Race Recap: Negative Split 1/2 Marathon

Before I fall too behind on race recaps since I also have two Missoula posts in draft form, here is the recap from my 4th of July weekend half marathon. If you missed my 4th of July 5K recap it is HERE. Yes, I ran two races over the 4th of July holiday weekend.

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On Friday I was second guessing running the Negative Split ½ Marathon. I was tired and just didn’t feel like running 13.1 miles. Don’t tell me that you have never felt that way before. Even after the packet pick up I still wasn’t entirely enthused about the race. Originally I had thought that this race might be a PR attempt, but I quickly changed my mind about that weeks ago. My plan was to just have fun, run strong and get in some extra miles for all of my summer relay craziness. Oh, and negative split the heck out of the course!

All of my stuff ready the night before

I set my alarm for 5 am, but ended up hitting “snooze” until 5:30. I was up just in time for 1 cup of coffee and a bowl of cereal. The race started at 7 am, so I was out the door by 6:15. I wasn’t sure what the parking situation would be and I wanted to get in at least a 1 mile run prior to the start. 

The course was an out and back on the Centennial Trail. The way out is slightly uphill and the way back is slightly downhill, hence the name “negative split”.

As I said earlier I had zero expectations for this race. I wasn’t going into the race on fresh legs by any means. I felt exhausted and wasn’t in much of a mood to run a half marathon. However, once the race started I felt fantastic. I hit the halfway point feeling strong and feeling like my running mojo was returning. It got warm out on the course so I was thankful that I had decided to carry my Nuun with me. Between my Nuun and stopping at a couple of water stations I felt that I stayed really hydrated. I also took a vanilla honey stinger at about the half way point.

On the way back into town I passed a lot of people and that was a huge confidence booster. I had my eyes set on a girl that was wearing green shorts and had been ahead of me since the start. She was in my view the entire time and I really wanted to pass her. Within the last two miles I finally passed her and another female runner so I knew that I was going to place fairly high. I couldn’t remember how many women I counted at the turn around, but I thought at that point I was at least in 5^th place.

The last mile hurt. Doesn’t the last mile always hurt the most? I knew that I was soclose to the finish, but yet so far. My legs and feet were done, but I didn’t want those two last women that I had just passed to pass me at the end so I really had to dig deep! When I crossed the finish line and saw the time I had just run I was really happy with it. Was it close to my PR time? Not even. BUT, I felt strong and I ran happy which is something I haven’t felt in a while. I was elated to find out from the lady who gave me my finisher’s medal that I was the 4^th woman to finish. Ended up being 2nd in my AG. 

Best part? I ran a negative split!

What they could improve upon:

I really don’t think they have anything that needs improvement for next year. It was BY FAR the best half marathon that Spokane has seen. I am telling you- run this race next year. You will not be disappointed.

My only suggestion for them is to next year hand out ribbons (or something similar) to those finishers that ran a negative split. Wasn’t that the point of the race? It would be fun for those that did achieve the negative split to have a memento.

What I loved:

Great course- I really enjoy running on the Centennial Trail

LOVED the medal- it even worked great when I had my Lagunitas to celebrate with later in the day

Awesome finisher’s shirt- I will wear it often.

Nice draw string gear bag with a zippered pocket

Really unique race bibs with our names on them. I loved the size of the bibs too, they were smaller than most.

Water stations were perfectly positioned and all had awesome volunteers with water and energy gels in hand if you wanted them.

Great post race spread of snacks

Unique awards for the top finishers that were cowbells.

--Tasha