Sunday, November 18, 2007

Finally! Sub 2 hour Half Mary!!!

I did it folks, finally. I have been trying to get a sub 2 hour half marathon since I did my first half 2 years ago. And today I did it! 1:59:23, but I'll take it! And that is clock time b/c it wasn't a chipped race.

So, I rose bright and early to get myself prepped for the Cleveland West Road Runners Fall Classic HM & 5K. It was all the way our in Strongsville which is about 28-35 miles from my house. It was really bitingly cold when I got up, so I put on some pants (thank goodness right), a tank top shirt - the kind with the built in bra, a long sleeve half zip shirt that has the glove built in and my running vest. The race took place at the metroparks, starting from Bonnie Park. It was a gorgeous sunny crisp day. I couldn't have asked for better weather. The race started at 9, but I got there at 8, good thing I did! THe parking by packet pickup was already full so they police directed us to parking about 1 mile away at the top of a giant hill! So, I had to walk all the way down the hill, get my number and giveaway shirt (a long sleeved tech tee!) and then climb back up the hill, and back down, all before the start! So, I probably had already walked 2 miles by the time we got ready to go. As I said before, this was not a chip timed race, so there start was just a big cluster. We ran out into the park 3 miles or so and back and then did it again. So, it was a 2 loop race. I like those kind b/c you can watch all the fast people as they come back by. People watching takes up time. I felt really good today. I tried something new today and drank one of those 5 hour energy drinks before I ran and I think it really helped. I didn't start feeling downtrodden until after mile 8. I took 2 GUs. I was running really fast for me - I don't know how fast b/c my stupid Garmin battery was dead so I ran without a watch for the first time in forever. But I met up with 2 nice guys who had the same goal and ran with them off and on - so shout out to Larry and George! Good job today guys. They were a little faster than me, so I am glad I tried to stick with them. The course was totally flat and there were enough water stops. The finish line had quite a few people hanging out and cheering you on. There wasn't any finisher's metal or much food. Compared to the spread yesterday of panera bagels and flavored cream cheeses - and that was just for a 5K! But I had a good time and I was so happy to get under 2 hours, I honestly felt like I was going to cry!

I am a little sore, my legs are kind of twitchy. I feel like I should probably ice down my knees. Gary and I went to the outlets this afternoon to do some Xmas shopping and are now making some dinner. I am soooo looking forward to a short work week.

1:59:23 bitches! wooohoo.

Songs I loved running to today: Crazy Game of Poker - OAR, Ayo Technology - 50 Cent w/JT, Breakfast in America - Supertramp, This is why I'm hot - Mims, Suzy Greenburg - Phish, Shake it Off - Mariah Carey, Dirt off my Shoulder - Jay Z, Cry me a river remix- JT w/50, Fidelity - Regina Spektor.

8 comments:

Trishie said...

Wooot!!! Nice job, Monica!!! The sub 2 hr HM is a big milestone. You have a lot of races coming up... yeah, they get pricey, but IMO it's better to spend money on running/ tris/ bike races/ clothes and shoes for those than to spend it on unhealthy habits. Good luck w everything :)

tracie said...

Woohoo Monica!!! Way to go!!!!! :)

B Bop said...

Congrats on the sub 2:00!!!

I have to tell you, when I started swimming it brought my running times WAY down.....improved oxygen delivery. So, don't be suprised to blow that time out of the water (so to speak) next year :-)

Great race!

Josh Middleton said...

Congratulations!!!! Loved the tracklist!!

geekrunner said...

ah! That's so bloody brilliant! I'm so proud of you! I can't imagine running a sub 2 hour HM! you rock and are really inspiring me!

E-Speed said...

nicely done! congrats!

Dan Seifring aka "OBRATS" said...

Awesome Monica. Hope to get that next year myself.

Charlie said...

Good job.

About Me

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Mnowac
distance runner attempting to run a marathon in every state, vegetarian foodie, mediocre triathlete, sucky swimmer, mommy to Harper, tea lover, coffee drinker, animal saver, hubby snuggler, race addict, full time working 31 year old living in cleveland
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Marathons so far

  • Sept 2012 - Corning, NY - TBD
  • April 2012 - Louisville, KY - TBD
  • Sept 2011 - Erie PA - 4:25
  • June 2011 - South Bend IN - 5 hrs+ (it was 98 degrees!)
  • Dec 2010 - Rehoboth Beach DE - 4:26:06
  • Nov 2010 - Huntington WV - 4:11:44
  • Oct 2009 - Towpath - Cleveland area OH - 4:30:35
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