Then I moved half way across the country. Now what? What are the best races? How will I know where to stay, where to park, how to breathe?? My first two races, the Pink on Parade 5k and the Florida Legends Mermaid Half Marathon happened fairly quickly (just two days between finding out about, to running the Legends race) and I didn't have much time to prepare. I began training for the Shark Bite Half Marathon early-mid November. Between three holidays and a vacation to celebrate my wedding anniversary, I didn't find a lot of time to research my race. Three days before, a friend asked what time the race started and I didn't even know the answer!
The point is, I felt fairly unprepared for this race. I had goals. I really wanted to meet them, but for at least a couple weeks leading up I felt very anxious. There were things that were in my control that I could have done better while training. There were also things beyond my control, like the weather. I put a lot of pressure on myself.
By the time race weekend arrived I had decided on my goals...
My A, Good, Goal- 2:05 or under.
My B, Great, Goal- 2:00 area
My C, Amazing, Goal- PR with anything under 1:58:50 (I was saying under 1:58, but I would have taken even a couple seconds off and been thrilled.)
I was following the same Break 2 hour plan I've used before, but there was a big difference this time. Because of the move, and taking a laid back approach to training for the Soaring Wings Half Marathon in October, I didn't have a good base built to support the training in this plan. I had a big life change and went into training as if nothing had changed at all. Sure, I hit my speed work each week, but that drained me of every other run. I was not trained properly, and for the first half of this race I ran as if I was. Training is not just getting the speed work done.
Ultimately, I just wasn't ready to run with those kind of goals. I pushed hard in the first half and it killed my second half. I pushed so hard to try and PR, and then when that wasn't going to happen I tried to keep my pace in the 2 hour finishing area, that I burned out and it was all I could do to keep myself moving for the last half. Over the last week while I've been processing (...overthinking ...) everything, I also now realize that I wasn't fueled properly for the race. I tried, but a series of things happening the day before led to not a lot of food intake, and I had wrongly counted on breakfast being available at our hotel, but it didn't start until almost an hour after we left. I had a protein bar for breakfast and probably needed more carbs. I wouldn't have thought it would take 20 half marathons for me to learn this lesson, but here we are. :)
The first mile wasn't too bad really. It was the only mile I had that was in goal pace range to PR. Miles 2 and 3 I kept telling myself to pick up the pace but when I'd look at my watch it was one second slower each time. I was pushing, and not making any progress. By mile 4 I knew for sure I wasn't going to PR. I was ok with that. Like I said, I was so doubtful of reaching this goal and it wasn't because I was being hard on myself. So I did a quick 30 second walk through the water stop (trying to save what was in my handheld water bottle for later in the race) and re-asses what I hoped I could still do.
At the water station near mile 6 I got another cup of water. This is where the 2 hour pacer passed me. Even when she passed I was ok with it and told myself I could do my best to keep her in sight. That would help me reach at least one of my other goals.
A little after that point we turned onto the road that takes us back over the river. We had crossed the river for the first time in the first mile. That bridge wasn't bad. This second time over is definitely the worst hill I've done in Florida. Ever. The combination of the steepness with the length of the bridge made this quite possibly the hardest hill I've done in a race. Then again, it could be that I've already forgotten. I don't think so though. :) I walked twice going up the bridge.
Mid bridge crossing we reached 7 miles and I knew there was another water stop at mile 8. From this point on I had to set goals for myself. I was going to walk at the water stop at 8 miles but when I got to the flag I didn't see any tables. It was actually around the corner on the next turn. It makes sense when thinking about it because up to that point we were on a pretty busy road. When I finally did make it, I asked a volunteer if I could refill my water bottle and then rather than running again, I walked for a couple minutes. I had hit a HUGE wall. Miles 8-10 were on a straight stretch of road. This was mentally the toughest spot for me. I didn't allow myself to walk because, while I was starting to hurt quite a bit, I knew a lot of it was mental. I was ok with not reaching my B and C goals, and I was pretty sure I wasn't going to make my A goal, but I was trying not to look at my watch. I went back and forth between telling myself that my time didn't matter and I was still going to have a good finish, but also wondering how things got to this point. I did not want to walk. Just past the 10 mile mark there was another water stop and I asked for a bottle refill again. I didn't walk this time, but didn't make it far before I did. I walked five more times between 10.5 and 12.75. I was done. When I walked around 12.75 I was definitely frustrated with myself. At this point I had looked at my time and I couldn't help but wonder how my finish time would quite possibly be slower than my previous two half marathons. One was super hilly and the other I was only trained up to 8 or 9 miles. As I was telling myself to stop thinking and just run, another runner that had already finished was walking back along the course. He looked at me and even though I had my music going, I could tell he was saying something encouraging, beyond the typical "You've got this" kind of encouragement. Don't get me wrong, all encouragement is so welcome! I love spectators so much!! This guy though, he made eye contact and his eyes said so much more than words could say. As wonderful as it was, it got to me and I found myself fighting tears which led to the inevitable "panic attack". I stepped onto the sidewalk so I could slow my walk and get it together.
By this time I had barely 1/3 of a mile to go. I was really hurting and I was so tempted to walk it in, but I ran. Sometimes shuffling my feet, sometimes tripping, but I ran. Just before the 13 mile flag I saw my friend, who had also run, standing on the corner. It was nice to see a familiar face and I think it was just what I needed to find a very small kick to the finish line.Chip Time- 2:07:24/Avg pace 9:43
I received my medal, pint glass, and water and found myself wandering a bit. I couldn't tell if I needed to sit or if I needed to move. I found a place along the edge of the finisher and vendor's area where I could be out of the way, stretch and answer some encouraging texts from family and friends.
After a little bit I went out of the area to watch the finish line while waiting for my sister-in-law to come across. It made me smile to see so many people finishing and watch the range of emotions cross their faces. Crystal crossed, happy to be done, and I went back inside the area. It was nice that neither of us had to leave right away on top of the fact that it was a beautiful day. We lingered around for quite a while talking about the race, the course, and all the things that made this race worth doing again despite it being so rough for both of us.
So, what about the race itself?
The next time I do Shark Bite, I intend do it with no time goal so I can enjoy the course. It's beautiful! The course begins and ends less than 100 feet from the beach. That alone would bring me back.
As I mentioned before, the course crosses the Indian River for the first time about a half mile in. This bridge is a drawbridge and there's a portion of that bridge that is a metal grate. I found it a little difficult to run across, but thankfully it was a short distance.
The first turn is about 1 3/4 mile into the race and from there we got a little over half a mile along the river. The sun was just reaching over the trees that line the land surrounding the inlets on the river. It was lovely! Miles 2.5-4ish were through a residential area and the Historic District of New Smyrna then we were back along a different part of the river heading south for nearly a mile.
I love running by water so most of the first 5 miles of the race will be so nice to do and focus on rather than time or pace next time!
Mile 6 is in another residential area and soon after the course takes a turn onto the large bridge to cross back over the river towards the beach. I tried measuring how long the hill is on Google Maps and as best I can tell it's around 1/3 of a mile. It seems way longer. lol The downhill part is excellent, but I wouldn't say it makes up for the incline. ;) Then came the turn that leads to the long 2 mile stretch for miles 8-10. We get to the 10th mile mark on a short out and back section that totals about 1/2 a mile in a small neighborhood. A couple turns later and we are at mile 11 heading north again towards the finish line. Most of the last two miles are along the main road paralleling the beach. I had hoped that because this was the closest road to the beach that there would be more ocean sightings, but it's a very populated area with a combination of hotels, condos, and beach homes lining the beach. It's a busy enough area that there were still some distractions, in addition to a few more spectators than anywhere else on the course along the sidewalks. Small glimpses of the ocean were nice. Just before mile 13 is the little turn off the main road which leads to a back road of sorts which curves into the finisher's chute.
I really can't wait to run Shark Bite again so I can truly enjoy the course.
My highlights for the race have nothing to do with actually running it. The emcee was phenomenal. Before the race he was very upbeat and fun to listen to, rather than potentially obnoxious. Can you imagine how many people are there who are not morning people? ( *slowly raising my hand*) I've been at races where I'd really prefer to pep myself up in quiet. Sometimes I can start a race already overwhelmed and anxious. That's a personal thing and I would never put it on anyone else. Beyond the start line fun, the same guy was at the finish line. When I was watching people finish the emcee was keeping things exciting and I feel like he made the same big deal over every time goal. Anyone who finished under 2:20 (when I started watching), 2:25... 2:40 etc, every one of them he had a count down and treated them as if they were the only people finishing. I'm sure it was like that from the beginning. It was very special.
My other highlight was the beach itself. Starting, and more than that, finishing and all that follows, was THE BEST. I love the beach. No, I don't just love it. It's one of the most comforting things in the world to me. I'm at peace. Coming off a race that gave me so much anxiety and frustration and then to be able hear the waves when I finished, and walk such a short distance to the sand. I didn't want to leave. Plus, hello photo ops! :-D
What it comes down to is this was a growing experience. I guess there's something to be learned with every race, but this one really got me thinking. First and foremost- FUEL for the race! I really should know better. Second, and almost as important at the first- Don't follow a training plan I'm not ready for, even if I've done it before. Duh. :oP Third- Remember that life happenings can and will impact training and I need to give myself some leniency and grace.
I don't have anything lined up right now and that's kind of weird. I'm going to use this downtime from races to focus on finding myself again. I may or may not find the paces I was doing before we moved, and if I work and find out that's the case, it will be ok. It won't stop me from trying for a while.
I can't wait to see what kind of runner I can become in Florida.
