A Tale of Two Runs - ZOOMA Half 2013

Last year, I trained for my first half marathon. Once I found the ZOOMA half in early June in Annapolis, I knew I wanted to do it. I had a great experience…although not what I expected because of poor weather and having to drive to the race early that morning. It turns out that was a blessing in disguise. I was eager to run this race again this year, only my 2nd time at that distance. After my great experience with the Cherry Blossom 10 Miler, I was hoping to not only beat my time but break 2 hours.

However, the week of the race my body conspired against me, or so it seemed. I got an infection and had to go on antibiotics on Tuesday. My doctor told me to go off of them on Thursday to get them out of my system…her worry was an increased risk of tendonitis. I did indeed stop the medicine on Thursday but not for her reason, but because it was causing me horrible stomach issues. Running already does a number on your GI system, so having a problem like this was a big cause of concern for me. I stopped the medicine, hydrated well and hoped that my stomach issues would clear. They did, for the most part. However on top of all of that, I started feeling ill on Wednesday night – the beginnings of a head cold. Again, not ideal for running a race. I thought I could fend it off…and I think I did a pretty good job with vitamins and hydration, but I wasn’t 100%. Nevertheless, I still felt confident – ready to rock the race and do my best, hoping for a PR.

The weather cooperated this year, so we headed to Annapolis on Friday evening. After picking up my bib and tee, we found a nice Irish restaurant for dinner. A pre-race meal is pretty critical, and I was unsure what to order. I chose a chicken and cheese quesadilla, which was fine but again, I’m not sure if it was the best thing for my already upset tummy. I slept pretty well in the hotel, but having to get up and hole up in the bathroom for nearly two hours was not ideal. I also forgot my Gatorade Primes…something I usually have the night before and the morning of the race. Staying in a hotel the night before was not something I was used to…and not having all of my ‘normals’ threw me off. It was just another thing that was not ‘right’.

The weather on Saturday morning was already hot and steamy at 7 AM when the race started. I walked the half mile to the start. I still felt pretty confident, but within the first two miles I felt very sluggish and tired. I even thought about turning around at the 10K mark, unsure I could finish the half distance. I started with the 1:50 pace group, trying to push myself and started off very fast – probably too fast. My first two miles were in the 8:30 MM range. I felt the entire race that I couldn’t keep up, that people were passing me. Actually, it wasn’t a feeling – it was true. A PR was not to be. I knew that pretty early on, but was still hoping to beat my time from last year. When the 2:10 pacer passed me between Miles 11 and 12, I knew it wasn’t going to happen. I was beat, I didn’t even think I could finish. I felt intense nausea the entire last mile. I only saw James and the kids near the finish. When I saw them, I was relieved and I shouted to the kids ‘Run with me!’. They did, and that helped propel me to the finish line. Even then though, I felt like I was so slow. I couldn’t move my legs. It was horrible. The photos of me crossing the finish and immediately after are telling – I’m totally beat and exhausted. The heat, humidity, hills (they changed the course and it was much more hilly), my body...a lot of things worked against me. It was a tough day, but I must remember that I still ran 13.1 miles again!

I think I will take a break from ZOOMA Annapolis. I love the tees, small number of runners, neckalce instead of medal - but there are a lot of other races to choose from that weekend and I need to find something new and fresh. I am now running as much as I can…2-3 times during the week and a long run on the weekends. I’ve been running 8-10 miles on the long run. I think I have picked a fall half, one close to home so no traveling involved. I’m sure I can get used to races away from home, but it will take a few more before I get that routine down. I still want to beat 2 hours…so that is what I will train for all summer and into the fall.