Pensacola Half-Marathon - Pensacola, FL

The Pensacola Marathon was a chance for me to knock out my first half marathon. I had been training extensively for my February 2011 marathon in New Orleans and to be honest, training can get pretty boring from time to time! Therefore, one of the best ways to stay motivated is to schedule a race within your training plan—so that you have a short-term goal as well. The Pensacola Marathon (& half marathon) fell on one of my “long run” training days. It was the perfect opportunity to run this race and still knock out my training run all at once.

Race morning came and we couldn’t ask for better weather. I showed up to the race in a few layers, but knowing Florida’s weather I knew that it was about to warm up. I could hardly sleep the night before—as is the case before most races—I was anxious and ready to roll.

The longest run I had accomplished prior to the half marathon (13.1 miles) was a 10 mile run. Therefore, being a rookie, I didn’t know what to expect past that 10 mile mark. I began the race at a decent pace—doing my best not to pay attention to others around me.  I came up on mile 3 and Jennifer and my father were there cheering me on. I eventually got into my rhythm and began to pick up a little speed. I later saw my dad and Jennifer around mile 8. I realized how encouraging it was to have people cheer you on during the race—whether complete strangers or family and friends. It was great hearing that positive feedback as we continued to grind through the miles.

I set a goal going into this race to finish under 1:50:00. As I later approached mile 10, I knew that I had it within my reach—as long as I continued to keep my tempo. I made the final turn and could see the finish line. I glanced at my watch and realized that I was going to shatter my goal! I crossed the line at 1:47:15—averaging an 8:11 minute mile.

It felt great to say that I completed my first half marathon—after the race, as I assessed my run, I determined that this was a great competitive distance. I really, really enjoyed the length of the half marathon.

After crossing the line I was immediately bombarded with a medal, 2 bottles of water, a Subway sandwich, some trail mix and a banana. I had no idea what to do with everything except thank the volunteers and find my ‘bride-to-be’ and father.

You gotta’ celebrate after a race with an ice cold Sweetwater 420!

Beach Blast Olympic Duathlon - Mexico Beach, FL

Due to a minor knee injury, I took some time off from running/training.  Around the beginning of June, I was talking with my friend Matt and decided that we would compete in an Olympic distance duathlon.  A duathlon is similar to a triathlon, yet without the swimming component—instead it is a run, bike, run—as opposed to a swim, bike, run.  The distance for this race was a 3.1 mile run on the beach followed by a 25 mile bike ride and wrapping up with a 6.2 mile run through the streets of Mexico Beach. Although a little hesitant at first, I was looking forward to the challenge.

The date was set: September 11, 2010—the day before my 24th birthday. The training had come to an end and it was finally race day. I think I may have gotten a total of 2 hours of sleep the night before, as my adrenaline and anxiety got the best of me. I jumped out of bed around 4am, made myself the usual pre-race meal: peanut butter toast with bananas on top, couple hard boiled eggs, orange juice and an apple, and headed out the door. Dozens of athletes filled the parking lot of the hotel as we prepared to make our way to the race site.

As I approached the race site, my “greenhorn” tendencies kicked in. I had no idea what I was doing. Athletes were scrambling all over the place—people were getting body marked, stretching, setting up their transition area, making final tweaks to their bike, joking around with one another, jogging…the list goes on. I had no idea where I was supposed to be or what the heck I was supposed to be doing. I found what seemed to be a good “transition spot” and set up camp.

As the time went one, I continued to mentally prepare for my first, big multi-sport race was able to shut out all of the outside chaos and gain control on the race at hand. Matt and I made our way to the starting line and before we knew it the gun sounded and we were off.

The first leg of the race (3.1 mile run) took place on the beach—luckily the sand was compacted, making it a little easier to run. I was immediately thankful for each of my training runs on the beach…I started off at a decent pace, keeping in mind that this was just the beginning, and came through T1 at 25:25. My transition was under a minute as I grabbed a swig of water and headed off for the second leg.

The second leg (25 mile bike) was a nice, flat course with one monster bridge around mile 7—which wasn’t too bad going out, but on the way back in it was a bear. The weather began to warm up as I continued to hydrate during the ride. I knew it was going to be extra hot on the last leg of the race. I came through T2 at 1:17:17—beating my goal of 1:25. My transition was again under a minute.  Any multi-sport athlete knows this part of the race very well. Dismounting the bike and beginning your last leg—where your legs feel like a ton of bricks.

Matt and I remained close by during the whole race—we took off for the third leg (6.2 mile run) together and chuckled as we made our first turn. “Dude, do your legs feel like mine?”  ”I don’t know man, I can’t feel mine!” The “Welcome to Florida humidity” set in. We took advantage of each water station as we continued to hydrate in order to keep moving forward. This is where the mental toughness plays its toll. Not only were we competing in an Olympic distance race, but there was also a Sprint distance taking place as well (half the distance of the Olympic). So as we began our final leg, the Sprint competitors were passing us in the other direction as they made their way to the finish line!

It was all worth it as I crossed the line at 2:39:31 (I finished the third leg in 56:51). I ended up finishing 1st in my age division and 3rd overall. It was a great “first” race!

Matt and I before the start.

On the final stretch of the race—just a few yards from the finish line.

That’s a wrap! Time to head home for a celebratory Sweetwater 420.

McGuire’s St. Patrick’s Day 5K - Pensacola, FL

My main purpose behind this blog is to document each of my races and learn from them as I move forward.  I also want to reflect on each “first time” accomplishment—whether it be on or off the race course. I am sure you can relate to doing something for the first time. The sense of accomplishment and self satisfaction can be very rewarding.

Not all races have to be viewed in a competitive manner. The McGuire’s St. Patrick’s Day Prediction 5K is one of those races.  It is a fun time for friends and family to celebrate the holiday. Wake up early, deck out in your “green-wear”, run a 5K and celebrate afterwards at the famous post-party celebration.  Those of you who have been to a St. Patrick’s Day race, whether at McGuire’s or somewhere else, know that some people will go above and beyond when it comes down to dressing up for the occasion!  The other interesting part about this race is that it does NOT matter who crosses the line first. Since this race is a prediction run, whoever comes closest to their predicted time (determined before the race starts) is declared the winner!

Here’s a picture of my friends and I after the 2010 St. Patrick’s Day race.

Double Bridge Run 15K- Pensacola, FL

By the end of 2009, I accomplished my first 5K and first 10K race. What was next? Yep. The 15K (9.3 miles). I took some time off over the holidays and realized the 15K that I wanted to race was approaching fast. With not much time to spare, I began training for the Double Bridge Run. Here in Pensacola, there are 2 significant bridges connecting downtown Pensacola and Pensacola Beach. One of these bridges is 3 miles long, connecting downtown Pensacola to Gulf Breeze, with a steady slope in the middle. The other bridge, connecting the small city of Gulf Breeze to the island, is nothing but steep!

My “greenhorn” nature showed. I was NOT prepared for this race. I found out the hard way that the shoes you wear, matters—in fact, it matters big time. I bought a pair of shoes that I “thought” would be OK to wear, and after suffering 2 knee injuries, I realized that you have to invest in a solid pair of running shoes. On top of that, I skimped out on some of my training runs and figured, “What the heck, if I can run 6.2 miles, I can run 9.3.” I wobbled across the finish line in 1:29:27 (The time in the below picture reflects the beginning of the race. I was a few seconds behind the start of the gun.) 

I started off the race nice and smooth. I made it to the 3 Mile Bridge, marking roughly the beginning of the third mile. By the time I got to the peak of the 3 Mile Bridge, I was hurting. Sharp pains were shooting through my left knee as I favored it running down the back side of the peak. I made it over the bridge and into Gulf Breeze. Here we were joined by the 5K racers/walkers as we made our way towards the Bob Sikes Bridge (joining Gulf Breeze and Pensacola Beach). This bridge is short, yet completely vertical. You don’t realize this when you drive to the beach, but when you run up this darn thing, you find out real fast!

I was hobbling down the back side of the bridge and had about a mile left. I told myself that I was almost finished and all I needed to do was suck it up and get it done. As my adrenaline kicked into overdrive, I visualized the finish line ahead. To my disappointment, it was not where I expected it—but about 100-150 yards further! The crowd was cheering on everyone as they made their way into the home stretch. I recited one of my personal mantras as I came down the chute and crossed the finish line. 

An overwhelming sense of accomplishment poured through me. This now marked the furthest distance I had ever run.

(My aunt was quick to point out that it is OK to enjoy the victory and smile for the camera as you cross the finish line…you can then stop your watch AFTER you finish…Thanks, Coach!)