The Maine Half Marathon Race Recap
The Maine Half Marathon. A Birthday Race!
I spent last weekend in Maine at the Rise. Run. Retreat. The weekend was filled with inspiration with these amazing ladies: Jes from rUNladylike, Sarah from RunFarGirl, Tina from Fuel Your Future with Tina Muir, Allie from VitaTrain For {Twin} Life, Angela from Happy Fit Mama, Laura from Mommy Run Fast, Jennifer from Running with the Girls, Christine from Love Life Surf, Carrie from Eight Crazy Soles. We laughed, we cried, we ate, we shared stories, we did yoga, and of course we ran (a bigger recap of the weekend activities is coming shortly). The weekend culminated in several of us running the Maine Half Marathon on Sunday, October 4th (which also, happened to be my birthday!). Some of the ladies also acted as our cheering squad and race day paparazzi due to injury and illness so hopefully at the next retreat (we will definitely be having another!) they will be running with us too!
Here is a look at the awesome group on the morning of the Half Marathon. It was definitely a chilly morning so we are all bundled up before heading out. But temperatures in the 40’s and sunny weather meant perfect running weather!
The energy before the race was very positive! We all got to have a great warm-up run with elite runner and blogger Tina Muir (also of Runner’s Connect) who was with us for the weekend. It was definitely inspiring to hear about her racing and training experiences throughout the weekend. If you don’t already you should check-out the Runner’s Connect Podcast Run to the Top to hear some awesome interviews from Tina.
It was hard to figure out what to wear for the race because it has been so warm this fall so many of the runners started out in throw-away clothes at the start. I decided to forget the throw away clothes though and only added in arm-warmers and some great gloves (Thank you Runner’s Alley!). I was glad that I didn’t add any extra layers because once we got moving I was sweating up a storm. By the time the race was over I was drenched.
I have to admit I had absolutely no idea what pace I was going to run for this Half Marathon. My legs were still feeling heavy from racing the North Face Endurance Challenge Trail Marathon (26.2 miles) in Park City, Utah the previous weekend (I promise this race recap is coming soon!). I was glad that this race was half the distance and was also glad that the course only included a few small hills unlike the ridiculous climbing that I did out in Utah! I decided to stick close to the front at the start with Laura and Allie. Allie was shooting for a fast time and managed a smoking fast 1:32 and winner of her age group. Talk about awesome! Laura and I started with the 3:15 marathon pace group (yes, some runners were running the whole 26.2, I was thankful to only be doing the half). In hindsight I probably shouldn’t have started out so fast but it was awesome to be with some of my favorite running bloggers on the starting line!
When the air cannon blasted we got moving, Allie took off with Tina by her side and Laura and I settled in with the pace group. Laura was running with ease and comfortable turnover. I ran the pace for about 2 miles and then decided I needed to slow my pace down a bit or I wouldn’t survive the race. One thing I loved as we ran along the course was that the spectators were cheering for us by name. Every bib has your name printed on it. This adds extra motivation to keep running!
I worked hard to settle into a pace that was “comfortable” while still pushing hard. I was definitely feeling the trail marathon lingering in my legs by mile five my left hamstring was feeling tight. The race temperature was comfortable but I was definitely glad to have my arm warmers and Runner’s Alley gloves on especially when we crossed a bridge where the wind was whipping and as we passed through the neighborhoods along the water. The course was beautiful and not as hilly as where I live so I was able to keep my pace strong as we approached the turnaround point at halfway. I took a GU around mile 5.5 and drank some water and gatorade at the aid stations although I was finding it hard to eat and my stomach felt a little sour. As we came down the hill just before the turn around I was excited to see Allie and Tina cruising along in the other direction. And then Laura too!
After making the turn at the halfway point I felt re-energized knowing that the race was half way over. This is always a great mental turning point for me and brings a positive voice back into my head. With only about 6 miles to go I knew that I could run strong for the rest of the race. I was excited to see Jen as she came to the half way point but somehow missed seeing Jes. After the turn around there was one more hill but then we reached our cheering section! Christine, Sarah and Angela’s cheering definitely helped me to smile and push harder and they took tons of awesome photos too!
They even captured a picture of the most amazing runner on the course, the guy dressed as a moose!
After I saw the ladies I felt ready to rock the rest of the course and my energy level picked up a bit. I think it was a combination of seeing them, the caffeine in the GU and the way the course flattened out. The lack of hills for the rest of the run definitely made my legs very happy! At this point I could feel my fingers swelling a little bit so ditched the gloves. I continued on and gave myself a pep talk about picking up the pace when I hit the last 3 miles. When I hit that 10 mile marker I picked up the pace a little bit, tried another GU although my stomach said no. thankfully it settled down after awhile.
With 2 miles to go I knew I had to dig deep. At this point in the race I always tell myself to go hard because its the only hard thing that I will be doing today. My legs were feeling fatigued but I knew that I could push the effort. I picked up the pace and worked on focusing on catching people in front of me. One at a time I passed runners until I was in the final stretch to the finish line. I spied the clock in the distance and was happily surprised to see that I would be coming in under 1:43. I finished strong crossing the line in 1:42.12.
Woohoo! This was not a PR but it was the fastest half marathon that I have run in a long time and on tired legs too. Now, I am fired up to go hard and fast for a PR (possibly at the Philly Half Marathon????). I was so excited to see Laura and Allie at the finish line in their silver space blankets. Shortly after I crossed the line we cheered as Jes and then Jen (with a new smoking fast PR) crossed the line and then Carrie came through not long after that with her awesome first time finisher time and smile.
What a fantastic day of running and for me a birthday celebration! A perfect way to spend birthday number 39! This was such a beautiful race course and it was so great to spend it with these fabulous and strong runners! (You can tell I had a great time by the number of exclamation points I’m using.). The Maine Half Marathon was a well run race with excellent volunteers working at number pick-up and especially on race day along the course. This may have to become an annual race for me!
What was your latest half marathon or running race? What is the funniest costume that you’ve ever seen anyone wearing during a race?
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Great job on the race! You look so strong in that picture (with the arm warmers).
I’ve read about this retreat on a few other blogs and it sounds wonderful! What a great experience!
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home recently posted…Tenacious
Happy birthday and congrats on a great race!!
Last year during the Peachtree Road Race in Atlanta I saw someone dressed as Marge Simpson….giant blue wig and all! Right now, someone will have to top that as best race costume. I have no idea what the connection was to the PRR or the 4th of July, though.
My last half marathon was the Diva’s Half in Peachtree City. It was a training run for my next marathon but I ended up PRing! Wahoo!!
Such a fantastic way to spend your birthday. I love doing races on my birthday! What a great weekend and lovely experience. Well done on your race 🙂
LOVED this, ALMMMOSSST as much as I loved getting to know you! Great recap, and I wish I could have seen you during the later stages, should have paid attention more!
By the way, philly half as in the one at the end of the month!?!?
This sounds so fun! I saw a couple things about your retreat but is there more info somewhere? It sounds awesome!
courtney @ eat pray run dc recently posted…Wineglass Marathon RecapÂ
Great job! I love Maine so I may need to add this race to my bucket list. It looks like a great course, and running with that moose guy must have been awesome! Good luck with your next half in a few weeks!
Yay to the safari GGU! Love the fun running moose. Lol. How cool to have fellow bloggers cheering you on!
Looks like such an amazing weekend w a great group of ladies. So jealous! Congrats on the race time that’s speedy! I haven’t done a race in a while but have a 10k this weekend so that will be fun.
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner recently posted…Perfect Your Plank
I LOVE that I got to celebrate your birthday with you in such a special way. You rocked this race, especially with that tough marathon the weekend before. You are such an inspiring person and I’m so grateful that we met. xoxoxoxoxo
Congrats on your race! That’s a pretty good pace so soon after a trail marathon! The moose costume is awesome.
what a fun weekend!!! looks like an awesome race. I love running in Maine. That moose costume cracks me up! Great job on your half!!
Mar @ Mar on the Run recently posted…Ragnar DC Recap – Day 2
Loved this recap! And the moose! He was amazing and you are amazing to have run this after last weekend’s adventure in Utah! And the Philly Half Marathon (in November yes?) is such a great race. I ran it last year and had a really great time. You should do it!! 🙂
Christine @ Love, Life, Surf recently posted…Rise.Run.Retreat 2015 – Recap
Looks like you & the ladies had a great weekend! That guy with the moose is hilarious!
Maureen recently posted…Creamy Carrot & Sweet Potato Soup {with sausage}
I can’t think of a better way to celebrate a birthday. What a great weekend!
That moose costume is amazing! What a great weekend AND a race 🙂 I’m super jealous you got to meet and hang out with Tina, she’s so great.
Ange @ Cowgirl Runs recently posted…Oktoberfest Race Recap
What an incredible finish time, especially for running on tired legs. Way to go!
What a great way to spend your birthday doing something you love!
Cassi recently posted…Be Your Best Self
What a great way to celebrate your birthday! I have a race this weekend and know I have to wear shorts even though it will be freezing at the start because it will warm up quickly.
Coco recently posted…Training For The 2015 Army Ten Miler?
Awesome time and looks like you did just fine after a marathon! Wow! Great job and lovvve the outfit during and after the run. Nic-
This is exactly how I would want to spend my birthday!! Yay my friend!! You rocked that race – and after your full TRAIL marathon in Utah the weekend before. That is super impressive!
Just think how fast you will run on fresh legs in Philly? We need to plan a race to run together someday soon. I hope you get to celebrate your birthday all month!! xo
Natalie recently posted…One Sentence Wednesday!
OH HOW I LOVE THE MOOOOOSE!!!!!
I might even run if I were in costume 🙂
I am still in awe of how strong you ran after such a hard weekend before!! Amazing job… I know you have a pr in there waiting to get out. Philly would be so fun to meet up if it works out!
Laura @ Mommy Run Fast recently posted…Maine Half Marathon
Testing, testing??
Looks like a great race. My favorite bibs are the ones with my name on them! Totally makes me want to PR.
YES!!!! You really captured the whole, amazing, wonderful day my friend. It is definitely a race I would love to run again…only if everyone else is there too 🙂 Great job!!! Happy Birthday (again) and miss you!! xo
Allie recently posted…What Is It Like to Be Paced by an Elite Runner? Maine Half Marathon Recap
We are definitely going to have to make this an annual gig. I have been so missing you amazing ladies this week!
I am inspired by you! A marathon one week…next week a 1:42 half and it wasn’t a PR! I seriously need to move to vermont and run with you!!!!
I had a fabulous time getting to know you last weekend! Thanks for the laughs and fun!!! And awesome help with my outfit!
jen recently posted…FITfamily BOSUStrong Week! Are your ready?
Congratulations on an incredible race. You were AWESOME at the race!! Sounds like it was a fun race and great race summary too!
I’m glad you’re recapping again. It’s not important what everyone thinks of your racing thoughts or pre-post rituals. Recaps are important so you can get your thoughts about the race out and see where you succeeded and where you need work. Just from reading, it sounds like you had a pretty great race despite the where you finished 😉 You’re doing amazing!!