To celebrate the first anniversary of my 1st logged run on Nike+, I decided that it was a good time to run my first half-marathon (okay, it wasn't really to celebrate the anniversary but it sounds more dramatic). After sniffing around a bit in January, I found a race that seemed like it would be a good fit for DW and myself. The website boasted a flat and easy course and it was almost around the corner from my in-laws. Win-win right?
About a month ago, we got an e-mail that the race was cancelled. After training for a couple of months, there was no way that I was going to sit idly and not run a race. Luckily, I found one that was the same day and it was close to home.
It was actually a race that I had considered back around the 1st of the year when I was looking for our first half except that I knew the course was hilly and I really didn't want an overly challenging course for our first half. However, with our original race cancelled, I didn't have much of a choice.
The race was scheduled to start at 7:30a and we got to the start line at about 6:30a or so. We were able to get our bibs and shirts with no problems, so we had a bit longer to warm up than we were expecting. I think we did about a mile of slow jogging before the race.
After watching the 10k folks start, we headed back to our start line (it was about a 1/4 mile behind the 10k start). Before we knew it, the countdown began and we were off. The first couple of miles were pretty easy. Miles 3-8 were really hilly though. I was somewhat prepared the hills, but they still ended up being way more challenging than I expected. Getting up a hill only to go down and then back up another hill was as mentally challenging as it was physically challenging. They never seemed like they were going to end, even though I had a pretty good idea of what the elevation profile was.
Even though the course was challenging, it was an interesting course that wound through the streets of historic Redlands (it's an old citrus town with cool Victorian houses throughout the area). There were plenty of volunteers throughout the course and many of the folks who lived in the area watched the race from their front yards. Some of them also passed out orange slices along the way. There were plenty of aid stations with both water and gatorade along the route. It was really cool to see the community so involved.
I hit my GUs about miles 4, 8, and 11 (or so). I don't know if they really help or not, but they seem to make me feel better. In addition to the aid stations, I also had my handheld bottle and I am very glad that I brought it. The weather ended up being a little bit on the warm side for this time of the year (even by SoCal standards) and it was pretty humid for us (50%, some of you midwesterners might scoff at that but it is extremely humid for us). My shirt (tech shirt) and shorts were soaked through by the end of the 1st mile.
By mile 11 or 12, I wasn't sure I was going to make it. I ended having to walk a few times (mostly the hills) and I walked again part way through mile 12. I was exhausted but I pushed on through to the end.
I ended up finishing in 2:33:30 with a 11:43 pace. Even though my recent 10k times were much better (my pace was 10:30 for those), I knew that it wasn't going to happen for a half. My goal was to finish in around 2:30 so I was actually okay with my time. The hills and weather slowed me down a bit, but I accomplished something that wasn't even on my radar a year ago. My goal when I first started running was to finish a 5k without having to walk. I've done that and more in the last year.
On a side note, I heard from many experienced runners after the race (its always after isn't it) that Redlands is one of the toughest races they have done. I will say that the race was organized fantastically and the community involvement was great. I'm not sure that I will run it again, but if anyone is SoCal is looking for a challenge I would recommend it.
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