I was lucky enough to see colleagues Mary and Shannon on Saturday. A local Girl Scout started a Couch to 5K program and chose the Heels and Hills and Him 5K as the goal race. I shared this link of Facebook and a couple of my friends from high school decided to make this their first 5K. A small reunion was held on Saturday when Nicole and Judy came to pick up their packets. I realize now that I haven't seen either of them since I graduated from high school 17 (yikes!) years ago!
Race morning came early, as they all do. I was somewhat alarmed when I checked the weather at 5:00 am and found the humidity to be a whopping 99% and the temperatures in the upper 60s. The fog was heavy as Erik and I started our journey to Irving, but it cleared once we got on the highway and out of the lower neighborhoods. It was a little warm as I milled about before the race, but I was still thankful that it wasn't as bad as the Hottest Half. I quickly found Mary, Judy, and Nicole who were all running the 5K. We also spotted another music therapist, Che, who would be completing the half marathon as well. In no time we were lined up and waiting for the starting gun. I started near the 1:50 group, feeling hopeful but also realizing that it was a lofty goal for this day. I was able to hang with the group for almost 2 miles, but soon saw them slipping away.
I love this course, it is mostly on a winding path through beautiful trails. There are very few hills and it feels good to just cruise and take in the scenery. There were lots of friendly faces at the water stops and small crowds had gathered along the course. There were a couple of girls who showed up several times during the race and cheered for me by name (which was printed on my race bib). They were so sweet and made me smile each time I saw them. Since this is an "out and back" course, I was able to pass those who were behind me on my way back. I love looking at all of the people on the other side. There are so many faces and I know that each of them have a story.
I knew that I was not on pace for a PR, but felt good that I would finish in a fairly average time for me. It was quite warm and humid until somewhere around mile 9. The sky was dark and there were random raindrops and then suddenly...with a gust of wind....Fall arrived! The race that started with warm and humid conditions would end with cool and windy conditions. Holy cow....I ran so long that the seasons changed!
That wind was really noticeable in the last mile as we were running directly into it. I had mixed feelings....so happy to see the season change, but wishing that the wind would calm so that it I could finish the race with less effort.
This was my first time to go this distance with this intensity since the May Heels and Hills race. I was not really sure what to expect. Of course, I would have loved to have matched my time from that race (which happens to be my half marathon PR), however, I realized that was an ambitious goal. The summer runs had been hard and I took those training miles a lot slower. I realize now that I started the race a little bit fast and it would have been more realistic to start near the 2:00 hour group. I am looking forward to the cooler weather and to getting back to peak racing form. I always enjoy the home stretch of a race and find in amazing that I have something left in me that allows me to push hard to the finish line. I am happy with my time as I finished in 2:01:48 and 10th out of 60 in my age group. I remember when the 2 hour half marathon seemed like an impossible goal for me and I am happy that it now become my "average" time.
Finishing Strong!
While hanging around the finish line, I found out that my neighbor, Rodney, and his family were also participating. Rodney ran his first half marathon and his wife took part in the 5K training program. Such a small world! I have seen him running but had no idea that he was training for a half marathon. I was covered with goosebumps as we walked to the car, it was noticeably cooler and the weather had made one of those famous Texas shifts.
The calendar gets busy after September with a half scheduled each month until the end of 2010. Next on the schedule is the Tyler Rose Half Marathon on 10/10/10. Erik and I are excited as we both feel that running is the best way to really experience an new place. I am hoping for a crisp fall morning and some beautiful East Texas scenery. Stay tuned!
No comments:
Post a Comment