Rock & Roll Raleigh Half

After going two years without ever getting bumped from a flight i'm sitting in the Raleigh airport having yet again not having a seat on my scheduled plane. I have two hours to kill until the next shot, so why not update this guy.

Going into this week, I pretty much had minimal to no gym time/ running. I was hitting the gym pretty hard in March, but life and work has gotten ahead of me these last few weeks, and not to get into too much detail, point being my last "solid run" was during the Gasparilla half I'm February. 

I didn't have too much of an expectation going into this race for the above reasons, but was really disappointed in myself for yet again not properly training. I would love to see what kind of time I can get if I can only get my act together. This is definitely going to be a priority for the summer, since my next scheduled half is not until Labor Day weekend. 

Anyhow, we had to be parked by 530 this morning because they were closing the streets shortly after. I generally don't do well when I have a lot of free time pre race because my mind gets the best of me. I ended up hanging out in the Marriott lobby about a block or two from the start and kept myself busy with work stuff so it wasn't too bad until about 615 when my stomach decided it wanted to go against me. I tried to shake it by hydrating, but had a feeling in the back of my head that I might pay for it on the course. 

Today marks 5 months since dad passed and the race proceeds benefit cancer research. I wanted to honor his memory and run for him, but as the course started and cancer fighting related signs popped up at the "memory mile" it sort of got the best of me. I spent 9 minutes of mile 5.5 sick. I began to feel it at the start of mile 4, but couldn't shake it. Positive side of it, it happened and I moved on. It made for a negative "official" split in the long run.

The course itself was crazy hilly, which made for some really hard, then really easy sections. I ended up having to walk up a few of the steep guys, but it made for a wonderful down hill fly! I wish I had set my run keeper, because I would have loved to see my per mile times. Overall it was a really scenic course. Raleigh during this time of year is gorgeous  (coming from a Boston gal). I would certainly do it again...and train on hills. :)

I didn't stretch as well as I shouldve so feeling a little tight and sore, but otherwise feel pretty good.

I saw this quote on my run today & think it's definitely worth sharing.

As I was about to finish the race, Drift Away came onto my Pandora. I know dad would think I'm absolutely crazy for doing all these adventures but that was a true indication to know he is here with me.