Cox Rhode Races 2011: Half Marathon Recap
| May 2, 2011 | Posted by Lauren under Running |
Despite my lack of training over the past month, yesterday morning I woke up extremely excited to run the Cox Rhode Races Half Marathon through my city. This was my second time running the course, and I had such a great experience last year that I couldn’t wait to do it again. (For last year’s race recap and a more thorough description of the course, click here). While I can’t say that I had quite as much fun as I did last year, I can say that I was very happy to be running. Because when it comes down to it, if there’s a race going on in my city, I’d rather be participating than watching from the sidelines.
While I didn’t have any real goals going into this race, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have my time from last year etched into the back of my mind. If I could beat that time without running myself into the ground, you better believe I was going to go for it. I’m really happy to report that I did! I ran a 1:34:41, almost 2.5 minutes faster than the 1:37:07 I ran last year (while in really good shape).
If you’ve never run a race in your hometown before, I highly recommend it! Not only is it really fun to run through familiar streets with all your neighbors cheering you on, you also don’t have to get up at the crack of dawn to make the start. I only live a couple of miles from the starting line of yesterday’s race, so I was able to get up, have a leisurely breakfast and take my time getting down there.
Instead of giving you a complete rundown of the entire race, I thought I’d give you a 13 highlights from my 13(point 1) miles.
13 Thoughts from the 2011 Cox Half Marathon
1.) Waking up to a cool, crisp morning with the sun shining (last year’s race was cloudy, hot and humid).
2.) Getting down to the start with plenty of time to make my usual porta-potty run and while standing in line, suddenly realizing that I had forgotten my iPod! My dependence on love for running with music has been well documented. It may sound silly, but at that point the thought of not having my music, something I was mentally prepared to run with, was just too much. I leapt out of line and ran back to Becky so that I could borrow her phone to call EC.
3.) Realizing that I don’t actually know my boyfriend’s cell phone number. (In my defense he recently got a new number…and by recently I mean January. Oops).
4.) Sending a flurry of frantic emails to the wrong email address. (If I ever try to convince you that I am a calm, rational-thinking person before a race, please think back on this story and know that I am a big fat liar.) And since EC and I haven’t yet figured out how to communicate telepathically, I never did get that iPod.
5.) Having a great friend who is willing to go without her own iPod so that you can run with music. Becky was planning on running with family, so although she had made a playlist for the race, she told me she’d be fine without it. I have never been so thankful for a sacrifice as I was at that very moment. And when I turned on the music to hear the first chords of “Eye of the Tiger” bursting into my ears, I knew everything was going to be okay.
6.) Feeling the excitement of the crowd and letting that pull me into a much faster start than I was actually trained to run. Especially when the course is not flat. And especially when you basically spend the first half in an uphill climb.
Because any smart, undertrained runner would attack the first flat section in preparation for a series of long climbs, right??
Mile 1 – 6:54
Mile 2 – 6:56
7.) Seeing Evan at the top of one particularly long climb that had knocked some of the wind out of my sails and made me realize that the aggressive pace I had started off with was not realistic under my current circumstances (and being okay with that).
Thanks for giving me an extra boost Evan!
8.) Seeing EC and Koli around Mile 5 (after yet another long climb), and knowing I’d get to see them again in 3 more miles (I love how easy it is to spectate on the Half Marathon course).
Mile 3 – 7:09
Mile 4 – 7:13
Mile 5 – 7:30
9.) Feeling as though the rolling hill section through Pawtucket flew by and I was suddenly back on Blackstone again, heading into the home stretch of the course.
Mile 6 – 7:02
Mile 7 – 7:09
Mile 8 – 7:26
Sometimes I yell at EC when I run. Fortunately he is a good, patient guy and doesn’t yell back.
10.) With the exception of one particularly nasty hill in the 11th mile, being able to run down all those hills I had climbed during the first part of the course.
Mile 9 – 7:10
Mile 10 – 7:02
Mile 11 – 7:33
11.) Pushing through those final, gloriously flat miles, knowing I was tired but not completely spent. Knowing that my faithful legs were going to carry me to a course PR, despite the fact that I didn’t really give them the best training they could’ve asked for.
Mile 12 – 7:07
Mile 13 – 7:05
12.) Coming around that final corner (and practically running into Lizzy!), seeing the finish, and pushing as hard as I could make these heavy legs move to make sure I finished under 1:35.
Classic
Mile 13.22 – 1:23 (6:27 pace)
13.) Being done! Although I do really like the Half Marathon course, there is no better feeling in the world than being done with a race. And since the last race I ran was a full marathon, the time seemed to fly by. I loved it. (Someone please remind me why I keep signing up for full marathons!?)
I honestly didn’t expect much going into the race, and in the end I was really happy with the way it turned out! I can’t say that I felt amazing the entire way, or that I wasn’t tired, or that I didn’t have brief moments where I questioned my sanity (especially because my warped mind equates running for fun with running as hard as I can without killing myself – have I mentioned I’m my own greatest competition??). I loved running through the streets of my neighborhood and finished the race with renewed excitement for my relay this weekend.
Congrats to all the Marathon and Half Marathon finishers!
Final Results
Garmin Results:
13.22 miles in 1:34:41 (7:10 pace)
Official Results:
13.1 miles in 1:34:41 (7:14 pace); 128th/2,398 overall
17th/1,450 females; 10th/581 in division
—
And now I’m off to celebrate by moving. Anyone want to come help me lug furniture?? 
Wow that’s AMAZING!! You are SO SPEEDY!! I’m seriously dependant on my iPod too when running, so I totally understand!!
Love all the race pics too! CONGRATS again!!
Emma (Sweet Tooth Runner)´s last post ..Almond butter lovin&8217 and Awesome April
I was just thinking yesterday about the marathon being a whole year ago. Time flies. Congrats on a race well done!
Kate (Embarrassment of Riches)´s last post ..Saturday in Red Hook – What I Wore
Thank you! And it’s really crazy to think how fast a year goes by – I kept thinking about that while I was running on Sunday.
Congratulations on a course PR. That’s impressive. Have fun moving, I know that’s an oxymoron but I hope it goes by quickly for you.
Great job on the race! Your time is awesome. It was definitely a good day for running and the runners all look spirited. I definitely want to run it next year if I don’t get roped into the full.
Congrats, Lauren! You totally rocked this race!! That’s an awesome time. I’m not sure I believe that you’re “out of shape” though
I think running high mileage for a while then taking a break can be so good for the body, and you definitely proved that!
I agree that running a race in your hometown has a ton of advantages – waking up in your own bed and having your parents drive you to the start is pretty awesome. So glad you had fun, and it sounds like the weather was perfect! Halfs are so much less rigorous in terms of training and recovery…sometimes it feels ridiculous that prefer full marathons.
Good luck with the move! Are you moving in with EC??
Corey @ the runners cookie´s last post ..8 steps
No I’m not moving in with EC…just needed to get out of the old apartment.
And thank you. You’re right – I’m not really out of shape….my point was more that last year, I had been training (though unsuccessfully) for a full and then dropped down to the half a few weeks before the race. So at the time, I was more prepared to do the mileage and just felt more “race ready” if that makes sense.
Just call me Beck Mix-a-Lot. I’m gla I could lend you the tunes that helped you rock that race. You are so amazing!
And I can’t think of any better way to cross train than moving! See ya for some strength training this afternoon!
Becky´s last post ..Cox Rhode Races Half Marathon- A Race Recap
Um, Beck, I totally started crying (yes, at my desk at work) when I read that you gave Lauren your iPod. That is so sweet and selfless. You On The Run girls are the best (even though you don’t live in NYC).
Ali @ Ali on the Run´s last post ..Hamptons Marathon Training- Week 1
See…this is why you should probably move to New England!
And yes, Beck is a pretty amazing friend
Great race!! And I think its great that Becky gave you her iPod…awesome friend!!
Congrats Lauren!! 10th in your division!? You’re amazing!
Can’t wait to celebrate with the PPL again soon
Good luck with moving too. I’m sad you won’t be around the corner anymore but at least you’re still close!
i had fun too. just a quick drive up from coventry! this was my first half marathon. it was awesome. awesome, but hilly
ed´s last post ..the where where he’s ready
It was my first half marathon last year too! I think it’s a great one. Congrats!!
Congrats! That’s a great improvement over last year’s time. It’s awesome that Becky lent you her iPod.
Steel Springs´s last post ..Training Update and Setting Long-Term Goals
Nice race recap!!! Congrats on your time. I agree – hometown races are the best. Cheers!
Kate @ NaturaStride´s last post ..Protein Carbs A Match Made in Heaven
congrats on the race! i think tracking progress between years on the same course is an excellent way to judge success and you nailed it!
as always, your pictures are awesome.
and, i totally don’t know my bf’s number. no judgement from me.
Emily´s last post ..An Empire State of Mind
I loved this recap! I KNEW you would PR! Way to go!! I loved #4 because that would totally be me!
I was so happy to almost run into you and that expression is too much! Had so much fun with you guys yesterday and you are so impressive that you wereable to run that race so fast!
Lizzy´s last post ..Restaurant Review- Village Smokehouse Red Sox
I will help you move if you help me! We are moving this weekend it appears eek we have not even started to pack. Have you gone to your local grocery store to ask for boxes?
Also, congrats on an amazing race. I knew you would do awesome! You rock!
Thank you!! And I feel your pain! Good luck with the move – I hate everything about moving (especially the cleaning the old place after everything is out part) I hope it goes smoothly for you!
Good luck too! Thanks!! My new place has running trails behind the house so I am psyched, but by the time we are done with the move I probably will have done the equivalent of running 10 miles…lol
Stephanie´s last post ..Good Things Come in Threes!
That is awesome!! I wish I had moved to a place like that (instead I think my new place is LESS run-able. boo)
And yes, moving is an exhausting workout. I counted it as my cross-training for the week
love it! well any time you want to hit up some trails i am game, although you will have gone three miles and i will be on mile one haah
Stephanie´s last post ..Good Things Come in Threes!
congrats on the new PR!!!
I saw you at the starting line of the race, but I was too shy to say hi!
It was such a beautiful day for the race!
Julie @ Lettuce Choose Healthy´s last post ..I finished!
I wish you had!! I would’ve loved to have met you!! I promise I’m not intimidating
I so agree that running a hometown race is something to experience, I’ve run my local half 4 times. Looked like you were having a good time in the pics, that’s the way to take care of those miles…congrats on the PR!
I love running races in my hometown. It’s so nice to be on familiar terrain, plus you can make your friends come out and cheer for you!
Good job!
Lee´s last post ..Saturday Morning-Afternoon
CONGRATS! I had a feeling you would rock this race – it’s always when we least expect it! You look so happy in your photos – I love them. And it looks like the weather was perfect. You are super speedy, lady!
Kelly´s last post ..Refueling Mexican-Style
Ya know Lauren, you ran a good race, but I hate to point this out to you (even though you already know it), but you get rid of 3 of those miles and your pace drops down to 7:05,. Then, before you know it, you will be running a 6:59 pace for the 1/2.
SORRY: I clicked post too soo. Here is teh rest:
You know Lauren, you ran a good race, but I hate to point this out to you (even though you already know it), but you get rid of 3 of those slower miles and your pace drops down to 7:05. Then, before you know it, you will be running a 6:59 pace for the 1/2. Not to put any pressure on you, but you are almost there. That being said, I am of course extremely proud of you. You are running great!
No pressure at all.
I know it! And I have to admit that it has created a fire in me for the half marathon that I never had before. Next goal: sub-1:30 (yikes!)
Thanks, as always, for your encouragement and support! It means so much to me!!
CONGRATULATIONS! What an amazing race for you! The pictures are awesome and I loved every word of this recap. You are my super speedy inspiration.
Ali @ Ali on the Run´s last post ..Hamptons Marathon Training- Week 1
You look SO happy in your photos
Love it! Great job rising to the occasion after a less than ideal training cycle and such a busy week! I hope you’re getting settled into the new digs, I’ve heard great things about your neighborhood!
Kim´s last post ..Marathon Goggles
Thanks Kimmy! I think you should come visit so we can feast on pizza and cupcakes.
Great job on the half!
speedy speedy speedy! sounds like it was a fun and challenging race. amazing that you are blazing fast even with less running lately. i will carry that spirit with me to my half this weekend. note: i’ve run twice since boston…
the dawn´s last post ..Easy Canvas Indeed!
Congrats, Lauren!!! You rock!! Sometimes it’s nice to have other stuff going on and not stress about a race before hand, but I’m still so impressed that you rocked your time from last year with such little prep.
Erin @ Until You Tri´s last post ..Dirty Girl
Wow- what an amazing time, congrats!
Jess@atasteofconfidence´s last post ..FAQ Request- Flashback Friday
Way to go, Lauren!
Rach´s last post ..Fair Trade led to a Whole Foods Trip
Racing in your home town is great isnt it! I am all to used to running in cities that arent my own so it is nice to not have to get up at the crack of dawn for a change. I love the way that literally everyone turns out to support the locals as well and you see people that you haven’t seen in ages waving at your from the sidelines!
RunTheLine´s last post ..Beginner Half Marathon Training Plans