Tuesday, March 19, 2013

New Bedford Half Marathon

Well no pr to proclaim...but a lot of pride in myself...a lot of reminding myself of where I have been and where I have yet to go!!  This St. Paddy's Day instead of hitting the streets in Southie, I hit the streets in New Bedford for my 4th running of New Bedford Half Marathon.  I wasn't sure how the weather would be (yes I watched the weather reports but you know this is New England and a lot of the course is along the water which equals cold wind) so I set out my clothes and hoped I would be warm enough!
Under Armour capris
Reebok Skirt
Old Navy vest
Target socks
Active Band headband (ending up wearing my Bondi Band Ponytail hat)
The day started off pretty normal and continued that way since this race didn't start until 11am!  You know how I feel about late starts...no good!  I would rather get up and get it done like I am with my long runs.  Waiting around really just made me more and more nervous.  I have run many half marathons (this was my 20th!!!) and I have run this particular race now 4 times but for whatever reason I ALWAYS get over-the-top nervous for this one.  Maybe it's the hills (I'll get into that later) or maybe it is just that the race means more the more you put into it!  Either way I was up with the ladies and spent the morning with them trying to keep my mind off the race ahead!  Before I knew it it was time to suit up and head out the door to meet up with Jill in New Bedford.
We also ran this for Jill's St Patrick's Day Virtual

After getting our numbers and finding a warm spot to stand we waited around a bit before the start.  Quickly it was time to head to the start and go!  There were about 3000 runners and the starting line quickly filled with people trying to stay warm!  Before I knew it we were counting down to the start and off we went!

Now while I normally would take off like a dart at the start, this race was all about covering the distance and not stopping...ever!  The first 3 miles went smoothly but I still had the thought of those first 3...yes 3 all at once...hills.  I remember turning to Jill and saying "Here we go!"  I pushed...and pushed up those hills.  I fought back the thoughts of stopping and I made it to the top of the last hill knowing the course was evening off. 

I have to say miles 4-10 really went so quickly!  I'm so thankful to have had Jill there with me!  She was with me on my first race back after having Emma and she was LITERALLY pulling me faster over the finish line for this race back!  There is just something I miss so much about running with my BRF...like the miles and time can just fly by in a blink while we catch up on life and laugh with each other!  Our favorite sign was by far the one that said, "Smile if you peed a little on that last hill"!  With this being my first big race back after having a baby 5 months ago I LOVED this! 

Miles 10-13 were tough...mentally and physically mostly mile 12.  We ran along the water for miles 10-11 and the wind was blowing right in our face...like the make my eyes water wind.  I just kept my head down, turned on my music in one ear, and jammed out to the Harlem Shake until I saw it...my arch nemesis...the big, giant, stupid hill at mile 12 (one day you will be mine hill!!!).  I put my head down and just plowed on smiling at Jill from time to time to let her know I was still trucking!  I knew reaching the top meant a quick downhill to the finish (yes that hill IS that long).  We hit the downhill and I let my legs go...rounding the corner I knew I had done it!  I did it...I blew past my limits and smiled the whole way!!  Jill grabbed my hand and pulled me even faster over the finish line!!
2:14:34
Not my fastest time here (1:52:12) but not my slowest here (2:34:05).  I met two of my goals....I didn't stop and I was under 2:30.  Next race I'm shattering that time....totally shattering it!!!  I'm getting it back and I'm hungry for speed!  Thank you so much for your support here and on Facebook and Instagram! It means so much!!!

29 comments:

  1. WTG Nancy! How fun that you got to run with Jill. You look so happy :)

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  2. Nice job! I bet that did feel great! hills are no joke especially in a longer race like that.

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  3. Great job Nancy! Those hills at the end of a race are the worst. Way to put your head down and plow up it ;)

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  4. Great job!! New Bedford is an awesome half to run.. , I'm bummed I missed it this year.

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  5. Congrats! And why on earth do they put hills at mile 12?? There's one race here that is like that. It's a cruel joke isn't it?

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  6. Way to go Nancy! Those hills are no joke. So bummed I missed running NB this year. Hopefully I'll see you in Newport :)

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  7. I'm really happy for you! So glad you were able to get out and race again and do it well! Congrats--you are off and rolling for 2013!

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  8. Woohoo, way to go Nancy! You are so speedy!

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  9. Great job! What a good way to return to your racing career! That wind really takes it out of me, especially the eye watering kind! Way to tackle mile 12!

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  10. So happy for you!!! What a great accomplishment and a perfect way to jumpstart your running/racing post-baby. You're my hero :)

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  11. Way to go! Now, to go find you on instagram....

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  12. Way to go Nancy! So awesome! I can't believe you ran that only 5 months after giving birth:0

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  13. It's hard for me to believe you have done 20 half marathons! That's amazing!!! Way to get after it. Congrats on the finish :) Love that SMILE!

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  14. Great job!!!!! 20 half marathons is awesome and blowing your goal away at this one makes it even better. Congrats.

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  15. I don't think i've ever caught myself saying "miles 4-10 went by quickly" haha but glad that you had someone to run with. You'll totally shatter your next half time.

    You asked about Maine (Race the Runways- Apr 6) and New Hampshire- (Great Bay 1/2 - Apr 7)

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  16. Congrats on a great race! (And you look super cute!!!!)

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  17. Awesome. Funny how we always want to dart off in the beginning. Way to reel it in. You think we would learn by now...

    outfit looks great and shiny new medal? Rock star. Great way to spend the weekend.

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  18. Awesome job girl! I would have peed my pants laughing at the pee sign. :)

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  19. Fantastic job, Nancy!! So glad you had Jill to jun with. That wind and cold sounds rough. Congrats on such a strong race post-baby!!

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  20. Great racing! 20 half marathons is quite the accomplishment! That is a seriously awesome time so soon after having a baby!

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  21. Great job! You are my hero, I can't run that 20 months post-baby. Here's hoping I can for Zooma!

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  22. Excellent race under tough conditions Nancy! Congrats!

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  23. Great job!!! I can't believe how fast you are already!!

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  24. I liked reading your experience of the race - The early hills, the wind, the giant hill at the end. I hear ya on all that! It was my first NB half. Great spectators...and Kleenex at the finish! Keep up the good work. You'll be speedier in no time.

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