Last year, my friend Amanda and I decided to challenge ourselves and run both the Iron Girl and the Frederick Half Marathon and 5k in one week. It was challenging and we did it. This year, I was minus Amanda for my challenges, but I was still successful I already blogged about the Iron Girl, so I will just give you the run down on the Frederick Running Festival this weekend.
Saturday- Twilight 5k
They changed up the course, which was a shame because I really liked running up to the airport and back. There were a couple of steeper hills, but overall not too challenging. I did a run/walk combo for this. I decided early on that this race was about finishing. I came in just shy of 45 minutes, which wasn't too bad. Even though the course changed, I did like the 5k and I am considering doing the nut job next year, except I think I am going to try training for it.
Sunday- Half Marathon
I went to bed really super early on Saturday night, before 9:30. Good thing too because my husband and I were both up at 4:30am. We wanted to make sure that we were adequately prepared for the traffic we inevitably were going to hit. We got to the race, hit the bathrooms and then lined up. This was not one of my banner races so here is how it went:
Miles 1-6: ran the entire time
Mile 7: walked half, ran half
Mile 8: ran
Mile 9: pulled a muscle on the right side of my butt. Hobbled
Mile 10-12: intermittent walk/run. Walked more than ran.
Mile 13-Finish: Ran, except for the big hill at the finish
Overall, I did much better this year. I walked a lot more last year and felt like complete and utter crap when finished. This year, I was sore, both because of my pulled muscle and the fact that I think my shoes are completely shot. I was hoping to get through one more race before I put them out to pasture, but I guess I am running the MD half marathon next weekend with partially broken in shoes. I have a problem with plantar fascitis (sp?) and unfortunately it made every step super painful after the midway point.
What I Like About the Running Festival:
I have a lot of high praise for Corrigan and what they do on a continual basis. I feel like they provide a lot of on course support for runners. The premiums, medals, and expo are all really nice. The infield festival is also a very chill environment. Finally, the race route is always well managed and scenic. There are a lot of great things about this race and I think anyone who is able to should Run Frederick.
What I Don't Like:
This year was a rare exception and honestly it had nothing to do with Corrigan and the festival itself, but more the police support. I would say all but 1 individual was very friendly and nice, so this person was really the exception and not the rule, but needless to say he really irritated a lot of people in the backfield. Myself included. Basically, we had 3 hours and 30 minutes to complete the course, which is pretty standard. Even at my tiredest, I still can finish within that time period. So I was not worried. As I rounded mile 12, there was a police officer who drove up alongside our group and started yelling at us. In particular, he kept yelling "come on you got to move faster, we are closing the course. You have 12 minutes before you won't be allowed to finish." Or my favorite, "You have 12 minutes to get to mile 12, or else..." A lot of people around me were grumbling and very irritated. What was particular irritating was that we WERE ON MILE 12! He should have just left alone. I sprinted ahead to put some distance between myself and him. The problem is that I had no finishing kick because I had to sprint to put some distance between myself and him. My finish time by the way was 3 hours and 15 minutes. This was 9 minutes faster than last year. So clearly I was in no danger at mile 12 of not being able to make time.
Lessons Learned From Last Year:
1. My husband and I both ate sandwiches yesterday for both meals. That way we were able to avoid our porta pot problems from last year.
2. We took an alternative route and parked in a parking garage about 3/4 of a mile away from the start, which meant dealing with no traffic when getting to the race.
3. My hubby in particular, PR'ed. In part because he listened to me. Yesterday at the expo, I encouraged him to get GU because I told him it would help him keep his energy level up when he was tired. I also encouraged him to get more sleep and to actually eat breakfast. Most importantly, I told him to make sure he drank water, gatorade or both at the water stops along the way. He did those things this year and not only finished 13 minutes faster, but he felt a lot better. Your training is just as important as keeping proper nutrition and hydration on the course.
Well, 2 halves down and 1 more to go. Next weekend, the Maryland Half Marathon. I have 4 hours so there is no pressure. But, I WILL be resting a lot after this. My muscles are shot. I have obtained both the nut job and titanium girl medals, but I am pretty spent.
Until next time, happy running!
