Race Report: Run for RBG

You'd think if you just launched a running blog you'd be incredible excited to document the half marathon you ran a few days later.

🤷‍♀️

I guess not.

It's been 10+ days and I've finally recovered enough to document my Halloween run that I did in honor of Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Here we go!

Race Name: Run for RBG (a"race" I made up, and my mom made the swag for)

Date: 10/31/2020

Distance: 13.1 miles

Goal: Literally just finish.

Time: 3:15:18 moving time

Pre Pre-Race Vibes (AKA "Why the random half?"):

I'd been training for the Walt Disney World Marathon in January 2021, knowing it probably wouldn't happen (and if it did, I probably wouldn't feel safe running it). But I figured it would give my running a purpose. My training scheduled lined up so that I'd be running a half marathon Halloween weekend. When the Marathon officially went virtual, I decided that I'd train to the 13.1 mile point and then shift into maintenance.

I'd say I did about 65% of my training. I only missed a 7 mile long run, but I wasn't as committed to the shorter runs during the week. I felt confident about finishing, but knew I'd be miserable for a lot of the run. Luckily, I have very little ego when it comes to running, so as long as I did the 13.1, I'd be content.

Pre-Race Vibes:

Wasn't feeling awesome. I knew I'd be able to finish, I figured it would be ugly. All day I kept delaying my start.

"Oh, it's pretty cold, I'll wait for it to warm up so I don't have to wear too many layers"

"Oh, I better let that bagel digest"

"Oh, my RBG mask might be coming in the mail today, I better see if it comes"

"Oh, my mask didn't come, I guess I'll have to go down the street and buy one"

"Oh, I better washed this shrink wrapped mask before I wear it"

"Oh, I better take a dozen selfies with my dog and I twinning 👯‍♀️"

Finally out of excuses I headed to the park where I engaged in many more selfies and an extra long stretch session.

(BTW, I could NOT get a selfie that didn't look haggard while wearing this mask! I think the contrast made it difficult for the camera to focus...or I guess...soft focus. Oh well, thank you sunglasses!)

First 4 Miles:

The part of my "race" was a breeze.

My game plan was to run my normal 5K route, then swing home for a water break and pick up my Flip Belt (filled with more water and Gu). Then I planned to do out and back for the final 10 miles.

I opted not to check my watch for that first part, I just wanted to run what was comfortable.

As I was running, one of the piers I normally go down was extra crowded, so I made what I thought small deviation to my route. When I got home for my water break, I checked my watch turns outs I had already done 4.1 miles. SCORE!

I chugged some water, opted to change my shoes (this particular newish pair, despite being the same model as all my other pairs, has never felt comfortable), and took some mid-run selfies (once again) with the dog.

Miles 4-8:

The next third of my miles felt surprisingly okay. I hadn't gone over the 10K mark too many times in my training so while they weren't as easy as the first four, I was shocked at how good I felt. Honestly, pretty boring.

Mile 9:

Stopped to take my lone, outdoor, in-run selfie in honor of RBG.

Miles 9-12.6:

This is where things were tough (what, Melissa?? It's hard to run after you've already run 9 miles? Please give us more of your expert analysis!). Pretty much wanted to give up, but part of the reason I'd done out and back was that I knew I'd have to get home somehow and jumping in a Lyft in the middle of a pandemic is not my idea of a good time.

I definitely started walking a bit at this point. I'd say I did about 2/3 of a mile walking over this part of the run. My feet were killing me.

Miles 12.7-13.1:

Finish strong, I did not. Out and back had me knowing that I was on-pace to hit 13.1 basically at my doorstep, so the last bit of my journey was through town. Meaning LOTS of red lights. I ended up walking this last little bit because stopping and starting was too exhausting.

Whatever, I don't care. I went 13.1 miles for fun. I can do what I want. I did muster up the strength for a "finish line" selfie.

Post-Race:

Between this race and the Election, I think my post-race lethargy lasted about 10 days? The physical and mental fatigue of running a distance I wasn't super prepped for and then dealing with a dramatic election (plus one of our busiest weeks of the year at work!)...yikes. I've been really worn down, mentally foggy and seemingly unable to catch up on sleep.

But let's shift back to "race day." Immediately after I had to unwrap the medal my mom made for me. I didn't want to look until after the race so I had something to look forward to.

It was perfect.

I spent the rest of the evening stuffing my face with food and laying on the couch. Theodore was kind enough to recreate this recovery period.

If I'm being honest, this was the most awful I've ever felt post-run. I woke up many, MANY times throughout the night feeling ever muscle in my body aching.

I think part of the issue was that most of my long races have been followed by something that kept me moving...5 of my 8 13.1+ mile races have been followed by time at Disney. Two have required me to take a subway back home (or in one case to work 🥴). I guess next time I run a half marathon distance, I'll have to avoid "global pandemic" so I can actually do something outside the home later.

Overall, pleased that I did it. And hoping (but not hopeful) that I'll get motivation to stay in half distance shape.