On Saturday March 26th, I completed my 5th half marathon.  I Ran Through History: I participated in the National Half Marathon in Washington DC.

The race started at 7 am and the Metro opened at 6 am.  Race instructions warned that the Metro probably wouldn’t be the best way to reach the starting line in time, but Jared and I decided to chance it.  So did several thousand other people.  It was SO crowded.

Jared and I arrived at RFK Stadium at 6:55 am.  With only 5 minutes to spare, we hurried to the Bag Check and then over to the starting area.

Argh, lines for the Port-a-Potties!  I refused to race without using the bathroom so I got in line and decided that instead of starting with Corral 4, I’d just start as soon as I could.  Luckily the line moved quickly and I was able to hop the fence and join in with Corral 5.  Jared wandered back to find Corral 6 so he could start with his group.

Instead of stressing out that Jared and I were SO CLOSE to being late for the race, I was actually grateful.  Because we arrived just in time to start running, I didn’t have to stand around in the early morning cold, shivering and shaking and trying to keep warm.  I arrived warm and cozy from the Metro and had just enough time to take care of business but not enough time to become chilly.  Then I was off and running and feeling great.

I normally like to write mile by mile race recaps.  The National Half was the first race that I ran while listening to music and without a running partner.  With my music blasting and the mile markers written in chalk on the ground making them nearly impossible to spot, I often had no clue what my official distance was and relied on my Garmin to tell me how far I’d gone.  I was rocking out to my race playlist, totally in the zone.  The best I can do is give you my splits and write a collection of thoughts that occurred to me throughout the race.

My official race time was 1:55:07…

I used both the RunKeeper iPhone app and my Garmin to keep track of my splits and time on my own.  I started RunKeeper as I crossed the start line.  I fiddled with my Garmin for almost 30 seconds before I was able to get that started so I won’t pay much attention to those numbers.

Here are my splits via RunKeeper!

• Mile 1- 8:43
• Mile 2- 8:46
• Mile 3- 8:07
• Mile 4- 8:03
• Mile 5- 8:46
• Mile 6- 8:22
• Mile 7- 9:13
• Mile 8- 8:38
• Mile 9- 8:45
• Mile 10- 8:46
• Mile 11- 8:42
• Mile 12- 9:17
• Mile 13- 8:38

According to RunKeeper, I ran 13.3 miles in 1:56:19 which includes some time after crossing the Finish Line because I was gasping for air and forgot to turn the app off.  I did some calculations and it appears that I ran 13.1 miles in 1:53:39.  Too bad some of that distance was probably lateral movement so my official race time is a little bit slower.

No big deal though.  I’m still thrilled with my race results.  I didn’t get an official PR, but looking at my Garmin results from my previous PR, in my mind, I finished this race with a new personal record.

Next time I run a half marathon, I’ll make sure that my official time is a PR too!

Running without a running partner was a strange experience.  I didn’t have anyone to talk to.  I was alone with my music and my thoughts.  And believe me, my mind would not shut up during the entire 13.1 mile course.

I also found that running alone made the time pass quickly.  I crossed the starting line and began running and before I knew it, I was 4 miles in and having so much fun.

My official race goal was to finish in around 1 hour and 53 minutes, meaning I needed to maintain an 8:38 pace throughout the half marathon.  From miles 1-11, I was right on track.  Even though I started off slow because of the crowded course, I managed to hit each new mile at the time needed.

Mile 12 was the killer.  I slowed it down to handle the hills and to grab something to drink.  I don’t know why the National Marathon website decided to tell everyone that the course was flat and fast.  I thought it was hilly and challenging.  Not real hills, but lots of down hills to go under the overpasses and then step inclines to get back up.  My legs were really tight and I was about to kill someone when I saw that there was yet another hill several hundred yards from the finish line.

{Uh oh, I can see a hill in the distance!}

{Racing and keeping the pace}

{Running down the National Mall}

{Washington Monument}

I don’t have any photos as a I crossed the finish line.  There was a final incline to get back to the stadium and I was NOT a happy camper.  I was moving as fast as I could and my legs felt like bricks.  I pushed myself to the limit because I wanted to know that I crossed the finish line while giving everything that I had left.  The official race photos probably won’t look pretty.

After I got my medal and a bottle of water, I headed inside to claim my bag and use the bathroom.  My stomach was killing me for quite some time after I finished running.  Cramping and way too many trips to the bathroom.  It wasn’t fun.  At least I had 25 minutes to sit and recover while I waited for Jared to finish the race.  His official time was 2:02:31, a PR!  I’m so proud of him!

Back at the hotel to eat, nap, and shower, I was all smiles.  Running in the National Half Marathon was a challenging and fun experience!