Mini race report! Casa Half Marathon in Pine Bluff, AR. Woke up to pouring rain and cold, just as forecast. Left early to find the location as I was doing day-of packet pick up. Got out of the truck and realized I left my backpack back at the hotel! Doh! So ran and got my bib, then we headed back to the hotel. Luckily it was just 5 miles away. Got back, got my chip timer on my shoe and my bib on my bib buddy type waist bib holder that I use, then sat in the warm truck until about 30 minutes to race start. We got to park very close to the start line and the indoor bathrooms so made a last minute bathroom stop, then back to the truck to load up my pockets for the race. I decided to wear my shorts with all the pockets to carry all my stuff, then made a last minute decision to add my running pants (with no pockets) over them. So getting stuff in and out was a bit tricky but doable. I wore a tank, running hoodie, and a Frogg Togg rain jacket on top, with a visor. I would NOT recommend the Frogg Togg jacket for running. It was advertised as breathable but not so much! It kept the rain off me, which was nice, and blocked the wind very well, also nice. But I was sweaty underneath and got chilled.
Had a bit of trouble getting my Garmin to connect to GPS at the race start. And while I was fiddling with it they started the race. So I was running and messing with it so that was fun. Also, it picked right then to really start pouring. Got Garmin to work so I could relax and just run my race. Due to the FT Jacket I was unable to see the Garmin unless I pulled the sleeve up, which resulted in getting wet hands and hoodie sleeves so I gave up and just went with the vibration to tell me to run and walk and didn't worry about my pace. That would come back to haunt me later as I was going WAY. TOO. FAST. I had put Aquaphor all over my feet, then put on Injinji toe socks, then some regular running socks over those. At mile 2 I stepped in an ankle deep puddle with my right foot and it immediately soaked all the way thru! Ugh! But it was pouring rain so I was going to get wet anyway. Very soon after I stepped in another puddle and soaked both feet so at least I felt evened out, lol.
Race was an out and back along a lake and a river. Cold 10 mph winds off the water made for a pretty miserable time of running. The wind chill was in the low 30's. I know a lot of you run in colder but that felt so cold when you are soaked! The rain jacket ended right at the top of my pockets so all the water ran off onto my legs and into my pockets.
Lots of water stops and they all had kleenex which was fantastic! And all the volunteers were awesome and very encouraging! I slogged along and just tried to get in under 3:00. Well, I just squeaked in with a 2:59:13! I managed to not have to make a bathroom stop during the race so headed to the stadium bathroom right after crossing the finish line! I emptied my pockets on a table and DH watched my stuff while I used the bathroom, where I had a mini episode of Ross with the leather pants!
They had pancakes, milk, chocolate milk, orange wedges and bananas for post race meal. I loaded up, then sat down to eat when the cold hit me and I just started shaking! DH had gone to get some coffee so when he made it back we left. I was SO COLD! Luckily the hotel gave me a late check out (thank you Holiday Inn Express!) so I was able to go back and take a HOT shower and put on warm sweats!
The race was about 1 1/2 hours from home so since we were already that far we went to Colton's Steak House for lunch, then Home Depot to get more supplies for our remodel, then home.
I would 100% do this race again, just really, really hope for a nice day! It benefits a women and children's shelter, which is a cause I support wholeheartedly due to some drama in my past. But I would train for it next time! I hadn't run since early December and it showed. I was slow and very sore afterwards. But I stuck to my intervals and never walked thru a run!
ETA: Photos! The time on that one is clock time!
