Hey Warriors, Here's my report...
Space Coast ½ Marathon-11/30/08
This was my first ½ marathon. It was a great experience.
Since this was my first half, I tried to not set too many expectations, other than using it as a learning experience and hopefully finishing in under 3 hours. I am using the MfM R:W plan for training and was a bit concerned because I only trained up to 9 miles (I had been hoping to get to 10 as the plan recommends, but LTO and I only made it to 9).
Packet Pick-Up/Night Before-Packet pick up was at the host hotel (Radisson at Port Canaveral), and was super easy. I was able to exchange my shirt for a smaller size too. They also had a pretty nice dinner set up ( free for runners, maybe 5 dollars for family?). We didn’t eat dinner there since we had a large lunch and I just wasn’t ready to eat at that time. I ended up getting a salad and having a slice of pizza later on. I went to bed around 11 after getting all my stuff ready and slept until 2, then kept waking up every half hour or so, having dreams all night of oversleeping and missing the race. I got up at 430 and was on the shuttle to the start just before 5am. The shuttle was great, on time and a nice bus.
Pre-Race-The race started and ended in Cocoa Village, which was really nice and was all lit up with Christmas lights. Bag Check, Finish line and port a potties were all in the park there (name escapes me at the moment). The race was due to start at 6am, so I walked around a bit and warmed up, used the potties a couple of times, then checked my bag and headed to my corral. The corrals were assigned based on the time you gave when registering.
The Race Itself: The race started about 10 minutes late, not sure why. There was a space shuttle liftoff themed countdown on a jumbotron. The course was an out and back. North for 6.5 miles along the Indian River and back to town. Full runners continued south once reaching town again for 6.5 miles and then headed back. The course went through a residential area (VERY nice houses!). There were quite a few residents out to watch the race. There was even a guy at mile 12 misting people with his garden hose!! Also, once I hit the turn around to go back, I was running into some very strong wind!!! There was Water and Gatorade every mile, Gu at mile 8 and for the full they had Gu at every stop after mile 14 and sponges at some of them. It was very flat, and I think it would be a good course to PR on. Lots of volunteers and a lot of them were in space themed costumes. Plentiful potties too on the course!!
The first 8 miles or so flew by. I tried to stick to my intervals (Run5/Walk1) as much as possible. I had some clif shot bloks every few miles and took the Gu at mile 8. Miles 9 and 10 were really rough. My legs were TIRED. I walked ALOT more and ran slower. I was able to pick up the pace again for 11,12 and 13. And I finished in 2:48 (probably 2:44 if you take out potty stops). Got TONS of comments on my WISH shirt, I wore the race ready one I just got in the mail. There was also a timing mat at the turnaround.
Apparently they even announced my name and town when I came into the park to finish. I didn’t hear it, but DH did. I got my chip cut off and then got my medal, which is totally cool. It’s way wider and heavier than the Minnie 15K medal. They also gave us beach towels! The shirt is a long sleeve brooks tech shirt. Also got my picture taken with my medal and the guy took one of me and DH too. They also took one pre-race and several during the race.
There was a big post race breakfast as well that looked great (pancakes, pastries, bananas etc). I did not have anything, I really only wanted to drink (water/gatorade) that is and we also needed to get back to the hotel for check out.
Final thoughtsI am really glad I did this race. I find comfort in feeling that I have a better idea of what to expect at Disney (of course this race wasn’t nearly as big as Disney, so that will be new). I know what I’ll need to do for fueling and hydration for 13.1 miles. I am a little sore today, but nothing like I thought it would be.
I am still kind of mentally processing that I have actually completed a ½ marathon. I think back to what I was doing a year ago (nothing) and it blows my mind to think of how far I have come. So glad that I have found WISH. I am very much looking forward to January!
Here are a couple pics. All the race pics I took are on a disposable, so I need to get that developed. Hopefully the ones taken by the race photog's will be up soon.
Shirt and Medal
Medal Close Up
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I plan on posting a full report tomorrow with a few pics!!
