NYD Day One Race Recap

How was your New Year’s Eve? Mine involved waking up really early, running 13.5 miles, and an early bed time so that I can do it all over again. Totally worth it though! As of yesterday, I’m rocking a brand new half marathon PR!

I had really built this race up in my mind, and I had high expectations for myself. Naturally, that meant that I could not fall asleep the night before. I tossed and turned until my alarm went off at 6:15 am. I guess not really being asleep made it easier to wake up. I did my usual: walk the dog, eat peanut butter toast, drink Nuun, and pace around the house because I’m ready ridiculously early.

My mom and mother-in-law both went to this race with me. It really calmed my nerves to have them there! We rode over to the race site together and chit-chatted. We didn’t talk for long because we arrived pretty close to go-time. After some final inspirational words, I walked over to the start.

Celebration Park in Allen, TX, the location of the New Years Double. For the record, I totally jacked this picture from the race website, but this is exactly what the day looked like: bright blue skies and sunny weather.

• Mile 1: 9:53

Despite this being a smaller race, we had starting corrals. I liked doing it this way. The race started out crowded! I can’t imagine how much shuffling for position there might have been if there were no corrals. During the first mile, I tried to remind myself of my goals. I avoided going too fast and zigzagging too much. I reassured myself that the crowds would thin out. Around the end of the first mile, they did.

• Mile 2: 9:29
• Mile 3: 9:38
• Mile 4: 9:50
• Mile 5: 9:32

During the first few miles, I found myself behind a man in Texas flag shorts and his two friends. They were running around a 9:40 pace, so I stuck near them. I got to listen to their conversations, I followed them when they passed slower people, and all four of us walked through the water stations together. I wonder if they knew that I was tailing them? Haha! Around mile 5, they majorly slowed down, and I continued on.

• Mile 6: 9:43
• Mile 7: 9:23

The course was a big loop that half marathoners ran twice, so hitting 6.55 miles meant that I was halfway and that I ran through the start/finish area where my mom and mother-in-law were. It majorly boosted my spirits to run right by them and hear them cheering for me! I also heard the announcer say that it was and hour and five minutes into the race. I was right on track to make my goal time (sub-2:10). I didn’t want to cut it too close, so I tried to pick up my pace.

• Mile 8: 9:18
• Mile 9: 9:50
• Mile 10: 9:22
• Mile 11: 9:31

This part of the race was a struggle. I was more than halfway, but not quite close to the end yet. I kept thinking about my goal and pushing myself to continue. I also thought a lot about my husband. (Cheesiness alert!) I thought about how he can’t quit when he’s tired, so I wouldn’t let myself quit.

• Mile 12: 9:36
• Mile 13: 9:10

For the entire last two miles, I could see the finish line. I was giving everything I had. When I my Garmin hit 13 miles, I still had a way to go. I was worried that I’d be close to my goal, but that I’d end up just barely missing it. I pushed the pedal to the metal and ran all out.

• Last .5: 7:53/pace

Thanks to my friend Gretchen for capturing this picture right as I made the final sprint to the finish!

My race stats:

• 13.5 mile finish time: 2:08:13 (according to the official results)
• Average pace: 9:30  per mile

I dubbed this the best dressed race. So many racers wore bright-colored and interesting outfits. (My favorite is the older gentleman who was wearing a skirt/slip? and fish net tights. It was something to see!) For a little race, there was a lot of crowd support. My favorite sign said, “No one made you do this,” being held by a very serious looking little boy. I couldn’t help but laugh! Some people might not like the race course since it loops around so much, but that didn’t bother me. I liked seeing the other runners at multiple points during the race, and I know that it was nice for the spectators, too.

I feel great about this race! I not only made my time goal, but I achieved the other goals I had set out for myself as well. I was able to go all out and still enjoy myself. It’s a good thing, since I’m running this race again. That’s right, New Year’s Day means another 13.1 (or potentially 13.5) miles for me! I’ll be back tomorrow to let you know how it goes!*