Last August when I registered for this year's Holiday Half, it seemed like such a great idea. I ran the Holiday Half last year on an unseasonably balmy December day and had a blast. When registration opened for the 2011 race, memories of last year's nice weather clouded my judgement. Fast forward to present day, a bone-chilling, foggy December morn, and I wondered what the heck I was thinking? Run a half marathon in the icy pre-dawn? All I wanted to do was hunker down in my warm bed.
My thoughts exactly! |
Runner invasion at the Adidas Campus |
Maryalicia's cool costume |
Maryallicia and I model our holiday attire |
Pre-race photo op |
Maryalicia was dressed up in a wonderful Mrs. Claus costume. She was bubbly, enthusiastic, and totally up for the race. I loved her positive engergy and, hoping some of it would rub off on me, asked if I could run with her.
Shuffling towards the starting line |
So I lined up at the starting line by Maryalicia's side, and patiently waited for the race to start. While waiting for the horn to sound, we amused ourselves by checking out the participant's costumes. Red and green clothing dominated the crowd. There were elves, santas, reindeer antlers, crazy socks, and the free world supply of santa hats!
A few costumed runners at mile 3 |
Then came the countdown, and the mob of people shuffled towards the starting arch. As we spread out into the street, Maryalicia and I picked up the pace. The course first wound through residential neighborhoods surrounding the Adidas HQ. There were quite a few small hills to climb, and by mile one, I was already warm and starting to sweat. All my worry about being cold was for naught!
Some fast reindeer |
Mile two popped us out onto Willamette Blvd, a road build on top of a steep bluff, that, on nicer days provides a great view of the Swan Island Industrial area and Willamette River. Lovely older well-kept homes line this street. Occasionally small groups of people stood beside the road, ringing cowbells and cheering the runners.
Here come the elves! |
From the beginning, I struggled, and by mile 5 I was feeling tired already. This was not good news, as there was still eight miles to go! I grabbed a Gu from the next aid station (Peppermint flavor! Very yummy!) and sucked it down, hoping for an energy boost.
I enjoyed the carolers |
Maryalicia was so sweet. She stayed by my side, even though she was capable of running a much faster pace than mine. I appreciated the company. That really helped pass the miles much quicker. We amused ourselves by checking out all the runner's costumes. By mile 5, we began to see the leaders returning (the course was an out-and-back). Maryalicia and I whooped and hollered for these super-fast athletes. We ducked under the St. Johns Bridge and past a wonderful group of carolers. The Christmas music really helped boost my sagging spirit.
Nearing the turnaround point |
Maryalicia ran the entire race - fast - in this costume |
After a short walk (which felt good) I took off running again. But my legs and feet felt like concrete. Maryalicia began to get farther ahead. I was amazed by her stamina. It couldn't have been easy to run in a hot, bulky Mrs. Claus costume, but she was moving, and fast!
Finally around mile 9, I told Maryalicia to go ahead without me. I felt guilty holding her back, and knew I wouldn't be able to keep up with her pace. I watched her red, fuzzy suit vanish into the crowd ahead.
A Christmas star and tree |
Finally, I passed the mile 13 marker. I swear the last 0.1 of a mile was a lot longer (my Garmin actually said I ran 13.2 miles, so there might be something to that). But I rounded the final corner, and there beyond the spectator-lined street was the finish! Yahoo! I crossed the line in 2:04:42. Not one of my speedier times, but considering my lack of training, and poor attitude, I was satisfied.
I loved this sign! |
I met Maryalicia at the finish line. She'd stopped to adjust her costume and ended up finishing only two mintues ahead of me. We walked over to the food tent, so I could get some hot soup and that beer I'd been dreaming about since mile 10.
So that's my tale of the 2011 Holiday Half. Looking back, although it wasn't one of my better races this year, now that's it's in the past, I'm glad I didn't sleep in and totally miss out. It was great to run with Maryalicia (couldn't of done it without her!) and being around lots of runners decked out in their Holiday best really put me in the mood for Christmas.
And running 13.1 miles in the cold gave me a great excuse to pig out on Christmas cookies all afternoon - guilt free!
:)
Great job on your half. Sounds like a fun race. Hopefully it will be warmer next year! I'm doing the Resolution Run and Polar Bear Dive on January 1st and am getting cold just thinking about the dip into Lake Washington:)
ReplyDeleteI give you a LOT of credit for even running it in the first place. I could never run 13 miles - its just not my thing. You should feel really good about it! LOVED your friend in the santa costume too.
ReplyDeleteGood for you- In the past I did those. Nice narrative.
ReplyDeletegood job on the half you did great so are you going to sign up for next year????
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