There are so many things I could say about the Country Music 1/2 Marathon. I could tell you about the expo, the course, the hills, the heat, the humidity, and the unplanned circumstances of the weekend. I could tell you about almost peeing my pants (true story).
Or about eating a salt packet mid-race for the first time (it was weird, I didn’t like it, but I think it was a smart choice).
I could even tell you that my eleventh half marathon was one of the most challenging races I’ve ever ran.
But, I’ll spare you the sweaty details.
One of the rules for Girls on the Run is to try your best each and every day. We tell the girls that on some days trying your best may mean walking 1/2 a mile in practice and other days it may mean running a 5k.
While I wasn’t out there setting any impressive records or sprinting the last 5k to the finish line, I tried my best. The first four miles were so hard I wasn’t sure I’d finish the race. Getting into a groove never happened and by mile seven I couldn’t bare looking up at the hills and the sun.
I tuned into my goals for the race, which were basically “try my best and see what happens.” So when I felt like crying, instead I sang along with the speakers and laughed out loud at how many times I found myself singing “I’m sexy and I know it.”
It’s hard to not be disappointed with this race, but at the same time I learned that the heat is not my friend, Central Park is actually flat and despite all this I did meet my goals.
Now who can lead me to the nearest, flattest, coolest 1/2 Marathon Course? I’m ready to try my best again and smash my p.r.!
I’m so sorry this did not go how you planned! You definitely have a great attitude about it . Races like this make us tougher, and I know you’ll crush your PR next time around! Go get it!
Sorry you had a tough time of it Jess. You powered through it though which is inspiring!
I hear there is a Marathon in the North Pole that is flat and cool.
The ING Hartford 1/2 is VERY flat…it almost feels downhill for many parts of the course!
Congrats, Jess!! You did so well in tough circumstances!
The Asbury Park half marathon was really flat and cool-ish, as it was in April on the Shore. That won’t help you for a year, though. The Philly R’n’R is fairly flat, too, but often hot.
I’m all signed up for Philly already!
You perservered. Pushed through. Conquered. It speaks volumes about you as a runner.
BUT if you’re looking for a gorgeous, flat and temperate course? The half I ran last fall in Newburyport MA was PERFECT. I totally want to run it again this year but it’s two weeks after Chicago so not sure its realistic or not. But seriously, consider it – I could go on for HOURS about how much I loved it (email me if you want more deets, ha!).
Thanks, Jess!
Nashville’s streets are pretty brutal and it was HOT this weekend. I only live about an hour and half away. You did amazing though!!! Great job! 😀
I had a veryy similar experience at my last half in DC in March. Holy hills and heat! That’s not really my style and I’m definitely going to do more research before I agree to sign up for a half.
Great job pushing through it!
I remember it being totally hot and very hilly too! Houston (january) is flat and usually cool. Vegas (run the strip at night) is flat and cool. Surprisingly, I didn’t find Denver that hilly and it was a beautiful course. I’ve got tons of photos and review on my blog.
You do what you can do Jess & you have had some rough body times so glad you took the higher road & it will be better!!!
You are a HERO for finishing the race! Also, the Kentucky Derby half is pretty flat if you wanted to do something further south than the North Pole.
It always stinks when the race doesn’t go as planned- but you finished and that’s all that matters…as you said you did you best!
Nashville humidity is no JOKE. Congrats on finishing strong! AND I am with you. Lets find a PR smashing half and run it together! Do you have one in mind?
I would love that! I haven’t even looked for one yet.
I am sorry to hear about the heat and the hills. 🙁 But you did it, which is what counts! The LI 1/2 and the Divas LI 1/2 are in Eisenhower Park and are pretty flat. And it’s a hop, skip, and jump away from the city via the LIRR. 🙂