The Gopher To Badger Half Marathon Race Report!

Hi everyone! I ran another half marathon today! I ran in the Gopher To Badger Half and my daughter Kay ran the 5K. The half marathon started in Stillwater, Minnesota and ended in Hudson, Wisconsin. My hubby dropped me off by the start line and then drove Kay to her 5K start. I was one of the first runners there....just the way I like it:) I had the chance to use the Biffy and walk around some before the buses started arriving. There were 1,300 people registered to run today. (Note...only 736 actually crossed the finish line!)

I knew that Mark was also running today but didn't know if I would see him. Mark runs at a much faster pace than I do and there were alot of people there. Guess what? I got to meet Mark:) He came up to me and we were able to talk for several minutes before the race. Mark is a really nice guy and I am glad that I had the chance to meet him. Those of you who have been reading my blog know how much I enjoy the races. One of the reasons that I enjoy them so much is because I have been lucky to meet many of my blogger friends in person! Mark had plans to finish in under 1:45...so out of my pace zone:) I wished him good luck and he went off to find his running group friends. Out of the corner of my eye I spotted the Minnesota Pacers....AKA...pacer dudes:) I saw Allan who paced me for my PR at the Lake Minnetonka Half. He said, "Julie, I am pacing the 1:50 group, are you running with me?" I told him that I really didn't think that was possible for today but I hoped he would be pacing another 1:50 half sometime in the future:)

Once it was time to line up for the start I had to decide where I was going to place myself. I went back and forth between the 1:55 and 2:00 pacers. I settled on the 1:55 pacer and figured that I could always fall back if needed.

I am pretty sure that is pacer Sam. He was one of the guys who helped me find the start line for the Red White and Boom Half:)

This picture was taken just about ten minutes before the start. I could tell it was going to be a hot one. Everyone was talking about the weather and how today's run would be challenging in the heat. I was a little nervous because I know that I do not perform well in the heat.

Once the race started I positioned myself right next to the 1:55 pacer and tried to settle into a nice steady pace. The first portion of the race was okay in terms of the heat. Miles one, two and three were just fine. Once I hit mile four I knew I was in for a hellish run. It was starting to get hot and there was no shade. I stayed with my pacer until mile five....I just couldn't muster up enough energy to stay with her. She had been talking to me off and on those first five miles and told me that miles six through nine were the worst. Mile six was up hill and miles seven, eight and nine were out on the highway with no shade! Crap! I slowed down and made my way up the hill at mile six. It sucked big time! People were already starting to walk. I told myself, just make it to the top of the hill and then if you need to you can take a little walk break:) OMG, the hill wasn't any bigger than the ones that I run on in Maple Grove but the heat and humidity was terrible! Once I hit the top of the hill I slowed down and started to walk. A man behind me said, "Oh, don't stop, I was using you for pacing." I was like, "What? You don't want to use me for pacing...I am crashing out here!" He told me that he had been following me since mile three. He passed me and I walked for about thirty seconds. I figured that I would big girl up and continue on jogging (slowly).

I then ran on this road for freaking ever! Okay, well it wasn't freaking forever, it just felt like it! It went until almost mile nine. It was at mile eight where pacer Sam and the 2:00 group passed me. I really had no idea how the rest of this race was going to be. I was hot and feeling like total crap.

Oh joy, it was a water stop with a sprinkler hose:) There were water stops every two miles and I always took two cups and walked through. After grabbing my water and sucking it down, I set my camera down and had the girl spray me down. It was wonderful!

I picked up my camera and continued on. Mile ten was okay because there was at least a little shade at times.

Once I hit the bridge I was actually feeling pretty good. I ended up passing several runners on this bridge:) Mile twelve was alright but I know I was moving slower than what I was on the bridge. I was out in the sun and it was feeling hot again. I hit the last water stop and couldn't believe all of the people walking. Just keep moving...keep the feet moving...just a little farther and I am done:) OMG, when and the hell am I going to see the flipping finish line? I caught up to the guy in front of me and started small talk because I knew it would keep my mind off of the mental pain that I was in. We joked about how much fun this race was:) We were both dripping with sweat and hotter than hell! We ran the last half mile in together and I ended up passing him. Did I have energy to sprint in? Umm, that would be a high negative! There was absolutely no sprinting involved today! I saw Mr. Julie and heard him yell, "Go Jules!" I was moving at snails pace and finally crossed the finish line:) Oh happy day! I was done! Kay and my little guy were waiting for me and we walked over so that I could go through the snack line.

As I mentioned earlier, Kay ran the 5K. She was thrilled to take almost a minute off of her time from last week's race. She is pretty confindent that she will be able to PR with a few more races. She enjoyed the 5K course and loved running over the bridge:)

Here I am...hot, tired and ready to take a nap:)

I looked up my stats and my official final time was 2:02:45. This is not a PR...I am okay with my time because this was a tough race. It was hot, humid and I walked a few times:) It is all good, this race was character building and a great training run/experience.

After the race I caught up with Mark and Kay took this picture of us:) Mark was able to bring it and came in under his goal! I don't know how and the heck you did it with today's temps and blazing sun! Mark, hopefully I will see you at a few more races this year!

Happy running, biking swimming and lifting! Cheers to you all!

My family and I are leaving for our summer vacation and I will not have computer and internet use. I will catch up on everyone's blogs when I return:)

Pam is hosting a Sweaty Bands giveaway!

Marcia is hosting a compression sock giveaway!