Half marathon number 4 and likely my last for 2014 has come and gone! This past weekend B, Mary and I went to Savannah to run their Rock N Roll Half Marathon.  It was a really really fun race!

I had already met my running goals for the year – to run a sub-2 hour half and to run 3 races this year – so I planning on just enjoying the race. Enjoying the flat course, the sunshine, the live music along the course and seeing the city of Savannah.

B had decided he wanted to run a sub 1:55 or so, so I told him I would hang back and run with Mary. Mary was aiming for a sub-2 hour race so I told her to feel free to run ahead if I was slowing her down. She’d run plenty of sub-2 hour half marathons unofficially (as part of training runs, full marathon races, etc.) but I knew she was hoping to get a “real” one in the books. I really and truly didn’t care how I did, I just wanted to have fun!

Who knows why – maybe it was the long night of sleep I had the night before, or the fact that I hadn’t run since Monday, or the fact that our last half marathon had been pretty difficult, but for some reason, I was feeling great pretty much the whole race!

Pre-race shot!

Everyone lined up at the start.

Here’s a brief recap, mile by mileish, of how I felt:

• Miles 1-3: What a beautiful day for a run! I’m so glad I opted to leave my vest at the gear drop. 45 degrees in Savannah feels different than 45 in Cleveland!  No wind … few hills … and these people cheering us on in these neighborhoods are great!
• Miles 4-6: Hmm it feels like we’re going pretty fast. But I don’t want to slow Mary down. Time for Gu #1!
• Miles 7-9: Well we were doing great but Mary had to stop to use the bathroom.  We’ve all been there during a race … stomach issues + one portapotty and thousands of other runners = not the best day. My legs are stiff from stopping to wait but I’m still feeling pretty good and I’m just going to enjoy this. No need to push it to finish under 2 with that 3+ minute bathroom stop. Oh well!
• Mile 10: Longest mile ever. The scenery is nice as we’re now going through some pretty neighborhoods but all this weaving around houses is getting boring. Thank goodness for the next Gu.
• Miles 11-12: Goodbye marathoners! So happy I’m only doing half. And the caffeine from this Gu may be kicking in … I’m feeling pretty good again! That band playing Weezer was great! Why did the 12 mile marker not have a time clock?
• Mile 13: Woohoo one more mile!  And one of the only hills in the race. Where did Mary go? If I pick it up and finish this last mile strong, maybe she’ll still get her goal?
• Last .1: I sped up too early on in that mile but hooray I’m done! And omg the clock is under 2?!

photo courtesy Marathon Foto – I may have to purchase it!

That’s right, even with our break in the middle, Mary and I both achieved the under 2-hour time. What a great moment!

Except for one mile, I felt good the entire time. The weather was great, course was flat, fun and entertaining and even with a 3+ minute break, we still got under 2 hours. The post-race entertainment was great and the crowds and music along the course was fun. All in all it was a well run race and a great event!

Awaiting the post-race entertainment – Phillip Phillips!

Some questions for you (answer in the comments!):

• Runners- do you have a favorite half marathon?  What makes it your favorite? How do you fuel during a long runs? In the past I’ve typically had a Gu about halfway through. This time I started with a few Sports Beans and then had a Gu about mile 5 and another around miles 9-10. It seemed to work really well!
• What’s the next race you’re doing? A Thanksgiving run?
• Are you training for anything?