3rd Half Marathon and Best Damn PR!

Rounding that last turn to the finish line!

Yesterday, I ran my 3rd half marathon at the super-awesome Best Damn Race in Safety Harbor, FL. It was a smaller event than my 2nd half and a lot of my friends were running, so that made it even more fun. I ran with a couple friends of mine, but had said before the race that I had a certain time goal in mind, and so a little after mile 2, I headed forward on my own. Had a ton of trouble getting my headphones to stay in my ears (I swear, I have unnaturally shaped ears, LOL), so new headphones are on my to-buy list for sure!

Just ignore my oh-so-sexy compression socks My Achilles has been complaining a bit lately, so I ran in those today. I need a cuter pair, LOL.

My time goal was 2:20, after running a 2:27:33 half in my last half (the Women’s Running half in St. Petersburg in November). I had been doing a training plan from the Train Like a Mother book (the Own It half marathon plan) and it incorporates lots of speed work, and I’d done all the workouts, only missing one run when I was sick. But I was still nervous.

Ringing the PR Bell

I started off running with the 2:15 pace group and even though the guy went out WAY too fast (running a sub-10-minute mile when it should have been a 10:20 mile), I stayed with that group until about mile 11. Then a crowded water station and a turn knocked me back a bit, and I slogged through the end of that mile and the beginning of mile 12.

Then I could see the finish line, and some awesome music came on my iPod, and I started speeding up for the last bit. I NAILED the time I wanted, finishing in 2:15:54 and a few seconds. NAILED it. Super proud of myself

Finish Line Mimosas!

Two post-run highlights–getting to ring the PR (personal record) bell and having mimosas with the fabulous Running for Brews Group.

It’s always awesome to celebrate with friends and even better if there’s champagne involved!

After the Warrior Dash!

Before the Warrior Dash!

Then my family and friends piled into our cars and headed out to the Warrior Dash (yes it is insane to run two races in one day!). To be honest, I was more worried about this race, because I am terrified of heights and it’s an obstacle course. I’m proud to say I only skipped two obstacles (out of 12) and though I couldn’t complete one (a monkey bars kind of thing), I did all the others. And got VERY VERY VERY muddy. It was sooooooo much fun. We devoured some turkey legs afterwards, and totally scarfed the free beers.

Have you ever run a half marathon? Ever done a mud/obstacle race? Would you do either?

Shirley