Revel Half Marathon Recap – Large Bear Race

17 Feb

Revel Half Marathon Recap – Large Bear Race

Right here’s a brand new half marathon race recap for Revel Large Bear. I’ll attempt to maintain it as quick because the race course as a result of I’m a lil out of the behavior of writing full size weblog posts and it looks as if a number of us are out of the behavior of studying full size posts! (Appropriate me if I’m flawed on this – it’s a subject that very long time readers have requested about.)

I stayed with my godparents the evening earlier than the race. They dwell about quarter-hour from packet pick-up and race day parking. That is tremendous useful as a result of whereas all race days require an early wake-up name (apart from night races like Rock N Roll Las Vegas), races that require you to take a bus to the beginning line space imply it is advisable get there hours forward of the particular begin time.

However earlier than we speak about race morning… let’s speak in regards to the expo and pre-race dinner!

The expo was small and effectively organized. The whole Revel Race collection appears to be a race placed on by runners for runners – so despite the fact that it looks like a small race, the swag and post-race arrange all have large race vibes. I obtained my bib, shirt and hat (further perk as a result of that’s how they do it) and was out of the expo in beneath 10 minutes. There have been cute picture ops, however I used to be working late for dinner and didn’t cease for any pictures or video.

Since I used to be staying with my Nino and Nina we deliberate to exit to dinner. They talked about Chinese language meals and I used to be all about it. That’s MY FAVORITE PRE RACE FOOD!!!

After dinner we stopped at Walgreens so I may run in and purchase a few of these lil hand hotter issues as a result of the beginning line was going to be FREEZING. I didn’t see any and was about to ask after I thought of these warmth wraps that go round your decrease again. It’s the identical factor because the hand ones, however BIGGER (and I assumed higher). So, I purchased a decrease again warmth wrap to put on as a private heater earlier than the race. I assumed it was genius, but it surely didn’t find yourself working that effectively. I assumed I’d put on it with the recent half on the entrance and maintain my arms towards it, however I couldn’t really feel it by way of my garments. So it was in all probability preserving my core hotter, however didn’t assist my frozen arms.

Runners doing Revel Large Bear Half or Full Marathon must take a bus to the beginning line. The busses began loading at 4am. For the total marathon you needed to be on the bus by 4:30am on the newest and for the half it was 4:45am.

I plan my race day morning round when I’ve to go away the home or lodge to get to the beginning. So, for this race I wished to go away by 3:45am… which meant a 3am alarm (and a 3:12am alarm as a back-up). I didn’t want the second alarm in spite of everything as I wakened a number of occasions all through the evening anxious I’d sleep by way of it. After I wakened at 2:45am I made a decision to only rise up and begin preparing.

I laid out my Flat Runner the evening earlier than with every part I used to be going to put on and take with me to the race. Along with my working gear I had ‘throw away’ garments, that are issues like coats or robes you put on earlier than the race after which toss to the aspect when the race begins. The race organizers collect it up and plenty of donate the garments to locations that accumulate these items.

TIP: Deliver a high layer you’re prepared to toss as a result of the beginning line is FREEZING.

I don’t anticipate to get sufficient sleep earlier than a race, however all of the abrupt wake-ups I had by way of the evening made me really feel further drained. However she persevered… and made espresso.

I obtained to the parking space to catch the bus to the beginning line in good time. There have been indicators with arrows indicating which buses have been for the half marathon and those for the total marathon. And the strains to get on the buses moved rapidly. I made buddies in line and it was good to speak on the bus journey as much as the beginning line.

As soon as we obtained to the beginning my new good friend (Hello Renee!) and I obtained within the porta potty line. I misplaced her after that and was trying round once they introduced it was final name to go away your drop bag. (You bought a bag on the expo to make use of in case you wished to drop off a bag in the beginning line and so they’d take it to the end line the place you can decide it up.) So, I dropped off my bag and realized we have been 5 minutes out from the beginning!!

I headed to the beginning… and adjusted the final minute issues like getting my playlist prepared to start out, turning on my watch and saying a prayer.

And simply earlier than I crossed the beginning line I spotted I used to be nonetheless sporting the warmth wrap factor. I ditched that instantly so I wouldn’t get tousled in it making an attempt to run and take it off.

The beginning of the race was a bit of anti-climactic because the Nationwide Anthem was a recording and the bulletins have been minimal (versus a Race MC that’s yelling over the music with final minute directions and making an attempt to get you overvalued). The runners in entrance of me began shifting and I spotted.. The race is beginning! So, I began my watch, music and myself (working).

The Revel Large Bear Half Marathon course is sort of all downhill – with some elements being extra of downhill grade than others. The primary few miles really feel very downhill and after standing round in freezing temperatures earlier than the beginning – I couldn’t really feel my ft, but it surely appeared like I used to be going out very quick. It made me nervous as a result of there are some bumps within the street and I used to be afraid I’d roll an ankle since I didn’t really feel answerable for my frozen ft.

TIP: For those who run this race – concentrate on the divots within the street particularly close to the painted strains separating lanes.

I didn’t have a selected time aim for this race since I haven’t been coaching for a half marathon aim. However, I did need to run it like a race and see what I may do proper now.

My different latest half marathon races weren’t an enormous assist in estimating a end time as a result of I felt off throughout the Lengthy Seaside Half Marathon [2:01:27] and felt loads higher throughout the Mission Inn Half Marathon [1:53:57]. The climate was loads hotter and humid on the Lengthy Seaside Half, but it surely wasn’t summer time temperatures. The Mission Inn Half was cooler, but in addition hillier (which normally slows me down greater than sizzling climate).

I didn’t know what tempo I ought to purpose for… however undoubtedly didn’t suppose it could be a lot quicker than 1:49. For no matter motive it went by way of my head that 5 minutes quicker than my final half (the place I felt good) made sense.

So, after I was working and noticed the 1:50 pacer (Dave – who I met on the bus!) – I assumed I ought to decelerate and run with them for some time. I didn’t need to run previous them, slam into the wall later within the race and find yourself strolling the final 3 miles. However, I felt like I might’ve needed to decelerate A LOT and I felt good (after all I did although – we have been only a mile in!!). I spotted I would remorse it later, however I didn’t need to gradual my tempo but. I made a decision to not attempt to stick with a tempo group, simply run no matter felt good for proper now and decelerate if I felt the course flatten out or I felt like I used to be getting drained.

I didn’t take a look at my watch in any respect as a result of I felt like I used to be working quick and that was getting me pumped as much as maintain going. If I noticed my tempo was slower than I assumed it could’ve taken the air out of my sails and I’d be a sailboat caught within the ocean with no wind (besides on this case I’d be a runner caught at mile 7 of a half marathon crying by the aspect of the street).

Principally, I attempted to run as quick as I felt I may preserve for about 10 miles after which I’d reassess. I assumed it could flatten out round mile 10 and I’d must decelerate anyway. So, I wished to make the most of the downhill whereas it lasted.

Effectively, I felt prefer it lasted till about mile 12!! It was solely in direction of the final mile whenever you run into city (no extra 2 lane street down) and it flattens out in comparison with the beginning. It may be the final 2 miles, however both method – it wasn’t a really abrupt change till the very finish. If you’re working a downhill race and get to a flat a part of the course – it looks like somebody pulled the brake in your physique. It feels onerous to maintain working and really onerous to maintain working on the quick tempo you have been doing downhill. However – I didn’t really feel that till the final mile. And by that point I assumed I’d made such good time I ought to actually attempt to push myself to complete robust.

I nonetheless hadn’t checked out my watch at this level so I didn’t know what my end time may be. And I used to be afraid to examine in case it was disappointing since that might mess with my confidence to complete robust. (Working actually does take a lot psychological power too!)

Anyway. I simply centered on ending robust. I knew that if nothing else I’d be pleased with myself for doing my greatest that day and it could be an excellent image of the place I’m in my working health proper now.

My Revel Large Bear Half Marathon End Time: 1:38:45

I’m proud of this end time. It’s quicker than something I’ve run since I broke my foot (proper earlier than the pandy – which added further obstacles to coming again to working).

And I can run quicker. I do know it as a result of I didn’t prepare my butt off to run a quick half marathon. If I did a half marathon coaching program with speedwork AND had an excellent day on race day – I’d run quicker. You’d too. I’ve to do the work to get quicker, but it surely appears extra potential now. HARD WORK – WORKS.

The perfect a part of this half marathon is that it helped my confidence. A number of weeks after I broke my foot all of the races have been cancelled for a 12 months. So, I didn’t have a comeback race to work in direction of. I didn’t have the accountability or motivation of a race coaching plan with a aim race on the finish. And when in particular person races began coming again I felt so gradual and out of practice it was onerous to think about working in direction of any time aim – at that time I simply wished to complete the gap! Now I do know I can do extra than simply run 13.1 miles. I can do it quicker than earlier than if I do the work. And so are you able to.

After the race I lastly met Heather from @Heatherunz in particular person. She received 2nd place within the half marathon!! Heather was on the Run Eat Repeat podcast some time again and I need to ask her again for an excuse to speak some extra. Then, we frolicked with Kelly from Sparkle Athletic. She was sporting the cutest vacation sparkle skirt and visor! Undoubtedly test it out in case you love a cute working ‘match right here –> Sparkle Athletic.

I additionally met a number of @RunEatRepeat Instagram followers and semi-met a number of as I used to be working and heard the hellos! Like it. Thanks a lot for following an extended and studying. I actually respect it.