Race Report: Mankato Half-Marathon

First of all, I would like to give major props to the race organizers of the Mankato Marathon, Half Marathon, and 10K.  I was really worried that there would be a lot of problems on the course because this was the first ever Mankato Marathon.  Although I wish they had placed water/biffy stops a bit more frequently on the course, I have to commend them on putting together and executing what was overall a well-organized event.

Pre-Race
After a yummy dinner of Asian-Mexican fusion pesto with noodles (recipe forthcoming), lots of water, organizing my race-day attire and extras, and a decent night's sleep, I woke up bright and early yesterday morning to run my third half-marathon.   I ate a couple of pieces of toast and downed a couple of glasses of water.  M. and I drove to the MNSU campus and parked near the start line.  The race was due to start at 8am, and we arrived around 7:20.  I drank some more water and then went to stand in line to use the biffy.  I ran into a friend from my women's running club and her kids, who were there to cheer on her husband, who was running the full marathon.  We chatted for a bit.  Then I positioned myself on the edge between the 2:20 and 2:30 pace groups and chatted with my hubs for a few more minutes.   It started raining lightly, and I hoped that it wouldn't get worse.  

Miles 0-2.25
Because all three events (marathon, half, and 10k) were starting from the same place at the same time, there was a big crush of 2,000 bodies and it didn't seem worth it to try to press up to the 2:20 pace group until the race started.  I think the MC's mic wasn't functioning properly because I never heard any pre-race announcements or any sort of starting gun.  Eventually, people in front of me started moving forward, so I turned my Garmin on and was off.  I soon caught up to the 2:20 pace group and was feeling good aside from the fact that I already really needed to pee again.  The rain let up, and the conditions were great for running: cool and cloudy with almost no wind.  The 10k group branched off, and then those of us doing the half took a turn a couple of miles into the course.  I ran with the pace group until the first aid station, which was somewhere around mile 2.25.  I stopped to wait in line to use a biffy, and I never saw my pace group again.... 
My pace was steady at about 10:40.

Miles 2.25-7
I don't know why I didn't realize that so much of this race would be on the trails rather than on the roads.  From mile 3 until about mile 7 there were few spectators and there was a lot of passing and being passed by the same few people over and over again on the trails.  I walked up most of the hills, but was running pretty steady aside from that.  I ditched my "arm warmers" around mile 5.  The distance between water stops was the biggest problem for me.  I was sooo thirsty.  I usually run with my Camelbak for runs longer than 5 or 6 miles, and I usually take a sip or two every 1/2 mile or so.  Only drinking every 2-2.5 miles was a bit of a problem for me.  I was feeling really dehydrated yet sloggy at the same time.  I was also getting really bored.  I had a couple of conversations, but for the most part I was running solita.  I dug out my ipod around mile 7 to take my mind off of how thirsty and uninspired I was feeling.  

My pace varied.  I lost a few minutes in the biffy, but was still running about 10:40-10:50 until mile 6, when I slowed down considerably to a 12 min/mile.

Mile 7-9
We were on a trail that I run almost every week.  I felt good and a little less bored because there were many more spectators along this section of the trail.  I got a number of a high fives from little kids and that totally boosted my energy.  Also this part of the trail is infinitely more scenic and was relatively flat.  There was even a chance to shoot some baskets with the water cups!  The volunteers from here until the finish were especially fantastic.  I saw a couple of them riding the opposite way on the trail, giving encouragement to runners as they passed.  I ran into a university colleague, who was running her second half, and chatted with her for a couple of minutes.
Here, too my pace was very inconsistent, ranging from 10 min/mile to a 12 min/mile

Miles 9-12
I was hoping by mile 9 that I could still finish in under 2:30 even if I wouldn't meet my 2:20 goal.  But around mile 10 I had to stop to use the biffy again and that and the last set of hills just sucked up too much time.  I saw a team of medics tending to a runner on the side of the trail.  She was on a stretcher, and I prayed that she would be ok.  From mile 10 on, I did a lot more walking than I would have liked.  I had a stitch in my side that I couldn't shake, and I was so thirsty.  There were only a few runners in my field of vision, and they were all alternating running and walking.  Energy seemed to be really low for everyone. At one point, I must have been grimacing because a volunteer asked if I was okay.  I smiled at her and said that I was and started running again.
Pace was erratic and I forgot to record a lap at one of the mile markers.  

Miles 12-13.1
Finally, I was off the trail and on the streets!  I still walked a little bit at a couple of points here, but I was feeling better and the end was in metaphorical sight.  I kicked up the speed for the last quarter mile and finished strong.  But I forgot to smile.  M. hadn't remembered to replace the batteries in his camera, so he didn't capture my finish anyway.  The race clock said 2:36 and some change.  My Garmin read 2:35:57.

Post-Race
I grabbed a cup of water and some kettle corn.  I decided to skip the bananas.  Unfortunately, I forgot to return my chip, so I can't get my official time until I mail that sucker in.  M. met me just past the finish with my hoodie and a hug.  I was pretty disappointed in my time, but, as any kind and supportive spouse would, he told me that I had done great.  We stopped by the Farmers' Market on the way home and picked up a few goodies for the week.  Then M. made me eggs and special pancakes for brunch.  I washed them down with coffee and a TON of water!

Racing Reflections

All in all -- though this is mostly a reflection on my performance rather than on the event itself -- I have to say that this was not my favorite racing experience.  While the course definitely wasn't the most interesting I've been on and I wanted more of a party before, during, and after the race, my performance can't really be blamed on that.  I'm disappointed by how much I struggled in this half-marathon, especially considering that I'm running a full marathon in three weeks.  I wasn't in the zone mentally or physically.  I went into this race without being mentally prepared and without reading the race information carefully.  First, I didn't have the right day.  Then, I failed to realize that much of this race would be on the trails.  I'm disappointed in my time and but even more so in my lack of self-discipline.  I should have forced myself to continue to run and to push through the wall.  But I don't want to beat myself up too much.  I was so sick on Tuesday that I could barely move, and on Saturday I ran 13.1 miles.  My primary goal was to finish this half-marathon, and I did that.  That said, after my upcoming marathon is over and I've had some recovery time, I think it's time to start getting serious about running faster.

Was anyone else racing this weekend?  What events do you have coming up on your calendars?