September 2007 ~ Flat ~ Hot ~ Post Race BEER ~ 20,000 other runners!!!
i was well trained but extremely nervous. I ran this race with Ryan's parents. And its a fairly expensive half, with the best spectators for any race ive ever run. i remember crossing the finish line, thinking i will never do that again.... little did i know, just 2 months later, i was on my way to Philadelphia:
November 2007 ~ Flat ~ Cold ~ Large race
i was still training while i ran this race, however the few weeks prior i came down with a cold, and since i am extremely stubborn and also hate wasting money on a race that was paid for, i did it, it wasnt pretty and my cold lasted another week afterwards...
April 2008 ~ 'rolling hills' ~ Cold ~ Medium size
Over the winter i barely trained, and once per week in March i got a couple good runs in, where i STILL hold my 1/2 marathon "PR" finishing in the top third (2,231 'place' out of 6,168) at a clock time of 2:13.
This was so long ago, and yet my fastest time, considering ive only ever survived the races that came after this...which are few and far between...
what the heck? i took an entire year off of running (besides a few lame-0 5ks)
May 2009 ~ HILLS ~ cool temp ~ Small size
This race is a true relay. I waited at mile 13 of a full marathon course for my partner to cross the halfway point, remove an ankle strap/chip, transfer onto my ankle, where i finished out the remaining 13.1 miles. I was completely unprepared and untrained... especially for such hilly terrain... and i was sore like a YOU KNOW WHAT for the few days after.
September 2009 ~ still FLAT ~ still HOT~ HUGE
Because ive never been one to learn a life lesson, i ran this race even more UNprepared, if thats possible? I drove to Harrisburg, PA, picked up a girlfriend then drove straight to Virginia Beach, ran. jogged. walked 50% of the course, then drove home. not a good time... PW. when will i learn?
what is wrong with me? another entire year off?
March 2010 ~ Flat ~ COLD ~ FUN! ~ CROWDED~
This is a favorite of mine. Ryan's sister Ariel GayleMarie and I dressed up as our favorite Disney princesses, Ariel and Belle. We trained for twelve cold weeks, every morning at 5:30 in our local YMCA. lifting and running. We ventured out to that gym on days when everything literally everything was closed, including the gym. we slid into the fence in the parking lot, the roads were so bad... Monday - Saturday... The race itself was not what i expected, its a lot of golf courses and behind Disney. We did get to run through Cinderella's Castle, but i only remember being in the park for a few miles. We stayed together the entire race, even stopped at each mile to have our pictures taken with the characters. Definitely, hands down, the most prepared ive ever been. Its a great race, but it gets crowded, and doesnt really spread out, so not good for PR'ing.
April 2011~ cold ~ rolling hills ~ medium sized race
I ran this race 9 weeks after having the Princess. I finished barely in 2:15. I was extremely proud of myself, I did a crash training session only a few long runs before. My whole body was tight after this race, but overall I was pleased... I did remember how much I dislike HILLS.
September 2011 ~ warm & humid ~ flat ~ cheap ~ small
This was such a special race to me. I got to run this with my cousins who I love so much, yet barely get to spend time with. We stayed together throughout the race, while catching up. The course is flat, and through Jersey City. There a several miles where you see and run along the Hudson River, the Empire State Building, Ellis Island/ Statue of Liberty... it was a low key/ no thrills race, which was refreshing from all the other runs that i have done. I was not so prepared for this, but we ran it slow and steady, so all was good! (celebrating with family and mimosas afterwards helped!)
Disney's Princess Half Marathon
February 2012~perfect running weather~flat ~ fun~$$$
2nd time around, so much fun. We were dressed as pocohantas, jessie & cinderella. Good times.
Very expensive race which turned into a very expensive week! Great first half marathon, if you are interested!
Stay tuned for:
The More Magazine Womens Half Marathon
Pocono Run for the Red Marathon Relay
February 2012~perfect running weather~flat ~ fun~$$$
2nd time around, so much fun. We were dressed as pocohantas, jessie & cinderella. Good times.
Very expensive race which turned into a very expensive week! Great first half marathon, if you are interested!
Stay tuned for:
The More Magazine Womens Half Marathon
Pocono Run for the Red Marathon Relay
Thanks for stopping by! Email me if you are on the fence about running, have questions, want to know how the eff I (of all people) have finished 9 half marathons, want tips... if youre even THINKING about running, you're halfway there. GOOD LUCK!
