I can't believe it has been almost a month since I ran the Monster Dash. This semester is almost over and I still haven't finished a single chapter of my dissertation. I was planning to have my dissertation done by December so I could cruise through my final semester of grad school. I don't think that will be happening. Anyway, back to the race recap.
The above photo is at the start. I am behind the girl in the blue shorts. I was way overdressed for the race. I had on a long sleeve shirt, running tights, gloves, ear warmers and a pirate dress over all of that. I like to dress up for races! It was funny to hear all the things that I was called during the race..."Go Renaissance women!" "Go bar maid whore!" and "Go pirate wench!"
My goal for the race was to run a sub-1:35 so I decided to start out with the 1:35 pacer. Well, that lasted about 1 mile before I had enough and took off. It was too crowded and I was always almost stepping on the feet of the people cutting in front of me.
I felt great for the first 7 miles. I was running about 7 min mile pace. The problem is when your longest run is only 7 miles for a 13.1 mile race. The last few miles are hard. I started to slow down around mile 7 and around mile 9 my legs were starting to feel like they might cramp at anytime. They felt like that for the last 4 miles. Luckily, they never cramped. Around mile 9 is when I started to get passed by other women. Prior to this, I was the one doing the passing. I tried to hang with them but my legs wouldn't let me. I think 5 women passed me during the last 4 miles.
I finished in 1:34:16. I was happy to break 1:35. After I finished, I waited around for my friend to finish and then we jogged the 5k with her 6 year old son. It was a great cool down.
I got home and checked my official time and place.
On Saturday:
Gender place - 42
Age group place - 14
I was a little surprised that so many women had run between 1:15 and 1:25 for the 1/2 marathon.
I recheck the results on Sunday.
Gender place - 24
Age group - 8
Okay, wow. You are super speedy! (Nevermind my email asking if you want to do a 5 or 10k in a few weeks :P) Frankly, I'm surprised how many women finished ahead of you, too! You blew the race out of the water, though, and you should be proud of your sub 1:35!! Killer.
ReplyDeletexoxo,
A
wow congrats on the PR, Julie! Man, you are fast =)
ReplyDeleteI did the Monster in Chicago, had a blast! I'm tempted to do the double next year and get the gold buckle.
ReplyDeleteOMG!!! Holy crap Julie!!! You are freaking amazing! You make me feel so very slow:) Nice job on a super speedy race! I wish that I would of seen you...we will meet at another future race for sure:)
ReplyDeleteAwesome time! Congrads!! I am just finishing my 1st semester of grad school as you finish. Good luck on your dissertation.
ReplyDeleteHalf marathon pace group - Nice. I'd like that on my next half.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on a great race and breaking 1:35!
ReplyDeleteGood job on your time & race! I'm a new follower! :)
ReplyDelete