I signed up for the USA Ladies’s Half Marathon in Key West some time again. I obtained the chance to run with one of many sponsors, Hyland’s, and thought it could be a good way to check my health earlier than the Los Angeles Marathon. Sadly, I obtained sick three weeks earlier than the race. Whereas I by no means examined constructive for something, I had about 10 days of abdomen points after which 5 days of full-body aches. I felt drained, torpid, and the physique aches had been so dangerous at one level I believed I had a stress fracture in my shin. I took a couple of days off. My physician thinks I seemingly had COVID.
So, anyway, the week earlier than the USA Ladies’s Half Marathon in Key West, I had no thought if I used to be operating. I didn’t even make the choice to go to Florida till the Wednesday earlier than, once I felt first rate sufficient. We went to Florida with the thought, if I felt as much as it, I might run. If I didn’t, then I wouldn’t. I examined a number of instances the week earlier than and monitored how I truly felt (why would I need to journey if I felt like rubbish?)
Earlier than the USA Ladies’s Half Marathon in Key West:
As an alternative of operating onerous, the USA Ladies’s Half Marathon in Key West grew to become a high quality future, one thing I actually hadn’t had for the reason that 20 miles in Huntington Seashore. I didn’t plan to run 20 miles, simply the half marathon.
We arrived in Key West with out a lot situation, picked up the bib, after which went to mattress early. The USA Ladies’s Half Marathon in Key West began at 6:30 am, which was so early, particularly being on West Coast time. It got here very early too. I wakened feeling drained. I walked the half-mile to the beginning after which walked a bit extra earlier than the beginning. I didn’t need to run as a result of I hadn’t run 13 miles in 2 weeks and wasn’t even certain in regards to the half, not to mention including extra mileage. Throughout marathon coaching, I like at the very least a 2 mile warmup earlier than the race however since I thought-about the half marathon a future, I figured I might heat up throughout the race. Plus, temperature sensible itw as 70 levels and humid.
USA Ladies’s Half Marathon in Key West Race:
The USA Ladies’s Half Marathon in Key West began on cobblestone, simply when it was getting gentle. I used to be considerably nervous about twisting an ankle, so I took it even simpler. I fell into what felt like a cushty tempo. Fortunately, we left the cobblestone fairly shortly, and I discovered myself operating a 7:40 tempo. I used to be truthfully fairly shocked. I hadn’t run quicker than about 9 minute miles for the final couple of weeks.
As talked about, the climate on the USA Ladies’s Half Marathon in Key West was very humid and already 70 levels. I saved hoping for rain as a result of it felt prefer it may pour at any time. Fortunately, it did rain from about miles 5-8. If I had are available in feeling 100%, I might have adjusted my targets anyway as a result of it was so heat!
I ran a lot of the USA Ladies’s Half Marathon in Key West alone. There have been about 10-15 girls in entrance, and I used to be simply plugging alongside. I had headphones, however I hit a button that triggered my music to cease round mile 3.
Miles 3-5 had a tailwind, and it already obtained actually scorching. Somebody in entrance of me dropped their bottle, and I picked it up for them. I may really feel the tailwind and knew we’d have a headwind coming again for the reason that race was simply an out and again. The wind wasn’t horrible, the truth is the warmth would have felt worse with out it. I used to be operating about 8-minute miles, they usually felt okay. Not nice, as a result of it was so humid and I nonetheless had gunk in my lungs, however adequate.
I obtained excited when it began to pour rain as a result of it felt good. I used to be taking Gatorade and water at every help station. I might pour the water on myself to maintain cool. I may hear the 1:45 pacer coming behind me, which felt bizarre contemplating I used to be a full minute forward of an 8-minute tempo. My first few miles had been round 7:40 which put me a full minute forward of 8 minute tempo.
We circled at mile 6 and headed again to the beginning. We had a headwind, and it was raining. I believed it felt nice. A lot of the USA Ladies’s Half Marathon in Key West was completed on the sidewalk or operating paths. Some between miles 10-12 was completed on unclosed roads.
Round mile 9 of the USA Ladies’s Half Marathon in Key West, I felt my pants begin to come down. I like the rabbit gas n fly, however once they get tremendous sweaty, plus having a telephone, they have an inclination to fall down a bit. I made a decision to cease and pull them up (just like the Lengthy Seashore half). I ran an 8:30 mile with the cease.
I finished once more twice to tug up my pants (round miles 11 and 12, I consider?). The remainder of the time, I used to be simply specializing in ending. No a part of me felt good, particularly as a result of it was so scorching. I simply targeted on the end, and earlier than I knew it, I used to be there. The USA Ladies’s Half Marathon in Key West was about 1/4-1/3 mile brief, and I completed round 1:44.
USA Ladies’s Half Marathon in Key West Ideas:
Clearly, earlier than the Los Angeles Marathon, I might have beloved to have a “quick” time. To be sincere, I’m nervous in regards to the marathon as a result of the final time I had an higher respiratory situation, it took loads longer than 3 weeks to really feel “regular” once more, so I’m hoping that isn’t the case now. I’ve had lots of dangerous timing with marathons. I’m completely happy I completed and even every week later, I’m feeling higher than final week (though no good).
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Questions for you:
What’s the hottest climate you’ve raced in?
Have you ever been to Key West?
