Then & Now- 1 Year From Baltimore

Baltimore Running Festival 2012- Baltimore Half Marathon

Start of the festival

Then: In 2011, I completed the Baltimore Half Marathon without really training and even though I was sore as hell, I was hooked. What a difference a year makes.
   Mile 1: Couldn't get up the hill after the initial start. My legs cramped and I couldn't run until Mile 3.
   Mile 3: I finally was able to start moving and I ran and intermittently walked throughout miles 3-5. 
   Mile 6: Walked that, way too hilly
   Mile 7-8: Tired and my back was starting hurt, but I ran and completed mile 7, then after a GU mishap, I walked mile 8.
   Mile 9: Walked that, it was really hilly
   Mile 10-11: Periodic back stretching breaks while walking, was really tired.
   Mile 12: Could barely move and it seemed like the race was taking forever, but kept going.
   Mile 13: Defeated images captured by the race photographers as I shuffle at a snail's pace towards the finish.
   Finish: Made it, but definitely didn't have a strong finish. Got my medal and collapsed on the ground as my muscles ceased up. 

2011 Finisher's Time: 3 hours 32 minutes and 45 seconds

Now: In 2012, I decided to test my physical limits by running two half marathons in one week. I did this for a couple of reasons, 1. It was my b-day week and I wanted to go out 28 and come in at 29 with a half marathon, 2. I wanted to prove to myself that I could run Baltimore in at least the same time or a little bit better than the year before. Here's the race cap.
   Mile 1: Ran almost all of the first mile, as always I have to let my calves workout their kinks, but I knew this going in to the race. That hill I couldn't get up, yeah I owned it this year.
   Mile 2: Walked the uphill because I knew there were a lot of flat parts coming in miles 2.5-4. Ran those.
    Mile 5:  Ran with relative ease.
    Mile 6: Walked most of it as my break.
    Mile 7-8: I was determined to make it around Druid Hill Lake  this time. Last year and the 10 miler, I was unable to make the 2 mile run around. This time, I was going to do it. I made a secret deal to myself that if I ran continuously that I could walk the big hill at mile 9. Ate my energy gel, grabbed a drink and kept going. I conquered Druid Hill Lake...Go Me!
    Mile 9: Walked up the hill and then ran through until the hill at mile 11. This is when I began passing people.
    Mile 11-12: Took a brief 2 minute walk break and continued to run the remainder of my mileage.
    Mile 13: Passed even more people and kept pace with the Geico Marathoners who were finishing in 5 hrs 15 min. I actually smiled and waved at the race photographers as I knew the finish was coming.
    Finish:  Sprinted and passed the few people that were ahead of me. Walked over got my medal, stood for some snacks and walked around a bit. Then sat down to wait for my husband.

2 medals- Finisher's and the Double. 

  2012 Finisher's Time: 3 hours 18 minutes and 12 seconds.

Here is the amazing thing, I ran a half marathon 6 days earlier and it was a flat course and my time was worse than this more challenging course. I think I did better because I knew where my difficulties were and I knew how to adjust my race strategies to deal with the course. I can surmise one thing from this week, at age 29, I am in better shape than I was at age 28. 

My hubby being supportive. 

I think I will always run the Baltimore Half Marathon because I love it. Its my first half marathon I have ever run and I love the course. No matter how run down the neighborhoods  the people of Baltimore are very supportive. Especially the neighborhoods at the end of the course. Charles Village is by far my favorite to run through, mainly because the entire neighborhood is out and cheering for you. Hands down my two favorite people are the ones who dress up in tiger outfits and dance on the roof of their car to "Eye of the Tiger."  Year after year, the streets are lined with people as thousands of runners make their way through the streets of Baltimore. It really is a wonderful and well run race. I also am a big fan of Corrigan Sports Events. I have run numerous events sponsored by Corrigan and time and time again they have proven to be one of the most well organized events. I know that everything is easy to find and well supported when I run a Corrigan event. 

So What's Up Next? Well, its Runtober and I have two more 5ks. I also start Marathon training this week because I find the weather to be more amicable. 






Happy running :-)