8 more days until the F3 half marathon!!!!! OMG! I cant believe it.
After 10+ weeks of training (plus an upcoming 10 mile run). I am so excited but so nervous. I have been having dreams of me getting lost on the course, not being able to finish, going the wrong way on the course or finishing dead last.
Im picking up my packet on Saturday at Dick Pond Athletics and I cannot wait to see what the goodie bag has in store. The past couple races the goodie bags have sucked. Sorry I am not sorry. When I run a race I want some mega swag like a chicago athlete magazine, discounts to races, a gel (even though I throw up when I eat them), and maybe just maybe a pair of feetures socks! Hey when you are paying 60+ dollars to run a half marathon you expect to get some type of good swag. I know I am princess. Moving on…..
So far this week I have done the following in workouts:
Sunday: 9 mile run 1:31:51 10:15 min/mile
Monday: 2 mile run 18:00 minutes 9:00 min/mile and strength
Tuesday: OFF
Wednesday: 3.5 mile run 31:07 8:48 min/mile
Thursday: 4.68 mile run 44:01 9:32 min/mile + Abs
On Sunday I have a 10 mile run and still havent figured out where I am going to go run it at. Also I want to see if I can run it with some people *hint hint* *cough cough*.
Enough about my rambling. Here are my goals for the F3 half marathon
( Love this quote)
(The best running quote that I live by)
First and foremost here is the layout of the course
Its a pretty flat course along the lakefront which is perfect for me because my long runs have been on mega trail hills.
1. Finish Strong
I want to come out of the race feeling great. I dont want to be tired after the race to the point where I take a nap all day. I think the days leading up to the half marathon I will do lots of foam rolling to make sure all of the knots are out of my legs. Drink lots of water (water is the only thing that helps me). Get plenty of sleep.
2. Try to find some type of fueling before the race
I have struggled with gels before. I tried GU and Cliff Shots but have upchucked them. I think for my 10 mile run I am going to see how I feel without any gel. I hope this works if not then I will use my Vanilla Accell gel ,that I used during my 8 mile training run at Swallow Cliff, for the race. Also maybe I should try something different for my breakfast. I typically eat a banana and coffee. Should I eat some type of protein for my long run on Sunday or just stick to what my stomach is comfortable.
3. Find someone to pace with
I feel bad asking people to pace for me but in all honesty I want my goal time for my half marathon to be anywhere from a 2:00 half to a 2:13 half time. So if anyone is running the F3 for fun and not doing it as a fast speed run would you help a girl out and pace me? Haha. I hope the half have pacers.
I know its advanced typing up this post about a week away but hey I am excited/nervous! I will repost this sometime next week before the half!
What was your first half marathon experience like?
Ahh! Your first half! So excited for you!
Are there not pacers? I would not feel bad asking someone to pace you… I personally love pacing people, so I bet anyone will be honored you ask!
I truly hope you find something you can stomach on your run!
My first half was amazing! I felt spectacular the entire time and we a couple of mins under our 2:00 goal (I ran my first half with my husband)! My parents came out from IA to watch it (in WI). Still my fave half to this day – WI Half in Kenosha!
Thanks! I am so excited too. I think I am going to try gu chomps on Sunday and see how it goes. Maybe I am eating too much acid before I run and thats why I get nauseas? I know to much info. I will ask at packet pick up if they have pacers on there. Thats great that you felt amazing throughout the entire race at your first half and ran it with your husband. My mom, aunt and dad are coming out to cheer me on
. I am going to sign up for the Kenosha half 
. Also will you be at book club this weekend?
My bestie loves the clif bloks (similar to GU chomps, I think?). I hope they work for you!
When you sign up for Kenosha, I have a $5 off code – KIMRUNSWI. You probably know that
I will be at book club!
They are similar to clif blocks. Will totally use that code thanks! Looking forward to seeing you
I always do way better when I have someone to run and pace with, I feel like I am better at pushing myself that way. Good luck!
Thanks Alex. Running with people definitely makes me feel like I am pushing myself more
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Looking forward to seeing you too!
I would try eating more before you go out running then fuel during the race won’t be so necessary! Try some gluten free bread w/peanut butter and the banana and just make sure to eat an hour or two before race start! Also, I can’t stomach coffee before I race, maybe the acid is bothering you?
I was thinking that too but would it be risky if I changed what I ate before I went out for my long run this weekend? Maybe the banana and the coffee are too acidic for my stomach. I will try the gluten free bread and peanut butter combo. Thanks for the advice
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Ahhh so exciting!!! You are so brave for conquering the elements and running a half in Chicago in the winter, not everyone is as courageous as you
I remember I had a ton of nightmares before my first half marathon – everything from oversleeping to forgetting the race and getting lost. Awful. I barely got a wink of sleep the night before! Anyway, I don’t mean to scare you..sorry! You’ve been rocking your training runs and you will surely do well in this race!!!!
Thanks! I am not that brave. I freak out about a lot of things lol. I am questioning why I am doing a half marathon in the winter but its fine. I am so excited for this race!