Bluegrass Half Marathon 2012

In an effort to prepare myself for the eventual 26.2, I am increasing the number of 13.1's I run.  Also, in preparation for beating my 2011 Haunted Half time, I registered for the Bluegrass Half Marathon.

Okay, enough defending my reasoning!

Training went well enough.  I had a few long runs, a lot of speed work, and one week of no runs.  Thank you sinus infection!

Race week I felt good.  I stressed about the elevation for a day or so, then told myself that it was no where near as difficult as The Varmint.  After that I was ready.

Until 5:30 AM on race day!  That is the worst!  It is always when I am dragging my lazy butt out of bed that I think to myself "this was a HORRIBLE idea!"  But this time I was picking Kristen up.  We'd decided to ride to Johnson City together, so I HAD TO GO!  I zombie'd around and made my way to McDonald's where they never can figure out "black coffee iced one creamer."  Then on to get Kristen.

We had no traffic into Johnson City and parked fairly easily.  Then it was time to find pre race bathrooms.  There were no port-o-potties to be found at the start/finish line, so we waited in line inside the Carnegie.  This took us the majority of our thirty minute pre race stretch time. I then got a sweet phone call from my wonderful husband wishing me well, always nice to hear his encouragement!

Then it was time to make our way into the pack of other crazy people and off we went!  It was a chilly morning so we'd wore "sock arm warmers" to knock the chill off.

Here I am around mile 1 rocking my sweet arm warmers!

The route was a very pretty one.  Through the VA campus, ETSU's campus, the tree streets, university parkway, return through ETSU, and onto the finish.

Mile 1-7ish were great.  My goal had been to keep sub 10 minute miles for the first 6 miles.  That felt great, so I attempted to keep it up as long as possible.  Mile 7 I started to feel the difference in a 10 minute mile and a 10:30.  Then came the more complicated hills.  Miles 9 and 10 really slowed me down.  Then I tried to pick it back up for the last few.

Still having fun at mile 2!    

 

Look at these fast splits!

How about a strong finish ladies and gentleman!

Normally I don't hang out for the post race events.  But this time we opted to check it out!  Kristen and I enjoyed all the race foods and even got leg massages.  It was a great after party!  I think in the future I might check a few more after parties out!

Overall I had a great run, and great experience at the Blue Grass Half Marathon.  I'm already looking forward to next year!

Oh and P.S. I should mention that I did have a lucky bib number!  It was my brother's lucky soccer number - thanks brother!