Shoreline Half Marathon

A while back I signed up for the Shoreline half marathon knowing that it was a flat (fast) course if the weather was right.  Well, the weather was decent but definitely warm and a little humid.  I ran well but just didn't feel that awesome while running.  I suppose I should be happy that it felt like I was working hard but not at the point it would hurt.  I figured I was pacing about 2 hours for a finish.  I kept thinking to myself, "suck it up even though it is hot," because my sister had woken up my nephew so they could come and cheer on Aunt Mina.  

While I was running they went for a little dip in the lake and walked around before runners started to finish.  This was a very low key event that had a 5k starting 30 minutes after the start of the half.  As always the race directors from Fleet Feet/Yellow Jacket racing did a phenomenal job.

At about mile 4 we crossed over a steel grate bridge and I tweaked my right leg a little bit and suffered with a tight calf almost at the back of my knee the rest of the race.  At mile 5 was a water stop that also had sponges soaked in ice water and ice.  I took advantage of the ice and sponge.  I stuffed my sports bra with ice and wiped my arms with the sponge and squeezed if over my head.

 There was no shade along the course at all and the course was not closed to traffic.  Despite the course not being closed they had so many volunteers at intersections and along the course that kept the cars "held" when needed and going slow.  We were on some back country-ish roads.  The shade did happen over the last mile as we ran along the lake (shoreline).

A guy passed me about a mile before the finish and asked if I had run the Mendon Mauler.  I replied yes and he said to, "Get moving Sparkles."  Apparently he remembered my SparkleSkirt from that other race and figured it had to be me.  I was thankful to have brought 2 bottles in my skirt pockets because the course had a beverage called Fluid, which is tasty but is not quite the right drink for me and running.  

I saw my little nephew in the stroller rubbing his eyes and kicked it in the last 200 as best I could without risking something breaking/tearing.  I ended up 3rd in my age group and 67 overall out of over 300 people.  I will have to go pick up my age group award at the store since we didn't stick around after.  I did have a hot dog, watermelon and some cookies after the race.  I can see the fact that the elevation change is only 100 ft (it is pancake flat) being a huge chance for a PR but I would probably wait and do a day of sign up depending on the weather in the future.