Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Grandma's Half Race Report!

Hi everyone! I am finally posting about this past weekend's Grandma's half marathon! Better late than never...right? I woke up at 3:15AM on Saturday morning because the transportation bus started at 4:45AM. Being the prompt and highly organized person that I am....figured that I would get there early. I ended up walking from my hotel to the bus station. I would estimate that it was less than a mile which normally wouldn't be that big of a deal but it was raining. I ended up getting wet before even getting on the bus. Yea, that sucked. On the bus ride I noticed that several runners were very prepared and had garbage bags for rain gear or...here is a theory...there were the runners who actually had running rain gear! I didn't get the memo on the chance of rain! Crap!

The bus ride to the start line seemed to go quicker than last year. I was kind of hoping it would take longer. I knew that there wouldn't be any protection from the rain and I had 90 minutes before the start. What to do? Oh, what to do? I'll tell you what I did, I went into the first biffy that I could find:) That first picture is a good shot of the very cool necklaces that I wore for the occasion. One of them is a runner girl that I got from my very dear co-worker Laura for a Chrismas gift. Love it! The second necklace is a charm that has the word believe on it. Last year at Grandma's I met Kara Goucher at the expo and she wrote, "Always believe Julie!" on my program! It has kind of been my running mantra ever since:) I took another picture of me in the biffy just to channel the Steve Stenzel in me! I texted my hubby and instructed him to bring warm and dry clothes for after the race. I also texted a few close friends letting them know about my rainy weather start situation.

After hanging out in the biffy for a few minutes I decided to trek out into the cold and rain. Brr! We all huddled together hoping to keep dry and warm. Unfortunately, that did not happen.

Eventually I walked to the start line. Check out how wet everyone is and look to the left of the picture...runners with rain gear:)

I placed myself behind the 2:00 pacer. I figured this was a safe for me. Last year I ran with the 1:50 pacer for the first 5 or 6 miles and was pretty much toast. I have not been running as many halfs this year and figured this would be the best place for me.


Here is a shot of all of the runners in front of me.

Here is a picture of all of the runners behind me.

Standing in line waiting for the race to start was pretty miserable. I was so cold and almost completely wet. So not fun. I kept on hoping that the race would just start already. Finally people started to move and the line shuffled ahead! The first miles were a little packed but after mile 3 things started to thin out a bit.

We had light rain during the first few miles but at least I was running so it wasn't so bad. I warmed up and felt alright. After mile 3 I left my pacer and moved ahead because I was feeling pretty good.

I stopped to take this shot of me with Lake Superior in the background. I did get several strange looks from people but did also hear someone say they thought taking a camera with was a great idea! After mile 5 I knew I would have to make a biffy stop because my stomach was cramping and I felt like crap. I wasted at least 3 to 4 minutes with this pit stop. I quickly got back on track and just ran a steady pace not really paying attention to my Garmin.

It was at mile 8 that I ran into this guy! I was running and minding my own business...day dreaming about my own little dangerous life and world! All of a sudden I heard someone say, "Julie!" It was Derek my Minneapolis blogger friend! We stopped for a photo opportunity! In other words, I forced Derek to stop and take a picture with me:) He was so nice and we had a great time running together! I have to tell you that I have met so many of my blogger friends and truly feel blessed because everyone has been so freaking awesome....including Derek!

We ran together and chatted about our lives, our training, my lack of training, Derek's amazing TRI that he did the week before and how I was going to make it through this race without puking! The run for me had it's ups and downs. I had a mile that was great and the next would feel like crap. I don't know what and the hell is going on with me. Derek was told several times to move ahead without me! I felt so bad because this man can run a 1:30 half and I was busting butt to try to finish under 2. He told me that he was taking it easy because of the TRI he did the week before but I still felt guilty.We ran side by side...sometimes we chatted and sometimes there was silence. He chatted with me and instructed me to keep a good form when things got tough. He reminded me to keep breathing and to stay relaxed. We kicked butt up Lemon Drop Hill! This is one time when I was actually looking at my Garmin...8:15 to 8:20! For me this is speedy considering we had a challenging hill! Derek kept me on track. I really don't know if I would of taken that hill so well without his help. When we hit mile 11 I knew tht I would need to make another pit stop. We ran and once we hit mile 12 I spotted an open biffy. I told Derek to move on and I would be fine. I ran into the biffy and this time maybe only wasted a minute. I ran out and headed down the road to flipping see Derek waiting for me! Really!!! We continued on and had about a mile left. We hit a bridge with a slight hill and I felt like crap! I felt like I wanted to walk to stop from puking. Derek just told me to keep it up...keep running...breathe easy. Piece of cake is what he said:) We ran down the road that leads to the turn by the big William Irving ship and I felt so nauseous! I said, "Umm, Derek I got to stop, I feel like I am going to puke." Derek stopped and walked about 20 to 30 seconds with me. We started running again and I saw the bridge that my college boy was on. My son came to Duluth to watch his mama run! I was so excited that he came and loved that he wanted to cheer me on! Eventually Derek and I ran down the home stretch. There was a really cool song playing and it was so perfect for an end of a race! Too bad I can't tell you what it was:) I can't remember....runner's memory loss! Derek, do you remember what song was playing when we came up to the finish line? Update...song was called Ain't No Mountain High Enough by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell! Such an awesome song to listen to during the last stretch of a race! Derek and I finished the race and the clock said 2:02 something. I was crushed! I really wanted to make it under 2! I know that the time was gun time but I had no idea how long it took to get to the start mats. Derek and I picked up our medals, t-shirts and then ate some post race food. I was so tired and so damn hungry! This is a new development for me...usually I can never eat after a race. I had no problem eating after this one:) Derek was great and I appreciate the fact that he put up with me for miles 8 through 13.1 of this half marathon! Derek, you are the only reason I finished with the time that I did!

After finishing my race I ran into Carly! Carly is another Minnesota blogger who actually volunteered. Carly is also very sweet! It was fun to chat with her for a few minutes:)
Me and college boy after the race. I am still freezing my butt off but he made sure I stayed warm:) Such a good son!

Another picture of me and my college boy! I love this kid so much!

LOL! This is another random picture of me that college boy snapped. You can see how windy it was that day! Check out the waves in the background!



I really like the medal a lot and the t-shirt is one of the best that I have received so far! This half marathon was challenging for sure but it was a good race. It was fun and memorable for so many reasons! Duluth did not disappoint and I am happy with how I did considering all of my circumstances:)Final time 1:59:41!Yay! Under 2 hours baby!!! I didn't know what my gun time was but it was enough to get me under 2! Thank you to Derek for being my runnersitter!

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

50 comments:

  1. Fun! Great report. Fun pix as well. How tall is your college boy? he seemed to tower over ya? You look great and happy Julie - fun to see. Strong effort getting under 2!!! Thanks for sharing.

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  2. Congrats on being under 2. That beginning and waiting around sound so miserable. Yuck! I don't know how you stood it.

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  3. You always amaze me. Lack of training and biffy breaks really work well for you. You always hit your goal either way. Nice!

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  4. Woohoo! Congrats. What a treat to run with your friend.

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  5. Ok, it looks WAY TOO COLD!!! It's summer, isn't it??? Hey, if you deduct your potty breaks, you did go under 2 hours! And Derek is a hero for leading you through those last miles. And College Boy is really tall! Looks like all in all, it was a pretty good day - just too gray and cold..... :-)

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  6. Congrats on a sub-2 finish! Maybe I just need a runnersitter! Running in the rain is great, but standing around in it is horrible. Glad you didn't let it ruin your day!

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  7. Wahoo! Great job!! Sorry about the stomach issues but way to push through and get your sub-2!!

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  8. Congrats Julie, sounds like a great race although the weather wasn't really cooperating. Great that Derek stayed with you and helped you get through it.

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  9. Love the biffy shot! How sweet that Derek waited - awesome! Congrats to you! That wind looks rough!

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  10. Great race Julie! Looks so cold but you made the best of it, as always!

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  11. Julie Julie Julie... Great race, and you had fun and all, but I just don't think you're taking these races seriously! BWAHAHAHA! LOVE IT!! NICE WORK!!

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  12. agreed the shirt is one of the best in awhile.

    Great job grinding it out all the way to the finish! and you got rewarded with that sub 2hr time - that was a really challenging and difficult day, especially after standing aruond in the freezing rain at the start for an hour. It was super cool to run those last miles with you Julie!
    you did great

    D

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  13. As usual - great pictures and check out that awesome sub 2:00:00!

    Excellent job.

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  14. Well done Julie! That is a great time and you haven't been training that much even. You always do good in half marathons. I think I said so before somewhere but here in SA we only have gun time. Even chip timed races use gun time as your finish time. Zero chip time here. Have a great weekend! It was super to read a race report from you again.

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  15. Great job Julie!! I'm sorry your race was up and down, but I'm so glad you had someone with you to help you gut it out. Sub 2!! Awesome!

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  16. Julie, I'm so glad your son was able to go to the race! I know how you love spending time with him. Congrats on going sub 2 again and having such a wonderful friend to stick with you. I hope your tummy issues are better!

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  17. aww look derek even came to comment ;) i'm assuming drog = derek anyway... way to go derek for motivating julie in those rough miles!

    congrats girl on the sub-2! not easy to do in cold rain (and with pit stops!)

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  18. Congratulations on getting a sub-2 in such miserable weather! I love all the photos, especially the Steve-inspired porta-potty shot, haha!

    I just want to tell Derek that you're an awesome running buddy!

    Some day (I'm hoping for next year!), I really want to do the Garry Bjorklund Half. It sounds like such a fun race... as long as the weather is decent! :)

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  19. Great job Julie! Love the pictures too :)

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  20. One more thing... so neat that your son was at the race!

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  21. Great job digging down and pulling out another sub-2!

    That necklace you're wearing is really cool. Doesn't it chafe you, though, to wear a necklace when you run???

    College boy needs a haircut!!!! LOL

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  22. Beautiful pictures and report.
    Another half under the 2h! You are a fast runner.
    I agree, the medal and the t-shirt are very nice.

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  23. Well done on pushing through it! 8.15s in the hilly bit is awesome, those hills always kill me!

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  24. How cool that you got to meet Derek and Carly! It was so nice to finally see the sun out yesterday, it has been way too cold and rainy around here!

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  25. That t-shirt is really beautiful, Julie! It's always nice to met blogger friends who help you along the track. I always try to eat something after a race.

    Glad you finished with a good time and hit your goal, although the weather wasn't good enough (cold and rain!). Your son came to Duluth to watch your great challenge, Julie :)

    Have a nice weekend!

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  26. You have an informative blog. I’ve learned something from it. I do have mine too www.claire-fernandez.blogspot.com... Thanks

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  27. Julie,
    If you go to your results, on the right had side there is a box that has the option of a finish video. If you click on that and play it you will hear the song they were playing when you finished. It was a great song.
    I love your updates. I also took pictures the entire race.
    TINA (grandma's full finisher)

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  28. Great job, Julie! Feeling sick and potty stops and you still came in under 2 hours! You are so fast! So glad you wonderful son was there for you and that you had a great friend to help you get across the finish line. So happy for youo!

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  29. great job!!!! you really rocked it.

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  30. Hi Julie!!!! So happy to read one of your race reports : )That photo of your blanket blowing away is hysterical. Great race as usual, congrats!

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  31. Hooray for Derek helping you out, that's awesome! Congrats on your sub-2 ... especially in such nasty weather!

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  32. How did I miss this Julie! I tried to email respond to your comment but you don't have email set up so I was waiting for you to post and then I had the brilliant idea of clicking on your name and commenting on a previous post and I saw this one!! OK-that was a serious run-on sentence!!!

    Congrats on the race!! I loved the Grandma's atmosphere. Great finish T's too!! Will definitely do that race again. Dang, I'm a sweater because I was like sweltering hot after mile 18 and then FREEZING after I finished. The HM's got more rain I think! GREAT job and great report!

    Definitely would like to actually meet you in Twin cities this year!!!!

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  33. Way to go Julie!!! Stinks that it was raining, but it looked like an awesome course!

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  34. Congrats on sub 2hrs. Tough start in the rain but you came through great! Great pics too.

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  35. Great work!! When I was reading and saw the 2:02, my first thought was "but what was the CHIP time?" Nice work on sub-2!!

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  36. Great job, Julie. I really felt your race experience through the pics and your blog. But I was actually reaching out to you at the request of Joe Sherry. He's another run blogger - http://againrun.blogspot.com/. He likes your blog and I see why. Anyway, I'm helping to promote the upcoming 13.1 Minneapolis and have discounted and free registrations to give away for you and your readers. In addition, I'm also looking for achievement stories from 13.1 runners. You know, someone who has overcome obstacle or incredible odds to participate in the race or achieved a personal victory as a result. Joe thought you might be interested and able to help on both fronts. Email me and I'll share more details.

    Dani Luffey
    dluffey@branddva.com

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  37. Under 2!!!! Way to go.. Awesome day in Duluth.
    Gotta Run,
    Mike
    www.facebook.com/WhyMarathon
    WhyMarathon.com

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  38. Great job girlie!! And you got to meet Derek ...such a nice guy and i've never met him, only know him from reading his blog. Great to see you back in the blog universe again.

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  39. Aswesome blog! I am also blogging my running adventures here in MN! Great job on the half at Grandma's, I also ran into my blogging friend from Apple Valley who was also there for the full. He also said that he was near freezing at the end and thought he also was going to pass out. Way to hang in there!

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