Rock and Roll Doesn't Like Me Too Much
Wednesday, August 11, 2010 at 7:00AM So, August 1st, I ran Chicago's Rock and Roll Half Marathon - "run" being a misnomer. Dragged my booty to the finish line is more like it! Very honestly, this was the worst race I've ever run.
The day started off ok. My stomach was kinda upset, but I thought it would go away. Nerves before a long race are normal! I had on my cute new running outfit: pink Nike Tempo shorts and my favorite tank. Bossyboots and I hustled into our corral, way back in #22. There were 24,000 participants this year, so it was kinda crowded.
Here was our view at the start:
We were so far back, we couldn't even see the starter banner! It took 30 minutes for our wave to be released. That's never fun!
Finally, we were set free and started running. Unfortunately, for the entire first eight miles, my stomach was CRAZY. I have no idea if I ate something wrong, or if it was super-nerves or what. At mile six, I knew I wasn't going to make it to the end with Bossyboots' and my running strategy. We usually run intervals of Run .9 miles alternated with Walk .1. I knew I needed to dial down to taking a walk break every half mile. I didn't want to ruin Bossyboots' race, so I made him go on ahead. He's training for the Chicago FULL Marathon, so this Half race was really important to his training. He wouldn't leave me, but I told him I'd feel so much worse ruining his time than just finishing on my own. I also knew that I'd feel self-inflicted pressure to run too hard or skip walk breaks so that I didn't screw him up. After much coercing, he finally went on.
Scooting along by myself, my stomach continued being a brat. By the time my body calmed down, all the way at mile nine... I had mentally given up and just didn't even try anymore. I ran/walked the rest of the course. I finished, but not the way I wanted to. Bossyboots somehow found me at the finish line and scored me bananas and Cytomax (good thing, because they ran out!!)
Anyway, all this to say I was really disappointed, BUT I know that this happens to everyone. Not every race is going to be great; and it makes the good races feel that much sweeter. Endurance running is a major challenge (especially for a "normal" person like me!) This particular race experience brought home to me what an accomplishment long runs can be. Next time, I'm going to train smarter, and appreciate my great races more!
Moving on... after this not-so-awesome race, I'm going to shake up my running life! I have lots of girlfriends running the Bucktown 5k in October AND the Hot Chocolate 5k in November. For the rest of the year, I'm going to learn how to run a short race and try to improve my running form. I think it'll be fun to run with my girls! Many of my friends have been working the Couch to 5K training program, and I think I might give it a shot. I'm not starting from the couch, but sprint running is totally different from endurance running, so I'd like to give it a shot! My plan is to post weekly with a report on each week's training runs, as well as some sort of running tip or lesson. We'll figure this out together!
How about you? I bet lots of you are trying out Couch to 5K. What's your best advice for success?? Clearly, I need it. ;)
Bossyboots, Running, race report
Reader Comments (6)
oh no.. sorry the race did not go so great for you. I ran the Rock n Roll too, and while the first 10 miles went pretty well, I totally ran out of steam after that and ended up walking a lot... so I finished with a slower time than last year, my first race. It is disappointing when you don't see improvement, but like you said - some races are going to be better than others.
I'm thinking about the hot chocolate run too! A chocolate buffet at the finish line seems like pretty good motivation to me :)
Oh no! So sorry that the half didn't go so well. But you're totally right- not every race can be amazing.
I HEART HEART HEART C25K. Seriously, I can't say enough good things about it. One piece of advice- download one of the podcasts so you don't have to time yourself. It makes the runs a whole lot easier.
I heart C25K as well. I literally started from the couch in June. I had some knee problems so when I ran my first 5K last Sunday, I had to walk more than I planned. I haven't actually finished the entire program, so, I'm rewinding to Week 5 so I can work toward my next goal - Oct 23 5K.
I've been thinking about a 1/2 marathon, but I want to conquer the 5K and 10K first.
As you know, I'm a BIG fan of C25K! Let's do a training run together SOON!!! I need to get off the treadmill so I'm ready for the Bucktown 5K!
Great post and you're right not all runs can be great. I just blogged about what my first 5k and how I wasn't happy about it and everyone came back and said you did it, you finished and I guess that's what matters. =)
I am proud of you! Running sucks, in my humblest of humble opinoins, and you rocked that half marathon (even if you don't believe it!)