Enter: Funky Kingston
This was the first year of the race and I knew very little about the course except what was posted on the website. Medium hills through mile 7 and then a downill/flat course from mile 8. This was the course elevation chart:
After the NY disaster, I did a 10 mile run the weekend after and a couple track workouts. Other than that, just some short, easy runs.
I arrived at the race feeling good. I hadn't gotten a great nights sleep, but for the first time, I had a time goal AND a race plan to go with it. Based on what I thought the course would be like, I was going to attempt a negative split race. I thought if I ran the early hills a little conservatively, I could use the downhill from Mile 8 on to have a strong finish.
My goals were:
A- 2:30
B- 2:35
C- New PR (Current PR: 2:39:59)
So, I arrived at the race and picked up my bib. Here's where things started to get rocky. The volunteer handed me my bib and I looked at it in horror... There was NO CHIP! The race was not chip timed-- which meant I couldn't submit it for the marathon. D'oh! So, after a few minutes of being upset and panicking, I decided that since there wasn't anything I could do about it, I would just let it go and run the best race I could.
I met up with a friend who I had convinced to run the race as her first half marathon. We started together and I promised her I would meet her at the finish.
My first mile is always a bit faster than it should be-- I just can't help it. I actually did a better job of keeping my pace down than I ever have, so I was happy. It was a hilly course: they were manageable, but there were lots of them.
My splits looked like:
So, despite the hills, I felt strong deep into the race. At mile 10, I knew the 2:35 was within reach...but wait? Where was the big downhill? Did I miss it? All I saw was hill after hill after hill after blasted hill. Here's where I realized that my race strategy was not going to pan out. Yes, I had run the earlier miles more conservatively than I could have. But, without the easy finish, I needed to work harder for it. I knew it would be close. Then:
Somewhere in Mile 11, I felt it. My right calf began to gradually tighten. I stopped to stretch, started to run and right back to tight. As long as I walked, I could hold the cramp at bay. Every time I tried to run, the cramp would come back. I finally got to the Mile 13 marker and started to run again. I knew I was almost done and that my A and B goals had slipped away. There was still a chance for a PR.
I could feel my calf tightening with each step, but I held out. I made the final turn and headed to the finish line. Just steps before the finish, my entire calf seized up in an excruciating way. I took those steps and then doubled over in pain. My entire calf felt like a brick and I couldn't put any weight on it. Someone helped me hop to the med tent where they made me eat a banana and gently stretched out my leg. I have never experienced leg cramping like that before. I did not get my PR. My Garmin time: 2:40:06. 7 seconds off.
My overall impression of the race:
For a new race, there was a good turnout: Around 300 people. However, it was very small compared to the races I am used to running.
I certainly would have appreciated it being a chip timed race. Maybe next year.
Port-o-potties: Um, there were only a handful, literally. I know the race was relatively small, but still. The lines were quite long, even minutes before the race. This was compounded by the fact that there were NO port-o-potties on the course. Thankfully, I've never had to stop during a race, but plenty of people do so hopefully they will address that as the race grows.
Course: Yes, it was hilly. But, it was also a very relaxed course. Despite it being a sunny day, there was plenty of shade. There were a few people out on the course cheering, but overall a very quiet solo run. Most of the course was open to traffic, but with the exception of a few sections early in the race-- there were cones blocking off the side for runners and very few cars riding around. The water stations were sufficient, but there could have been more course monitoring-- had there been a medical emergency, it could have been quite a while before someone was found.
Even though I did not achieve any of my time goals for the day, I feel so proud of what I *did* do today. I finished a race. I ran my race, my pace and stuck to my plan. I didn't let the hills, the lack of chip, lack of sleep or any other external factors shake my confidence. And, for the first time-- I didn't feel nauseous AT ALL after the race. This is huge for me. I finished this race knowing that I had done by best and learned a lot about myself as a runner. I'll take that over a shiny new PR... at least for today.
Oh, and in case you are wondering... My friend finished the race looking strong. It was wonderful to get to cheer her across the finish!
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