I ran this race last year and proclaimed “never again”. The distance (7.45 miles) is strange and I end up running 10K pace and just feel miserable for the last mile. For some reason I ended up registering again…maybe to get some redemption?
I had 2 goals going into Saturday’s race:
1. Not race it. Instead I would use the race as a fast finish long run. A 13-mile warm up and then a 12K where I would keep the pace moderate.
2. Beat my time last year – even though I wasn’t racing it. Given my shitty performance last year (7:59 average pace), it shouldn’t be too hard.
I got up at the crack of dawn on Saturday and was running around Kelly Drive by 6:30AM. 13 nice and easy miles.
I love Philly
I finished up run #1 around 8:30 and had a 1/2 hour to change out of my cold, sweaty clothes, eat some Shot Bloks, sit in my car and blast the heat, and then head over to the race. I felt good.
The course is a simple out-and-back along Martin Luther King Drive. The weather was perfect. I kept my pace nice and controlled during the first mile. When I glanced at my Garmin it read 7:45 pace. Hmm.
I maintained 7:45 pace until the turnaround (mile 17). Then I got this incredible rush of endorphins. I loved everyone and everything. I dropped my pace slightly.
I saw Ann around mile 18 and got another little burst of energy (Hi Ann!). I kept pushing onward. I couldn’t believe how fresh my legs felt. If only this were a marathon.
I crossed the finish line in 57:15 (7:41 average pace). A 2+ minute PR from last year, even with a 13-mile warm up.
Overall – 38/374
Female – 8/223
AG – 4/51
I cannot wait for the Philly HM next weekend!
Ever get an endorphin rush and love everyone and everything? It’s like being a happy drunk.
Congrats! What a great run! I love those runs where everything just falls together and feels perfect. Good luck next weekend at Philly.
Awesome run!! I never thought to just split up my runs like that- I agreed to run a 5k turkey trot with my friend and was upset, bc I typically run 5-7 miles during the week… I’m going to follow after you and run early in the morning before the race as a warmup! 🙂
Wow, that’s somethin!! Nice work in owning that race – even though it had some baggage tied to it.
Good luck @ Philly!
Congrats! Awesome run! Good luck next weekend 🙂
Awesome run GIrl! How did you find all of that energy in the end? Have fun next weekend!
holy cow, what an awesome run/race, Kristy! Congrats!! I love that endorphin rush feeling – haven’t had it in a while so am hoping it comes back this weekend 🙂 Maybe on Kelly Drive!! haha. I hope I get to see you, too!
Holy speedy! Congrats!
Awesome!!! You’ll have a great HM. I did have a little endorphin rush after my marathon. Can’t wait to read about next weekend!
Congrats! Sounds like your ultra training is helping you get faster. I had an awesome endorphin rush during my last marathon. I felt pretty bad/tired the entire race until mile 18-19, and then I suddenly had tons of energy and was so happy to be running. It’s such a great feeling!
What a fantastic way to finish a long run! Congrats on an awesome race.
And yes, I love that endorphin rush!
Nice running as usual, Kristy! Can’t wait to read about how you dominated the Philly Half! 🙂
A 12K is definitely a bizarre distance….I might actually hate that more than I hate a 10K 🙂 Congrats on the PR! And I’m so jealous of your run along Kelly Drive – that was where I always ran when I lived there.
Wow, great PR, especially with a 13 mile “warm up”. I think you might have crossed over to be an ultra runner with that kind of warm-up 🙂
Wow, you are in fantastic shape! I can’t wait to hear how your half this weekend goes. Congrats!
Wow. Sounds like you are ready to crush your half marathon PR. good luck. We will be out there cheering.
Nice race, Kristy!! Awesome. I actually was biking along MLK drive and realized this race was going on so I stopped to cheer for a bit. I wish I saw you!!!
GOOD LUCK this weekend! I will be cheering!
Congrats on a fantastic race!! I laughed at the phrase “I loved everyone and everything” — definitely know that feeling. Also familiar with the actual happy drunk feeling, haha. 🙂 I ran a half marathon last month where they had us run right alongside the finish line while we were still 3 miles out–that was definitely an “I love everything” moment. (Of course, it was followed by the sinking reality that we still had a 5K to go, and it was honestly STRAIGHT uphill the whole way in, haha.)
Great job!
I have been M.I.A. I know. So, this is old — but congrats on a wonderful and amazing race. I’m so looking forward to reading your recap on the Philly HM. I bet it was exciting.