Run to the Pub Half Marathon Recap

This is the third time I have done the Run to the Pub Half marathon in Bozeman.   Based on how I thought training has been going this winter and previous times of 1:40:17 and 1:45:37 I was guessing I would fall close to 1:44, but was prepared to be slower also. I haven't done a lot of focused speed work all winter.  In my head my predicted pace was going to be close to 8 minute miles.
The drive up to Bozeman was uneventful and I was happy to see clear skies

It was in the mid thirties at the start and I had on capris... I had a skirt in my drop bag that at the last minute wanted to change into, but with 25 minutes to go the lines to the porta potties were soo long and didn't seem to be moving so I just left the capris on.

don't mind the mess.. it was a busy week and it's calving season, but here is what I ended up wearing

After standing around freezing for a bit, it was finally time to start. The first three miles are sloping slightly uphill and my goal pace for those three miles was about 8:15.  My breathing felt good and by the end of the three miles I was ready to run down for awhile!

Miles 1, 2, and 3:  8:14, 8:16, and 8:15

About 2 miles in I caught up to a guy who was breathing so loudly and labored it was annoying.  He seemed determined to stick with me though and I wanted to say "Dude, you are never going to keep this pace with that breathing, slow down!" Thankfully he stopped at the water station at mile 3 and I did not.

About 3 and a half miles in starts a nice long downhill section that is also very straight and I felt like I was being passed by a lot of people. This didn't make me very happy, but I reminded myself to run my own race. this was the start of the downhill part and people were loving it I guess.

Mile 4   7:54
Mile 5   7:48 turned on the music
Mile 6   7:35 (finally getting my head into it)

About 5 miles in I realized I wasn't feeling focused on the race. My head was all over the place. I worked  concentrated on running and recited my favorite mantras. That seemed to help and I turned on my music. More motivation! and I started passing all those people that had passed me earlier. YAY..love that.

around mile 5-6ish there were two girls in front of me running together and they both had earbuds is listening to music I would presume and everytime they said anything to each other they were yelling.

Mile 7   7:36  felt like this was a good pace
Mile 8   7:32
Mile 9   7:53  lots of weaving and the two hills

I started mentally preparing myself around mile 7 for the hills I knew were coming close to mile 9. In my head I thought of the two hills, a smaller and then a larger tougher longer hill and told myself I had this and no hills were going to kick my butt today.

Somewhere about halfway through mile 8 I think we turned the corner and up ahead was a wall of people all the way across the road. The 10k runners  were merging with the half marathon course up ahead. I remembered this vaguely but not to this crazy extent.  Another half marathon runner next to me was like "what the hell?" and then wham we were into it.

They are supposed to stick to the right so the half marathon runners can go easily past on the left. Not the case. Suddenly I was constantly yelling "coming through" "on your left" and "on your right" and sometimes just "watch out!"  After a bit  I found another weaving halfer and followed her. We were so busy weaving and staying alert about where to run next that before I knew it we were done with the second hill.

But wait! I forgot about the third hill, the biggest hill. Apparently I blocked it out? No biggie, soon I was over that too and it was all weaving downhill. At least by now there was a little more room and the weaving was easier.  Somewhere around mile 9, one of my braids started coming out..ugh.  Luckily my other braid had an extra rubber band around it and i was able to get it out, and put it in the other side and somewhat salvage the braid all the while running and weaving.  I have talent!

Mile 10   7:54  the big hill, to be serious I was impressed I made it under an 8 minute mile
Mile 11   7:40  the sun really came out and things were getting warm!
Mile 12   7:43 legs feeling tired!
Mile 13   7:32  one mile left, I got this!
.12          6:39  pace finish line push

I am a little mixed on the mass of 10k runners. Had I been going for a PR that could have ruined it. At the same time when you slam into the wall of 10k runners is near the end of the middle of the race when you are starting to feel fatigued and there is still a good 5 miles to go. The irritation and aggravation I was feeling was channeled into getting around all those people. It probably was just as motivating as aggravating. and they help make the hilly portion fly by.

I couldn't believe how much easier the hills felt this time as compared to the last time I ran this... all the hills I ran this winter helped I guess!

As usual there was free beer at the end. I drank mine and then was super hungry so fellow Team Beef Montana/Montana Running Rancher Ryan Goodman (who is training for his first 50 miler) and I went and had cheeseburgers at the Rockin R .  So good

I wore my new Altra Escalantes for the race, it was the first run I had in them. They were perfect and I didn't regret it for a second.

Then I came home to this. So cold at home!

This week's writing prompt: St, Patrick's Day Plans.  If you don't have anything to share about St, Patrick's Day Plans, feel free to post any running related blog post.  Link-up with Patty, Erika, and Marcia!