Mini-Marathon 2014

We are running our Mini-Marathon tomorrow beginning at 7:30am

There will be about 16,000 runners.  

It's been a long road-training since January, snow,  and a hip injury.  I am so ready to do this race.  

It's been such a blessing to have a training group, the 42 Running Club.  My commitment to that group of awesome runners gets me out to run long distances on Saturday mornings...and without those long runs I would not be able to finish this race!

Our first goal is actually finish the race--

by pacing ourselves (11:46 per mile-not fast but still lapping everyone on the couch!)

Then to:

Avoiding an injury (watch for pot holes, other runners and gravel)

Maintaining our energy (with our gels at the start, mile 4, 8 and 12)

Consume plenty of water and energy drinks along the course

Only stop to go to the bathroom once (because it adds to your overall time!)

Listen to good music to keep me on pace and motivated

Run with my herd

set a PR (personal Record)--mine is 2 hours and 45 minutes or less

But my secret goal is 2 hours 37.5 minutes

Remember everything my coaches have taught me 

and to save something for the finish line when they will take my picture!

Because that last 0.1 mile REALLY is the HARDEST!

As promised...I am reporting my results today which is Wednesday following the race Saturday.  

I had a blood blister on my right foot after I finished racing (my first injury ever) and I think it was because I did not have my callus removed at the last pedicure.  It was too hard and caused the blister.

I was very pleased with my race results

The fastest I had ever completed a half marathon was 2 hours 49 minutes flat.  

Last year I completed the race in 2 hours 56 minutes and 40 seconds.

My spoken goal was 2 hours and 45 minutes and my aggressive goal was 2 hours and 40 minutes.

My unspoken and (in my mind) my unrealistic goal was 2 hours 36 minutes.

I had a PR (personal record) of 2 hours 37 minutes and 43 seconds 

which was 11 minutes and 17 seconds faster than I have ever run this distance and it was 18 minutes and 57 seconds faster than last year!  It made my "unrealistic goal" not appear all that unrealistic.  

Next race I will go for 2 hours 36 minutes as my aggressive goal!

Happy Running!