Sedona 2011 Race Report.
It was freezing that morning. At least to me, because anything under 75 degrees is frigid in my mind. (It might have been like 38 degrees or something). We left the hotel at 6:30 and parked our car by the Sedona Red Rock High School. Suz, Lisa and I sat in the warm vehicle, trying not to watch the PDA couple in front of us, getting their mac on pre-race. Gross. But then the full bladder feeling became too much, and we headed for the port-a-potties. I consider that victory #1 on race day.
There were about 2,000 people there that day to race. We lined up as the marathoners headed out first. The half-marathoners started 15 minutes later, and I made one last run to the potty, because I have a bladder the size of a pea. And then we were off!
Mile 1. Cruised down the first hill. Feeling good until I realized I was going to have to come back up this hill at the very end and then silently cursed Sedona with a few four-letter words.
Miles 2 thru 4. Kept a good pace - or at least I thought I did (wasn't wearing my Garmin). The spectators were great at this race, as were the aid stations and volunteers. Very organized. One neighborhood resident even put out a boombox for all the runners and I ran past with "Born to Be Wild" blaring over their speakers. Loved it.
Mile 3. Hit the turn-around for the 10K-ers and felt surprisingly happy that I had to keep going. I guess I wasn't ready to be done yet.
Miles 4 and 5. Started popping my caffeine-filled jelly belly sport beans. Hills were coming a-plenty. But mostly downhill. So I leaned back and lengthened my stride, but again, silently cursed Sedona, knowing I'd have to come back up these.
Mile 6. Saw Lisa coming back the other way (our resident professional marathoner) and knew I was coming up on the turnaround. It was fun seeing all the fastest runners passing me by the other direction as they headed back the way we'd come. They've got the most incredible legs and bodies, and strangely, instead of feeling depressed about my lesser mortal existence, I felt inspired.
Mile 7. Made the turnaround. Popped some more sport beans, sipped water, and kept going.
Miles 8 thru 10. Hills, hills and more hills. All those downhills were coming back to haunt me.
Mile 11. Worst hill yet. But I set my sights on this big black dude in front of me. So I grit my teeth and totally chicked him. A small personal victory in this hilly race. Also, there was this 70-year-old woman with short, silver hair right in front of me. She was amazing, and I could never catch up. She crossed the finish line about 5 seconds before me. I decided I want to be her someday.
Miles 12 thru 13. Popped my last four watermelon-flavored sport beans, grabbed another cup of water at the aid station and started feeling euphoric for the finish. And I lied. Because these hills were the worst hills yet. Mile 12's hill was yucky, yucky, yucky with a long, fat stretch of sidewalk I was forced to stare down as I made my way up. And when I turned a corner, mile 13's hill was even worse, because it came right after. So then I kept saying cheesy things in my head like, "You've got this. You've totally got this, girl," or "Suck! Sucky! Suck Suck!"
Last 0.1 mile. Hooray! I see the finish!!!! Sprint, sprint, sprint!
Pace: 10:25 min/mile (sooooo slow, but also not terrible for four months post-partum... right? RIGHT?!?)
Race time: 2 hr 16 min
Other tidbits: I didn't wear my Garmin 405, so I could worry less about my pace and more about how my body was feeling. I also didn't use my iPod. At all. No T-pain or Eminem or Kanye screaming in my ears about gold-diggers and burning love. I wore it, but then wished I hadn't... because I didn't need it! Totally went music-less. If you know me, you know how unlike me this is. So I don't know if it was the spiritual vortex of Sedona or what, but I was totally chi running and finding my zen.
And then it was over. Just like that. And now that the burning lactic acid is slowly leaving my body, so is the memory of how much it hurt... I'm already looking for my next race. How about that full now? Who else is in???
13 comments:
me, of course.
i'm in.
but i guess i better have this baby first.
{ahhhhh my first "run" will thrillingly be down my hallway, into my bedroom, and soaring onto my bed, face first. BELLY FIRST!!! woohoooo!!! ahh, i can't wait to really MOVE again... ciao soon, awful pregnancy!!}
if you convince your husband to do it i will consider it. but your husband MUST be on board...
AUD! what up!
you are amazing!
I want to be you when I grow up! :) Can you put together a training program for me. Me = not a runner, but me = would love to be one! HELP! Love you and your kiddos by the way. When you move back to the states, you have to come and visit. PLEASE???
I would love to run with you! I wouldn't be able to keep up! I love reading your blog it's always inspiring. I can't wait to get back to running after this kido is done cooking in this oven. :)
Slow and terrible?? Are you crazy? That is so amazingly awesome! I have yet to run my first 5K even (slowly working at it) and I think I'm doing good if I run 14 min/mile. You are my hero!
i don't have any ambition in the way of a half marathon (just yet), but i do so badly want to shed this pregnant body and start running again soon...spring has me almost dreaming about it. i want to watch weight leave my body, and feel like myself again....oh oh oh i want that!!! well just T-8 days here until the big day! i look in the mirror naked on my way to shower every once in a while, and wonder to myself "how i'm ever gonna come back from this one!" lol. congratulations on your amazing run Noelle, you're a real inspiration. if i know me, i'll just be getting around to running my FIRST mile about month 4. kudos.
Can you run in your sleep. Then, I would do it!
What a huge accomplishment...again! Still can't believe you did the first one with Ez on board.
Oh, and don't come visit me during the winter. I don't think you're ready for that just yet. Give you some time to adjust. But, Navoo is our temple, so if you need to make the track...
Yea for you! And can I just say your going to die when you come back to the states, the weather here has been so cold! Even in Texas! I'll send you some of my winter gear.
And I don't think you were slow at all! I would have had a 10 min. mile pace and I haven't been preggo in 2 and 1/2 years! So pat your self on the back. I love that you did it with out music I think I would have died! I need to hear someone screaming in my ear to keep me going!
you're awesome noelle! good job!!!!!
amazing Noelle --- simply amazing. A 10 minute mile is great. My knees are hurting just thinking about running a 1/2 marathon :)
wow. did you take some spiritual boost jelly beans too? you must be having some serious endorphines in you, b/c you are so upbeat! sigh... i'm running a half marathon too. so send me some of those magic beans.
proud of you, by the way. you're my inspiration. corny, but true.
You beat my 7 months post partum time handily. You are an animal, Noe. I would have been using a bit more heartier language than sucky if I had to face hills like those at mile 12.
Post a Comment