Summerfest Rock 'n Sole Half Marathon!

Well it certainly took me long enough to write this post... but in spite of my procrastination, the race was absolutely phenomenal in so many ways!

It was an amazingly beautiful day for a run, about 50 degrees in the AM pre-race, warming up to near 70 and sunny by the end. A light breeze and low humidity, and all around perfect morning.

I was incredibly nervous/anxious for this race, in part because I knew my training had been very lacking. It had been about 14 months since my first (and so far only) half marathon, and in the weeks leading up to race day I all but abandoned my training plan.

Going into this run, my only true goal was to beat my previous time of 2 hours 10 minutes and 1 second. Also, upon lining up in the starting corrals, I remembered that I had originally signed up for the race before finishing my first half. Point being - when I had anticipated my finish time, it had been a complete guess. So as I lined up in starting corral for the anticipated finish time of 2 hours 25 minutes... I realized I had at least a little but of ground to make up.

My (very unrealistic, all things considered) goal was to finish sub 2 hours. Lining up on race day though, all I could really hope for was to cross the finish line sans injury or complete collapse.

Also, a note of what should have been common sense... don't use a half marathon as the time to try out your new arch support inserts for your running shoes.

In fact, don't try one damn thing new on the day of the race... trust me.

The first half of the race I pushed myself to find my ideal pace group - as I began and didn't feel too horrible, I decided to try to surpass the 2 hour 5 min pacer, and see how close I could get to 2 hours without completely destroying myself.

Another note of bad judgment - I was concerned about my iPhone (which is also my music device while I run) losing batter too quickly, so not only did I not wear my Nike+ pedometer, I also didn't use my run mapping app which tells me my splits, overall time, and distance. That being said, all I had to go on were the clocks at each rest station - which would have been fine if I hadn't started in such a slow corral. Based on my start time, I had to try to deduct time from each timer in order to figure out what my current time was. Yes, I know, subtraction.... tough Kate... but it was the last thing I wanted to be thinking about while chugging along.

In spite of my self-imposed obstacles... the race was really fantastic.

The course was beautiful, stretching along the Lake Michigan shoreline and downtown Milwaukee. A major course highlight was running over the Hoan Bridge which spans nearly 2 miles along the lakeshore.
With relatively few hills, and lots of interesting scenery, this is definitely a recommendation for anyone looking for an accessible, fun race.

An extra special piece of this race was getting to reunite with a good friend from back in AmeriCorps days. Hanna and I served ten months together in AmeriCorps NCCC back in 2010-2011, and hadn't seen each other in the 3 years since! We met up the evening before the race to pick up our packets and indulge in a delicious pre-race carb load at Rustico in Third Ward.

Hanna was a bit speedier than I, so we didn't run together this round, but met up for a hug and big smiles upon completion. I should mention that we both PR'd in this race, and I was also convinced (it didn't take much convincing) to sign up for another half in August! Hanna and I will be running that race together also, and I have a great feeling about some more record shattering times to come!

When all was said and done I crossed the finish line just a hair over 2 hours (2 hours and 27 seconds to be exact) which was both incredible, and slightly heartbreaking all at the same time.

I was thrilled to have blown my previous time out of the water by over 9 minutes, but slightly disappointed to miss my (crazy) goal by such a small amount. It has certainly fueled an intense desire in me to crush that time in a few weeks!

I can't quite describe the feeling that washes over me when I cross the finish line, I think it's something that only endurance athletes can really understand. Euphoria, mixed with exhaustion, relief, and the desire to simultaneously never ever run again, and run every day for the rest of time. Regardless, there are few better feelings I've ever experienced. :)

My mom drove down to meet me after the race, which was another really wonderful part of this run saga. It was really lovely to be able to share that excitement with her, and absolutely loved having her support!

I definitely have a bit of a half marathon addiction now. It's a long enough race to be incredibly challenging and push me to my limit, but short enough to still be attainable. Which is why.... I'm running another! The full will come someday, but for now, I'm basking in the glow of the 13.1s.

Next stop, Madison, WI, August 16th for the Madison-Mini Marathon which is now.... EEEP... only

32 days away....

Wish me luck!