Race Result

Racer:	Cynthia Couture
Race:	Shamrock Half Marathon
Date:	Sunday, March 19, 2006
Location:	Virginia Beach, VA
Race Type:	Run - Half Marathon
Age Group:	Female 30 - 34
Time:	2:39:01
Overall Place:	3326 / 5000
Age Group Place:	290 / 342
Comment:	PR for distance. :)

Race Report:

This was my first half-mary. Flipping awesome. One of my buddies was able to come down and hang out - he's done three marathons, so I asked for any last minute great advice - "start slow and ease off" - I feel like I managed pretty well - my pace was pretty darn rock solid.

Just a hair over 11 minutes on the first mile - perfect. I was worried about going out too quickly, and I felt like I'd avoided that. Water stop was a little earlier than I expected in mile 2, but hey, it's all good. The next water stop had a theme - the Wizard of Oz. :) It's not often you see Dorothy giving out Gu. Decided at this point I'd alternate between gatorade and water - all my distance runs have been water only - and yes, such a great idea to change your procedures on a Very Important Race, but it worked out quite well.

Just before the 4.5 water stop, I had to hit the WC. Argh! I've seen lines in bars that move faster, and there weren't even that many folks there, but it was still 7 minutes gone. (Yes, it was a nice break, but I didn't need 7 minutes of it.) Hit mile 5 at just over an hour - feeling really good about everything. Looks like that 3 hour goal is well within reach and then some.

Then it's into Fort Story - where they've put up a series of burma shave signs with trivia questions - a fun distraction. Except for the signs warning of "heartbreak hill" ahead...those were a little disturbing because I didn't remember any sharp changes in elevation from the course map. Well, wherever it was - I missed it.

Hitting mile 7 was GREAT. We're over halfway done! The wind is at our backs and I am still feeling GOOD. Mile 8 water stop is manned by the Boy Scouts - they put up signs a good half mile out letting us know it was coming up. Then it's out of Fort Story, where we had several folks yelling us on at the gate, "it's only 4 more miles! You're all doing great! You're not even tired!" I realized I was feeling great, and I looked at these folks and hollered back, and much high fiving ensued.

Then it's on to water point 9.5 where the rumor was true. The Hash House Harriers were there. MY HEROES! Possibly the BEST beer I have ever had in my life. I was declared a goddess by my beer guy. :)

Hit 10 miles in just over 2 hours. Still feeling pretty good overall, but I am wondering where all the padding in the bottom of my shoes went. 5K to go. Just a little 5K race left. Hit the water stop at mile 11, and realize I am slowing down, but I am still moving forward and that's the important thing, but it's getting a little harder. I find that I'm talking to myself, talking to my parents, quoting movie lines. Around 11.5 I ended up just walking for about 30 steps. Then got annoyed at myself for doing it and pushed on. I swear I can feel someone pushing me along at this point. (Mom? Dad? Thanks.)

Mile 12. Just a mile and a smidge left. So, SO close. I start trying to spot the hotel in the distance. Can't help it. We hit 40th Street, which is where the start was, and what a wonderful surprise - an unplanned water stop!!! My words to the woman that gave me the water: "I am SOOOOOOO glad you are here!!!!!!" It was absolutely perfect and exactly what I needed for that last bit.

37th street and we turn onto the boardwalk. I can SEE the finish. And it's actually getting closer and definitely not an optical illusion. I'm still keeping a steady, if somewhat slower than pre-10 pace. But I am still going. Mile 13. Part of my brain is going "You really don't have to sprint into the end you know, you've just done 13 miles" and yet, something else took over and I find myself speeding up, then I hear them call out my name and it's suddenly a full on sprint over the finish line, with me screaming "YES!!!!!!!!!!!!! I DID IT!!!!!!!!!!"

Stopped for a few seconds and stumbled on, suddenly someone is giving me my finishers medal, and I give her a huge hug, and the crying starts. So, I'm sure I'm quite a sight - can't walk a straight line, nearly fall over twice trying to get my chip off, and full waterworks. What an incredible day.