Thursday, December 8, 2011

What We Do for a Cheap Medal and an Ugly Ugly Ugly Sweatshirt 1/2 Marathon Race Report

Ugly Sweatshirt
Cheap Medal (I can almost bend it in half).  Design mimics the ugly sweatshirt
It's ridiculous sometimes when I think about some of the really stupid decisions I have made just to go to a race I've entered.  Maybe it's the fact I ate the cost of 8 races with my whole foot fiasco the past year and a half and I felt I MUST do this one, or maybe it was the fact this was part of Ryan's Christmas present and I wanted him to be able to do it....no matter the reason, really, this race had to rank right up there with some of Jill's really stupid moves.  Let's do a run down why....
  • We work too late on a Friday night thus get home late then stay up even later to critique son's costume for the school's Renaissance Festival he was playing the trumpet in the next day.
He does look good though :)
  • We get up at 5:30am on about 4 hours of sleep.
  • We get a late start because Ryan, who is running the race also, is not a morning person.  
  • We drive through a snowstorm on the interstate (not a side road, or even a major road...we're talking INTERSTATE here) for two hours.

  • We text Terzah (who was smart and stayed in a hotel near the race the night before) and tell her we may turn around and go home and go back to bed.  We didn't.
  • We panic because said road conditions caused us an additional 40 minutes on the road and we are LATE!
  • We get to race, scramble to gather our stuff, pick up race packets, say a quick "hi" and a give a quick good luck hug to Terzah and use the porta potty - all within 8 min (that is most definitely a PR!).
  • We wear 4 layers of clothing on the top, long fleece lined tights, fleece gloves and wool socks.
  • We run 2 1/2 loops on solid snow-packed slippery roads, cursing every turn.
  • We run down a very steep hill.  Opps, I mean we ice skate down a very steep hill.
  • We run 2 miles on a bike path.  Opps, I mean we ice skate on a bike path.
  • We take hat off and shove in jacket pocket because it refuses to stay on.
  • We curse the wind!!!!
  • We can't see out of wet hair in face (see hat wouldn't stay on above).  
  • We question why we got our hair cut earlier in the week and thus won't all fit in it's ponytail.  We curse the hairdresser for cutting it too short.
Official Race pic.  Beauty, huh?  Notice hair?  Nice!
  • We now get to run on ankle turning frozen mud ruts and gravel.
  • We give up "MP" run about mile 6 when we realize there's no way in hell you can sustain that pace on ice.
  • We have to go to the bathroom - BAD - but there's no place to go and we're in wide, WIDE open space.
  • We curse our hamstring, which has been annoying from step 1 because 8 minute pre-race prep time didn't allow ample time to stretch it.  
  • We vow we are going to give up running long distances (see my last post on my love for 5k's).
  • We briefly stop looking at our footing to look at the scenery - which is run along the Arkansas River with large sandstone bluffs on the other side - and think it could be a pretty race course.
  • We curse the cold temperatures.
  • We get to the dam, the turn around point, and think this is somewhat pretty - but good lord, do we still have 5 miles to go?
  • We now get to run in 35 mph headwinds. 
Start of race.  Notice horizontal flag?
  • We now get to run in 35 mph headwinds on ice. 
  • We start making deals with God...."Please God, move the finish line towards me a couple miles and I promise I'll eat more vegetables."
  • We thank our mom for taking us ice skating as a kid on the frozen Iowa ponds.
  • We want to seriously quit...but realize there is absolutely no way to get to the finish line except to keep moving sliding forward (no possibly way to have a sag wagon out here).
So finish we do!  

My son well-earned his first race finisher's medal.  This was his 2nd half marathon - his first, this summer, he ran a 1:36.  This one: 2:03.  I believe he told me, "I was just happy to finish. Hated that big time. Worst conditions I've ever run in...."  

Me: I think I managed a PW.  I'm not even sure and don't even care...I think my time was 2:15 something.  If I was lucky. Terzah did tell me I managed 8th in my AG (there must have been 8 in my AG) - and she did very well considering the conditions so all of us in this race weren't total wimps!

I seriously checked out of that race about mile 6 and by mile 9 was DONE and just shuffled through the last 4 miles.

But I don't regret doing it.  I don't.  In fact, I'd like to do that race again someday (in more optimal weather conditions, please!)  because I do think it would be a gorgeous race course (I wish my brain cells were not frozen, I'd have taken my iPod out of my pocket and taken some pictures).  And it's possibly even a somewhat fast course.  Mother Nature just had other plans today, and that's just how it goes sometimes.  Besides, I got another ugly shirt, and another medal (cheap, whatever!) and it's hanging on my closet door..and Ryan and I got to run a race together - a rarity since he's usually in XC or pre-XC or track or pre-track.  We had some great laughs together afterwards :).  A race I will never forget.

I did, however, catch some cold bug and have been  feeling pretty miserable since the race.  Perfect...6 weeks out from Carlsbad and I've barely run a step since last Sunday.  Grrrrr!  I think Carlsbad is going to be plan C now: survive!!!!!

Blog Exchange Info:
Thanks for all who signed up - all 147 of you!  Sign up is now closed (please don't email me asking to be in, I would have to write back and say NO).  I have emailed all of you with your exchange information in the past couple days....if you haven't received it, please let me know.  Please remember start stalking your blog buddy's website and getting a feel for who they are and plan accordingly :).  And remember, the holidays are fast approaching so don't dilly dally too long getting the gift sent.  Email me with any questions.

Run Strong, my friends!


73 comments:

Paul said...

Wow *Brutal* conditions, props to you for not falling on the icy roads!

The good part is that NOW a race in nice sunny cool weather will seem all the more precious, no?

C2Iowa said...

Holy crapville Batman! Good for not falling down.

Plan C -- interesting.

I think that it will always be a memory that neither of you will forget.

Caratunk Girl said...

WOW!! Sounds like a tough race!! I would have been on my ass.

I also HATE it when my bangs won't stay in my ponytail!! I am there right now!!!

Karen said...

That's a pretty good time if when your son wasn't much faster in the conditions! :) Looks like your new Icy and Slippery as Hell PR!

pensive pumpkin said...

I just want to chime in that your perseverance speaks volumes. Wind is my nemesis. God knows what I would do if some ice showed up. Cry, maybe?

You are awesome. And that is a really, really ugly sweatshirt.

Christi said...

Congrats for suffering through! I have done this race in the past and I think you got the worst conditions.

Big Daddy Diesel said...

Wow, B-R-U-T-A-L!!! As much as this race sucked, it will pay dividends later in your racing career, not much can top this

Kathy said...

Hi Jill - nice to briefly meet you last week with Terzah! Yes, that was a total P-I-T-A. Glad I did it, but glad I have it behind me. Please note the 13 other women who registered in my running club did not even attempt the drive - you get a gold star for even coming down!! I just saw my race photos - they are FUNNY!!!

Anonymous said...

Was that the Viking half marathon or something? Kudos to you for sticking it out.

Jason said...

That is bananas but you should be eating all your veggies already and not to keep you from falling down......hahaha!

Caroline said...

WOW....Epic...good job for doing this one...though though....
I think I would have cried for the whole race.

I bought my SS gifts!
do I get a gold star?!!! ha ha!!!

Kenley said...

Congratulations to you and your son for that nice job! Love it!Wow, I would have to agree with you Jill. An ugly medal to match the shirt and of course, the ugly weather too. I am glad your fingers thawed out to be able to type this race report up. Sorry about your hair not being able to hold up in a pony tail. lol. Take care, and no more ice skate running. That's dangerous! lol

Adrienne Langelier, MA said...

Wow! I've raced in a downpour before, but it was in April in Texas. I give you the "survivor of the month (or if you'd rather-the honey badger award)" award for this one!

The nasty ones make the good ones all the better! But good to know you live to tell the tale.

Kenley said...

btw, I love the new header pic of the Christmas Lights. Great!

Tara said...

Can I just ditto your entire post? I was there and went through pretty much the same race. Why do we do this to ourselves?!?!

Average Woman Runner said...

Holy cow that looks rough - put some hair on your chest, though, right? I love your bright pink coat, stands out against all that white. Next time you are running in the heat, just think of this race.

(I have family in Pueblo!)

SupermomE13 said...

WOW Jill! That all sounds SO miserable. You and Ryan did awesome though... I really think that toughing out runs like that (or races!) make us better/stronger runners overall. So great job to both of you! I hope you are feeling better asap! Hugs. :)

Anonymous said...

Holy Hell Jill!!!!!! You win the HARD CORE AWARD! There is NO WAY I would have run that. If I did I would have annoyed everyone with my crying and whining! HAHA!

Lisa said...

Wow, you had me at the flag picture. That about summed it up! Great job gutting through it!

CautiouslyAudacious said...

Wow! that's all I can say...

This was funny yet sad at the same time :-)

Awesome finishes for everyone, especially with those conditions!

Anonymous said...

Sound like you are more than ready for the Quad Rock 50K!!!

Unknown said...

Love the narration of your race! So funny ... loved it and your hair!

Colorado Gal said...

Saturday was pretty brutal and I give you major points for running in that!!!! Great job for being so tough!

XLMIC said...

That could count as your Jingle Bell Hell run, Jill :)

Holy smokes...what an ordeal. Survival was the objective...screw running fast...screw running! I'll bet you're super jealous that I had a Denny's to use :P

Marlene said...

Oh my gosh, that sounds terrible.... I can't say I have run a race in those conditions and let's hope I never have to!

I DO love that photo, though. It tells a good story.

Congrats to you both - WARRIORS!!!

Ewa said...

Congrats on your PR. -:)))))
Next time make sure it is a running, not ice skating event.
Ladies don't curse.
What other words of wisdom can I share with you?
You are a badass that's it. You have no idea how impressed I am.
Now get well fast and kill that Carlsbad monster. I'll be stalking you. -:)

Teamarcia said...

Oh my. A character builder for sure. I'm so glad you didn't fall and break/tear/pull something. Good for you for sticking it out though, even though the medal is cheap.
Totally digging your pretty jacket! :)

Unknown said...

Oh wow! What a race. That was a great recap and I enjoyed it though but wow. You are a tough cookie!

Jenny said...

That sounds brutal! Way to stick it out though. :)

RunToTheFinish said...

i will say I have much uglier shirts, but i have never worked so hard for one as you did!!

Char said...

That ugly sweatshirt and cheap medal is a badge of honour. Finishing a race in those conditions takes courage and tenacity. Well done!

Katie @ Will Race for Carbs said...

That was an ugly shirt!! So sorry it was such a cold miserable race. I would have hated that!! If I woke up and saw snow it would just be a done deal. So I think you guys did great just getting there and finishing the race! Feel better soon!

Matthew Smith said...

What a bummer all that added up to just for a medal and sweatshirt. I don't know if I would be that committed to doing it. Way to go sticking it out and finishing! It'll make for a good story on your next half!

Terzah said...

I've been stalking your blog for days waiting for this post! And now I'm late to the party--I do much better when I'm at work than I do on days home with the kids. :^)

Anyway, you didn't let me down--hilarious and spot on!!! You are the master blogger--I love the horizontal flag photo--that really captures it. And there were definitely more than 8 in your AG (want me to go back in there and tell you???). :^)

Next time we'll have a proper meeting. But this is one for the storybooks.

Irene said...

Dang, that's cold! You're so committed.

If there's any consolation it's that you can use the t-shirt as a throw-away at another race.

I've gotten over getting PWs. I've collected a lot of PWs this year. No it's not pretty, but I'm over it. As long as I can perform a running motion then it's all good.

Carlsbad will seem like a breeze!

Amanda@runninghood said...

Gosh you just keep getting tougher and tougher. :) I'm such a wimp compared to you Jill. This pic of you is Bad A though...you look so focused and determined. :)

Julie said...

HA HA!!! You make me laugh! I swear the more you dislike somthing the better your posts. :)

You guys are a little crazy for driving down there in that weather. I'm glad that all went well. And really that sweat shirt isn't that bad...

Umm and just a little bug in your ear...they have changed the course for the Denver Century...and yea...I think you should do it with me... :)

Ana-Maria RunTriLive said...

I just read somewhere that running on ice is good for the form. LOL. Really tough conditions for the race.
Pueblo, love it. My husband used to live there. Beautiful in the summer. Darn, I missed the holiday exchange. Lazy, lazy. Next year:)

2 Slow 4 Boston said...

Entertaining race report. Doesn't sound like conditions I would want either. You go girl.

ajh said...

That looks seriously hard! You drove to put yourself through misery. I can see me doing that too! Thanks for the reminder. I need to go blog stalking.

DRog said...

great race pics!
looks brutal
but thats nothin
come to MN for the frozen half 3rd week in Jan should/could be like 20 below :)


D

mtnrunner2 said...

Congratulations for finishing in tough conditions, and for getting up so early to race. lol

If it makes you feel any better, I think the logo design is nice.

"PW": I use "SKT" (Slowest Known Time) for my runs up Green in Boulder. But it's still fun :)

Cory Reese said...

No. Way.

Those conditions are seriously beyond crazy. I think they need to erect a monument with the names of everyone who lived through the race.

I admired and respected you before. But now? Sheesh. I bow down.

HappyTrails said...

Ok, I'm late too, but you and I already discussed the race.... I might be weird but I don't think the sweatshirt is bad at all - the logo is decent and it's not navy blue (I strongly dislike navy) - when you kept saying how ugly it was, I was expecting, well, really ugly! I would wear this one! :-)

Laura said...

Holy crud....that is quite the experience...I PRAY I don't have conditions like that this winter. I have 3 winter races on the schedule.
Congrats on gettin' er done..

Jennifer said...

Jilly, I think you are a goddess for even getting in your car. Never mind that you did and well finished with attitude! Gotta love an adventure! And kudos to your son for a job well done.

Abby @ Have Dental Floss, Will Travel said...

35 mph headwinds and ice? I very well may have stayed under the covers. Kudos for sticking it out!

Happy Feet 26.2 said...

Holy Cow - just the pictures make me cold!

What an amazing race and YES, one that you WILL NEVER forget.

great RR! oh, I TOTALLY HATE it when they cut my hair too short for my ponytail, when I ALWAYS tell them...."I'm not particular, EXCEPT, I need to be able to put my hair in a ponytail." then the chat begins, and they seem to lose track sometimes....chop, chop, chop

Happy Feet 26.2 said...

how did I miss the 5k race? I'm impressed! I think your comeback is going really well.

ShutUpandRun said...

I don't know which is worse - this or puking in Vegas! I would have turned around on the road. I hate being cold THAT much. I'm impressed you stuck it out!!!

See.Kate.Run said...

Sounds miserable!!! Glad you made it through. Feel better soon!

Raina said...

That was ONE TOUGH race!! I actually think you look HARDCORE and very good in your "bad" race photo!

Got the exchange info email...:) I need to research some more. It's going to be FUN!

Black Knight said...

More than a race it was a nightmare. I think you have to put it in your personal black list.
However you did great against the wind, the ice, the crowd. Well done!

A Prelude To... said...

I.
LOVE>>> your pretty in pink picture. That expression is golden!
I hate when my hair does that. I always have to remind the hairdresser that my hair is in a pony tail 99% of the time and it must ALL be able to be restrained!

I did NOT get an email about the bloggy exchange (that I can find) :-(
sorry.

Jenn said...

Seriously Jill. I know you know I love you enough that I can say I laughed out loud at your race pic. I only laugh because I can SO SO relate and have MANY of these little winter "hottie" pics-ha ha!

Seriously impressed you would even do this race! Without a doubt you write the most comical reports. All this for a cheap medal and sweatshirt.!! Congrats on getting the chance to run a HM with your son though. This is a big dream for me one day. You're so involved with your kids. I've said many times, but I'm so impressed at how teenage boys seem to enjoy hanging out with their mom! Kudos to trumpet man too-Yes, lookin' good!

Oh yes, that gift exchange. I should probably get on that:)

Andrew Opala said...

Jill!

You have snow!

That is so awesome.

I wish we had some.

P.S. Secret Santa, please send me a nice tight pair of gloves, that make me run fast, but don't reprogram my Garmin because it hits the buttons on the watch!

Anne said...

Welcome, winter. I think that's an awesome photo of you, even with the hair in your face. You look hard core.

Kate Geisen said...

Ahhh, girl. I read Terzah's report and this race just doesn't sound like any kind of fun. Maybe in the damn, I'm hardcore feeling you'd have to have after you thawed out. Yikes! I can totally see why you did it, though. Heck, I'd probably do it, too. However, I don't think this can count as a PW. I think it would have to be considered a PR for run-skating half marathons. If we can count trail races and road races differently, I think that ice races get their own category as well. :)

Lindsay said...

here is my question: what should i get my person?

haha just kidding.

your hair is gorgeous. at first i thought ryan had a ponytail/recent haircut too since you were saying WE this WE that. then i realized you were just referring to multiple jills.

what lovely race conditions. i probably would have turned around on the interstate.

Molly said...

That's awesome that you did that one! Congrats to your son on his first medal : ) They added a Half Marathon to the local calendar for 2012...for February 26th! It's bound to be wicked cold and snowy, but I'm considering it : )

Bluegrass Tri Chick said...

Sounds like a tough one! Great job finishing!

BTW, I love your new picture on the top of your blog!!

Staci said...

After that race you should've been given a tiara, not an ugly t-shirt. That being said, you can treasure the t-shirt as a reminder of your tenacity, perseverance, determination etc. well done to you and your son. Any half marathon after that will be a breeze ;-)

Brian said...

Wow, Jill...that sounds like a rough one. Way to persevere!

And for a race shirt, I don't think that one's bad at all!

Bubble Boy said...

Raging blizzard, late arrival, no portopotties when you need them, 35 mph headwinds, butt ugly race shirt, cheap medal......it just doesn't get any better than that!

Way to tough it out, you are one GREAT MOM!

Johann said...

Wow Jill, and then there's me wishing I can run a race in snow one day...:) We don't see that easily here by me. You did great and so did your son. Keep it going!

Shannon (IronTexasMommy) said...

You are hard core! Seriously! Seeing those conditions just to get there...yikes! I just ran a full in freezing rain, but snowy and windy... I don't know. This pansy, warm-weathered Texan has limits. Way to go!

Glenn Jones said...

the funny thing is - you'll hear the same complaints from the locals next month. In Carlsbad. Because it will be in the upper 40's/low 50's at the start. And the parking. Oooooohhhh the parking.....

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coud said...

wow, that's so happy and heathful, hope one day I can have a chance to do this like you

Lori Garcia said...

Marathon race is always pleasuring for me! But, why did you pick that cool icy weather for the marathon race? This is really tough to manage in the winter season for running for a long with wearing warm clothe. I also prefer to go on marathon race wearing the right shoes that are suggested on http://walkingontheball.com/ because it offers comfortable shoes to prevent pain. Do you ever feel pain after the race?