Tuesday, July 16, 2013

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 5th 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 4th 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






23 comments:

  1. What an awesome accomplishment and at a race you've wanted to always run nonetheless!

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  2. Nice! You have to love when you blow your expectations out of the water! :) I like all the blue and green on the shirt and the medal!

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    1. I think I run best with no expectations or pressure. The shirt & medal look really cool in person.

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  3. Congrats on placing so high! That is seriously awesome :)

    You're not the only one who feels blah about races. I've felt like that for my last 2 and for the RnR this weekend. I don't want the hassle of the race (even though I can walk to the start) but like you, after a few miles I'm sure I'll be excited for it. I just love the name of the race- and they should give out ribbons to the people who negative split. :)

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  4. Man you are running so many races you can't even keep up with your recaps...I LOVE it!

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  5. Way to push it out there! I HATE the last mile! Like you said, so close, yet so far. Somehow it feels like I'm running backwards when I get there! Sounds like a really fun race and a great concept to have a race dedicated to negative splitting.

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    1. The last mile no matter what the distance is always the worst and always seems like the longest. I thought that the concept of the race was really cool!

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  6. Fun to read your recap Tasha and hear the joy of running back in your voice! Such a great blessing

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    1. Thanks Marnee. This summer has been fun. I definitely have taken a different approach to running since Windermere, but it is working because I am enjoying myself more.

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  7. Sounds like a fun race!! I like smaller bibs... I have no torso so the bigger bibs - like RnR, I end up folding!

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    1. The RnR bibs are HUGE!!!! I have a small torso too. How tall are you?

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  8. Wahoo!!!!! I admire you!!!! I cannot run worth a donkey! And I don't even know what that means! LOL!

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  9. I love those times when going into a run or race all you want to do is NOT run and it turns into a GREAT run! Sounds like a blast and it definitely makes me a bit homesick to hear about the trail! I loved it while I lived there! Way to go!

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    1. Thanks Amy. I think I run much better by having zero expectations and just showing up and running. That become apparent to me this last weekend in Missoula. I run on the Centennial Trail a couple times a week. Ran on it today actually...

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  10. Great job! I haven't heard of that race but I like the theme;) Maybe after I BQ I will focus on improving 1/2 time. Can't wait to read your Missoula post. It was absolutely beautiful that weekend. I'm a terrible blogger so forgive my always late commenting. Sorry we didn't run into each other (I could have used a shoulder to cry on...63 seconds off) Grrr.
    www.fueledbyspite.com
    My iPhone still won't let me comment with Wordpress. Like I said, I am a lame blogger ;)

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  11. Yay, congratulations! I have yet to negative split anything of meaning (one day!) but I think it's wonderful that you were able to enjoy this and just feel good with it. That's what running is meant to be about in my view :)

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  12. Very cool! Glad you had fun and I love your idea about ribbons or something for folks who actually negative split. Will have to think about this race for next year!

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  13. Congrats!!!

    It sounds like you have so many fun races in your area.

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