I ran the New Bedford Half Marathon this weekend.
I have to admit I did not do the training plan that I had intended but I felt as if I had signed up so I had to do it. I also didn’t have the best couple days leading up to the race but that’s neither here or there because I did it and survived!
The Saturday before the race I was skiing all day and up late at a friends 30th birthday party so Sunday morning called for a lot of pre-race energy snacks and nutrition. I ate the Luna Bar and the Vega hydration mixture on my drive to the race, had the Clif gel shot right before the start and snacked on the Shot Bloks through out the entire race. It worked! My energy was strong the entire race.
The race started at 11 AM which was awesome and makes for kind of a normal morning. You don’t have to wake up at the crack of dawn in order to get there. I was able to have a relaxing morning and get some sleep.
The race started promptly at 11 AM everyone was lined up and ready to go! The first 2 miles are pretty flat as you’re working your way out of the city.
At Miles 2 – 4, there are a few hilly rolls with one last big climb as you approach mile marker 4.
Miles 4 – 7 are pretty much all downhill as you weave through the neighborhoods.
Mile 7 – 12 are very flat and beautiful as you run along the water. We were fortunate enough to have an amazing tailwind for miles 7 – 10 but at mile 10 we turned to head back towards the city and hit a serious headwind. And pretty much for the next 3 miles we battled with the wind to the finish.
At mile 12 there is one last climb to the finish. It’s about 100 feet of an elevation change but it’s the end of the race and you’re feeling pretty tired so this was a bit of a struggle. Someone told me before the race that once you see KFC you’re in the homestretch to the finish and she was absolutely right. Once you get to the top of the hill there’s a stretch of a few fast food restaurants and KFC’s right on the corner before you turn right and head downhill for the last 1/4 mile into the finish. I was so excited to see the finish line. I felt strong the whole time but the wind and final hill really hurt me and I was ready to be done.
I ended up running a 1:38:01 which I was siked about. My goal was to get under 1:40. My average pace was 7:29 which was perfect! I tend to run my training runs at 7:45 min/miles so to race at a 7:29 pace meant I was pushing myself.
Overall, I was really happy with my race especially for how little I trained and how unprepared I felt. It was my first time doing a half marathon (although I have done 3 marathons…) and I really liked this distance. I felt like I could really work hard for that amount of time and not have to pace myself so much like I do for marathon. However, when I crossed the finish line I felt just as sore as I do after a marathon. My hamstrings and my hip flexors were super tight and I was exhausted!
Good thing we had clam chowder, fish sandwiches and banana’s to consume for a post-race meal! I ate it ALL…
I was at the race alone so I didn’t hang around too long afterwards. I was sore, tired and felt a bit like a loner so I wanted to get home and on the couch. I relaxed and lounged hte rest of the afternoon. Around 5pm I was starving and way too lazy to cook anything so I hobbled over to Whole Foods hot bar and grabbed some dinner. I brought it home and ate with my medal and bib! 
The New Bedford Half Marathon was a great race and very well organized. I really enjoyed entire experience! It has made me want to sign up for more half marathons races. There is something really fun about race day and the thrill of the competition that you just don’t get on a regular ol’ run!
