North Face Endurance Challenge Half Marathon

There’s nothing like the love/hate relationship with running.  There are those moments where you feel most free when you’re in the middle of a run.  Other times, you’re cursing at every aching body part.  Despite the dramatic highs and lows, I still love the relationship I have with running.  This weekend I got to prove that love with my first half marathon race in over a year and a half. 

Look quick or you might miss me!  Zooming by the camera
around mile 3 of my half marathon.

It’s been a long time coming back, with my hamstring injury and my desire to focus on training for multiple things.  I didn’t plan for this race perfectly by any means, but I had to see if I still had the guts to do it.  I did (just barely!).  

You couldn’t have asked for much better weather for a mid-November race.  We took to the starting line around 7:10 a.m. with high 30 degree weather.  As the sun started to make its presence known, it warmed up to the low 40s.  I wore running tights, a long sleeve under layer shirt, a long sleeve mid weight pull over shirt, a pair of gloves and my Saucony running shoes.  I originally had on more clothes, (have I mentioned I don’t like being cold) but I reminded myself I was running 13 miles, the weather would be gradually warming up and running guides tell you to dress as if its 15 degrees warmer.  It was the right call because I was very comfortable during the race.

Post race thumbs up!
I am happy to be standing
up right!

There were five race distances, with the 50k racers taking off at 7 a.m., followed by marathoners, half marathoners, 10k and 5k racers.  This race had fewer participants than most of the long distance races I’ve done.  I liked that since it was a smaller event there were so many race distance options.  It was a great day for racing, no matter which distance chosen!

My expectations going into the race were that I wouldn’t PR (I haven’t trained enough for that), that I might have to stop and walk at some point and that I might feel a nagging ache in my hamstring.  However, despite all of those possible outcomes, I also had the expectation that I’d accomplish a feat by running 13.1 miles, feel that rush of strength and power from running and that I would cross the finish line.  All six predictions came true.  I didn’t PR (I was over 13 minutes slower than my best run).  I did have to stop and walk several times starting at mile 10.  I asked myself to keep giving more and I was proud that I wouldn’t let myself give up.  I never walked more than 10 or 20 seconds before running again.  My hamstring did act up during the run causing me concern for if I was doing the right or wrong thing.  I did accomplish a feat, in my opinion, of running 13.1 miles.  I did feel strong and powerful making my way through the course.  I did cross the finish line in 1.52.57.  What a great feeling!

The biggest surprise of the race was that it was a hilly course.  I hadn’t done my due diligence by studying the race course ahead of time.  I hadn’t raced on it before and to be honest, I didn’t want to freak myself out worrying about the course.  There were a lot of steep hills but generally short in duration (except for two monsters about mid-way through the course).  I powered through them all except a final few after mile 10.  I started hitting the wall and needed a quick break from the monotony of running to catch my breath, reset my expectations and challenge myself to start up again.  Once I hit mile 12 I was ready to wrap up this race.  I took a deep breath and ran a strong final mile all the way through the finish line.  It didn’t hurt that most of the final mile was slightly downhill!

I like that our first names were
added to our race bibs so
that people can cheer you on
by name while competing!  

I’m so thankful and happy to have had the opportunity to run another half marathon.  I really like this distance (well, sometimes) but I learned that if I want to compete well, I need to spend more time better preparing, especially if it’s going to have as many hills!  It also might help push more feelings toward the love side of the relationship!

Has anyone recently participated in a race or have one lined up before the end of the year?  How is your training going?  What’s your relationship with running, or swimming, biking, tennis, skiing or whatever sport you like?  GOOD LUCK to anyone who’s racing in the new few weeks!

Miss FitGab