My alarm went off at 6:15 AM. After a fitful night of sleep, it came too soon, but as my eyes cracked open, I remembered, “It’s race day!” I hopped out of bed with pre-race jitters as I fumbled through my morning routine. It was the perfect day to race.
Snow fell overnight – just a couple of inches – no biggie! We all know how hardcore I am about winter running. I kid! But it was a race morning and I was pumped for an ontherun adventure!
Snowy races require bright, striped knee socks…and an entourage. Lauren, EC, and Koli piled into MomOnTheRun’s caravan for a little ontherun fun. It was a packed house.
Yay for races! We worried that snowy roads might affect our travel (~1.5 hr. drive), but it was smooth sailing…until we reached Hyannis. It took us nearly 30 minutes to creep a couple of miles. I started stressing in a big way. It was down to the wire, when Bekah saved the day! She grabbed our bibs, we hit the ladies’ room and it was GO time! I found my amazing race buddy and off we went.
At the start, the snow was falling, the ground was wet, and the air was cold. The conditions were very fitting for the winter we’ve had. Lizzy and I ran and ran.
What a classic picture! We ran like lightening. It was hard for MomOnTheRun to capture as we passed. Ha ha ha.
The race was not easy. Races aren’t supposed to be easy. Sometimes I forget that. I see people running fast and assume that it’s effortless for them, but it isn’t. Every runner is out there to do their best and achieve personal goals. This race was no different.
I made a plan to run conservatively, as this was a training run for the National Marathon. The problem is that running conservatively in a race is a bit tough. I had a fun running buddy and plenty of adrenaline, so I started strong. My typical 9:30/mi was nowhere in sight. I stayed close to Lizzy, whined to her talked her ear off, and tried to keep a consistent pace.
The course had plenty of rolling hills that kept our legs moving. My legs felt a little tired, so I took a GU around the six mile mark and started grabbing sips of Gatorade by mile eight. I felt sluggish, but then I looked at my watch. 8:20s…there’s the culprit! That’s not exactly my long run pace. I pulled back a bit. I was tired and I didn’t want to affect Lizzy’s time. A gap grew between us, but I kept her in my sights. She kept me running strong to the finish. We finished less than a minute apart.
Even on race day, I love my running buddies. She rocked! This race toughened us right up. The Garmin says:
Total Distance: 13.26 miles
Total Time: 1:59:40
- Mile 1 – 9:11/mi
- Mile 2 – 9:02/mi
- Mile 3 – 8:50/mi
- Mile 4 – 8:55/mi
- Mile 5 – 8:55/mi
- Mile 6 – 8:51/mi
- Mile 7 – 8:53/mi
- Mile 8 – 9:07/mi
- Mile 9 – 9:15/mi
- Mile 10 – 9:01/mi
- Mile 11 – 9:01/mi
- Mile 12 – 9:01/mi
- Mile 13 – 9:16/mi
- 0.26 (not 0.1!) – 8:25/mi
Average Pace: 9:01/mi
My official finish time – 1:59:?? A sub-two hour half-marathon…in New England…in February…with friends. Nothing beats that!
Seriously. Who doesn’t love sloshing through freezing rain with friends? It’s the only way to achieve that awesome “drowned rat” look that I love. You can’t fake the smiles, though. Those are for real. So are the post-race crazies…
I had a bad case!
There was only way to cure me. Food, water, and warmth with a side of friends.
Lauren and Bekah also rocked their races today. I was so happy for everyone. After all that running, it felt great to celebrate good times. Congrats to everyone that ran in Hyannis today!
And now I shall sit! It’s time for sweatpants and TV. Happy Sunday!
I love this post!!! I like want to frame it! Super precious. I had such a blast with you today. Honestly, if I didnt have you I probably would have run 2:15. I love love love running buddies. What a day- the snow, the hills… running isn’t supposed to be easy but it sure is rewarding! After March 26th, we are doing some 5K, 10Ks!!!
Great race
Yay! Congrats! Knew you two would rock it. I had NO idea it was going to snow until I woke up and saw it.
Congratulations!! Sub 2 hour any time of year is absolutely amazing!!
Congrats Becky! Such an amazing time especially considering those conditions. Great job
Ahhh that’s awesome! Congratulations on beating the weather, dominating the race and getting a great time. You should be very proud of yourself. National Marathon, here you come.
Great race Becky! I’m just sorry that I lost you girls before the race but enjoyed lunch with you. Next stop, Salem
Congrats on the great race!!
My turn next weekend for a snowy half in Canada!
Congrats on your snowy race! I don’t know if I could have done it!
omg it looks like you had a complete BLAST!
Glad it was such a great race, girl!
And a sub two hour time?! How amazing!
Congrats on your awesome race!!!!
We must have been running right next to each other! It was a great day for a race in New England hehe
The weather was perfect considering the winter we’ve had! I can only hope that Mother Nature plays nice next week because I’m running Black Cat in Salem. Congrats on your race!
You are a better woman than I.
Great job! And with that weather?! I mean, Amazing job
You made the best decision to go back to Cali! I need to start packing
Congrats on the sub-2:00! Amazing!! And I *love* those socks. Wicked outfit
Also, this was a great reminder:
“Races aren’t supposed to be easy. Sometimes I forget that. I see people running fast and assume that it’s effortless for them, but it isn’t.”
Well done for working hard and achieving a great time. With friends
Thanks! Races are always a little more fun in flashy gear!
Awesome job today Becky! You ran really well and I’m proud of you for sticking to your plan yet still breaking that 2-hour mark! Hope you got lots of rest yesterday and plenty of delicious recovery in the form of chocolate peanut butter.
Also, I’m exhausted, my quads are killing me, and I don’t feel the way I’m supposed to after an easy “cut back” week. But I had a blast running through the snowy streets of the Cape. And as I was thinking about it, I realized I wouldn’t have had it any other way. After the winter we’ve had, it just seemed so fitting. Anyway, I’m happy to have another successful ontherun adventure in the books!! And to think we’re “lucky” enough to get to do it all over again next week (oh joy! haha)…
Congratulations!
Damn girl! You continue the impress me to death! You rocked that race!! Sub-two hours?? In the snow? Unreal. Nicely done!!
You guys look like you had the best time. And I’m impressed with your even pacing. Way to go Becky!
congrats! that is definitely not an easy race and you nailed it. Looks like you girls had an absolute blast!
A sub-two!! Congratulations on Hyannis! a very nice job! (Sorry no one warned you about the so-called 0.1-mile finish!) Washington is ready FOR YOU!
you are awesome! way to go girl! you rocked it!
Wow that is some crazy weather to race in!!! GREAT JOB
It looks like you ladies had SO much fun
And you all had amazing runs despite the conditions. Can’t wait to see you on Sunday, Becky!
Great race Becky! I did a half as a training run during marathon training and PR’d on it! I think it’s hard to keep your pace down in a race, you just want to do well and get sucked into the adrenaline of it all!
I love reading race recaps so much – you can almost sense the pride and accomplishment! Congrats on your race and your finish – and running despite the crazy weather!!
Awesome job! I have no idea how I missed you and Lizzy, I was standing near mile 10 cheering really hard w/ a cow bell! I love that you and Lizzy ran together the whole way, I <3 running buddies!!
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