My third half marathon was a memorable one for many reasons, with the biggest being that I set a new PR! You can’t really tell here, but I’m pretty darn cold in this photo. It was a chilly one!
Also, for those of you who asked on Instagram, I’m wearing:
The North Face Women’s Bernadino Jacket, Fremont Tank and Salar Legging from Fabletics, Polar FT 60 fitness watch, Mizuno Wave Rider 18 running shoes, and an ear warmer headband from Paris.
But let’s back up to the beginning, shall we?
I previously mentioned that the Clarkston Back Roads Half Marathon started later than normal, which was a treat! They offered both a Half and a 10K course that started at the same time and start line.
This was the first race I have done completely on my own, without knowing anyone during the run or at the finish line. Scott had rehearsal at the arena for a game later that night, so I dropped him off on my way and parked knowing it was just going to be me, myself, and I this go around.
That didn’t bother me too much. I pulled up around 9 AM, got out of the car around 9:15, and stretched while I waited in line for the (Port-a-Potty) restrooms. I usually line up earlier than fifteen minutes before go time, but it was cold out and I am kind of a wimp… hence, me getting out of my car at the last possible moment.
I followed the crowd to the start line and decided to put myself right in front of the 2:00 pace team.
I had a specific goal of completing this race in under two hours and knew they would help me reach it!
We all started in one wave and there was a decent crowd sporadically on the sides to cheer us on throughout the first mile or so. I love when people make funny signs! They give runners something to distract themselves with when the miles start to run together.
Some of my favorites were:
“Your feet hurt because you’re kicking so much ass!”
“Pain now, beer later…”
“Hurry up, we’re freezing!”
Having a crowd show up and cheer runners on is so motivating. If you have ever gone as a spectator and cheered runners on during a race, bless you!
I wasn’t sure what to expect with a half marathon course through back roads. I guessed the majority of our path would be on dirt and trails, though. I was right.
The scenery was absolutely gorgeous! I only stopped to take a couple of photos during the race, but I wanted to take so many more. The leaves and lakes were so beautiful!
(photos taken after the race)
Against my better judgement, I started the race between the 1:50 and 2 hour pace marks. I figured that knowing my goal pace was at my heels the whole time, it would make me push a little harder and faster, and it did.
Next time, I will probably just pace with the 2 hour group and then go faster later on if I’m feeling good. I almost tired myself out half way through!
I loved the scenery, but running on the trails at a fast speed for miles and miles is no joke, y’all.
The unsteady rock surfaces and mud pot holes almost did me in a couple of times. During the very first mile, I tripped on a rock that came out of nowhere and rolled my ankle a little. It caught me so off guard that I almost fell to the ground and the girl next to me stopped and asked if I was okay!
I shook it off, rolled it around a couple of times and kept going. It was sore, but it didn’t really hurt. It shook me up more than anything else.
This was the first race I grabbed water from almost all of the water stops, and I think the hills had something to do with it. As much as I like to think I am in shape, I’m the type of person who gets seriously winded after a flight of stairs. I can literally run for hours, but five flights of stairs do me in every time. I can’t explain it.
The hardest part of the half distance for me is usually the 7-9 mile mark. This time it was the 4-6 mile mark and then again at the 10-12 mile mark. Again, this had everything to do with the hills.
They might have actually been the death of me.
I got in sync with the 2-hour pace team around the 5 mile mark and made a point to stick with them for the remainder of the race. I loved the extra motivation!
All was going well until around the 10 mile mark. There were a few hills up and down there, but I legitimately thought somebody was pranking us when I got to the 11. It was ALL hills. Steep hills. After running for over an hour and forty minutes, that’s the last thing my body wanted to do and I honestly couldn’t believe they saved this challenge for the very end.
I stayed with the pace team the best I could. There were points where I felt like I was barely moving just to go uphill and then had to try my best to gain control of my legs on the way down. I eventually gave that up around 11.5 miles and let the pace team go. I had to stop and walk just to catch my breath. I was SO winded!
I took my phone out of my zipped jacket to try and take a photo to show you guys and didn’t even get the steepest of them. There wasn’t an end in sight and I felt very frustrated. And robbed.
After a small pitty party, I pulled myself together and starting running again. Then I got out of breath again and walked again. I had no idea how far I was from the pace team and I really didn’t care anymore.
Luckily, things started looking up around the 12 mile mark. There weren’t too many hills and the path expanded to roads and streets again. The finish wasn’t so far!
I picked up my pace and tried to catch up to the pace team as much as I could. We made the same loop we took at the beginning of the race and I got to see all of the fun signs again. That placement was strategic and I loved it.
There was a crowd of people waiting at the 13 mile mark and I knew I was in the clear! I crossed the finish line with a smile on my face at 1:58:31. I made my goal!
I quickly grabbed my medal, a space blanket (still not sure what they are actually called), a banana, and a water, and sat on the grass to stretch for a while. I spent a good ten minutes stretching everything out and watched other runners cross the finish line. When I felt good enough to stand back up, I walked around and snapped some photos. Then I awkwardly asked someone to take one for me!
As it turns out, the sweet woman who took this photo also ran the Detroit Free Press race with me and the Hope Water Project, only she did the full marathon! Small world!
I was going to head back to the car (it was really windy and getting chillier by the minute), but I decided to go over to the beer tent for some free macaroni and cheese. It was from Union Woodshop, (a.k.a. the best mac & cheese in town) so it was well worth the wait in line.
There was a live band and a bonfire, but since I was there by myself and getting really cold I headed back to the car.
I shared the good news of my finish time with Scott on the way and couldn’t get to my car fast enough. I think I’m good on long distance races for a while!
Three halfs down, two to go to make my goal!
The next one on the books is the Drumstick Double in Detroit Thanksgiving morning. I am doing the 10K followed by the 5K and my mother is joining me for the 10K! She’s never run in cold temperatures before, so it should be interesting. Don’t worry, I bribed her with cute (warm) running gear and a warm meal afterwards.
We are finishing up our trip in Chicago, so I am going to enjoy the rest of our time here and will check back in with you guys tomorrow.
Have a great Wednesday!
Great job and awesome time!!! I just signed up for my 4th half in March and my goal is to run under two hours too. Now I just need to start training haha!
Woo hoo! You can do it Emily! 🙂
Awesome job! I can’t even imagine all those hills. You did fantastic!!!
Thank you Heather! They were killer! I felt like I did my run AND treadmill sprints all in one race… 😉
Sounds like a tough half, but congrats on a huge PR and going sub-2! Hope you enjoy your time in Chicago.
Thanks Jess!!
Awesoome job! My favorite sign during my half marathon was held by a little kid. It said “worst parade ever.”
– Amanda
Haha, YES! I saw that one too. That one cracked me up!
Congrats!! I dream of subbing 2 hours on a half one day and there’s NO WAY I could have made it with those hills!
Well, I definitely have to give credit to the pace team. Without them I would have been dragging a lot more!!
Awesome job! Looks like a beautiful course. Enjoy the rest of your time in Chicago. 🙂
Thank you Lauren, we are sad to be leaving in just a bit. We love CHI!
Wow that looks like a tough race! Great job on hitting your sub-2 hour goal!! So glad you got some mac and cheese, it really is the best!!
SO unbelievable good!! <3
Congrats on getting under two hours especially with those hills.
Thank you, Julia!
Congrats on the under 2 hours! That’s my next goal. And mac n’ cheese post race seems amazing.
Best. Post-Race. Food. Ever! <3
Great PR!! Can’t wait for the drumbstick double and hopefully we will run into each other 🙂
Yes!! Please say hi if you see me, I’ll keep a lookout for you! xo
You’re awesome! Congrats on your goal of making it under two hours! Hills and trails are no joke! Once again, love your cute outfit. You make running 13 miles look like a breeze! 😉
Thank you! Ha, I wish I could say it was… 😉
Congrats girl!! I’m the same exact way! Hills and stairs are the death of me every time!! And I love your outfit, super cute! There’s no way I would have stood a chance of leaving my car for a race that cold!
Thank you!! Ha, it actually warmed up quite a bit when I was running. Afterwards was the hard part…
I’m doing the mashed potato mile! I’m not a runner but I want to be able to do a 5k some day, so I figured walking the MPM with friends is a good start.
Woo hoo! That’s awesome Amy, hope to see you there!
Congrats on reaching your PR! So exciting!
What trial are you on in Clarkston? Looks gorgeous! I’d love to check it out sometime!
Thanks Katie! The race was held in Independence Oaks County Park (Oakland County Park). It’s beautiful!
You look so cute and what a great race time. Congrats!! Pretty cool you did the whole thing solo too. 🙂
Thanks Ashley! I love running with friends but also enjoyed the extra “me” time 😉
Awesome job! I HATE hills, probably cause I live nowhere near them so I hardly ever have to run them outside. Love your race outfit, too.
Thank you!
Nice work!!! That is an awesome PR….the scenery for that race looks seriously beautiful. And I’m totally the same-9-10 is usually the hardest part for me, once I’m past that I’m in the clear!
Thank you! It really was. I wanted to take so many pictures! Maybe I should just go back and run the trails with Scott (sans the hills) when it gets warmer out 😉
You did amazing! Those hills were definitely a nightmare so kudos to you! Loved the sign “hurry up, we’re freezing” Ha! And OMG that macaronni!!!!
It was SO good! <3
I agree it is freeing, running a race where you know no one. I did that this year, I moved to Australia, and two weeks later ran a marathon. I was really nervous about the experience, but like you it all turned out great! Good job on a PR on a course like that, imagine what you could do on a flat road course. http://www.eatallovertheworld.weebly.com
I still think it’s amazing you moved to Australia! I want to visit the country so bad. It looks GORGEOUS. Congrats on your marathon! That’s so great, especially after such a dramatic move. Major kudos!
Beautiful scenery! I think all fall races should start around 9 or 10- there is no reason for them to start at 7am-brrrr!
Agreed! That would be awesome, especially since it’s a little warmer a little later up here.
Congrats on the PR! I was at that race too but only ran the 10k. Those hills at the end look killer. I loved the race and all the scenery as well. I’m thinking that I may do the half next year (as long as I’m not pregnant),
You were? Small world!! Oh my were they. Congrats on the 10K!
YAY for a PR… and double yay for pulling it off while looking ridiculously perfect. How do you do it?
Ha… stop. I’m sure I looked like a real treat jogging up those hills… or… Quasimodo 😉
Wahoo congrats! And way to run a race and show up on your own, that’s about the toughest part for me when I sign up and have to figure out all the shiz on my own.
Congrats on your PR! That is my goal too. I’ve come really close a couple of times and missed it by a couple of minutes. I love reading your blog!
Thank you Traci! I really think the pace team was what got me to my goal. Have you ever run with them?
Congrats on your PR! I still can not get used to running in cold weather (obviously, I spent 12 years in Arizona haha) so I admire you for running a half! PS. your outfit is on point 😉
Thank you Christina! It definitely took me a while to adjust, but eventually I learned that cold running is better than no running. And sometimes it even beats uncontrollably hot running… sometimes 😉
Congrats on the PR!! I have to ask what you think of fabletics–I’ve contemplating trying it out and your leggings are so cute 🙂
Thank you! I have never tried the Fabletics membership, but I have gotten pieces on their own from the website. I was afraid of thin and poor quality for the price, but so far I have loved every single item I’ve received. Great stuff! Here is my first full review, I hope this helps! https://lifeinleggings.com/fashion/fitness-fashion-fabletics-giveaway/