My B&A half report

[shellfish26]

First of all, THANKS to everyone for your rainy race tips and encouragement.  I really appreciated your suggestions and used them all!  I ended up wearing crops, a short sleeved shirt, and my Brooks jacket.  And sadly, I had new shoes with only about 20 miles on them.  So, now they have 33 miles and lots of mud, haha! 

Conditions were absolutely awful, especially since I have never, ever run in the rain.  So for anyone who is just starting out, I would recommend doing a few runs in bad weather.  It was really messing with me mentally at first.  But at around mile 3, I was chatting with a guy next to me who said "It's not like you are going to get any wetter."  After that, I stopped trying to avoid puddles (which was next to impossible since there were parts of the trail that were completely underwater).  

The winds started to increase around mile 7, and that was killer.  And then some guy complained because I splashed him as I was passing him.  Um, OK?  The rain never once let up, and he had a problem because I may have stepped in a puddle by him?  

I don't know what the crowd support is like on a good day, but people were awesome.   Lots of wet, soggy signs.  And I was so grateful for one woman who was passing out dry tissues!  I started to tear up a bit with one mile left when I realized that I was ACTUALLY GOING TO FINISH!  My H was waiting at the finish line with cupcakes, beer and a 13.1 magnet for my car.  

Anyway, my goal was to finish under 2:00 and my time was 1:56:xx.  I was happy with that, especially considering the weather.  Not sure what's next for me.  I start a training program on April 8 to work on my speed a bit, and maybe I'll look at another half in the fall. 

[gt7301b]

Nice work, way to kill your goal!!

[cinco]

Nice job! I always love the Annapolis Striders races. They have great volunteers.

[bostonmichelle]

Nice work!! Congrats on killing your goal time!

[labbie]

Congrats on meeting your goal despite the crap weather- well deserved cupcakes and beer!!
Excellent job out there.

[melmel48]

Awesome! Congratulations! <)

[thom]

Wow!! That's amazing to beat your time goal in weather like that. Congratulations and way to have a good attitude about the rough conditions.

[Mushe]

Amazing! Way to smash your goal, and in such tough conditions!

[Deleted]

Brilliant effort. LOL at the guy who was miffed you splashed him. What a princess.
Great time, especially in those conditions!

[katyintx]

Mar 30, 2014 14:06:48 GMT -5 shellfish26 said:

Anyway, my goal was to finish under 2:00 and my time was 1:56:xx.  I was happy with that, especially considering the weather.  Not sure what's next for me.  I start a training program on April 8 to work on my speed a bit, and maybe I'll look at another half in the fall. 

Congratulations on reaching/beating your goal, especially in that kind of weather!!  

What training program are you using to work on your speed, if you don't mind sharing?  After my next half, I'm in the same boat as you...

[psyri]

Yay! You are a badass!

[hannahb]

Congrats again! Oh man, cupcakes? I should have looked around for you a little longer. Not that I would have been able to even attempt to eat anything with my frozen fingers!

[kams]

Congratulations on a stellar race, and keeping yourself positive despite the conditions. Awesome!

[lb2006]

CONGRATS!

[libbygrl109]

That is a killer time! You are definitely a badass!

[setsail1999]

Told you that you would kill it! And what an awesome time!

[skwcm80]

Congratulations on an excellent race despite the conditions!!

[mrshandy]

Congrats!! Great time! I can't imagine running a half in yesterday's weather. It made me want to cry just being out it in for 2 minutes.

[shauni27]

nice work! that is a super impressive half time, especially considering the weather!

[mrsjthompson]

That is awesome! Congrats!

[runblondie26]

You were way under your goal! Congrats!

[shellfish26]

Thanks everyone!  Now that my first HM is done, I'm officially hooked and ready to find another (hopefully with sun and cool temperatures.!  

katyintx - I'm actually going to be doing a training program with the local running club.  It's a 10K/10mile group, but I want to work on my speed throughout the summer, which will hopefully translate to a better HM time in the fall?  But I am really looking forward to meeting some running friends too, so I am super excited about that part. 

hannahb - when the volunteer handed me the water bottle, I just kind of stood there, awkwardly looking at it.  And she was like "Oh, honey.  Do you need some help?  Are your fingers frozen?"  I just nodded.  So, if its any consolation, I couldn't actually eat the cupcake until I had them under my butt with the seat warmer for a while.