I don't think I miss anything as much as I miss the beach....
A half marathon and weekend getaway in one
The Ocean City #islandtoIslandHalfMarathon is one of those running events I'd been dreaming about since January. Sure, April is still too cold to really enjoy the beach. And running 13+ miles isn't an ideal way to relax. But, pairing one of my favorite vacation spots with a flat, non-brutal race distance sounded like a really good idea. Plus, I had good company. My buddy Natassha Halverson, who is no stranger to the half marathon distance, agreed to run the race and visit OC, MD for her first time.
I really wanted to hype this up on Facebook, as it one of the only races I am traveling for this year. I also wanted to feel good about it, and potentially chase a PR. After coming off of a 1:52 half marathon time 2 weeks ago at the #LoudounCountyHalf, I felt pretty invincible. Of course, I was on the verge of losing 3 toe nails and the bottom of my foot was nearly split open. Eh, minor inconveniences for the seasoned runner.
I really wanted to hype this up on Facebook, as it one of the only races I am traveling for this year. I also wanted to feel good about it, and potentially chase a PR. After coming off of a 1:52 half marathon time 2 weeks ago at the #LoudounCountyHalf, I felt pretty invincible. Of course, I was on the verge of losing 3 toe nails and the bottom of my foot was nearly split open. Eh, minor inconveniences for the seasoned runner.
Pre-Race
My husband and I got into OC around 6 PM Friday night. We stayed at the Dunes Manor. What a nice hotel. If you are looking for a classy place with an ocean front view - this is the spot! front view, this is it.
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| The view from our hotel room
I have not stayed at a nicer hotel in OC in years. They also had Starbucks Coffee in the room!!! This was a huge deal for me, because I cannot run a race without my morning coffee. We met Natassha for dinner at a little place called Barn 34. We drank a few beers and ate a hearty dinner for the next day ahead.
I got back to the room early and was able to open the balcony door and hear the waves crashing. I left the door open all night and slept peacefully to the sound of the beach (although it was chilly, and there were a few OC party goers hitting it hard late night).
I chugged water and laid out my race gear. This was going to be MY race, come hell or high water.
Race Morning
As much as I wanted to carry that excitement throughout the day, somehow I woke up feeling less than stellar. Maybe sleeping with the door open wasn't a great idea? Maybe I had put too much pressure on myself to do well. Whatever the case, my head wouldn't stay in it. I could not eat breakfast, although I was starving. It was cold and cloudy weather, and I regretted only having shorts and a tee shirt.
Once we got to Assateague Island (where the race started), Tassha and I both had to pee immensely. The line for the porta-potties was horrendous, and of course we had 4 minutes until the race gun was going off. While in line the race start proceeded without us; runners dashed from the bathroom lines to the start so they would not fall behind. Not us. No way. I don't know if you've ever run while having to pee, but the outcome is never good. I cannot hold it for 13 minutes let alone 13 miles. So, after peeing, we started roughly 3-4 minutes behind all of the other race participants.
The Race
It one of many small set backs this day. I was sprinting like a bat out of hell for the first mile. I dashed past the 3 hour pacer, than the 2:40, all the way to the 2:10 at about mile 2. My RunKeeper app interrupted my thoughts when it announced I was holding a 7:47 pace around 10 min into the event. That is not OK for a half marathon. My 5K times are not even that fast. I needed to pull back.
Miles 3-4 were agonizing. This is a straight road course. No view of the beach after the first mile; just a long boring road. My left foot went completely numb (partially due to my big toe nail barely hanging on). My phone could not stream any data, so I was running to the sound of other people talking, mainly about other races they had done or were going to do ( which drives me GD insane - be present at the race you are running please). I knew I lost that dream of getting a PR. Now my only goal was not to walk. Around mile 5 my phone suddenly got signal and I could tune everyone out. I felt my stride getting a bit shorter and legs ached less. Music is my only savior when running sucks.
Mile 6-7 (halfway point) cut through a neighborhood. Although I appreciated the change of scenery, it wasn't any better.
Miles 7-10 were back on the same long road. I told myself I would not walk, but the pavement was killing me. And there it happened, somewhere between mile 8-9 I was walking. Ugh! So disappointed in myself. RunKeeper said I was at an 8:34/mile pace. OK, now my goal is to at least keep this under 2 hours.
Between miles 10-11 you cross over the main bridge into Ocean City, MD. Seeing all of the familiar landmarks and hotels raised my spirits a bit. I started to pick up the pace at the mile 11 marker. There was a spectator with a sign that said "you trained longer for this than Kim Kardashian's first marriage". That made me crack a smile. I mean I really was almost done! The race hung a sharp right and led runners to the boardwalk. Was this the finish?
No. Mile 12 was on the boardwalk. Then you had to run another .5 up and loop back around to finish in front of a Thraser's Fries and Ripleys Believe it or Not. Let me tell you, the smells of the boardwalk are not appealing after running for nearly 2 hours. I thought I was going to toss my cookies for sure (luckily, I hadn't eaten, if I did it would have happened). As I ran along the boardwalk for the last mile the beach was on my left. The sun was trying to peer through. This sight made me so elated. Then, at perfect timing, the Beach Boy's Kokomo started playing on my phone. and I saw Tassha running on the other side of the boardwalk (less than a mile behind me). I started smiling and waving like a delirious invalid, but it was like the universe was coming together to make this easier. RunKeeper announced I was 1 hour 55 minutes. I started sprinting through the last turn and I could see the finish line in the distance. Less than half a mile. I was going to get under 2 hours if it killed me.
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I got my medal, a foil insulated cover (an attempt to keep warm post run in chilly weather) and 2 post race beers! Tassha came in shortly after me, just over 2 hours. She had her own hurdles through this race as well (not the best wardrobe choices, to say the least). We both agreed the course was boring and maybe we would have done better in other circumstances. Whatever. It was over and now we could eat, drink, and take a shower.
Since it was Tassha's first time in OC, it was my privilege to show her the sites. Seacrets is always a must see.
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Half marathon finishers
We ended up bar -hopping a bit before crashing at midnight. Overall I would call this a successful trip. even if I didn't bring home a PR. I have the Wine Country Half Marathon on June 4th - so I have about a month before I can try it all over again :)
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For anyone who is interested, here is my playlist that keeps me such good company when I'm logging hours/miles on the road:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbf5E76jXhV-7bfZM14qqqKI5TXdwVE-8
Upcoming Races:
Loudoun Lyme 10K - 5/15 in Brambleton, VA
Cindy Funds's Deep Creek 10 mile trail loop - 5/21 in Deep Creek, MD
Ringing in Hope 10K - 5/30 in Ashburn, VA
VA Wine country Half Marathon - 6/4 in Leesburg, VA
Twilight Festival 4 Miler - 6/11 in Ashburn, VA
Happy racing - until next time :)
India
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