2010 Indianapolis Monumental Half Marathon

I ran the Inaugural Indianapolis Monumental Half Marathon in ’08, my first marathon at the Monumental in ’09, and then today’s half to keep up the streak. The injury that kept me side-lined for the past few months really threw a wrench in my hopes to PR this year, but I wasn’t going to miss the race in spite of that. My longest run since the Flying Pig in May was a 7 mile run last Sunday, so I knew that I wouldn’t be running the whole race. And I knew that I shouldn’t run it even if my mood changed on race day: I’ve spent this much time recovering so my biggest goal for the day was not to trigger a relapse.

Fortunately, my friend Vinnie was going to be race-walking the half also, so we made plans to start together. Over the past week or two, my plans changed from walking the first 6-7 miles, to walking 5-6, to play it by ear but definitely walking the first few and running the rest. I hoped that by having the goal of walking the beginning portion, it would keep my ego from taking over and me doing something stupid (like “if I’ve run 9 miles, surely I can run the rest…”).

Race morning brought cold weather and I really had no idea how to dress for a race walk. I decided to err on the side of caution and risk overdressing, since I could always shed more layers as I warmed up. I probably looked ridiculous in my fleece and long skirt, but I was nice and warm in the starting corral! We met up with most of the other IRC folks in the Marriott lobby, got a pic, then we all took off for our respective places. Vinnie and I settled in around the 12:00 min/mile group and waited for the start. I peeled of my long, warm skirt (revealing my oh-so-sexy capri tights over my hot new argyle running skirt) and we shuffled toward the starting line. Yeah! It’s time to GO! Here is a picture of me in my starting outfit at home the day before, just so you can all appreciate my finely honed sense of fasion.



Vinnie and I kept our walking pace between 12:06 to 12:33 min/mile for the first 4 miles (I still wonder if she was holding back for me, that woman is speedy!). I was nicely warm now and had shed the fleece layer, feeling good and strong and we’re passing some of the slower runners with our race-walk pace. As we passed the 4-mile point, I told Vinnie that I was going to make a stop at the next port-o-let station and for her to go on ahead at that point, I was going to go ahead and run from that point. So much for walking the first half, huh? ;) That mile (including the rest stop) clocked in at 14:13, I lost almost 2 whole minutes there. Grrr…maybe less coffee next time.

I picked it up a little bit from there, nothing aggressive with my pace, just enough to bring it to a slow run. I tried to keep things around the 11:00 mark but by the time I finished the 10th mile, it was getting harder to do so I started some walk breaks and revised my goal to just keeping my pace below 12:00. While I wasn’t having any pain, fatigue was definitely a factor. I suppose that’s to be expected with as little running as I’ve been able to do since May, but still disappointing in its own way. Miles 6-10 were pretty strong but 11 through 13 were in the 11:45-11:55 range (looking back, I guess that’s still pretty consistent). As we came through the downtown, I walked probably half of mile 11: I was tired, losing focus, and it was hard to keep running when I knew that this wasn’t a “race” for me. I wanted to do well, but without the motivation of “racing” I kind of had the “what’s the point” attitude nagging at me. Oh, well, got my mojo back in time to put on a better show of it as we went through Monument Circle and into the home stretch. Somewhere in there, I heard someone yell out “Christy, nice skirt” or something to that effect…I still don’t know who that was! Fess up if it was you!

It was AMAZING to see the elite marathoners as they finished mile 23, merging with us at mile 10. Those guys were FLYING! I missed the winner, but saw several of the other leaders as they zipped by me. Unbelievable and very impressive to see. This was also where I saw the lovely Melissa, thanks for coming out to cheer us on! It was great to see a familiar face among the spectators. I will say that (other than the cheering from Melissa) the crowd today was a bit of a letdown after the enthusiasm of the Chicago Marathon. I suppose that I’ve been spoiled. It would be nice if Indy could generate that kind of a spectator crowd, but I know it’s unlikely to happen.

I’m glad that I remember how the course finishes, even with that it feels like the finish just doesn’t come as quickly as you expect it to. Another turn? Really? I think we should be done by now! It also didn’t help that my Garmin had a finishing distance of 13.3 miles, but you have to run until you cross the finish. As I prepared to enter that very last turn, I spotted Aaron and I waved madly to get his attention—yay! He jogged along beside me until the crowds got in his way, then I was left to finish that last stretch on my own. I heard Mary yelling for me at the turn and then I took it up a couple of gears and sprinted (if you can call it that…) the last 0.1 miles. I again heard someone yelling my name (I think it was Mary Jane and Darrell), but I was intent on kicking through to the finish so I didn’t track down the source. Thanks, MJ and Darrell! Finished with a time of 2:38:24 for an overall pace of 12:06.

Now it’s time for me to move on to some serious rebuilding. Over the winter, I’ll probably aim to run 2 to 3 mid-week runs of about 4 miles and keep the long run around 5-7 miles. I’m hoping that by February, I’ll be ready to get into some speedwork and in better shape to start training for a spring half. I am thinking that I’ll stick to half marathons for a long while: I prefer to race that distance, the training isn’t nearly as time intensive, and I’d like to work on developing something closer to speed. Happy with my outing today, although it was my slowest half ever, it was also good for me right now. Congrats to the other runners, we had some very impressive PR’s out there today!

10/10/10: Chicago Marathon

Considering I wasn't going to participate at all two months ago, then decided I would try to walk with Erin C. as much as I could before I failed to keep up the minimum pace (15:00 min/mile), I'm thrilled that I not only finished, but finished faster than I thought that I could.

Started out the day dark and early. I couldn't choke down much for breakfast, but managed to eat a banana and a couple swallows of coffee. I was surprised how nervous I was considering I wasn't "racing"! We headed on out to the starting corrals after a quick group picture and dropped off out stuff at gear check. I needed to visit the port-o-lets already (poor planning on my part, I thought we were going to stop at a coffee shop on the way...oops). The lines were crazy long, even crazier slow. We waited a long while, then most of the group decided to give up and go on to the starting corral. FINALLY made it to the bathroom at 7:25 (race started at 7:30), then ran to the corral and found the gang. That was luck!

As we passed through the corral to the start line, there were tons of spectators, several photographers, and way too many gatorade bottles full of what I don't think was gatorade... Oh, well, high five the spectators, ham it up for the photogs, and try not to think about the mystery liquid!

Erin C. and I started out with an easy run for the first 3 or so miles, then walked most of the next 23 miles. Sometimes we'd pick it up to an easy run for a quarter to a half mile, but mostly we walked. I had a huge lift each time we spotted the IRC cheerleaders--Rick, Jon, Kenya, and Corey are FANTASTIC!!! You couldn't help but smile and get energized when you'd see them!

I think we were at about the 6 mile point when I saw that the race alert flags had gone from green to yellow. By the time we were 10 miles in, the flags were red. Yikes. It was definitely hot and folks were hurting. At that point I was so glad that my game plan had been to walk, because at least I had a chance of hanging onto my goal (finish in under 6:30:00). If I'd been running, I don't think I would have been any faster. We saw folks being removed in stretchers at almost every aid station. Scary stuff.


Erin C and I saw Erin Hazler at about mile 18, she was having cramps so I gave her a salt tablet and then we went on at the water stop. Shortly after, Erin C. went on ahead when I needed a pit-stop. At about the 23 mile marker, someone came up behind me and grabbed my left hand. Hazler was back!! :) We stuck together and finished together, which was total awesomeness (anything that she's involved in is awesome by its very definition).



Summary: I loved the course, loved the spectators, awesome race support in the way of water/wet towel at the finish, the weather was absolutely horrid. The people of Chicago were incredible though--for the rest of the weekend, we were fielding congratulations and well wishes from complete strangers. I felt like a rockstar. :)

2010 Flying Pig Half Marathon

So my goals going into this race: 1) Improve on last year's finish of 2:30:13. 2) Have fun. 3) Don't burn up on the hills in miles 5-9. I figured that number 1 goal should be just about automatic since this year it wouldn't be my second half marathon in 24 hours. Number 2 goal should be attainable as long as I don't do something stupid, like fall, forget my timing chip, or oversleep. As for the number 3 goal, since I felt very under-trained on hills I was planning to walk a good bit of the uphill portions and make up time on the downhills.

Race forecast was calling for heavy rain. In spite of me checking the forecast every hour for 5 days that never changed. Oh, well, nothing I could do about it so just prepared myself for a wet run. Woke up to learn that the forecast was correct. I got up, ate a little, then donned my clothes and a trash bag to walk to the start. I got to the starting area at about 6, the race was to start at 6:30. Last year, I got stuck in the very back with the walkers so this time, I made my way to the starting area without hitting the restroom one last time (that would cost me 90 seconds later on). I stood in the starting zone with all the other brave water-resistent runners (the rest were hiding in Paul Brown Stadium). It was a rainy rainy wait. As in a complete downpour, complete with thunder and lightening, the lights even went out for a couple of minutes. Runners cheered, we're a strange lot, aren't we?

I found the 4:30 marathon pace group and waited for the start. I figured that was a good place for me and if I felt good, I could always build from there after the hills. The starting gun finally fired and we're off! Well, a couple minutes later and we were off! For the first mile, I took it easy, time to warm-up. It's raining pretty good at this point, sure glad that I have my visor. At one point, all of the runners in front of me divided to evade a puddle. Seriously? You're soaked to the core and you don't want to run in a puddle? Screw that, SPLASH! If you're already wet, the puddles are half the fun! Finished the first mile right as we hit the Taylor Bridge into Kentucky. Mile 1: 11:01

A good bit of the 2nd mile is the bridge, it just seems to go on forever! Finally get over the bridge and we're in Covington. Don't remember much more, still raining pretty hard. Mile 2: 10:18

I think this portion of the course is pretty dull, thank goodness there were spectators. I can't believe how many folks braved the rain to cheer us on! Awesome! Finish this mile right as we prepare to cross back into Ohio on the Clay Wade Bailey Bridge. I started to take my first walk break here but got vertigo because the bridge was bouncing due to all the runners! Eek, better to run it! Mile 3: 10:33

Started out the 4th mile by complimenting a lady on her kokopeli-like runner girl tattoo. Like! I'll have to remember that tattoo...just in case I need another, you know. Another boring monotonous section, but no spectators to distract me. Blah. At least it wasn't uphill. Mile 4: 10:26

Was I sleeping? I don't remember a thing about this mile other than seeing a lady in front of me peeling off her tank top that was under her t-shirt. I don't know how she did it (a) on the run, (b) without taking off the t-shirt, (c) with it soaking wet, and (d) never missed a step. I would have ended up in a bloody heap with my own clothing strangling me. Mile 5: 11:00

Aaah, now begins the hint of the uphill portion. It's gradual here, you don't really notice it until you realize that it's taking more effort to sustain the same pace. Starting to see more spectators so that's a nice pick-me-up. I'm still feeling good, surprisingly so but I know the work is about to begin. The rain has stopped for a bit. We see the leaders of the half marathon at this point as they are headed back into the downtown finish. I'm in awe! I take a quick walk break for a gel and to get my ipod revved up, I'm going to need both to help me motor through the hills. Mile 6: 10:15

Once you turn the corner onto Eden Park Dr, you see what you're in for. Thank God that this is where the spectators seem to be the thickest because you really draw on their energy to get you up this hill! I got to high five a singing Elvis in here (or maybe that was in mile 8?), that was a hoot. I walked a minute or two in here, trying to save a little strength for the rest of the uphill. Mile 7: 12:18

Not feeling too badly through here, better than I'd expected. Suddenly, I realize that's it--the big hill is done! I was waiting for the really bad part, holding my pace back because I remembered it as being so much worse and it was rather anti-climatic. That was both a boost and a downer--I was holding back to save up for something that wasn't there! The uphill isn't over, but the steepest portion is. Mile 8: 10:54

Starting to get a wee bit uncomfortable when I spot a port-o-let with only 2 people waiting! I detour over, lose about 90 seconds waiting/going and then I'm off again. Funny thing is, this is the exact stop I used last year. The folks there will let you use the indoor facilities at the church, so I'm guessing that's why the line was so short. Keep that in mind if you run this race! Now we are in another area very popular with the spectators, lots of crowd support here. We also say good-bye to the runners going on to do the full marathon. I give them a cheering "Go, Marathoners!" and a few thank me and wave before they go on their way. Today, I'm really glad that it's them and not me with another 17 miles to go! Mile 9: 11:54

This mile begins with the last of the uphill grade before we begin the serious downhill finish. It's a pretty steady wall of spectators from here on. Right before we finish the 10th mile, I see an ambulance loading someone. Never did hear what happened. We also pass the walkers as they are going into mile 6 and Eden Park's uphill. Whew, glad it's not me! I'm almost DONE and we're finally cruising downhill now. Wheeee! Mile 10: 11:00

Oooohhh. This. Feels. Good. I love LOVE LOVE this portion of the course. This is why I come back--the downhill finish. OMG, nothing like it in any of the other half marathons I've done (not that I've done that many, but still). I feel like I've sprouted wheels. I kick into a sub-9 pace (it feels fantastic at first!). Unfortunately, my tummy isn't liking the speed so I slow down a bit to settle it down. Mile 11: 9:50

Still heading downhill, crowds getting louder and thicker. I can't believe folks are out on a day like this! I love this place! We're heading back downtown, I'm euphoric. Mile 12: 9:47

The downhill grade tapers to almost flat (still net downhill though), legs are letting me know that yeah, this has been work but they can hold on a bit longer. I pass three official photographers, all working with their cameras but NOT taking pictures. *cuss, cuss* I never seem to get a decent race photo, I think they're avoiding me. Aaron and I ran this last bit at the finish of yesterday's 5k, that helps me get my bearings. Ready to pull out all the stops for a strong finish, ready to be done. Mile 13: 10:00

I kick it in and give it my all for that last tenth. I imagine that the huge cheer going up is for ME and ME alone. I am passing a lot of folks here, no reason to hold anything back now. I get across the finish line, grab my medal, then realize that I haven't turned off my Garmin (oops). When I review the data, it has recorded 13.3 miles with the last 0.3 miles at a 9:22 pace. Once I map it out, the last 0.1 mile was done in 47 seconds or at a 7:50 pace! I didn't know I had that in me, much less at the end of a half marathon!

The race website gave me a 6.8 mile split at 1:16:09 (11:08 pace) and that I was in 5063rd place. I officially finished in 2:22:29 for a 10:53 overall pace and 4677 place. That means that I passed 386 runners in the last half, not to mention a pretty significant negative split. :)

Not sure what's up with my official time. My garmin recorded 13.3 miles in 2:22:08 and I forgot to turn it off at the finish line until after I got my medal. The official time is quite a bit more than that, so what's up?? Unless the first 3 timing matts missed me and there was another one lurking in there that tagged me? I remember wondering which matt was the "official" one as I came across the finish, must have been the very very last one!

Lessons learned: I need to train on hills more and not be so intimidated by them. I held back way more than I needed to because I thought that I wasn't prepared for them. I think that my strong pace at the finish tells me that I could have kept a more even pace and not been as badly affected by the hills as I'd anticipated. That said, I thoroughly enjoyed the day, I'm happy with how I ran the race (even though it was very conservative), and I think next year I'll be ready to work the course to my advantage. As it was, I improved my course time by over 7 minutes from last year. Not sure that I can PR on this course, but I'd like to give it a try in 2011!

2010 Cherry Blossom 10-Mile Race

After last week's failed long run (8 miles cut short to barely 6 because of the hip pain), I took the whole week off. I had hoped to get in a run or two, but the pain was persistent and I thought I better save it for race day. We did do a lot of sightseeing though, probably not the best way to rest up! I did make a point to keep up with icing, stretching, and ibuprofen.

On race day, I woke up early, had a cereal bar for breakfast and took the Metro to the Mall to join the hordes of runners converging at the base of the Washington Monument for the start. The weather was gorgeous--cool enough that I wore a throw-away long-sleeved tee for the start, a light breeze, and clear skies. Nice! I immediately went to wait in line for the port-o-let, just because. After waiting with a couple thousand other folks for half an hour, they started the race while I was still way in the back of the line. No worries, I'm in the 4th of 6 waves so I figured the folks starting ahead of me would start heading to the start line. Nope, they were determined to wait it out. I waited...and waited...they called my wave...they started my wave...and waited. When they called for the wave after mine, I gave up and took off at a jog for the start. It's not like I HAD to go, I just wanted to be sure, you know?

I jogged up to the mob of folks heading for the starting line, it was a lot like the start of any other huge race: walk, crowd, and press toward the starting line then ease into a jog right before you hit the starting mat and spend the first 1/4 mile trying to get to a run. I was planning for the first mile to be a warm-up anyway, a chance to feel things out with the hip and get a gauge for what to expect. About 0.6 mile in, I heard a loud cheer go up in the crowd ahead of me. TV cameras? Fans? Nope, it was the elites and their motorcycle escort--they were already 4.5 miles in and on their way back to take the loop out in the opposite direction! Incredible! As for me, the hip is already being cranky. Damn it. First mile in 10:16.

During mile 2 I was starting to worry: the hip was hurting worse, my lower back had joined in, and I just wasn't feeling like the effort was easing up like I wanted it to. Yes, it usually takes me 2 miles to warm-up but I thought the excitement of race day would speed that up. We're running along the Potomac and over the Arlington Memorial Bridge, so the scenery was gorgeous even though the cherry trees weren't in bloom anymore. We ran by the Lincoln Memorial but it barely registers until later. Oops, I wanted to take it all in! Time to toss the long-sleeved tee, I'm working up a sweat now. There's a hairpin turn right before the 2-mile marker at the Kennedy Center--awful tight turn for a race! Skip the first water break, it's crazy congested and I don't really feel like I need it. It's "only" 10 miles after all. Mile 2 in 10:18.

Not much to say about mile 3 besides I'm starting to feel the effort ease a little. This pace feels comfortable and I notice that the jostling of runners is easing as we all settle into our respective paces and groups. Mile 3 in 9:50.

Mile 4 started with an oops as I look down at my Garmin and realize that I'm putting out an 8:48 pace--yikes! I dial it back and realize that the hip is a non-issue for the moment and my back has eased up a little too. Good. Feeling good. There's another water stop that just about brings me to a dead stop, what a bottleneck! I grab a cup of water at the last table and take a couple sips on the run, just enough to quench the dry throat. Mile 4 in 9:39.

Mile 5...I guess I was there...all that I remember is another stupid hairpin turn. Whose idea was that anyway? At least I saw it coming and was on the inside of the turn. That meant I got to march in place and wait to move for a second. Mile 5 in 9:48. My official 5 mile split time is 50:50. My Garmin is reading the miles short...or is the course long??

Somewhere during mile 6 we must have passed the Jefferson Memorial but I have absolutely no recollection of it. So much for this would be a good way to see the sights! Mile 6 in 9:55.

Mile 7 starts to feel like work again. I bypass another water stop, but the congestion just about brings me to a walk in spite of my attempts to stay to the outside to get around everyone coming to a deadstop to grab water. Grrrr...why do they want to get water at the very first table? They have several tables set up with water and Gatorade, don't everyone friggin stop at the very first one! Yes, getting a bit irritable at this point. Mile 7 in 10:14.

During mile 8, I just want to be done. Two of the toes on my right foot feel like they're breaking off (is that the grating of bones that I feel?), my hip is acting up again, and I'm tired. I'm really tired. Keep running, keep moving. I tell my hip that I really don't care what it has to say about all of this, I'm running and it can just complain away because I'm not having it. If I can't run for 3 weeks, I am running TODAY and that's that. I'm chanting "pain is weakness leaving the body". Damn, I sure have a lot of weakness. Mile 8 in 10:13.

Mile 9 is hell. My hip really hurts. Now the ball of my right foot hurts too. I think there's a rock in my shoe, so I stop to get it out. Nope, just getting a blister. Oh, well. Shoe back on and back to running. Damn it, now the hip is really tight. Stop, stretch it out, back to running. How much further is this mile anyway? Shouldn't we have finished mile 9 by now? I swear, we were able to see the Washington Monument a while ago, where'd it go? It's at the finish, I just want to see the Monument again because I know I'm getting close when I do. Mile 9 in 10:32. Stupid walk/stretch stops.

Hey, this is the LAST mile! No reason to hold anything back now. Earlier in the day I saw another runner with a shirt that read "Leave Nothing in the Tank". It's time to go. Pain is weakness leaving the body is my mantra. Screw the hip, damn the foot, this is MY race! Some way, some how, I dug deep and found a gear that I thought had already been used up. Over the course of the last mile, my pace got faster. Then a little bit faster. Then I got a real surge for the finish. My Garmin read the 10th mile at 9:53, but it also said that there was another 0.15 after that. My pace for that last 0.15 mi was 8:58 and I was passing runners right and left for that last stretch. That. Felt. Great. :)

Final time: 1:41:42. When I signed up for the race, I put my goal time as 1:40:00. When the hip injury wasn't letting up, I told Aaron to expect me at the finish line at 1:40 if I had a perfect day, maybe more than 2 hours if I was in pain. I am thrilled beyond words that I ran what I did in spite of it all. In the past 3 weeks, I took 2 weeks off trying to heal the hip. I think if things had gone better in the training, I would have surpassed my original goal but I'm very happy with what I did on this day.

I love this course. LOVE it. Flat, gorgeous, and in spite of the stupid hairpin turns and congestion, I'd love to run it again.