Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Race Recap: Oshkosh Half Marathon


This past weekend, I headed back to my roots in central Wisconsin to run the Oshkosh Half Marathon.  This is the second straight year I ran Oshkosh (2011 race).  It's not often that I duplicate races but the Oshkosh event is priced right ($40) and comes with with free hotel and babysitters (my awesome parents!).  Plus my hubby gets to run the 5k at the same time.  He's been running more often lately and it paid off... he ran his best 5k time on Sunday!

I love running on familiar grounds from the past.  I used to live and work in downtown Oshkosh (during my college summers), so running there is always an enjoyable trip down memory lane. The course is pretty flat with some nice scenery through the UWO campus, Riverside Cemetery, South Park and neighborhoods.  I personally love the part along the water on the Wiouwash Trail (especially this year since it wasn't a flooded mess of mud).

You never know what April weather will bring in Wisconsin.  Last year we ran in rain, sleet and snow.  This Sunday, it was beautiful sunshine with perfect running temps in the low 40's.  Chilly enough to jump around pre-race but super comfortable while running.

The morning started with a quick meetup with other area bloggers... I love me some Wisconsin girls!

JenniferKimRachel, me, Lish, Michelle, Sarah


I think we're ready to go!

The race started and my legs felt great, fresh after two days of rest.  I was only a couple miles in and the battles in my head immediately started.

"I just don't care. 
I could care less about my time today.
I just wanna run..."


"If you don't give it a decent effort, you're going to be disappointed.
 It would be a shame to waste such a perfect race day/course.
Push through it... Don't think. Just run."

"Channel your inner Shalane... Cold Execution."

I fell into a pace that was just one step out of my comfort zone. I wasn't pushing, but no lolly-gagging either.  I was quiet practically the entire race.  Typically I'm tossing out cheerful "thank yous" and "good mornings" to spectators and volunteers.  This morning I just was not myself.  I found myself easily annoyed... with runners who cut me off or did the whole leap-frog passing thing. At one point, a runner crossed the course right in front of me and I completely plowed her over (not on purpose!).  Mile markers were missing so I didn't even track my splits.  I had no idea of where my time stood and didn't really care.  I didn't take water and forgot to GU until mile 8.  Definitely not my typical race mode.

My legs and body felt fine the whole race.  I'm probably in my best running shape ever right now.  But I just couldn't get my head and heart into the race.  Yet somehow I pulled out another sub-2.  I came around the last turn and saw the clock started with a 1... so I gave a hard sprint to the finish line. 


I had no idea what my finish time was, but I knew it was close to my Myrtle Beach PR.  I almost felt guilty... how could I PR on a race that I didn't give 100%?  Well, I didn't.  Later that day, official results were posted.  I tied my standing half PR - right down to the exact second.  I couldn't even do that if I tried.  

Official Chip Time
1:58:16
(average 9:01 pace)
#32 out of 88 age group
#209 our of 619 female division
#580 our of 1209 overall finishers


I don't mean to sound ungrateful.  One of my 2012 goals was to run a sub-2 half marathon and I've done it three times now.  Anytime I get below that 2 hour mark, it's much appreciated.  However knowing my own capabilities, I know I could have done better.  The fact that I was bounding up and down our steps the next morning is a clear sign that my legs had more to give.  And then I ran a 5 mile recovery run at a 9:19 pace the next day... opps.

With 11 days to go before the Wisconsin Marathon, it's given me a lot to mull over.  I need to clear my mind and get the run-joy back in my heart.  I can't go 26.2 without it.

30 comments:

  1. Cute skirt:) Way to go on your sub 2. I am going for my first sub 2 on Sunday. I hope you get your running mojo back.

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  2. Wow, that is awesome! Congrats on a great time!

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  3. When you get to the race next weekend and see all the other bloggy friends it will be fun and you'll get your mojo back!

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  4. haha oh that goofy picture is funny. It looks like I am going to eat Kim. I'll have to steal these since I took zero pictures that day!

    You did great at the race and I know you will be ready to rock Wisconsin. See you again next weekend!

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  5. Great race and wow, tying with the exact number...crazy!!!!!

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  6. Congrats on running another sub-two hour race! Hopefully you find your running mojo soon! It just isn't the same without it! Best of luck at the marathon :)

    Lisa @ Lisa Runs for Cupcakes

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  7. Am I really that tall?! I look like a fricken giant! I also will probably be stealing these pictures since I didn't have my camera with me ;) I hope you don't mind!

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    1. It probably doesn't help you are standing next to the shortest person of the group!

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  8. Tied your PR? Bahahahaha! Who does that?

    I think it's good you had some left in the tank. The big goal right now is the marathon, right? You don't need to trash your body two weeks before the big day.

    Congrats on another sub 2. I'm finding that it's harder to replicate than I thought.

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  9. One question also...did you wear a garmin at all? My garmin was pretty much right on with all the mile markers I saw except the finish. It measured long. Did you have this at all?

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  10. Oh I forgot to say - congrats to Dave on the PR! He seems like a good sport putting up with all us crazy ladies!

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  11. Loved the recap. Wish I could find a $40 half around here! PS- where did you get your skirt? TOO CUTE!

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  12. Congrats on another sub-2! You're going to do great on your marathon!

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  13. Killer time! SUb-2 is one of my goals for 2012 but I don't think it is going to happen, so I'll be living vicariously through you for a while :)

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  14. Great time! And you looked FAB doing it! Atta girl! But I totally understand not feeling in the "groove."

    Sarah @ Thinfluenced

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  15. Too crazy matching your PR to the second. Great job.

    I understand the lack of mojo. I'm still determined to get a sub-2, but don't have a race to do it with, and was nowhere close on my last half (I was pacing a friend). I haven't been rocking the training runs much either. I do have stubbornness where I don't have mojo, and that keeps me running for now.

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    1. Some runs are just off, but you still did great. This will def push you to a focus for the marathon! Good luck!

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  16. First congrats on another sub 2 and what a fun 'Sconi meetup! I have struggled with what you describe a ton lately: just not feeling great, telling myself I don't care, and then coming up short of potential I know is there. It's a tough psychological thing IMO. Hoping to meet you in a couple of weeks!

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  17. Hilarious that tied your PR down to the second, but I think your mind was trying to keep you from pushing too hard so you will rock it next weekend for the Marathon. Good luck this weekend, I know you can do it!! Congrats to Dave for the PR too!

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  18. Congrats on a sub 2. Sometimes having a reason to run gets me motivated. Especially for the long distances and it helps pull me thru the tough spots.
    Hope you find your run joy soon and congrats to your hubby on a 5k pr!

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  19. you look TOO cute and what a great finish!!! awesome job!

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  20. Awesome job- I'd be ecstatic with a sub 2. It's a goal this year, or maybe next.
    Maybe you need a cute new running skirt to get motivated? Trying out new socks got me through 8 miles today (though I found I don't like them after all!). Good luck in the full!

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  21. Hey it takes that bad one to know the good one, get the uhh run out and the rock run will come in 11 days! xoxo

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  22. Hi Jess,

    I'm a new reader of your blog. I've been reading for about two weeks now and I feel so compelled to comment on this entry. I'm going through the same lack of run-love right now. Don't get me wrong - I LOVE to run, but I just can't seem to get my head into it. My thoughts immediately wander to bad places the second I hit the pavement. I hope we can both get out of our slumps and get the run-love back into our minds and our shoes.

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  23. I think we all go through the love and the blah feeling with running. But you are obviously strong as heck right now to match your PR without really being into it. Hopefully your run love will return before your marathon. You got this!

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  24. Great tie for your race and great PR for the hubby!

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  25. That guy in the photo does not look thrilled to be getting CHICKED... Congrats on a great race! :)

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  26. I love your race photos! My goal is to run a half under 2:00, you are inspiring!

    Wish I could have made it to the blogger meet-up, but I was so crunched for time that I couldn't make it work. I would have loved to meet everyone in person!

    Good luck with your full marathon! I can't wait to read the recap.

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  27. What are the odds that you would run the same exact time? Crazy! Looks like you had a great turn-out for this race.
    And...nice arm warmers! I wish I had a pair...oh wait! I do! Thanks to a give-away from you!

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  28. Love your skirt. Good luck on your marathon!

    You'll find your heart again, and it will probably be stronger than ever! :)

    Shannon
    http://www.everystepcounts365.wordpress.com

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