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Sunday, February 17, 2008

A1A: Race Report

The chip time isn't up yet, but my Garmin says 2:09:45 and I think the clock time was 2:11, so my guess is that the chip time will be similiar to my Garmin. Either way, it's an improvement over Miami by about 12 minutes.

So, the report:

Pre-Race and Start:
Wendy and I left our house around 4:45 and while we ran into some traffic, it wasn't bad, so we were parked and out of the car by 5:30 am. Quickly, we each used the restroom and then found our perspective places within the corral where we bid each other "adieu": I situated myself amongst the 10 minute milers and Wendy was between the 8:30 and 9 minute milers. The timing was near perfect because we only had to stand in the corral for about 15 minutes before the start -- way beter than the 90 minutes I stood before Miami.

I didn't hear the gun, but we promptly began at 6 am.

First Half:
Unlike Miami, where I had a hard time establishing my own pace in the first few miles, I felt like I found a comfortable pace immediately this morning, and I was able to remain within a pretty consistent window for the first 6 miles:
1: 9:49
2: 9:49
3: 9:59
4: 9:33
5: 9:28
6: 9:35

I saw the first front runner at about 45 minutes, and saw Wendy ahead of me shortly before the turn around between miles 6 and 7.

Second Half:
I was still feeling good at the turn around, and my miles continued to be consistent up until mile 10, then I slowly began to lose steam. But otherwise, my 8 and 9 minute times were the fastest I've ever had (was at the 8 mile marker at 1:17 and the 9 at 1:27).
7: 9:41
8: 9:42
9: 9:45
10: 10:21 (starting to feel tired)

The last few miles were a bit of a struggle because the wind picked up off the ocean and we were running straight into a steady headwind. Not so bueno for the last few miles, but on the other hand, the strong breeze also helped keep me cool, so I can't complain about it too much.
11: 9:59
12: 10:17
13: 10:12
.16: 1:29 (did significantly less "swerving" this morning than I did at Miami)

Total Time: 2:09:45
Avg Pace: 9:51/mile

Finish and Post Race:
When I crossed the finish line, I saw Wendy right away and she handed me a bottle of water and asked: "How'd you like that wind the last few miles?" (She finished about 13-15 minutes ahead of me, but I'll let her post her own report with details.)

After getting my medal and my chip removed, we both grabbed bananas and additional water, hit up the port-a-potties and then hopped on the shuttle back to the start where we parked -- it's nice that A1A finishes on the beach, but it sucks to have the finish in a different spot than the start -- and I think it was hotter and stuffier on that bus than it was on the course. Thankfully, it wasn't a long ride before we departed and walked back to the car. Logistically, everything felt perfectly timed this morning, so we were back to the house by 9:15 am.

Observations and Anecdotes:
  • I would not want to run this full marathon -- the out and back course is simple and flat, but somewhat boring. You have the ocean to look at, but that's it for scenery. I don't know, maybe Floridians take the sight for granted, but it wasn't a particularly exciting course, visually.
  • I saw a woman running in Keds. She passed me at mile 2 and I never saw her again. I assume she finished ahead of me.
  • I felt really good this morning. I felt like my pace was just right: it wasn't too draining, but it wasn't too slow either, and it makes me look forward to working on shaving off those 9 minutes and 45 seconds on the half -- a 2 hour half would be splendid!
  • I didn't feel it during the race, but once I got in the shower, I discovered some under-boob chafing. Yow-za. It was stingy.
  • Sorry, no pics as of yet. My official picture-taker decided to sleep in this morning. We'll see what Brightroom captured in a few days.

32 comments:

Erin said...

Congrats! Sounds like you have found a good pace and a nice race that is challenging but not too hard to crush your spirits. Each race has shown improvements. I think "this is the year" for your running :)

Great job Jess and Wendy!

miss petite america said...

awesome job chica!

you are really inspiring me to train hard so i can run fast like you!

chia said...

Times- excellent!! It just sounds like you have a load of fun with it too.

Congrats on shaving your time!

teacherwoman said...

Nice job on the race...and awesome time! I don't think I would have been able to run in Keds... that's crazy talk.

MNFirefly said...

Awesome finish time, Jess! Congrads!!

MNFirefly said...

Awesome finish time, Jess! Congrads!!

Tri+Umph said...

Nice job! I'll bet you'll pull off sub two hours later this year!

Nancy said...

Oh Jess - that is fantastic. Great improvement!! Good job.

My Life said...

Yahoo for a great race! You definitely deserved that!

(&& love the woman in Keds... some people just have no respect for the sport of running ;) )

Neese said...

a sub10 avg for a half, you HAVE ARRIVED girlfriend, nice job! :o)

Rich said...

Congrats - that's well run race! And yes, the ocean would be a nice change of scenery!

Anonymous said...

Great job! Way to keep a nice and steady pace. Well done.

L*I*S*A said...

Can't wait to see the pics. Great job on a great race!! Congrats. :)

TonyP said...

Congrats! Great job.

Wes said...

That is just a quality effort, Jess! Congratulations on a huge improvement!! The last two halfs you have completed have been amazing! What a big difference from last year!!

Anonymous said...

awesome job on the race. Good even pace throughout. I'm glad you were successful.
Maybe, the Keds woman didn't finish at all!

Mark C. Smith, "The Naked Runner" said...

Hi, Jess,
I found your blog off of Anthony's. I read a few of your posts and you crack me up! Anyway, just wanted to say congrats on the race! Take care!
Mark

Elizabeth said...

Wow. Seriously, that inspires me. My endurance is for crap and I used to be a runner years ago. Well, runner may be too kind. :)

I found you via POM and can't for the life of me remember if I ever commented before. Pitiful how my memory is.

Anyways, I restarted blogging and new link is on profile page if you are interested. :)

Congrats on your fabbie time. I'm impressed.

Stuart said...

Nice job with solid splits, yes the ocean view does get real boring after a while. Being back home by 9.15 is a real bonus you still have all the day left to play with!

audgepodge said...

Congrats on your new PR! Good for you! I would also love to run a sub 2 hour half someday... that's my goal for the fall. Congrats again!

Paul said...

Nice job! The wind definitely makes it harder.

Sonia said...

Congrats a sub-2:10 half is awesome!!! =) I'm glad you had such a good time and that the crowd wasn't too bad to pass.

You'll make your way to a 2h in no time!

Marcy said...

CONGRATS JESS!!!! Sounds like a most excellent race ;D ;D

keith said...

Congrats! Looks like that was a great race for you!

You're really going to have a banner year this year!

RunnerGirl said...

Great job!

Jess said...

congrats on the race Jess! It sounds like you were really in your zone the whole time! Awesome job!

J~Mom said...

Awesome job!!!!!!!! WOOHOO!!!! I am so happy that you had such an awesome race!!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations Jess! You are inspiring.

Rhiannon

Mendy said...

Wow!!! Super Jess. That's a great time and your consistency showed. I'm super happy for you!!!

runner26 said...

Looks like you had a great, consistent race. Well done!

Viv said...

Congratulations, Jess!!It sounds like it went supaha well. I LOL @ the woman in Keds. WTH!?!
Way to knock off such a huge chunk since Miami :-)

The 311 Boys Mom said...

Awesome!!! 209 is a great time!!!!

Stick to a schedule, that's what I keep telling myself. . . . .you just confirmed it