Wisconsin Half Marathon Race Report 2013
Fifth year in a row running the Wisconsin Half Marathon!
And five very different races. In 2009…
Ha ha ha. Just kidding. I won’t talk about the 2009-2012 races. That would be a snoozefest. We’ll get right to the point.
You all knew that I came really close to a PR at the SLC half marathon, and decided I would go for a PR at Wisconsin. I prepared by asking my friend Ed to be my pacer… then spending the two weeks in between races eating all the foods and barely running.
Surprisingly, after that awesome two-week prep, and eating oreos, pancakes and a dinner of burger and fries the day before, the race was not as easy as I hoped. WHAT?! Ha ha ha.
Ed is an awesome pacer. We were on pace for maybe the first 7-8 miles? Then I started to slow down. He really pushed and encouraged me, and tried to keep the pace up, but… I was not going as fast as I felt like I was. It’s kind of funny. I knew I wasn’t on pace for the last two miles but I thought I was going a bit faster than I was. I was surprised when I saw how much I slowed down on my watch! Ha!
But! That is the nice part about having a pacer – I don’t have to look at my watch. Ever (except over and over in the end when you just want the damn race to end).
So, how did I do? 1:51:15 – a two minute 51 second PR. Decent! I know I wouldn’t have run that pace without Ed, so I am very thankful he paced me!
But damn. I do not prefer running for pace in races, unless the pace is super easy because I am not overweight and have actually trained for it properly. Which would have been me if I ran this race two months ago. Moving on…
HOLY CRAP a lot of people I know ran this race. My brother-in-law came from Kansas City to run it. Originally, we were going to run together, as we did in 2012. But after I was so close to a PR at SLC I told him he was running on his own. Ha ha ha. Guys. I am not that mean. We had talked about it a lot. He didn’t feel like he training was up to par and he ended up being sick for the race! But he still did it and kicked butt!
Who else was there?
My bestie, Erin, who was a two-day race volunteer, and came to see me at the finish!
Chicagoland bloggers – Bobbi, Erin, Lauren, Kayla (and not pictured: Emily):
I was so busy that I missed the meetup with the Chicagoland bloggers that I set up for that morning. Nice. I also missed seeing a few Chicagoland bloggers (not listed above).
A crap ton of people from my multisport club
and running club, but yeah… not in that picture. Although! I did see my girl, Emily finish a really tough marathon!
(picture not from the marathon, but I like this picture of us)
Rachel was there!!! And may or may have not kicked some serious arse…
And….
and…
the Kims!!!
Kim and Kimberly! They roadtripped it out to Wisconsin and stayed at Bobbi’s Friday and Saturday night. I was bummed I couldn’t stay there too (guess that would have been kind of rude with my in-laws visiting?). But we did all hang out after the race to see our marathoning friends finish, then we hit up Red Robin (two days in a row for me) and hung out at Bobbi’s for a bit! It was so nice just to be hanging out with friends after the race, not worrying about posting my finishing time on Facebook (or congratulating everyone on theirs) immediately… just being in the moment. That is mostly what inspired yesterday’s post.
Anyways. Another Wisconsin Half Marathon in the books. Despite the “hills” getting larger on the years I am trying to run fast, I will be back next year! I really love this half marathon!
Other random thoughts:
- I was dissapointed in the lack of Star Wars signs/costumes. I saw two Boba Fett signs. TWO!
- I thought about pinning by bib to my shorts and wish I would have. I was too hot at mile 1 and wanted to run shirtless. Also, I should have worn a visor – the top of my head was too hot with a hat on.
- I was disappointed it was not overcast and raining (as it had been forecasted). Sunny and low 50s is too hot for me.
- Ed wanted to start in the cheese corral (the very front of the race), where you wear something “cheesy” to get in, so I wore a cheesestick around my neck. I took it off when we started and carried it for 11 miles. It was a nice distraction. I should have held on to it until the end!
- Speaking of starting up front, it was actually nice to be getting passed and not passing people. We were able to stay to the side and run the tangents. I think the cheese corral is not that great of an idea for such a small race, but it really helped me save energy not to weave so much in the beginning.
- There are so many funny things Ed said to me that I won’t type out here… but I will be laughing about them in my head for a long time. He really is a great pacer!
- I love seeing people in the out and backs at this race. It was such a good distraction to scan for familiar faces, even if I couldn’t remember their names until after they passed (due to running brain).
- I usually try to smile during races but I was running so hard (for me) at this one that I didn’t much. I am curious to see what the official pics look like!
- A huge thanks to Steven for spectating and taking such great photos!
You can tell how much fun Steven and his dad had by the looks on their faces.
Themocracy
Yay, been waiting for this recap! Congratulations on the PR – that’s a good one even if it wasn’t quite what you hoped. You are so down on yourself sometimes – I think you did awesome! And as much as now that I know it’s there I see in your posts that your weight bothers you, you look forgeous and athletic to this unbiased bystander. So NYAH!
And congratulations on 5 years in a row – that is an awesome streak!
Hmm. I meant gorgeous, but we’ll say “forgeous” is short hand for effing gorgeous. Kay? Kay.
Thank you!
Ahh, and please don’t think I am down on myself! I am proud of this PR, but it would have been easier had I not gained 15 pounds in the last month. Yes. I am not joking. 😉 But I don’t care about how I look. I just wish I would keep the weight off so running was easier.
Loved this race recap! I must also say that I LOVE your tank for the “May the 4th” race. 🙂 Congrats on a PR speedy lady! I love when I get a PR even if I didn’t have the greatest of races. That is just more motivation that I can get an even better PR next time! 🙂
Thank you! 🙂
Oh yeah, you totally have that PR in you if the race is not hotter than balls! 🙂
I am so happy for you! What a strong race! (although I am RIGHT THERE with you on NOT wanting to run races for time anymore…me so lazy…) AND so happy we all got to spend the afternoon hanging out. What a great day!
Yeah for a PR, and I am also right there with you about not racing for time. I hate feeling like I am dying, but still not going fast enough. Also, you made me laugh out loud when I pictured you running with a cheese stick in your hand. It must have been so nasty after 11 miles!
Yeah, I gave the cheesestick to Ed to hold while I redid my hair and he was like “this is so gross… but hold on to it if it’s helping you out.” ha ha
Congrats on the PR! Sounds like you had a great time!
You would have broken 1:50 if you had been shirtless. Just sayin’. I think you did awesome and, not just because it’s nice, but you rock and continue to inspire me. You boosted me when I felt like crap and your “not running” is more than I do. I am so impressed by your ability to take a PR for what it is and not be a big baby (like someone I know). May the fourth be with you 😉
I should have gone shirtless. Le sigh. Hee hee.
Aww, thanks! I hope you are proud of how hard you worked! I still need to read your recap! AHHH!!!!!
Great job!! You look tough in the photos! Way to hang!
Woowoo!!! You fantastic runner, you!
Congrats on the PR!! I feel ya though, anything over 45 degrees and sunny is too warm for me to be racing unless I’ve trained in similar conditions (i.e. not winter weather). Regardless you did fabulous!
Congrats! I had some serious race envy Saturday when everyone was racing and I wasn’t! I ran this one last year and would love to do it again. Next year I am there. Because I am currently obsessed with shorts… what kind were you wearing?
Thank you! I am already looking forward to seeing you there next year. Tee hee. 🙂
Those are Xersion (JCP brand) “biking” shorts (no padding, not sure why they are called that). I like that they have a band on the bottom so they don’t ride up! Here is a link: http://tinyurl.com/cu2dgmw
How funny! I just bought those same shorts last night. They didn’t have any of the plain black shorts left so I got the ones with the bright pink in them.
They had plain black in 2011, green stripes in 2012, and now the pink and orange. I wanted to buy more black, since my 2011 ones are all stinky! Hee hee! I have the green ones from last year too.
Congrats on a PR! I hope Steven and his dad did not complain about you guys taking forever this year, but by the looks on their face I have a feeling they did lol.
Thank you! Ha! No complaints to me, verbally. However, I tried to get them out of there asap this year, while I waited to watch friends finish 🙂
We should run together again soon! 🙂
Congrats on the PR!! Awesome! I still find it funny that you ran with the cheese stick for 11 miles. Glad you were able to enjoy the rest of the day!! It was GREAT seeing you!!!
Thanks! It was great seeing you too! 🙂
I absolutely love running in a race with someone- which is weird because I always train alone! What I hate about running with someone, is how bad I feel if I have to slow down or stop, which is what makes having a pacer nice. I have been paced twice and it was a good experience both times!
Congrats again on the PR! Wasn’t it fun to hang out afterward and watch and cheer?
It was! I was happy I was able to do that! And thanks for the apple. I was SOOOOOO hungry! 🙂
Congrats on an awesome pr!!! I love that there is a cheese corral. And that as a vegan you ran 11 miles clutching a stick of cheese.
Thanks!
I wondered if anyone would comment on how odd that was 😉
LOVE that pic of us! Lol. Too funny 😀 So glad you got your pr and very thankful that you waited to see me finish 🙂 Every time I was struggling, I thought about the key you had given me that I carried in my water bottle pocket. You truly helped me believe in myself and believe that I could do it 🙂 So proud of you for completely rocking it!!!
HA HA HA. Isn’t that pic the best?! We must make a goal to take lots of goofy pictures this year!
Thank you! And I am so happy the key helped 🙂 I know you got the marathon. You’re marathoner material 😉 LOLz 😉
CONGRATULATIONS!!! I was like when are all these beYotches who ran Wisconsin going to write their reports!!!! LOL j/k I’m so jealous.
Steven and his Dad look like they are ready for winter. snort.
Ha ha ha! So sorry you couldn’t be there!!!!
I told them to dress warm because last year they complained about how cold they were. LOL.
That’s still a pretty awesome PR! Congratulations on getting through it!
Woohoo!! You did freakin amazing!!! Congrats! My sister lives in WI, so I totally plan on running that race next year!
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Woo-hoo! Congrats on the big PR! At least I think that it is a big PR. Nicely done, even if it felt a little crappy.
I like repeating races – there is something interesting about comparing the experience from year to year.
Way to go girl! That is a fantastic time and you don’t even look tired! Love that lineup of the medals…and the photo of your brother-in-law is priceless! I’d love to run (or volunteer) at this race as long as I could get a guarantee from Mother Nature that there would be no snow or rain HA!
Valerie
http://www.the-style-files.com
The fourth was definitely with you! Congrats on the PR! Still bummed I couldn’t stay and hangout after.
Congrats on the PR, especially since you had to deal with the heat. Yes, it would have been great if it had been cooler and raining! Seems like a huge running blogger event for some reason. I may have to take the North Line up there!
Woo, PR! Congrats! I’m so glad the race went well for you and that you had a great time. I need to find a good pacer like Ed when I’m finally back in PR shape. Also, LOL’d at the “eating all the foods” comment (and throughout the post, really)…love it.
Congrats on your PR!! PRs are always impressive, but I think they’re even more impressive when done under less-than-ideal circumstances. Way to go! I also think it’s great when people streak races, so congrats on your five year anniversary!
Thanks! I am wondering how many other streakers there are! 🙂
Congrats on your PR!
Great job Kim, you ran it strong and hung in there the whole time. I think dropping the cheese stick threw the aerodynamics off and took us off pace.
UGH! You are totally right!!! What was I thinking? Or maybe when I passed it to you it lost its powers? Hmm…
Redemption run after Milwaukee? Hee hee hee.
Congrats on your PR, that’s pretty significant! I like the idea of the cheese coral just because I love cheese, but didn’t pick up on it being weird for a vegan to run with cheese until Sara pointed it out. Next year bring some fake cheese with you 🙂
Ha, that picture of your BIL is a perfect race shot! Geez, and way to power through a half while sick. I don’t think I could do it.
IKR?! I felt very guilty to be running with real cheese. Bad race juju!
Ha ha ha. I had to post the worst pic of him to put on here. I wonder if he’ll ever see this post. He used to blog and everything! Not so much anymore.
Really? He should start up again! Why are there so few dude bloggers?
He should! And I don’t know. I think it’s odd!
Congrats on the PR – that’s awesome! Way to hang in there until the end! It sounds like a fun race 🙂
Nice job on the PR! My sister was at the race cheering =) I hope she cheered for you!
Aww cool! I wonder if she did! Who was she cheering on?
CONGRATULATIONS on the PR!!! SO HAPPY FOR YOU!!! Love all of your pictures, as usual, especially the one of the Kims. =) This really is such a great race and next year we’ll have another great time!!!
A cheese stick, eh? Would have loved to see pictures of that, too! Lauren and Sierra and I met a woman who was wearing a cheese-themed tie just to get into the cheese corral and planned on discarding as soon as she crossed the starting line. =)
If you look closely at the first pic you can see me holding the cheesestick! And you can see me wearing it on the pic from yesterday’s post. Ha ha. It’s in a lot of pics 🙂 So silly. 🙂
Thanks! We have to come back next year! Well, I have to keep the steak going 🙂
Congrats on the PR! It was good to see you – even if only for a brief time! What’s your half marathon schedule for later in the year — I feel that I’m going to be working on my half PR during the 2nd half of the year!
Thank you! Congrats to you too!
I have nothing on my calendar for the second half of the year. Trying to keep it open so I have some time for me and my family 🙂 What race are you looking at?
So awesome your hubby is a great supporter. Awesome pics and great job girl
Thanks!
I always appreciate it when Steven comes to a race 🙂 It would be a total pain in the ass for him to have to come to them all though, lol!
Awesome job! YOu are super speedy!
First off- Congrats on the PR because life is all about PRs and you are PRing at life lately! CB is also proud. The cheese corral at the front seems like a terrible idea. I would hate to pass people if i started back further. Seems like you ran a good race considering all the oreos, burgers and fries hehe. I like the idea of running the same race each year. The most ive gotten to is 3 years in a row so far…. Steven, his bro and Dad all look so much alike! So, since 50’s were too hot for you, then this week should be perfect? I am so excited to run with you!!!
YES! That is exactly why this weekend will be perfect. I am such a cold weather runner, it is scary 🙂 I am excited to run together too! Our first time!!!
People think Steven and his bro are the same person all the time. It cracks me up.
It means so much that CB is proud. Since he is the master at PRing at life, I aspire to be more like him every day 🙂
1. Your time is awesome, so happy for you
2. I cannot believe we didn’t see each other
3. Who is this Ed, and can he pace me?
Thank you! Your time was awesome too! I was cheering you on at the finish, but was still waiting at the finish line to see other people finish 🙂
Hee hee hee. Ed is my running club/multisport club friend! :)Are you looking for a pacer? 🙂
Wow! You killed this race! Way to go!
Sounds like you EARNED this PR!
Woo Hoo!! Great job!!! You killed it!
Love all the pics, especially the one of your brother in law…lol…I run like that too!
Congrats on your PR! I think Wisconsin is my favorite half marathon.
I ran the marathon last year and the half the year before. When they revealed the medal this year, I almost signed up simply because the medal was so!freaking!awesome! but then I realized my running has been way too sporadic recently and I probably would have died on the course so I volunteered at the Southwest Half instead. I’ll definitely be back next year though!
How was volunteering?! 🙂 Yes! Come back next year! I will be there. Hee hee 🙂
What did you think of the full course? 🙂
Volunteering was good. I certainly have a new appreciation for race volunteers!!
It was my first (and only) full so I don’t have anything to compare it to, but I definitely would not do it again.
My love of the half course was the reason I picked Wisconsin for my full, and I was really disappointed. The second half goes through a much more rural area with very little in terms of visual interest/ distraction. It’s also not very well marked and it’s pretty vacant if you’re a slower runner like myself (I finished just shy of 6 hours). There were points where I wasn’t even sure I was still on the course because there was no signage and no one else around! The course also switched from paved road to packed gravel road a few times. The only upside really was that since the course was so vacant, my boyfriend and parents were able to ride their bikes along with me and keep me company.
I had a really great race and first marathon experience, but I don’t think I would recommend the full to anyone – epsecially considering how fantastic the half is.
Thanks for sharing that with me! I have heard people rave about the full but when they talk about the course I just can’t imagine wanting to run it – for the reasons you mentioned. I did a full last year that went on gravel and that was so hard (and that it was uphill with killer winds. ugh).
I wonder if they should just do two loops of the HM course!
Wow, awesome PR! That is really amazing! It must have been the cheese stick, but ZOMG you ran holding a cheese stick? Didn’t it get all warm and gushy? Oh gross, I’m grossed out just thinking about it.
I love that it was such a popular race for the Chicago bloggers. It made me wish I were a Chicagoland Blogger. Hmmm….
Thanks! Ha ha. it did get kind of gushy, but not that bad 😉
Don’t tease me about becoming a Chicagoland blogger!!!
Woot on the PR! Looks like you had a great adventure.
Congrats on your awesome PR!!!