(I did not finish last but thought it was appropriate).
Lessons Learned:
1. Don't do anymore half marathons in the summer (or on the shoulders of highways) the heat was ridiculous and that leads to...
2. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate- I got dehydrated- even though there were several water/gatorade stations throughout the course and I took some at each- it was not enough and I eventually ended up dealing with leg cramps. It's time to start looking at belt systems so that I can carry more with me- whether that be water or gatorade who knows!
3. When they are going over the course before the race starts and they say they changed the course to take out a couple of hills- they LIED! LOL :)
I'll leave you today with a couple of pictures- a before/after shot and a look at the view (which this was the best part of mile 12)
Question: I didn't wear my compression socks due to the heat (I thought that it might be too hot for them)- do you think it would have helped with the leg cramps?
9 comments:
I'm proud of you that you started. I'm even prouder of you that you finished. It makes no difference how fast or slow you did it. You were a long-distance runner today. As for the socks, ask your brother-in-law. Seriously. My thoughts: if they are designed to aid in muscle relaxation/function, etc then I would think they would have helped. Now...hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. But it happens to the best of them. Lance (I now a bad name) almost lost one of the Tours because he failed to hydrate enough during one of the individual Time Trials. he was so bad he has white stuff (salt) caked around his mouth.
Definitely look into a hydration belt! They aren't as uncomfortable as you might think - I run with one year round and really don't even notice it anymore! Oh - and I've given up racing in the summer altogether. You really can't beat the heat - no matter how hard you train!
If you were having leg cramps, I do think the socks would have helped. But would they have led to more overheating and further problems? who knows?
Dad you have no clue how timely your text was. That was at a point where I was seriously doubting my ability to finish- thankfully I did :)
Flaming June- I wondered that too- however, there were several people there who had them so I guess it worked for them. Will have to look into the fuel belts!
Congratulations on your finish, even if it wasn't a PR or what you were hoping for!
I have no idea on the compression socks. It's easy to get dehydrated, especially in the summer heat, and I agree with a hydration belt, especially, if there aren't a lot of water stations.
Hills are the devil. No two ways about it.
You finished, and that is awesome!! Don't let it get you down. It sounds like you have a great attitude about it. AND I love that image. Pinning now!
Hey girl, you finished!! That was a huge thing for anyone racing/running this weekend I think. I've heard hydration belts are great, but I have no experience with them yet. I've tried handheld bottles, and they throw off my stride, so I don't recommend those, but I'm still trying to figure out the hydrate part too :)
You did great! I am too scared to even try one of those, so you beat me just by signing up. :-)
WOW, 70 degrees at start is really hot. And scary! Its a good thing your time was slower, because it meant your body could cope better. If you had run faster you might have been in a sickly state!
Congrats on your finish. A finish is a finish, no matter the time! :)
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