It's been a while

Due to some computer issues I haven't quite been able to get online and update my blog in a while.  Oh, I've been online, but couldn't figure out how to log into Blogger on the computer I'm using.  Now I am back and I've been busy.

First, I'll start with a recap of the ORRRC Marathon/Half Marathon in Xenia, OH.  This was my 1st half marathon of the year and my 1st as Half Fanatic #14011.  I signed up for this race simply because it was cheap and local.  If you sign up 4 months in advance it is only $25 to run the half or full marathon which is usually what a decent 5k tends to cost.  Last year, due to the price, I wanted to run this race with my mom for her first half marathon but neither of us could afford the $25 that year and my mom was nervous about doing a half marathon (cut off times make her nervous since she tends to walk).  Since I could afford it this year I wanted to run it because if felt like a lost opportunity and I don't like missing a race I plan on running.  I didn't plan on running the race with anyone and I was not trying to get a new PR.  I was running this as training for a spring marathon and to see how the Plantar Fasciitis in my foot was healing.  In short, I didn't have high hopes for this race, I just wanted to finish.

Expo Selfie

I showed up at the Xenia YMCA and picked up my goodies and bib.  There were a lot of people there for the race but no one I recognized.  I hit the restroom and went out for a warm-up mile.  I'd never run in Xenia before so I didn't know what to expect.  My warm-up was a little hilly but nothing too bad.  I helped a couple of other runners by letting them know that a bar was a half mile out from the YMCA when I saw them going out for a warm-up.  I was feeling pretty good and I was hopeful that my time would not be too slow.

I waited outside to start the race, since I didn't want to overheat inside.  Ohio had seen some crazy temperatures before that weekend.  We'd had days in the high 60s where short sleeves were required and days in the mid 30s where we had to layer back up.  Snow and sunburn were equal possibilities on a run.  Race day had a low of 33 and a high of 56 which was generally great except it stayed closer to the 30s during the whole time we were racing.  I'll come back to the temps later in this post.  While outside I found a collection of port-o-pots that were growing in popularity.  I didn't need to go but I didn't know where the start of the race was so I just stood where I saw people, around the port-o-pots.  I tried to stay out of the line, but the end of it seemed to follow me.  No matter where I went, I ended up back in the line with people trying to get in line behind me.  When I was trying to avoid the line I mentioned it to another girl who seemed to be on her own and trying to figure out where to stand.  While I was standing by her, it followed me again.  We decided to find another place to stand, far away from the port-o-pots but still together (neither of us knew where the race would start) so we wouldn't miss the start of the race.

Rachel and I after the race

The girl I met was Rachel and this was her first half marathon.  She was nervous and training for a marathon in September.  She didn't know what to expect and really wanted to do well.  Her hope was to finish in around 2 hours.  I told her that I was hoping for a similar time and that she could run with me.  Little did I know that she would have no problem reaching this goal.  We talked for a while, waiting for the race to start, sharing our running experiences, and keeping ourselves warm.

The race started and Rachel shot out like a bullet.  I knew I couldn't start fast or I would fizzle so I let her go.  I figured I would see her later if she slowed down or on her way back to the finish (it was an out-and-back course) so I kept my own pace.  The first part of the race was downhill, my thoughts included, "Oh no, not a good way to start, we'll have to climb back up this to finish," and, "I am going way too fast".  My first 3 miles were around 9:00 miles and I knew I would have to maintain that or improve it to finish in the time I wanted and I didn't think that I had the energy to do that.  I wanted to try so I tried to keep my pace even.

The race went around downtown Xenia first.  We ran on a lot of various streets with many rolling hills.  It was a wide road and it helped us spread out.  I could tell that I should have done more hill work because my legs were already a bit worn down by these hills.  We then went onto the bike path via a small strip of grass (ugh, grass).  The bike path was like most bike paths I have been on, it was fairly level, well cared for, there were pieces of paper on the ground for mile markers, and wide enough for 2 directions of foot traffic.  I was starting to get warm at this point and I was regretting my jacket.  My zipper was my thermostat and I was adjusting it regularly.  I walked through some water stations, one ran out of full cups when I stopped there and that was the one I needed since I had just eaten a chew, and I kept a pretty even if slower pace.  I was feeling pretty good.  I wouldn't be under 2 hours but I wouldn't have a horrible finish either.

That was until I got past mile 6.  I knew this was an out-and-back course, I read that on the website, so I was expecting a turn-around about half-way through the race.  I got to mile 6 and started looking for it.  Continued to 6.5 and I didn't see any sign of a turn-around.  Ok, they could have the finish a little closer than the start but I should still see the turn-around soon.  Mile 7, nothing, 7.5, no sign... The turn-around wasn't until the end of mile 8... I didn't like that.  Granted I didn't have a lot of miles left but it is hard when you expect a turn that never seems to come, it plays mental tricks on you.  While I was heading to this turn-around I ran into Rachel again.  She was far ahead of me and looking like she was feeling strong.  I cheered her on and hoped her the best.  She told me that she was so happy to see me at that point.  I also saw other friends, wait, I didn't know they were running this.  Kate was ahead of me but behind Rachel and close behind me was my buddy Judy (she really should have been ahead of me, I don't know how this arrangement happened) and further behind were some more friends that cheered out for me.  This made the wait for the turn-around a bit more worth it.  The other bad part about turning around was that I was now facing a headwind, my zipper went right back up.

Kate, Judy, and I after the finish

As she should, Judy caught up to me on the way back to the finish.  She ran with me for about 2 of the last 3 miles trying to push me faster so that I would have a strong finish.  Unfortunately I was weakening.  I had not built up my endurance as much as I thought I had and I was running out of energy.  She was pushing and motivating and I was trying, but it wasn't going to happen.  I got water at the lost stop then finished, crossing over the strip of grass again (urg, grass) and heading to the finish.  2:03 was good, in my opinion.  After injury and recovery I was very happy to finish even close to 2 hours.  My legs felt like they had been climbing hills the entire time, even though when I look back and I can see it was very flat.  I was tired but happy.

Rachel found me again.  She had waited for me after she finished (sweaty in the cold wind) and was cheering for me at the finish line.  She had finished around 1:40 and I was in shock.  She did amazing and yet she was happy for me.  She wanted to get a picture with me to send to her mom.  Apparently she had been telling her mom about me while waiting for me to finish and she had to share of picture of the "Legendary Ruth" (I may have been blushing).  I was just happy that I could help her during her first half marathon, even if it was just calming her nerves beforehand and giving her something to look forward to on the course.

Judy and Kate had to leave, but Rachel and I stuck around for the food.  Simply stated, the post race food was unique.  Instead of a bunch of tables lined with packaged food that you grab as you depart they chute they had a few tables set up with food to be served on plates by volunteers.  They had salad, soup, bread, cookies, and fruit all fresh and ready to eat now.  They had tables set up for people to sit at while they ate.  These were large tables where 8 to 10 people could sit so unless you were there with a large group, you were sitting with people you don't know and chatting about your shared race experience.  It was a great way to meet some new running friends and the food was really good.  I really enjoyed this post-race activity and I hope that I have more races that do things like this.



Race Goodies


I also ran into some half fanatics, marathon maniacs, and double agents after the race.  I saw a few on the course too and I cheered for them.  Unfortunately I can't afford a half fanatics shirt yet, so they didn't know that I am a half fanatic like them but it was nice to see them along the course and know that I am one of them.  Hopefully I can get a shirt soon.

Overall, this was a good, small town race with a lot of camaraderie, a decent course, good support, and nice goodies for $25.  I do think I will come back to the ORRRC half marathon in the future and, due to the long time limit, I will bring my mom to this race one day soon.  Also, I wish Rachel loads of luck on her Fall Marathon.  I'm sure she will be amazing.

By the way, Hi Jack =)