Race Recap: UHC Newport Half Marathon

On Sunday, I completed my second doubleheader (two half marathons in two days) at the UHC Newport Half Marathon. To be completely honest, I was rather dreading the 13.1 mile run on day two. Even though I went an easy pace the day before, the Hartford hills certainly had my quads talking. I came East completely prepared to baby my feet between races - icing, rolling, massage - to ease my plantar fasciitis. Oddly enough, my feet were 100% fine, but those power muscles in my thighs had second thoughts about this whole "double" race thing.

We rolled into Newport, RI on Saturday afternoon and went straight to the packet pickup on Easton's Beach (also the start/finish line). It was nothing fancy, just a big white tent by the beach. The line to get in was really long, but moved quickly. We chatted away with local guy who had run this race often. He told me there was one hill at the start and the rest was pretty flat, a couple "little bumps" he said. I've come to learn... never trust a local's description of the elevation.

On race morning, I met up with Kim at her hotel this time. The prior day's failure in Hartford to find each other taught us a lesson. Both our hubbies came along as our personal cheerleaders, photographers and chauffeurs. Nothing makes a race easier than having support staff at your beck 'n call. It was a chilly morning, so we drove around a bit, waiting until the last moment to jump out of the car. Kim and I hit the portapotties quickly enough and then jumped into the corrals. Perfect timing... or not. The race was delayed about 15 minutes waiting for shuttles to arrive. At least I was warm, huddled in the mass of runners. One benefit of being short is that I was easily protected from the cold wind.

The first mile was a wakeup call to my legs. Here we go again! As I mentioned, my quads were not happy about this. We had a big incline to climb from the very start. I took it slow, chatting with Kim the whole time. "Talking pace" is good. My goal today was simply to finish, and again I vowed not to look at my watch the entire run. That seemed to work well for me in Hartford. While not keen on the aspect of actually running, I was looking forward to the actual course. Everything I've heard about this race praised the scenic beauty of the water-lined course. So I jogged along with my camera in hand, ready to capture it all.

mile 2.5

Shortly after mile 2, we passed by a harbor area that gave a glimpse of the amazing Pell Bridge (far off in the distance). As soon as we turned away from the water, there was another little hill to climb. Honestly, I'm really not a hill-baby. The inclines were short and nothing really severe, but definitely notable on tired legs. It's not Illinois, that is for shizzle.

Mile 1 - 10:15

Mile 2 - 9:50

mile 4

At mile 4, we circled through another marina. Another set of bathrooms and a water stop. A couple notes that I've never seen in a race before (and I've run a few). First, I couldn't believe how many people were in the bathroom lines so early in the race. Maybe they were on the last shuttles? But most of all, the bathroom lines were forming out into the course, at one point blocking half the road. Just weird. Common sense peeps...

Mile 3 - 10:10

Mile 4 - 10:06

mile 5

As soon as we came out of that marina, we hit some pretty countryside for the next mile... lots of trees and pretty houses. I fell in love with the stone walls that seemed to be border property lines. Kim and I chatted away for most of the early miles. We agreed early that each should "move on" should they feel the energy. I love running with someone who understands that. Today was not a day I was going to push to keep up, but I also didn't want to hold her back. Around mile 5, Kim slowly moved ahead of me. I saw her little blonde ponytail and white hat for most of the run - just ahead.

Mile 5 - 10:02

mile 6

Ever so quickly, we hit the shoreline. The water views were amazing! The wind picked up on the coast, but I didn't care. I absolutely love running alongside water. I was "all in" for this race as soon as I saw the course map. I took so many photos along this stretch - never stopping once. I feared that if I took a walk break, my legs may never start again.

Mile 6 - 10:00

Mile 7 - 10:10

mile 7

When we weren't right along of the water, we ran amongst the famed Newport Mansions, castle-like houses perched atop amazing estates. Again... simply amazing views! 

Mile 8 - 10:06

Mile 9 - 10:00

mile 8

I remember a nice sized climb at mile 9, which coincidentally had a large gathering of spectators. Slowly, we turned inward on the island, entering the Historic Bellevue Avenue District. The area featured many more extravagant homes, dating back to the 19th Century. I didn't snap enough pictures thru here, as I was getting tired and really just wanted to be done.

Right before the mile 10 marker, I stopped to walk, take the remainder of my SportBeans with water, and put my earbud in. For the last three miles, I used music to propel me forward. My quads were really starting to hurt. As I cursed each little incline, I started to alter my stride - heel striking in an effort to use my hamstrings more than my quads. (The outcome of an altered stride is never good. I was sore in really weird places the next day.)
Mile 10 - 10:41

mile 10

The remainder of this run was just looking for the finish line. There was a joyous downhill in that final mile. Remember that big hill we climbed at the start... I opened my stride and tried to take it quick. My quads were in no shape to take any downhill pounding. Surely, it would have been less painful to just tuck and roll down that hill?! Eventually, the elevation evened out and we had a long straightaway to come into the finish. We cut onto the boardwalk area, that was heavily populated with spectators and race finishers. I wish I could say they were cheering, but not. Instead, it was a bit difficult to navigate in that last 1/4 mile. People kept walking in front of the runners and the opening to run seemed to get smaller and smaller.

Mile 11 - 10:08

Mile 12 - 10:20

Mile 13 - 9:14

Best cheerleader ever... he caught me 4 times on the course!

State #18 Rhode Island

Official Chip Time 2:12:31

average pace 10:06 min/mile

Overall #1782 out of 2867

Female #945 out of 1752

Div F30-39  #323 out of 554

Kim and I on Easton's Beach, the finish line behind us.

Last note on Newport - This was a great race and superb course. I loved it and would have loved it even more as a stand-alone race. This CT/RI double was challenging for me right now, as my training was weak this summer. It flat out hurt to bring it across that last finish line, but it also served as a kick in the butt for me. I have a new schedule of training (for Shamrock Marathon) approaching and I need to take it a bit more seriously - if I want it to feel any better at the finish.

Did I mention my quads were TORE UP after this double?!?!