Halloween Half Recap

Last October, I had considered running the Halloween Half marathon while in marathon training. After mulling it over a bit, I decided against it because with a 2000 ft drop in elevation over the course of 13.1 miles, most of that being in the first 5 miles (see below), I was just too scared I'd injure myself.  The marathon training was more important.  However, I did get a chance to spectate the race and it looked like SO much fun.  The costumes were hilarious. Everyone just looked like they were having fun. Because, well, they were! 

This year I was determined to run it myself.  I'm not in marathon training at the moment and, let's face it, I really needed something to help me work off all the candy I've been eating.  I trained, I finally decided on a costume and I arrived at the buses on Saturday morning ready to go for it.

I'm a baker!

I rode the bus that morning next to a young mom named Wendy. We talked about our training, our goals for the race that day, our kids, our husbands, etc. We had plenty of time to chat while making our way up the Provo Canyon.  After riding up with her, I was feeling a little better about being at the race on my own. I've gotten so used to racing alongside my husband that being alone at a race pushes me a little out of my comfort zone. Luckily, runners are the nicest people so there was always someone to talk to.  After arriving at the start, I watched the costume contest (the Forrest Gump costume was awesome!), got in a last trip to the portapotty and chatted with a cute bee named Jana and also with Mike, a friendly guy with a Yoda backpack.  

Finally, it was time to start!  I lined up with the 1:55 pacer in hopes of beating my 1:55:29 from the Shamrock Half this past March. I heard the gun and we slowly made our way down to the starting line.  There were 3000 people at this race so it was packed.  After the first mile I realized that I was going to be going a bit faster than I expected. I passed up the 1:55 pace group and then quickly passed the 1:50 pace group.  It looked like a good day for a PR! 

Miles 1-5:  8:53, 7:45, 7:26, 7:31, 8:00

At about mile 5, I could feel a blister forming on my left foot. "Dang!" I was nervous it would slow me down.  I've never had a blister during a race so I wasn't sure what to expect.  I was just praying it wouldn't get too bad.  Luckily, even though I felt it the whole way, it never got bad enough that I had to stop. Phew!

Miles 6-10:  8:55, 9:05, 9:15, 8:36, 8:46

After the first 5 miles, we turned onto the Provo River Parkway Trail, which was beautiful.  There was a part of the trail that was coated with fall leaves. It immediately put a smile on my face. Out of the major downhill, my pace slowed considerably and at mile 8 (my slowest) I walked for a minute in order to get my jacket off from under my apron. That was tricky.

Miles 10-13.1:  9:10, 9:13, ? (forgot to stop the Garmin)

The last couple of miles I was tapped. I remember thinking to myself, "I am definitely leaving it all out on the course today. I hardly have anything left." That was at about mile 11.  From that point on, it was all mental.  I was definitely getting excited to see my husband and boys waiting for me at the finish line. Here's a little video of me in the final stretch. 

I love how my face changes when I see my family. I obviously needed the boost.

FINAL TIME: 1:50:46.6

I did it! I PRed in a baker's cap, apron, and holding a mixing spoon for 13.1 miles! Haha! And not only did I PR but by almost 5 minutes. Awesome! I almost couldn't believe it when I finished.  Of course, the course was supa fast.  All that downhill surely helped my time but I'll take it. I covered the distance so it counts, right?!

Great race, great day, great fun! And happy to be done! Hope everyone's Halloween was as spooktacular as mine!