I kept it pretty quiet, and didn't even know what race I would be running until the Thursday before.
You see, I registered for this race for the sole purpose of running my best marathon yet and qualifying for the 2013 Boston Marathon.
But then Stockholm happened, and I kind of needed a break from running.
Apparently a four month break from running.
I am not saying I didn't run for four months, but seriously, if I logged 100 miles between the Stockholm marathon and the Women Rock half marathon, I'd be surprised.
If I drank 100 beers and sampled 100 chocolate chip cookies between the two races, I'd guess that was on low end.
My love handles can attest to that.
Anyway.
Thursday before the race, I decided it would be wise to drop to the half marathon, paying $15 to change races, thus making this race the most expensive half marathon on Earth. If I remember correctly, I paid $150 originally + $15 = $165 for a half marathon, or $12.60 per mile.
I contemplated dropping to the 10K, but really - paying $165 to run 6.2 miles? I would have rather stayed home and slept in.
I had few expectations for the race because of the lack of training, and keeping in mind that Nic and I drove up from Iowa the night before, not getting to Minnesota until early early Saturday morning, and getting less than 5 hours of sleep.
The morning of the race, I told Nic not to expect me at the finish line until the 2 hour mark, but it would be more likely the 2 hour 10 minute mark.
Suffice it to say, I was pleasantly surprised with my race.
I ran without a watch, and just judged my pace on how I felt.
Comfortable, but not too comfortable.
I got nervous around mile 7 when my right hip starting screaming at me - but I cranked up my iPod, listened to Fun. and drowned it out.
Around mile 10 I had a rock in my show that pulled me over to the side of the road.
.07 miles later, I discovered that the rock was actually in my sock, sidelining me again for a good 90 seconds to remove my shoe yet again.
Mile 12 came and I decided to push it in the last mile, with a goal to pass 10 people.
I passed my 11th and 12th person at the finish line with an official time of 1:50:45.
That was my fourth fastest half to date.
Without training.
Maybe a four month taper is the way to go?!
Other fun facts:
-I was the fourth fastest Iowan
-If I could have tied my fastest time (1:43:26), I would have ranked 3rd in my age group, 45th overall, and the fastest Iowan
-Dare I say, half marathons trump marathons???
It was a fun race. A beautiful morning. And I would do the half again. Not sure I would do the full as the course loops back on itself quite a bit.
Conflicted...
Iowa wins!
