Race Recap RnR Los Angeles Half Marathon

KHalf marathon #18 done.

First real race post injury.

I felt extremely nervous the days leading up to this one not because of how I would do as far as time goes but because I ran on the pavement only twice in about 5 mos and I was afraid I would feel the pain in my knee again.

I went to the Expo Saturday morning right when they opened.  That Expo is Ok...it would be better if the layout was different...more space ...the Brooks area is big and the rest of the vendors are all cramped in a maze.  I visited the NUUN folks and signed up for 2 races while I was there: the OC half marathon and also the RnR Los Angeles for 2014.  I saw the table for the LA marathon....was tempted but.....decided to wait.

Race started right on time at 7:30 am.  It was very foggy outside. Perfect weather for me.

I wanted to run the first 10k slower than the second one and start with the run/walk method a la Galloway.  It feels weird to walk early in a race but I did it anyway.   I was feeling pretty good and that gave me confidence.

This race is fun.  Lots of people in crazy costumes everywhere. Lots of entertainment along the course.  The course has 2 loops and in between the 2 it passes where the finish line is.  That is the only thing I don't like about that race,  seeing the finish line at mile 6 is a little hard on the morale.  I saw the leaders coming down ...fast people...!

 Last year I missed seeing my family on the course but not this year! I carried my phone with me so I knew where they were.

Mile 6

It's shortly after that that I saw the finish line....makes you want to make a u-turn!!

So at half point I was doing good and my time was better than I expected and I was happy I did not go out too fast like I always do.

I saw Doctor Dribble on the course..have you ever seen him at your races...very impressive guy...you should check him out on Instagram 

I picked up the pace and was feeling ok but I felt the darn pain in my knee.

I cannot pretend like I didn't.... I did.

It came and went but it was the same sharp pain.

I found that what made it worst was starting running after a walking break even if I was very careful to always start on the other side.

While running I did not feel pain.

I am not sure what to make of that.

The second half of my race was faster. I don't know where that came from.  I passed the 10 miles mark and had like as second wind.  I did not even come close to throwing up this time!

The last section is awesome.. all downhill and there were people lined up and supporting the runners. 

The course goes in a tunnel twice in the second loop and I lost the signal of my Garmin in there.   Last year I got it back but not this year...when I got out my watch was telling me I was running at 5:46 pace! Yeah right!...time was the only date that was still ok.  

So from mile 8 until the end I has no pace and distance references except the mile markers.

Most of the people were nice and having a good time...saw 2 people jump and cross on the other side to cut the course short....does not matter to me that they would do that but they did it in a very dangerous way cutting fast people way too close and that I think is very stupid.   One guy hit me really hard when I was waiting to cross to use the ports potty..that was not ok with me and I yelled some nice French words to him.  I was not in anyone's way... I was next to a cone and he ran into my shoulder on purpose...idiot....

Coming down to the finish line....me nice heel striking...mister vicking much better form!

That's better than dry hives!

Sooooo a PR for Caro.  This shows that negative splits is a smart strategy.  I must remember that.  

That is a positive and no throwing up on the finish mat...another plus....

Feeling the sharp pain......pretty big negative point.

Garmin says 2:17:55

Official time says 2:12:19.

I am going with Garmin.  It is impossible that I ran 2:12

I emailed RnR to have that time adjusted.

I did not record a split at the 10 miles marker,  I know I stepped on the mat..I remember it.

It is not important but that tells me maybe something was off with my chip.  2:12...not possible.

That race has the best post race goodies.

Water bottle, power bars....big Gatorade, 2 kind of chocolate milk, chips, fruit, my hands were full!

Too bad race pics are ridiculously expensive!

I like these one

10 miler, running outside.

I reached the double digits over the last weekend.

I had planned in doing 9 miles but went for 10 with the last miles in honor of my good buddy Terzah who BQd at the Chicago marathon.  Congratulations my friend I am so so happy for you!!!

So 10 miles on the treadmill.  That was my first double digit run since March and my longest run on the TM ever.  10 miles that is a  lot of miles on the machine!  

I felt tired and a little sore after that one but I attributed this to the fact that 10 miler should cause some fatigue and soreness!

I rested the day after and I was fine.  My hip is what bothered me the most.  My knee was ok.

So I covered the magic distance for my mental preparation for RnR Los Angeles.  It was slow but I am trying to ignore the numbers other than the mile number. 

I am not sure what I will do this weekend. This is the last week before the race.

Do I do another 10? Just 8?

I guess I will see how it goes.

Another milestones in recovery phase : running outside.   THAT made me really nervous.  I had to try it before the race to put my mind to ease.  I went for 4 miles.  It went OKAY.  I was waiting to feel the pain at each step so it was not a run that went smoothly.   I felt very minimal pain a couple times.  

That is encouraging.

Although RnR LA is next, the thing that has my attention the most is Ragnar Las Vegas. 

This is not just me.  It's a team.  I don't want to mess up.

I know my legs now... More on that in the next post.

I took care of some important things  this week

1. We met a lawyer and did our living trust.  That is overwhelming.  Thinking of the kids and who would raise them.... That was hard but I am glad we did it.

2. I finally made the boys "official" Canadians!

Going to see Bryan Adams Saturday! I cannot wait!

He is awesome live.  I have seen him 4 times already.

2 weeks to go before ....race day

Sooooo we are 2 weeks before R DAY...

It's been forever since I stood on a starting line.

I am so nervous.

The race is RnR Los Angeles half marathon.

I cannot say I am race ready but that's ok.

I ran 8 miles on the treadmill last weekend and I am planning on going up to 9 tomorrow.

I am still on the treadmill exclusively.

I think this week I will step outside for my  shorter runs.

My one and only goal is to finish faster than I did at my last half marathon...that was the one I walked.

I know my time will not be good.

Better than no time at all.

I still take several walking breaks.  I might have to always to do from now on. 

Better than no running at all.

The thing that I really excited about is Ragnar Las Vegas!

That is coming up in a month and I cannot wait.

It is going to be a blast!

I got some of my Hood to Coast teamates on this new team ans I cannot wait to see them again.  Also my good friend Sandy (boston bound brunette... Good luck tomorrow at the Long Beach marathon!) will be on our team!

Family life is still crazy and out of balance but I am grateful we are not in the situation we were a year ago.

I got the best news from my parents: they are coming over for Christmas!!!!!!

My kids are really happy about that!

Mandatory kids pics...

School pics are in:

I approve!