Sometimes you feel like you’ve been sprinkled with pixie dust as you fly through magical mile after mile. Sometimes it is a real struggle out there and you wonder what on earth is going on!
Unfortunately Sunday’s Calgary Half Marathon fell into the struggle category.
Pre-Race Rambles
The race started at 6:30 am, which compared to runDisney races felt like an opportunity to sleep in! I was up at 4:00 because I wanted to make sure I’d have enough time to get ready and get to the race start. I ate a peanut butter and jam sandwich on the drive over to the race. Neil found parking near the Stampede grounds quite easily and we made our way over to the start where I had plenty of time to hit the bathrooms, exchange my race shirt and say hi to a few friends.
Neil wished me luck and headed off to grab his bike from the car so he could spectate out on the course.
I hit the porta potties one last time, took a gel 15 minutes before the start, then made my way into the corral near the 4:00 marathon pace bunny.
After the singing of Oh Canada it was time to go! I was nervous, but I felt ready!
Calgary Half Marathon Race Report
As we took off out of the Stampede grounds and towards Inglewood I felt awesome. My legs were moving well and I clocked the first mile in at 9:17…slightly faster than my goal pace. I knew there would be a slight uphill coming between miles 2 and 3.5 so I anticipated that I’d slow down a bit to not overdo things on the hill. Somewhere around mile 2 I felt something hit my leg. I looked down and saw my beloved Caramel Macchiato GU hit my shoe and then the ground. There was no way I’d be able to grab it without causing some kind of a disaster in the crowd so I let it go and said a small thank you that I thought to bring a spare gel.
As the course ran down through Bridgeland and into East Village I had anticipated that my legs would come around and I’d be able to start clocking miles around my goal pace. Instead my legs felt really tired. I took a short walk break, counting to ten, in the hopes that a small break would allow a bit of a reset and I could go on from there. In my head I kept repeating over and over “You are strong.” It helped for a bit and I was running a bit faster.
Just before the 9K mark I walked to take my first gel, drink some Gatorade and then that was it. As we turned to run along 17th Avenue my legs were toast and I just couldn’t bring them back around. When I saw Neil cheering on the side of the road a few kilometres later I stopped, gave him a hug and told him it just wasn’t my day.
From there on out it was a struggle. My legs were tired and not turning over. I got a cramp in my belly and later my lower back started to ache. This was not fun, effortless running. I told myself that this was good training for the Calgary 70.3 so that I know I can keep moving forward in a half marathon when my legs are so tired. I was able to see Neil a lot along the race course as he rode his bike from spot to spot to cheer and I was so grateful to see him out there. He always had a huge smile on his face for me!
I crossed the finish line in 2:19:40…well off my time from Tinker Bell and nowhere near where I needed to be for a PR. This was the race I had in me today though so it is what it is. Was it because I was sick for two weeks after Tink? Would I have had a better race if I would have stuck to my usual 9:1 run/walk intervals? Who knows? I’m sad I wasn’t able to run better but I’m not disappointed. There will be another opportunity for a PR.
After the race Neil and I took a slow walk down 17th Avenue to grab breakfast at Corbeaux Bakehouse.
Coffee and French toast…a perfect post-half marathon meal.
Have you had a race where it just wasn’t your day? How did you deal with it?
I’m linking up with Tara from Running ‘N’ Reading for her Weekend Update Link Up.
I’m sorry it wasn’t your day! I had a really disappointing day as well. It was the first time I’ve struggled to the point of almost having to quit. I just kept repeating “you can do
hard things!”
I guess it’s just good character building for both of us.
It was wonderful to see you though!! I’m sorry I missed seeing you after the race!
Kaella On The Run recently posted…Thinking Out Loud #19
Kaella, I’m so sorry you had a rough day and thought about pulling out. From talking with friends it sounds like a lot of folks I know had really tough days. I’m not sure if it was the weather or what happened to us! There are a lot of things to learn from the races that don’t go well.
On another note, it was so lovely to finally meet you! I hope you had a great weekend and hopefully our paths will cross again soon!
Runner Leana recently posted…Calgary Half Marathon: Goals
Sorry about your race, it sucks especially when you were really gunning for a PR. But you just never know the days your body will cooperate or not.
Love that picture you took with the Calgary tower in the background! Totally should have thought of that.
Jen recently posted…Calgary Marathon Weekend Recap
Thanks Jen. It was sad that it wasn’t my day, but I do know I’m strong and capable of racing a PR soon.
I know Neil spotted you on the course a few times and I saw you at the out and back along Memorial. You looked great! I hope you had a great day out there!
Runner Leana recently posted…Calgary Half Marathon: Goals
yeah I saw Neil, right when i was struggling hard with a cramp. I didn’t see you on the out & back. Missed you!
Jen recently posted…Calgary Marathon Weekend Recap
It didn’t seem like it was ANYONE’S day yesterday (at least in our AB bloggers group). When it comes to running (and life, actually) you can try to prepare yourself to the best of your ability but you never know what’s going to happen until you’re actually IN it.
French toast is an awesome pre-race breakfast. I had crepes at Suzette’s – SO GOOD
Jo recently posted…Calgary Half Marathon Recap!
I have heard amazing things about Suzette’s! I’m sorry you had a rough time this weekend too. We still ran a half marathon though and that is pretty awesome even if it wasn’t quite what we hoped!
Runner Leana recently posted…National Running Day
Awe, I’m sorry you didn’t have a great race but in that heat, I think finishing the race was an accomplishment in itself. No matter what time goals you had in your head, I think you rocked it! I have have that feeling before, where my legs just don’t want to run faster and there is nothing in my power I can do about it, it’s a great learning experience and it makes me think the next race just HAS to be better than that! 🙂
Kris recently posted…Marathon Monday: Calgary 10K Race Recap.
Thanks Kris, I appreciate your kind words. I agree, I do think it was a good learning experience and that good race karma is awaiting me!!
So many people had rough days yesterday. It’s crazy. I guess that means we’re going to be smashing successes at our next races!
Yes, here is hoping we will both be smashing successes indeed!!
Runner Leana recently posted…National Running Day
Although you didn’t PR it sounds like you worked hard to complete the race. That’s an accomplishment in itself. It looks like it was a busy course.
Fiona recently posted…June 2015 Goals
Thanks Fiona, I appreciate your comment! It was definitely fairly busy for the first part of the race. Once the marathon split off from the half it was a bit better, but definitely still lots of runners out there!
Runner Leana recently posted…National Running Day
Sorry to hear that your race didn’t go as planned yesterday 🙁 You will come back stronger for your next race 🙂
Thanks Leigh, I appreciate your comment!!
Runner Leana recently posted…National Running Day
Not your day…and you still ran a 2:19. That is pretty awesome. I trained all winter for a 4:15 marathon and then on race day ended with a non-PR of 4:31. Disappointing because I know I can run a 4:15. Just like you know you can run a 2:05 or faster (sub 2 on a great day?!). You can either run long or run fast. A few times a year you can do both at once – you will have your day!
Thanks for your comment Andrea and to help put things in perspective! I’m sorry you didn’t get your PR either on your marathon attempt!
Runner Leana recently posted…National Running Day
Hey kiddo, sorry it wasn’t your day. Been there. I agree you got it done & it’s good training. Bad races happen. Next!
Crystal recently posted…Exploring: Dry Island Buffalo Jump
Thanks Crystal, I appreciate your comment! Now on to the next adventure!
Runner Leana recently posted…National Running Day
You finished another half that’s awesome! Love the look of the medal! Unfortunate that it wasn’t your day.Iam sure you have already moved forward and setting your next goal. Cheers!
Thanks for your comment Tanya, I really appreciate it! Yes, the medals for Calgary this year are really neat an unique. I hope you are doing well and I owe you an e-mail with my thoughts on the Garmin!
Runner Leana recently posted…Thinking Out Loud 06.04.2015
Leana, I hate to hear that you struggled through this race but I’m also delighted that you managed to stick it out and have a great attitude about it all! I ran a race while sick last year; I didn’t really know that I was sick yet, but I definitely was. The first 5-6 miles were okay, and then it all fell apart; I really wasn’t sure whether I’d be able to make it to the finish. There are just some days that don’t work out…but there’s always another race! Great recap and thanks so much for participating in the link up!
Tara recently posted…National Running Day 2015!