Sunday, May 8, 2016

Grandad's Half Marathon Race Recap

This was the 2nd year in a row that I completed
Grandad's Half Marathon in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

Those cute little heads on the bottom left are my chicklets cheering me on! 

This was my first race back after my femoral stress reaction.  I hadn't run more than 10 miles since late February.  In my head, I was going into the race with no expectations.  I was going to just finish and have fun.  To be honest,  I was doubting my ability of my leg to stay quiet.  It's been tremendously better since the injury 7 weeks ago, but it's not been perfect, so my runs have been cautious and few and far between.   I read up on injury recovery rate and symptoms almost daily.  I think I'm out of the woods or any real danger at this point so that is great news. 

Nonetheless, this race was meant to be somewhat of a last wake-up call before I hit the pavement at my first marathon in June. Could I make it?  Will my pace suffer? I've noticed over the last few weeks that I am a bit slower than my pre-injury pace.  That of course, is to be expected.  My cardio was severly limited during my time off.  I made a strong effort to keep up in the gym and work on other areas that were weaker.  But, truly nothing compares to the miles on the road.


It was another absolutely fantastic year for this race.  I love running this race because it's in my hometown and I know exactly where I'm running!  62 degrees at the start with clouds.  Perfect running conditions!  I started out at a great pace with the first two miles completely downhill. This race starts on top of Grandad Bluff and ends at the park along the Mississippi River.  It's truly a great run!  I was able to keep a solid pace at 8:25/mile for the first 5 miles.  I frequently drank and fueled, but at about mile 6, I knew that I was just out of gas.  Maybe it was because I started out fast.  Maybe it was just too much time off.  Maybe I didn't eat enough the night before.  Maybe.  It's ok. I know that not every race is going to rock my socks off.  It stings a bit to not perform my best, but all in all I'm happy with the way this day turned out!

My legs felt so good the entire race!  To tell you the truth, they weren't bothering me at all! What WAS bothering me were the monster blisters that formed on both feet.  Damn new shoes!  I broke out my "marathon shoes" a few weeks ago, and man... I have a blister to show for it.  I don't remember getting blisters when breaking in new shoes.  Does that mean I need to start looking for another brand?

The route at mile 7 runs right in front of my parents home.  I loved being able to see my boys and parents and give them hugs.  My mom immediately was concerned and asked me if I was limping.  I wasn't, but my blisters were starting to bug me a bit and I was just tired.  I shrugged my shoulders gave her a wave and just said "I'm tired."  That's just what it was.  It wasn't my day today. I struggled for my race mojo all the way through.

Mile 8 was my first walking break.  The wind was fierce!  At times, it alsmost felt like I was standing still anyway!  The walk felt good.  At first, I cursed myself for needing that break.  I actually said to myself, 'come on Gina, you're better than this.'  One things for certain.  Running is NOT easy.  Running sucks sometimes and it requires you to pull strength out of yourself that you don't even know you have!

For the next few miles I would run about 3/4 mile and walk about one minute. Just enough to catch my breath and carry on.  Since I know that route well, I knew where the water stops were and what was in store for me at mile 11.  It was at that water stop I told myself that this didn't have to suck, I could enjoy it one way or the other.  I threw my goal of beating my last course time out the window and had a ton of fun the last 2.5 miles! 

At mile 11, the local hockey rink always puts on a grand display.  They haul out a TON of snow and make snowballs to throw at runners.  No, not to hurt runners, but to give them a bit of a cool down.  Instead of just running on by, I jumped up on the snowpile and laid there for a bit while they threw snow on me.  I got several laughs from the crew and fellow runners and it felt great to be silly in that moment. 

Along with the snow, there were also few dancing bananas at that water stop! HA!  Just a few women handing out bananas in banana costumes, so I snapped a picture with them too!  I told myself this was going to be fun, so I made it fun! 


I needed a few more walk breaks before the end of the race but somehow managed a 2:01:18.  I'm happy with that time.  Sure, I absolutely could have been faster.  I was 7 minutes off my 13.1 PR, but I also had a very memorable race to boot!  

Take a look at this race medal.  Isn't it sweet? 



There are two blue bridges crossing the river coming into La Crosse and this medal is made after that landmark.  You can see the bridges in my photo below.  I tried several pictures because I got a jumping photos that I thought was cute!  I know we've all been there. Trying to get that perfect race photo.  I like this one, so I went with it.  I can't believe my legs let me leap! 

This race is amazing!  I think it's going to have to be my yearly tradition! 

Another great addition to this race is that my children get to come as well!  I want to make them proud and I just love seeing them at the finish line!  There faces brighten my day! 

It's been a while, so I'm linking up with Holly and Tricia for their Weekly Wrap!  Happy to be back!


24 comments:

  1. It's great to see you back, Gina! Nothing does compare to that time on your feet (sadly I know all too well!). But, I think you will return to your desired pace very quickly from staying active while you were injured. It's awesome your boys were there for your race! That makes it so much more special. I haven't had a blister since I started using Trail Toes. I coat the bottom of my feet with it. Thanks for linking with us! PS. I have the same shoes! Happy Mother''s Day too!

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    1. Happy to be back! Those silly shoes. I have NEVER had a problem with my waves until now. :(

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  2. This looks like such a fun race! Glad you got to do it, even though it wasn't how you wanted it to be. It's all about putting in the miles, which you did. I think you'll be fine for Grandma's. Remember, it's about finish lines, not finish times.

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    1. So true. The finish line is in site - I will work on my brain not being so focused on the number. It's going to be such an amazing experience.

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  3. So happy your leg is being quiet! What a fun race :) Grandmas is almost here!!

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    1. SO CLOSE! Only 5 more long runs to go. Are you doing Grandmas?

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  4. OMG that snow is so funny ! how much fun to lie in that when it is 60s out.
    Running in your home town / state is so much fun, I agree.

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    1. I think I surprised the volunteers when I went and climbed on top and laid in the pile. They were throwing snowballs at me and laughing the whole time!

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  5. Glad to hear your leg didn't bother you during the race! even though it wasn't quite the race you wanted, you still had FUN and managed to get in an ice bath and have your kiddos meet you at the line! cant beat that!
    hang in there with your training for your upcoming marathon-hope your blisters heal up asap!!!!

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    1. Thanks! I'm going to try lotion on my feet before my socks or some cream and see if that helps to keep the blisters at bay.

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  6. Definitely humbling for sure, but my body was screaming WALK! JUST TAKE A BREATH I started out a bit too quick for my first race after injury that's for sure :)

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  7. I've heard of the Grandma's marathon but never the grandad half. That's great that it local and you were familiar with the course! Congrats!

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    1. Grandad is in La Crosse - it's been going on maybe 10 years. It's definitely one to check out if you're close to Wisconsin.

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  8. IS this in LaCrosse WI? I grew up in a tiny little Iowa town in the NE corner, and we used to go to LaCrosse for shopping. I think your finish time is excellent considering you're recovering from injury! And you did some walking and pausing for pics, etc. (?), we ALL should be so lucky ;-)

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    1. Sure is! I grew up in La Crosse! I was surprised at my finish time too. Just couldn't keep up my pace from the start. Had a ton of fun though.

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  9. Congrats and great job on your race post injury! Sorry to hear about your blisters though. That's cool you can lay in the snow like that, so nice on a warm day! Love the pic.

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    1. Thanks! My blister is on the mend, but I'm starting to wonder if they'll flare up during grandmas???

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  10. Congratulations and way to push through! I LOVE that picture of you on the pile of snow. What an ingenious idea to have snow to cool off the runners! That medal is to die for, too!

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    1. They throw snowballs at us too, which is super fun!

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    2. I LOVE the medals - they have the two bridges over the Mississippi in them so they are super cool!

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  11. Your boys are such cuties! Awesome race - it looks like so much fun. Especially jumping into the snow from the hockey rink :) Great work pushing through!
    Amy @ http://www.livinglifetruth.com/

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    1. Awwe thanks! This is my favorite half. Well organized and lots of fun on the course for sure!

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  12. Congrats! Sounds like a great race and its awesome that it runs by your parents house! Love the pic with the pile of snow!:)

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  13. You can't complain much your kids were there cheering you on. You had a good race, finished! And snow! Oh wow that is awesome! How very cool, pun intended :)
    I love the medal. Thank you for linking up with us!!

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