I went into the Narragansett Bay Half Marathon without any expectations. I hadn’t properly trained for the race but did have a enough of a base that I knew I could cover the distance without killing myself in the process. Like usual there were a lot of factors that could have messed with my performance (the weather, traveling, having cramps all week), so I wasn’t sure what to expect. But sometimes, those races happen to turn out pretty good.
The race was probably the smallest I’ve ever run (917 participants) and I liked it for a change. For once I didn’t have to pick up my race bib the night before at a huge, overwhelming expo (cough, Disney). My cousin and I left her house at about 5:30 to drive to the race, which was about 30 minutes away. Parking was easy, getting our bibs was a breeze and, other than a 10 minute delay start, pre-race was perfect.
I also met up with Sarah one last time before she took off with the front of the pack ;)
The course:
-It was a mix of both an out-and-back and a loop. We ran some parts twice (like a killer hill) but most of it was loop-like.
-Hills….there were a few decent sized hills from miles 0-3, but it was relatively flat for most of the race. At the end (mile 11-12), there was a steep hill that we repeated from the beginning of the course. That wasn’t too much fun.
-We ran half in neighborhoods and half on a bike path. I did not like the bike path because of the direct sun and what felt like an endless view of what’s ahead.
-There were mile markers but no clocks so I ran “blindly” (see below).
-There were plenty of water stations (which I walk through) and bands played live music.
The dreaded bike path
My race:
-I didn’t run with my normal RunKeeper app, I don’t own a watch (in the market to buy one though) and there weren’t any clocks, so I really had no idea of my pace. I *think* I had a negative split (second half of the race was faster than the first) but I’m not positive.
-The first 7 miles were rough mentally and I just wanted to get past the halfway point. I don’t know what “clicked” but I felt more awake after that. Probably mind over matter.
-I had the best course support! My aunts and uncles came to cheer on my cousin and me. I didn’t know where they would be standing so it was a very pleasant surprise to see them along the way.
-Funny story…my aunts (my mom’s sisters) look so much like my mom that I thought they were her. After I saw the second one I ended up calling my mom and jokingly asked if she was at the finish line (she wasn’t). Yes, I talked to my parents on the phone during the race. I needed some distraction from mile 11 to 12. It worked.
-The heat was rough but didn’t get to me until the last 4 miles. I’m surprised I didn’t feel more of the effects because it’s been two months since I’ve run in that type of heat and humidity. I’m in for it when I go back to Florida next week.
-Final time: 1:49:04; 8:18 min/mile.
Post-race:
-I had a water (x3) a banana and a Justin’s squeeze pack. There was also free chocolate milk for runners and tons of carnival food to purchase (not sure why someone would want that stuff at 9 a.m. after running, but whatever).
-I wish there was a longer chute at the finish and/or they ushered people out. It was an abrupt stop.
-The medal is really official for a smaller race. That was a nice surprise.
Final thoughts:
-My rat’s nest of a ponytail is making me want to chop my hair off again. I did it last summer before marathon training and I’m feeling the need to do it again.
-I love doing races with my cousins. I want to rope them into doing a Ragnar Relay next year.
-Brunch is awesome. I don’t go to brunch too often (I get hungry before then) but I might make it a thing now. We went to The Grange in Providence and I had the best quinoa salad with sweet potatoes, beets, avocado and sunflower seeds. Plus a kale, apple and lemon juice. Don’t worry, I got my watermelon fill later that night.
-I’m pretty excited to see what I can do with some proper training, hydration, rest/recovery. With the traveling I did this weekend I was more worn out than normal. So take that out of the picture and I hope I’ll feel even better next time.
I had two friends who ran that race also. Their family leaves up there and they enjoyed it as well. Congrats on beating the elements! :)
Melanie recently posted…Fitness Traps
Small world! I ran it because of the location too (near family). Thank you!
Awesome job! It was a HOT weekend and the humidity just made it even worse. I am looking forward to cooler temps as I start training for my half in September. I actually just made a hair cut appointment because I am in desperate need of a shorter length to make it through the rest of this summer!
Not sure if the temps in Florida will get any cooler until October but I will welcome them whenever :)
Wow that’s such an awesome time! You did such a great job, especially considering you didn’t feel prepared for the race. I’m very impressed :)
I definitely like to call people during smaller races with less crowd support. My last half was in Erie, and Dan hurt his back the night before and ended up not being able to come. I missed seeing him there so I called him at mile 11 when I was really struggling! It really helped and made it seem like he was there with me.
Gretchen | Gretchruns recently posted…Running Fast Fixes
By the way, I just realized why the name of this race sounded familiar..I just had a Narragansett Shandy last night! Small world :)
Gretchen | Gretchruns recently posted…Running Fast Fixes
Haha they should have had those after the race!
I completely agree! Right around mile 10-11 was where I was needing some extra motivation so it helped to talk/listen to my parents.
Awesome job!! Congrats on an amazing race!! The humidity was definitely no joke this weekend… I don’t know if I can say I go to “brunch” often, but sometimes my breakfast is on the later side after a long run. But I still always get breakfast food? Does that still constitute brunch? Haha. Next race TBD…. I will probably throw a few halfs into my training schedule to mix up my long runs.
Jamie recently posted…Rock Climbing
Yeah I prefer eating breakfast later after a run, napping and THEN eating lunch. I would like to throw in some other races during training too, maybe to work on speed.
Awesome race Emily! You’re incredible for doing so well in that heat! I did my long run that morning in Boston and thought it was awful. I guess your Florida blood must be used to it :P My next race is in about 3 weeks. A 10K followed by a 3 mile mountain climb!
Sam @ See Sam Run recently posted…Shipping Up to Boston + a Foo Fighters playlist
Is the 10k and mountain climb part of the same race?! That sounds really interesting!
You seriously did amazing. I wish I had the idea to call my parents mid-race. Also- I’m kind of laughing reading your recap because it proves just how out of it I was. I honestly don’t remember doing the same hill twice and I don’t remember doing anything out and back. I must have been delirious by the second half. Basically you killed it :)
Sarah @pickyrunner recently posted…Part one: Boston
Haha whenever I run a race with my parents they say they never remember anything about the course. I guess I like the distraction!
Awesome job!! It looks like it was a great race. Narragansett is gorgeous!
Liz recently posted…7 Best Kitchen Tools for a Healthy Chef
Thanks, Liz! The race being along Narragansett Bay made for great scenery.
YAY GIRL! Sounds like you did awesome and I wish I could’ve been there to cheer you and Sarah on :)
Thank you <3 But your weekend sounded awesome too!
Congrats on your race! That bike path looks BRUTAL. There are few things tougher during a summer run than stretches with no shade!
Bethany @ Accidental Intentions recently posted…Humana Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicago 5K Race Recap
It was almost laughable during that part of the race. I wanted to jump into the Bay to cool off.
Great race girl!!
Haha, if I tried to call someone on the phone…I would probably fall and kill myself :P
I’m pretty sure just talking would distract me too much! I have to be fully focused in my head (I would be a bad running partner!)
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine recently posted…My Top 15 Kitchen Prep Tools
I guess it was just a small change up from listening to music! I still had my headphones in and talked into the microphone on that.
1. I loved that you called your parents
2. Girl you need to put your hair into a braid…although sometimes that doesn’t even work;
3. Glad you had fun and a good race! Congrats!
She Rocks Fitness recently posted…Degree Get MOVING Challenge
French braid or braid the ponytail?! I need to learn how to french braid my own hair (I can do other people’s though).
Congrats! It sounds like you had an awesome race! Minus the heat and humidity :)
Kristen recently posted…Race Recap: Her Tern Half Marathon 2015
Thanks, Kristen! Yes, that’s a good way to put it.
Awesome time girl! I’m running one in October so I’m slowly starting to pick up my mileage. And I feel the same about brunch, I kind of hate it because I’m always hungry when I wake up, but I’ve learned to deal with it when pancakes are involved :)
Lacey @ Runs and Roses recently posted…12 Week Half Marathon Training Program
I think I like brunch better after long runs because I have something distracting me during the hours I’m normally wanting breakfast. It does have its benefits :)
totally called people during a race ! i have headphones with a mic so its easy. especially during relays we call the person who is up next to report where we are. its a nice distraction. i mostly make the other person talk to me ! and i’m so with you with the rats nest tail. i swear sometimes i cant even brush through it. how the F does that happen ? i usually have to do a bun after ~ 6 miles or i will have a big mess. a friend at work swears by a french braid for runs. and i got 6 inches cut off my hair and now i just have a shorter rat nest….but its still a nest ! my next race is a half on aug 15th. your pace is super awesome! if i come in at less than 10min/mi i will be happy.
I tried to make my parents talk to me but I ended up doing most of the talking! Guess it kind of backfired. I need to learn how to french braid my own hair because I do like it long but hate it when running.
I’ve never run a race before, but I am always intrigued by recaps! It sounds lie you had a great time, and I am impressed by your ability to push through those killer hills AND the heat!
I have only talked on the phone once when I was running. It was when I was younger and still babysitting. I REALLY wanted to get a gig with a family, and was expecting a phone call. I peered down at my phone during my run outside, and without thinking, I answered. The mom thought it was hilarious, and I got the gig!
Julia @ Lord Still Loves Me recently posted…My Minnie Maud Experience Part 1
Haha I love that story! I think I’ve only ever talked to my family but I would be the person to randomly answer an important call while running.
What an incredible race! I feel like I can see the heat of the race though through the screen! I guess those are the benefits of living and training in Florida most of the time! There is no way I could run that time in this heat, you’re awesome!
Michele @ paleorunningmomma recently posted…WIAW Hashtag Paleo
It felt like a fluke but I’m hoping it had something to do with being from Florida! We shall see next week. Thanks, Michele!
Oh my gosh!! Girl!!! My mouth literally just dropped when I read that you ate at the Grange in Prov! Prov is my city!! Ahhh I can’t believe it!! We should totally met up sometime!! I had no idea we were so close to each other!! Oh my gosh I’m excited! Let me know what ya think!! :) And you did amazing at the race btw!! Well done! :)
Cailee recently posted…Monday’s Motivation- Be Thankful!
I was just visiting for the weekend :( But my whole family is up in RI so I will definitely be back!
Congrats on that awesome time!! and ok I feel silly now for thinking it was on a track LOL I was like omg I would die.. but that looks like a nice course. You would look so cute with short hair!! I say go for it :)
Christina recently posted…Zucchini Noodles + Shrimp, Chorizo & Chickpeas
You girls look great especially with big smiles on the faces. And also, congrats on the awesome race!