Rock CF Race Results

Sunday was the 2nd running of the Rock CF Half Marathon & 5K on Grosse Ile.  I ran this race last year (it's inaugural year) and this course is where I hold my current half PR (1:37).  I knew this years race would be even bigger than last year.  There were about 1600 runners, 500 more than last year.  They changed the course slightly, had nicer shirts and sweet medals!   Chris had originally trained for this to be his first half marathon but after a bone contusion in his foot left him sidelined for 8 weeks, running this was dicey.  In the end, he decided that since I am pregnant and require multiple port-a-potty and walk breaks, he could do.  And he did.  He ran by my side the entire time!

It was such a great day for my last race while being pregnant.  So many of my running friends were there, my dad ran the half (and PR-ed w/ a 1:33!!), my mom & aunt walked the 5K, I had such awesome support from fellow runners & spectators out on the course and even received 2 medals when I crossed the finish line; one for me and one for baby!  I got to meet Katie from Runs for Cookies.  Thanks for introducing yourself and congrats on the PR!  I also got to see Rose from Hacker Half Marathon that I met last year at this same race.  Again, congrats to you too on the PR.  I swear, yesterday was the day of PR's. 

The was another PR for me too; my slowest half marathon ever!  LOL!!  It was also race #7 to add to baby's pre-birth racing list/my pregnancy racing list.  Am I sad that racing is over until after I give birth?  Absolutely.  I love running races, even if I am not technically "racing" them.  I love being surrounded by others who have a passion for the same thing I do; running!!  But I also know it's now time to cut back.   

Here are my official results and a few pictures.

Finish Time: 2:11:04
Pace: 10:00
A/G Place: 45/75

Chris, baby and I finishing the half!  :-)

 After the race w/ my 2 medals; one for me & one for baby!

a profile shot of the baby bump.  all smiles!

Chris and I getting our picture taken

a handful of my running friends! 

Baby's got another race

Or should I call it a run?  I am technically not racing. 

Anyway, this Sunday is the 2nd running of the Rock CF Half Marathon.  This also happens to be the same course that I hold my current half PR (1:37:31).  I will be lucky if I can complete the half in 2 hours.  My, how things have changed in a year.  I am really looking forward to this event.  There will be so many people that I know from the running community running this race.  And I get to add another race to the baby's list!

Unfortunately, Chris will not be running. After taking 7 weeks off due to a bone contusion, he just started running again last week.  I was hoping he would be healed enough to at least keep my company on the course, but he's making the right decision to not run it at all.  He'll get a shirt out of the deal and the money goes to a good cause!

As I mentioned, I get to add another race to the baby's list.  So far she has participated in a trail ultra, a marathon, a 10K, 2-4 mile races, a 5K and now a half marathon.  This will probably be her last race before she arrives.  That is, until I get the OK from the pediatrician to start running her in the jogging stroller, then she will be back at it. 

Back to the grind!

6 easy miles on the treadmill at 5am this morning.  First run since the marathon and I felt great.  Don't get me wrong, my slow pace felt fast, but I did not have any aches or pains.  What a great way to kick off my birthday!  I made sure to spend a good 15-20 minutes rolling around on the foam roller after I finished my run.

While I was on the treadmill, I chatted with one of the guys from the Y who was running next to me.   It just so happens to be the same person I ran with during most of the marathon.  Anyway, we were discussing the Rock CF Half Marathon and he said his wife signed up with him.  I also found out one of my other running buddies and his girlfriend signed up as well.  I planned on running this but thought about how great it would be if my husband would run it too.  Chris said he wanted to try a half marathon one day, so why not make it the Rock CF half?  I called him as soon as I left the gym. I told him my Y running friends and their spouses are running it and how I'd like him to run it too.  He agreed!  I am totally pumped!  It will be his first half marathon and I am so excited to help him train.  I made sure to register us both as soon as I got to work this morning.  If you are thinking about running this, I have a $5 off coupon code.  Just let me know if you'd like it. 

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Completed; Week 7 & Week 8 of Marathon Training

Week 7; March 7th - 13th

Monday scheduled: 4 mile run
Monday actual: 5.25 mile run on treadmill at 1% incline w/ 8x400's 42:47 8:08 pace

Tuesday scheduled: 7 mile run
Tuesday actual: 6 mile run on treadmill 49:50 8:18 pace , core work, push ups 6 x 10

Wednesday scheduled: 4 mile run
Wednesday actual: 5.1 mile run on treadmill (1M 8:25 pace, 3.1M 7:30 pace, 1M 8:20 pace - Virtual 5K), upper body lifting, legs

Thursday scheduled: rest day
Thursday actual: rest day

Friday scheduled: 7 mile mgp
Friday actual: 7.20 mile run on treadmill at 1% incline 60:00 8:20 pace (slower than mgp)

Saturday scheduled: 14 mile run
Saturday actual: JM Yoga Melt Down (spent the day at my son's wrestling tournament, had to rearrange my long run days)

Sunday scheduled: cross train
Sunday actual: 14.25 mile run 1:58:46 8:20 pace w/ a new running group, JM Yoga Melt Down, JM 6 week 6 pack

Schedule Total Mileage: 36 miles
Actual Total Mileage: 37.80 miles
Weight: 122lbs


Week 8; March 14th - 20th
 

Monday scheduled: 4 mile run
Monday actual: 5 mile run (3M on treadmill, 2M on track) 42:20 8:28 pace- sore legs, foam rolled, push ups 5 x 10

Tuesday scheduled: 7 mile run
Tuesday actual: P90X Ab Ripper X, P90X Back & Biceps, free weights for shoulders, core work, foam rolled - sore shins

Wednesday scheduled: 4 mile run
Wednesday actual: 7.11 mile run outside! 54:06 7:37 pace

Thursday scheduled: rest day
Thursday actual: 5 mile run on treadmill 40:34 8:06 pace, core work, push ups 4 x 15

Friday scheduled: 7 mile mgp
Friday actual: 7.12 mile run on treadmill at 1% incline 60:00 8:25 pace (slower than mgp)

Saturday scheduled: 15 mile run
Saturday actual: rest day

Sunday scheduled: cross train
Sunday actual: Rock CF Rivers Half Marathon 13.1 miles 1:37:31 7:27 pace

Schedule Total Mileage: 37 miles
Actual Total Mileage: 37.33 miles
Weight: 122lbs

Rock CF Rivers Half Marathon Results

What an awesome event.  I must say, for being a first time race, it was one of the most organized races I have participated in. I am so impressed on how this came together.  And all for a great cause. 

I was up early Sunday (5:30am), ate breakfast and was out the door by 10 after 6.  I had to meet my dad and head over to the island.  No need to take 2 cars.  We ended up parking fairly close to the high school where the race start and finish was.  They had the school open so we could hang inside and stay warm before the race.  I was able to meet to fellow bloggers before the race too!
Jeff/Detroit Runner and Rose/Hacker Half Marathon  Jeff had his camera and made sure to get a picture of us 3 together.

My dad and I had plans on running the entire race together.  I really wanted to break 1:40.  I've been trying to break a 1:40 half since June 2010.  I wasn't so sure today would be my day, but we were going to push for it anyway.  We both run this course quite a bit so we are very familiar with the road conditions and where the wind will strike.  Mother Nature was on our side.  Usually once you make the turn from West River to East River, the wind hits regardless of the weather.  Not this day.  It was very calm.  Perfect conditions, although I would have liked the temps to be a bit warmer. 

I felt great the entire race.  My left hip bothered me a bit but I ignored it and eventually I didn't even feel any discomfort.  When we hit the 11 mile mark, my dad told he was going to maintain his current pace and if I had any gas in the tank to go.  I responded with "I am not leaving you".  but that didn't last long.  I was a few strides ahead of him.  I felt bad going ahead of his since he had just paced me for 11 miles!  How can I leave him?  I pushed on and tried to pick it up a bit more at the 12 mile mark.  I knew my dad was behind me, but I wasn't sure how far back.  I knew if I turned to look, I would have waited for him so instead I kept on.  I made the turn on to the high school track where the finish line was, heard them announce my number, name and city I live in, kicked up my speed as fast as I could and crossed the finish line at 1:37:31!!  I did it!  I broke 1:40.  A new PR!  My dad cruised in behind me at 1:37:55.  Not only did I crush my goal, I beat my dad.  I NEVER beat my dad in any race before. I know it's only by 24 seconds but being able to do this is a huge accomplishment for me.  My dad is such a strong, fast runner.  Being able to beat him was the proof that I needed to show myself that my hard work is paying off.  It makes me want to push myself even more!

Here are a few photos that I borrowed from a local running web site. 

I really need to buy a new L/S 1/4 zip. I have worn this purple one for both races this year. I love it. It's my favorite cold weather running top. But I also do not want every cold weather running photo to look the same!  I need to learn how to not have monster face when running.  It's scary.

Dad between mile 12 & the finish line

Official Results:

Time: 1:37:31

Pace: 7:27

A/G Place: 3rd / 71

Overall: 90 / 712

Rock CF Half Marathon

My first (of many) half of 2011 is finally here!  http://www.outruncf.com/

I love racing this distance and love the location of the event.  Its being held on Grosse Ile, an island that I do a lot of my long runs on.  Not only is the location great, but so is the reason this event is taking place.  You may have read this article in the September 2010 RW's. Emily Schaller  Well, she is the one who organized this event.  It is the first time this event is being held, and over 1200 runners are registered!  What an amazing turn out this will be. 

Now, I was not going to set a time goal.  I was just going to run hard and use this as a training run but.... I really want to break 1:40.  I have been trying to do this for a year now!  I came so close at the last half I ran just missing it by a few seconds.  Hopefully my dad can pace me and get me there!  I am hoping that the weather is calm on Sunday.  The west side of the island tends to be windy even on a calm, non-windy day!  Right now they are calling for low 30's.  I would have liked to see low 40's but as long as it is above freezing, I can't complain!