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!

Jennifer, Kim, Rachel, 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.

Oshkosh Half Meetup

For anyone running the Oshkosh Half Marathon this weekend, there's a bloggy meet-up happening right before the start of the race.  Stop by to chat, get in the group picture, and then we'll walk to the start line together.  Hope to see you there!

Sunday, April 22, 2012

6:20ish a.m.

Race begins at 7:00 am

Meet by the corner of Ceape and State Street

(one block east of Main St.)

Oshkosh, Wisconsin

2011 Oshkosh Half Marathon

I ran the Oshkosh Half last year.  In fact, it was my first 'attempt' at a sub-2.  I wasn't ready and the weather was horrible... rain, sleet, snow, we had it all.  See the race recap HERE.  I'm heading back for redemption... It's my hometown turf, so that makes it an easy (cheap) race for me.  The course is pretty  flat so a PR is possible if weather conditions are good.  Cross your fingers!

Extended forecast is looking really good 6 days out...

Start the Taper

Today is nothing like fun.  It's April 15th and I spent the morning finishing our taxes.  Working for yourself has many perks, but taxes are not one of them.  Secondly, I'm painfully sore and our house has too many steps. As I got frustrated with the taxes, I took breaks to roll my quads and calves on the foam roller.  It's a labor of painful love... hurts like hell, but it'll make all the difference tomorrow. (More on foam rolling here.)

Yesterday was my last 'big mileage' before the Wisconsin Marathon on May 5.  I knocked out 22 miles in wet weather at a sweet pace... sub-10 min miles!  I was exhausted, but very happy with how it unfolded. I've been plagued with some odd muscle twitches around my right knee lately, but thankfully no problems yesterday.

I started solo at 6:30am for some quick mileage before meeting the Sole Sisters later. Skies were gray but no rain in sight... yet.  I ran but one block when the drops started.  I turned back for my jacket and hat... and ditched my electronics in the car (not killing another ipod this time!). I'm not a well-versed rain runner, but I pushed through the showers for 8 miles.  By time I made it back to the car, I was drenched.  I quickly changed my hat and shirt, refilled my water bottle (is it even possible to dehydrate in rain showers?), downed some GU Chomps and headed back out.

This time, I had Laura, Heather and Barb by my side. It was like a whole new run. They had fresh legs and kept the pace honest, even as I began to tire.  More importantly, our conversation helped to alleviate some 'issues' rambling around in my head. (Run friends are so good at talkin' it out.)  The rain continued to spatter on and off with occasional heavy rainfalls. When we hit the turn-around point, I could literally wring out my shirt. The last couple miles were a real push to maintain pace. I could feel my legs aching, but was afraid to stop in case I couldn't start again!

Thankfully, I had warm clothes at the finish.  I stripped off the wet.. which was everything!  We had a good laugh because my feet were literally smoking when I took my shoes off.  And my toes bright white prunes!  It was a tough long run - both physically and mentally - but I passed with flying colors.  Did I mention a full 22 miles with no music!?!  It was just the confidence boost I needed as I officially head into THE TAPER.

22 miles in 3 hours, 38 minutes (9:54 pace)

This run also put me over the 500 mile mark for 2012!

22 in the bank Baby!

The pace was pretty close to my desired race pace for the marathon. My goal for marathon #2 is to take one minute per mile off my last marathon finish... which would be a 4:17 or a 9:48 pace.  It still sounds daunting for 26.2 miles...

So the endurance work is done.  Time to rest up the body and prepare for 26.2.

Oh-wait... I'll be racing the Oshkosh Half Marathon next weekend!!

Who planned this schedule?  Yes, I'm crazy like that...

• • •

For those of you who read my post yesterday on the
perfect running partner, Patty finished her first Mary in 5:03.

Race Recap: Oshkosh Half Marathon

This race was one for the book, and not likely to be forgotten for a long time.  In fact, you'll probably overhear me telling the war story in the future... "This one race was so bad that..."  The battle was not without warning.  The forecast was dismal all week, but I hoped, prayed, for a break of sunshine.  I did not get it this time.

Friday afternoon, hubby and I mingled around at the race expo.  We picked up our swag bags and bibs... #2146.  I even scored a good deal on a new pair of Asics Keyanos that felt like butter on my feet.  I reunited with my childhood friend Dani and got to meet her 8 yr old son Carson (who ran his 5K in 31 minutes!)  Seeing them was perhaps the best treat of the weekend!  We decided to skip the expo speakers and drove the course route instead.  At home, my mom had a huge pasta dinner waiting for us.  With questionable weather looming, I was still undecided on my race outift.  So I put on a little fashion show, and we narrowed it down to two outfits - one to look good; the other for rain.  We settled into bed early with the sounds of whipping wind and pouring rain outside.

Unfortunately, it was still raining as we headed out in the morning.  Our one relief was that the wind had settled down to only 17mph, instead of the 35mph from the previous day.  In the car ride, I reviewed my tiered goals, and pretty much dismissed Goal A...

Goal A - ideal race conditions, run a 9:09 pace to finish under 2 hours.  1:59

Goal B - feels good, but incur some drawbacks - finish under 2:05

Goal C - fight the conditions and beat my previous Half time of 2:09

Goal D - struggling, don't walk, just run it through to the finish.

Hubby and I before the start

Racers huddled to stay warm and dry at the start.  I met up with a high school friend, who was attempting to pace both myself and his training partner to our first sub-2.  The gun was about five minutes late according to my watch, but fairly smooth start.  According to race results, less than 1300 finished the half-marathon, so congestion wasn't an issue... but the puddles were.  Since it had been raining all night, water filled the potholes and sides of the road, making for a lot of jumping and jotting to keep the feet dry. I'm feeling the after-effects of that jumping today in my ankles.

The first two miles went quickly through the UW campus, but felt slow.  Shortly before mile 3, we hit the gravel trail.  When we previewed the course the night before, I told my hubby, "This is gonna be a mess if it rains all night."  Sure enough.  The gravel trail was complete mud and many parts of the trail completely under water.  Runners joked around about running a Muddy Buddy or Warrior Dash.  I just tried not to fall down!  It was slick and not much option to move around the narrow trail.  In ideal weather, this trail would have been gorgeous traveling along the Fox River, but today my eyes were glued on the muddy steps ahead.

Mile 5.5 - We finally break out of the muddy trail and back to a cement path, which was under water in some places.  At this point, I wasn't feeling too bad physically... actually a little bad-ass for what I just ran through!  And the race photographer was right there to capture the feeling...

At this point, we turn to cross the bridge over the river and the wind slapped the rain against my face.  I had temporarily forgotten about the wind, but the next couple miles would be heading directly into it.  At mile 6, I got a pick-me-up when I saw my parents and kids waiting for me.  My girls were so excited to see me.  I just love the boost cheerleaders give you along the race.

By this time, I was way off-pace for a 1:59... but still hoping the 2:05 was within reach.  The headwind suddenly made me feel just how wet and cold I was.  By mile 8, my pacer decided to step up the pace and challenge us a bit.  My feet were so heavy that I watched the two of them fade into the distance.  

At mile 9, I got another boost from my little cheerleaders.  Big girl ran out to me and exclaimed, "Mom, I've seen you THREE times now!!"  It's typically difficult for my family to move around a race route to catch me in multiple locations.  That's one of the benefits of a smaller race... the roads are only partially closed so spectators can easily drive around. Plus my parents knew these roads quite well. 

We had a nice run through South Park, and before I knew it someone yelled "Just a 5K left!"  My mind had been focused on math/pace calculations, avoiding puddles, the squishing in my shoes and my cold fingers, that I didn't even realized we were this far along in the run.  Breathe. Only 3 miles left.

Mile 10 was kind of a blur through some boring neighborhoods.  At mile 11, my family was waiting for me again.  This time, my husband had joined up with them after completing his first 5K.  It was the first time he actually saw me race, and it felt good seeing him.  The next mile went through neighborhoods with some "college houses".  They had big groups on porches yelling at runners and music blaring.  It made a typical tough #11 easier for me.  

Finally the turn home... At mile 12, we hit Lake Winnebago like a wall.  The wind was again at our face, and many runners dropped to a walk.  I was pretty drained and freezing cold at this point, but kept an eye on my watch... and debated Goal C or D?  I pushed on and never stopped running... "Empty the Tank" as my mantra at this point.

I crossed over the final bridge and took one last glance at my watch.  DO IT.  Goal C.... beat the 2:09:13 from last fall's half marathon (in perfect running conditions).  I broke into an all out sprint for the last 1/4 mile.

Finish 2:09:02 (chip time)

I PR'ed by 11 seconds... does that count?!?  Hahaha!

And again, the photographer captured exactly how I felt at that moment... complete anguish.

I was #716 out of 1241

#6 in my division

By the finish, the temperature had dropped almost 10 degrees from the start.  It had rained the whole race; but now it turned to sleet, and then quickly snow.  We snapped some quick post-race photos, grabbed some food, and were loading up into the car before the finish clock even hit 2:35.  I was freezing wet and shaking cold beyond anything I had ever felt before.  

Here's how I felt...

Hmmm, was it worth it?!?!

You betcha!

Not the race I dreamed and envisioned during the last four months of training.  But I'll get another shot on April 30 at the Illinois Half-Marathon.  And on the way home, I warned my hubby... you know I could always do another one in May... How quickly we recover!