4 DOWN 46 TO GO
LONG BRANCH HALF MARATHON 13.1 aka Lara’s Birthday
LONG BRANCH, NEW JERSEY
MAY 6, 2012
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| Picking up bibs at race track |
On Sunday May 6, 2012 I completed my 9th Half Marathon (13.1 miles) and 3rd of this year, my 4th State on my Quest to 50.
I arrived in New Jersey on Saturday May 5 we drove to Long Branch, once we checked in at the Sheraton Hotel we drove to the Monmouth Race Track where the running expo took place to pick up our race packet and also where the beginning of the race started. After the expo we did some window shopping at the local mall and then picked up our friend from the train station and then went to carb load at the olive garden. After dinner we went back to hotel and prepped for the race setting up clothes, bag, bib etc.
RACE DAY
I woke up at 5:00 am race morning started eating my breakfast and hydrating. As we headed to the race track we caught a lot of traffic then of course some of us had to stop and use the bathroom. I would rather wait on line to use the bathroom before the race then have to stop during the race, I know TMI but that’s all part of the running experience lines for the porta potty’s lol.
As I started my watch crossing the start line and wishing everyone good luck we were off.
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| Pre Race |
At first I thought I started off too fast looking at my watch and wanted to find my rhythm but couldn’t slow down to my normal race pace for a half marathon so I kept going at the fast pace I was comfortable with. I had hesitation at first running faster than normal and thought I would burn out but just felt so good and in my mind if I felt good might as well just go for it.
The course was flat and the weather was perfect mid 50’s low humidity and no sun which was perfect, couldn’t have asked for a better course and better weather. Throughout the race my friend Lara and I were pretty much at the same pace and occasionally were saying we needed to slow down but we both felt good, she was ahead and I was ahead but we were close enough that we would see each other. At about mile 10 I started feeling my legs were getting heavy and the bottom of my left foot started burning as if I was getting a blister but couldn’t stop I had 3 more miles to go so I kept my pace and continued on.
At about mile 12 I started to feel nausea but had to push through I was almost at the end couldn’t think about that. I looked over to Lara when we saw the finish line and said we can cross it together and so we did. We finished our 13.1 miles in 1hour 56minutes and 45seconds which was a personal record for both of us. I was so thrilled to finish under 2hrs, I had mentioned to Lara that would be her birthday gift to finish under 2hrs since she knew how close I was so many times.
Once we crossed the finish line we took a pic I grabbed my medal and our friends Enrique, Alex and Karyn aka baby beast were both for us which they did awesome as well. I was still feeling a bit quesy after the race and had to sit down but once I had my banana, apple some water and changed my clothes I was a bit better. Afterwards we decided to go eat and Enrique and I went with Karyn and her boyfriend to their car, as we walk towards the car , we came into a dead end and had to climb a fence to get to the other side, I wish I had my camera at this point, I put my leg into one of the holes in the fence and caught a cramp on my calf muscle as I put my leg over to the other side I was stuck and needed help getting down haha, guess not the best move for just running a race.
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| Post Race |
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| Shirt and Medal |
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| Congrats to All!! |
We arrived at a cute little place called Zoe’s Vintage Kitchen and got 2 tables, the food was excellent and the prices were great. It was a perfect ending to a great race and Lara’s birthday. HAPPY BIRTDHAY LARA!!
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| Awesome Breakfast!!! |
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