Halloween Halfathon - Race Report

Time: 2:00:43 (chip)

I have determined that the Ft. DeSoto course has bad juju for me. Last year, exactly one year ago, was what I refer in my head to as the FML half marathon, where the heat, humidity and a polyester Cinderella dress left me in near tears as I trudged my way to the finish. The one highlight was meeting Morgan, Redhead Running, who has since hightailed it out of Florida to Michigan to live with her main squeeze. So to Morgan: Happy Anniversary!

March found me again in Ft DeSota with a diagnosed-by-a-bonafide-doctor case of bronchitis, where I made a call at mile 3.1 to finish the half-marathon and ended up feeling better, and ended up getting 2nd place AG for my finishes over the course of the half marathon series. It was a "and we all lived happily ever after" ending but for Heaven's sake, who wants to run a half marathon with bronchitis!?!

Today was supposed to eradicate that silly notion of location juju. I've had surprisingly good showings when least expected recently - the surprise sub-25 5k earlier this month and then an all-too-easy 1-mile PT test clocking in at 7:23 after fighting for sub-7:30s for I don't even know how long. This was a half-marathon! Woo hoo! Add in my patent "sling shot effect" with a marathon 2 weeks ago and I was guaranteed an effortless PR! Bring it!

We met up with Jenny with only 20 minutes to go before the gun, and each realized a case of nerves. WTH? Just 13, I said to my marathon training partner. That's a dial-down week in marathon training land...

Off we went into the dark of the island, and I was demoralized quickly as I was passed by runner after runner. Knowing my strength was in endurance, I let them. I'd pass them later.

The first 3 miles clicked in at 8:28, 8:41, 8:44. I was pleased, except during that third mile I started to feel decidedly sick. I popped into a porta-potty right at the start/finish line. When I ran past Chuck he said, "You've got about 30 seconds to make up there!"

At mile 4 I seriously considered my first DNF. At mile 6 I thought of stopping and calling Chuck and asking him to come get me. At the turn-around, the beautiful Skyway Bridge in sight, I made my 3rd stop of the race. I knew I'd be lucky to finish, let alone break 2 hours. I was so upset.

At mile 9, I realized the problem: My iFitness running/race number belt was encumbered more than usual with my new Droid phone, weighing significantly more than the BlackBerry it had replaced. I pulled the belt up over my rib cage, and felt instant relief. I thought I'd be renewed and could bolt it home with a mere 4 miles to go, but at this point I was exhausted and spent. I had not taken any fuel thanks to the state of my stomach, and I had no energy left. I limped in the last 4 miles.

I am frustrated that I can't have a good race on this course. It takes us about an hour to get there from home, and I think it's worth traveling for. Chris Lauber, race director, has been often called out on this blog for the quality races he puts on at a reasonable cost with attention to detail. The course itself is flat and fast, and it is fun to see the faster runners loop back on the course. The day was less humid and cooler, leading me to run 8 minutes faster this year than last (a fact thoughtfully broadcasted by the announcer shortly after I finished - a nice, personal touch to this home-grown race). The Halloween race specifically is a reunion of sorts, as the Tampa Bay runner community reconvenes for our season, after a long hot summer. I love the race, love the course, but just cannot race it to my potential.

Nonetheless, I am glad I did it and look forward to loading up my fall/winter race calendar with more half marathons. The distance itself was comfortable. I know I lost a great deal of time stopping along the race course - and added to the distance (my Garmin reads the race as 13.21 since I had to leave the certified course more than once). I appreciate the fact that there is another race on this same course in 5 months ... a proving ground of progress. I just hope whatever haunts me at that ancient fort is done with me by then...

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!