2009 DL Half Marathon & 5K

[katiesue]

Then I will actually stab you, down by the river, and dispose of the body.

[swanie]

You'll have to catch me first.

hmmm...maybe I'll have to get a Garmin before the next race. Just think of how accurate my in-race tracking can be with a GPS.

You know, Christmas is coming...

Garmin Forerunner 305

[Drince88]

How sad is it that I'm seriously considering this race so that I can get the extra medal?

And if you get the Garmin, maybe you'll figure out you CAN do a full?!?

[swanie]

Originally Posted by Drince88

How sad is it that I'm seriously considering this race so that I can get the extra medal?

If memory serves me, there were something like 800 runners that earned the extra medal this year. We rode the bus back to the hotel with a family that had earned theirs (and 2 of them managed to place in their age category!). Let me tell you, the medals were GORGEOUS! Seriously, the photos don't do them justice.

And if you get the Garmin, maybe you'll figure out you CAN do a full?!?

Mr. Swanie keeps trying to get me to admit that I'll do a full in the next year. We'll see. 2009 seems to be pushing it, but I won't rule out 2010.

I just really liked the length of the half. Not too insane, but more of a challenge than a 10K. But who am I kidding, I'm too competitive NOT to try it some day.

And was that you I saw on a certain running board?

[Drince88]

Originally Posted by swanie

And was that you I saw on a certain running board?

Nope, I just registered/checked it out this morning. Haven't posted, though.

I'm getting nervous, though - I did 8 miles yesterday and my pace was REALLY off. I did figure out that with my new shoes I need to stretch a little more than I needed to with my old ones - and I was "this close" to stopping after about a mile - but did two loops of my 4 mile course. I 'overhydrated' in between the two loops (took about a 15 minute break) and didn't need my water until well over half-way through that second loop. BUT, I did have to ration myself on the first loop.

I need to get another set of running shorts - but went to Target yesterday and they have NONE! I did get another wicking shirt though, because I decided I needed another light colored one to wear when I'm walking the neighborhood. Dark Blue and questionable lighting just don't go together!

I LOVE google Maps - I was able to just draw a bunch of loops from my house of different lengths that send me through my neighborhood without crossing large streets, and I think the 4 mile loop is the only one that I'm walking on a bigger street at all, and that's just 1 block.

[swanie]

Originally Posted by Drince88

I'm getting nervous, though - I did 8 miles yesterday and my pace was REALLY off. I did figure out that with my new shoes I need to stretch a little more than I needed to with my old ones - and I was "this close" to stopping after about a mile - but did two loops of my 4 mile course. I 'overhydrated' in between the two loops (took about a 15 minute break) and didn't need my water until well over half-way through that second loop. BUT, I did have to ration myself on the first loop.

Don't worry about the pace, just keep plugging along and the pace will come. Keep in mind that the 16 min/mile pace kicks in once the very last person crosses the start line. With as many corrals and waves as the Half will have, you will have a bit of a cushion depending on where you start. Seems to me that it took us nearly 18 mins to cross the start line from the first runners, and we weren't even in the last corral.

As far as hydration goes, just keep experimenting with it. Each and every person is different. I don't have to do anything special for my 6 milers, but once I hit 7 I have to balance my water and electrolytes. Have you tried Sports Beans yet? They are awesome!

I need to get another set of running shorts - but went to Target yesterday and they have NONE! I did get another wicking shirt though, because I decided I needed another light colored one to wear when I'm walking the neighborhood. Dark Blue and questionable lighting just don't go together!

I finally gave up on the running shorts at Target and invested in some Adidas gear. I love my older Target shorts, but there's something weird with the new cut on their shorts that don't fit me. Now that I have my Adidas shorts, I don't know it I'd go back.

I LOVE google Maps - I was able to just draw a bunch of loops from my house of different lengths that send me through my neighborhood without crossing large streets, and I think the 4 mile loop is the only one that I'm walking on a bigger street at all, and that's just 1 block.

I'm looking forward to finally being able to be outside here. Most of my training from March-October is done on the treadmill because of the heat. This morning it was a crisp 55 degrees. I may just have to google a couple of loops around here.