Pgh Half Recap (VERY long, sorry)

[jchokie79]

I've deleted and rewrote this a few times, still not sure if I'm capturing it accurately.  

This was my second Half ever and first Pgh Half.  Overall I trained harder this time with the exception of the last month where I started to get burnt out a little and skipped a few short runs and work outs.  

I was really looking forward to the Half as I'm local and when I started running two years ago, it was my goal to run this race.  

My game plan was to run with the 2:30 pace group.  I found them and hung out with them at the line up.  Due to the size of the race, it took us 35 minutes to get up to the Start line.  The waiting was the worst.

Once we got started, I made a rookie mistake and started out way too fast.  After a few miles, the 2:30 group caught up and passed me.  For the longest time I had them in my sight and came close to catching up a few times but eventually lost them all together.  

I don't remember the race mile by mile but I had pretty good energy the entire time.  I fueled with Gu at 3, 6 and 9. I didn't stop for the first time until after mile 8 to get some gatorade from the fluid station.  I had my own water bottle but was running low.  

Because I was warned of the hills, I was mentally prepared.  I was waiting to hit the wall after mile 10 as that had happened to me at my last Half.  However that never came.  But tried as I might I just never caught up with the 2:30 group.  The last steady uphill climb was tough and I walked a few times.  But the down hill finish was awesome and I really tried taking longer strides to make up time.  

Going in I had a 2:30 goal but thought I'd be closer to 2:45 since the course was harder than my last Half with hills and bridges.  When I finished and realized I came in at 2:32, I was happy with the 2 minute PR.  I felt good and strong the entire run whereas at my last Half I got a little lightheaded and dizzy afterwards.  

So if I stopped here you'd think I had a great race, right!?  Well, after the race I started comparing my time with everyone I knew and their brothers and sisters.  Next thing I knew I was upset with myself that I didn't finish under 2:30.

I definitely have some lessons learned from this race.  Mainly USE MY DAMN WATCH!  I really need to learn how to run at "race pace" so I can actually achieve my time goal.  When I'm out there, I'm too la dee da and don't pay a lick of attention to my time.  And all I could think this morning was how I wanted a do over.  If only I had stuck with the 2:30 group!!!  Ugh.  

I have a Chicago Half in Sept. that I already signed up for.  It'll have to be my redemption Half just hope it's not too ungodly hot by then.  Still thinking about Kiawah, I really want to do it but I'm afraid I'll be burnt out.  

*Found my race photos earlier and this also explains why it took me so long.  I was a photog whore!

[Deleted]

Great recap! It's too bad we didn't hook up earlier, though I swear I saw you at one point!

I still think you should do Kiawah. You'd really just need to maintain a few weeks, throw in a few long runs and be done with it. It's a flat course too and it'll be SO MUCH FUN!

[CallingAllAngels]

1) you are adorable.

2) I know it's hard not to compare yourself to others, but you should be very proud of the race you ran.

3) Come to Kiawah.

[gncorman]

Congrats on the PR!! Relish in the fact that you finished, finished with a PR and had fun!

[bostonmichelle]

Congratulations on the PR!! That is an awesome recap.

Please come to Kiawah!

[coconutbug]

Cute pics and congrats on the PR!

[lovesherheels]

Congrats on the PR!! Be proud of your time; you rocked it!

[cinco]

You did great. A PR is always awesome, AND it was on a hilly course, AND you look amazing and happy while PR'ing. It's a win all around!

[sadlebred]

Congratulations!!!

[beckbech]

It was a fun race and you looked adorable! Congrats on the PR!

[lauren170]

Just running a half is a huge accomplishment so congrats!!! Can't wait to hear about a PR in Chicago!

[brandienee]

That is awesome time! I get the same way about my grades in school, I will get an A on something and think I should have worked harder for that A+. Or think that a B is an absolute failure.

So just enjoy the great PR. You're gorgeous when running, so... enjoy that too.

[shauni27]

great recap and a GREAT race with a PR you should be proud of! There will always be races where you say "but but but, if I trained harder, or do this, or didn't do that..." and there will always be more races Don't beat yourself up, you did GREAT!

[clseale]

Congrats on your PR!! A PR is always something to be proud of, but I understand your frustrations. It seems like there's always something we can find to pick apart. We're so critical of ourselves, but you really did a great job!

I'm a big fan of race pace miles in the long run. If you're not already, I'd take one long run a month, and run a big chunk of the middle miles at goal race pace. It really helps to get a feel of what race pace feels like.

I can't wait to read about your PR in Chicago, and I really hope you decide to run Kiawah!

[skwcm80]

Congrats on your PR!! I know it's hard not to compare ourselves to others, but you did a great job.

[sassystace]

Congrats on the PR!

[boston340]

Not only did you have a great race, but you look so adorable in your photos! You most definitely proved this wrong:

[boston340]

May 6, 2014 8:18:54 GMT -5 boston340 said:

Not only did you have a great race, but you look so adorable in your photos! You most definitely proved this wrong:

@vtcupcake too - she looked AWESOME in the race photo of her first half last weekend!

[hannahb]

Congrats on the PR! Do not, I repeat, do not compare yourself to others. There is always someone faster, stronger, etc. Just try and up yourself. I think kiawah is a perfect place to do so .

[clseale]

May 6, 2014 8:18:54 GMT -5 boston340 said:

Not only did you have a great race, but you look so adorable in your photos! You most definitely proved this wrong:

Very true!! That also reminds me of this meme that I love! Jchokie does not have this problem.

[boston340]

May 6, 2014 10:36:00 GMT -5 clseale said:

May 6, 2014 8:18:54 GMT -5 boston340 said:

Not only did you have a great race, but you look so adorable in your photos! You most definitely proved this wrong:

Very true!! That also reminds me of this meme that I love! Jchokie does not have this problem.

No kidding!  Maybe jchokie79 is going to pull a kams and be the poster child for the Pittsburgh Marathon!  

[boston340]

And now I'm seriously considering buying a running skirts...

[gt7301b]

Congrats on the PR. As runners we always want to run faster, but take the time to celebrate what you accomplished. I think it is easier to PR in 2-3 minute chunks than get a 5 minute PR. Now that you know what 2:32 feels like sub 2:30 will be easier.

[clseale]

May 6, 2014 10:38:02 GMT -5 boston340 said:

And now I'm seriously considering buying a running skirts...

I just bought my first one a couple of weeks ago, but have yet to wear it. They are so not me, but it was on sale for dirt cheap, and it is so light! It might be the best thing to happen to my summer running. We'll see. 

[kams]

OMG you are SO CUTE!!!!!! I love your pics! But better than your pics is your race. The numbers are arbitrary, the PR is real, concrete movement and progress. You should be so proud. You did a fantastic job! Keep it rolling, girl!

[jchokie79]

Aww, you guys are making me cry at work!

I can't thank you enough for your words of encouragement and support. I knew you guys would totally understand.

I know I shouldn't compare myself to others but it's hard not to. And people keep asking my time and I feel embarrassed to share (even though I know I shouldn't be).

Thisclose to signing up for Kiawah to run with you ladies. I know you would all help push me to get my sub 2:30!!!

[lb2006]

I agree with the above:

1) super cute running photos
2) PR WILL come - you had a great race!
3) one word: KIAWAH

[Deleted]

May 6, 2014 12:29:46 GMT -5 jchokie79 said:

Aww, you guys are making me cry at work!

I can't thank you enough for your words of encouragement and support. I knew you guys would totally understand.

I know I shouldn't compare myself to others but it's hard not to. And people keep asking my time and I feel embarrassed to share (even though I know I shouldn't be).

Thisclose to signing up for Kiawah to run with you ladies. I know you would all help push me to get my sub 2:30!!!

Share your time and be proud! People that don't run, they have no reason to judge you because they don't run. People that do run know how GD hard it is to cover 13.1 miles, and I've never met a runner that was judgmental of my times - only supportive.