Dayton River Corridor Classic 2015 - Half Marathon

Before running the Cincinnati Flying Pig Half-marathon, I told myself it would probably be my last half marathon. …But after the race, I was already thinking about the next one … it’s like a drug! OMG I’m addicted now!

My friend Grace and I decided to run the Dayton Corridor River half-marathon, on October 11^th. After the tough and hilly half-marathon in Cincinnati, let’s do the one in Dayton, known to be a mostly flat course and so, easier to break our own record! I finished the flying Pig in 2h07m so, for this one my goal was to finish in 2 hours (or less!).

I trained all summer, 4 to 5 times/ week, switching between running, spinning/cycling class and circuit/high intensity training. I’ve found the inspiration and motivation through my “Super Ironmen” friends, Marc and Matt who train every day!! I didn’t want to disappoint them.
After 3 months of training, the race day was finally here! The weather was perfect! Sunny skies and the temperature was around 10/12*C.  I wore my Jovent running tank, got my camel back, a small apple sauce pouch in case I needed sugar (the race didn’t provide any food during the run) and my running playlist on my phone. I am so ready to run!

It was a small race, less than 400 runners. I chose my pace group, between 1h50 and 2h, that way, I could start a bit faster and if I couldn’t keep up, I could join the following group and be able to finish the race in 2h.  Few minutes after the national anthem, the gunshot went off and the race started! I was so excited and nervous. My objective was to do better than my previous half-marathon but I also wanted to enjoy the run.

I started the first 3miles a bit faster than I planned to. I wasn’t sure if I could keep that pace for 10 more miles! I tried to keep the rhythm and stay as close as possible from the 1h50 pacer guy. The course was in a park near the river, surrounded by trees with green, yellow and red leaves, it was gorgeous! Making the run more enjoyable. Around mile 7 or 8, I couldn’t stay close to the pacer and I started to worry to be passed by the 2 hour pacer. I was half way through, I couldn’t slow down now! No way! I kept the motivation and pushed myself to keep a good pace.

The last 2 miles were the most challenging! I started to feel hungry and needed sugar. L  I was so close to the finish line. As I said before, the race didn’t provide any food during the run. Luckily, I had a small apple sauce pouch in my camelback. J Haha!

Finally, the finish line was close! Only few feet away! Once I crossed it, I felt so happy and couldn’t believe in my finish time. 1h50m51s! It was better than I expected!  ….and realized that the 1h50 pacer was running way faster! So thank to him, he pushed me to run faster!

Then, doing my stretching and waiting for Grace (hoping that she would be fine), the organizers called me on the stage…my first thoughts were  “Did they call me? …Was it my name?” …”May be something happened to Grace?” (I was her emergency contact). None of that, they called me because I got the 2^nd place in my age group! I was so surprised! Unbelievable! (…No, we were not only 2 girls in my age group :-p) 

Overall, it was a great day, I had fun running this half marathon. I really enjoyed it and I am proud to belong to the team Jovent!

Obviously, as expected, now, I am thinking about my next half-marathon! J Yellowstone in June? This one is a tough one!
May be a full marathon in 1 or 2 years?

-Carine-

Doing a half marathon was always in my bucket list which I never found a motivation to fulfill. After hearing all the amazing training and race stories Carine had with her Jovent79 teammates, I signed up my first half marathon-flying pig (Well, persuasive Max and Matt helped too) this spring. And it turned out to be one of the most inspiring journeys in my life! I couldn’t forget every emotional and inner self -searching moment during the whole race; so when Carine talked about Dayton River Corridor Classic race, I was immediately on board.

Due to the hilly course and lack of core training, I developed IT band syndrome after flying pig. It had been manageable during the whole 2 month training but somehow got worse 2 days before the Dayton race. The intense knee pain brought me into the self-blaming and Hamlet loop:” I should have blah blah”and”To be or not to be”.  But like most racers, you know you are doing it by the end of the day no matter what.  With an IT band wrap, painkiller and enormous supports from Carine, I stood at the start line thinking it would be another incredible memory if I could conquer my own fear.

It was a scenic course, without cheering crowd, most of time I was running on a nice path by myself.  The knee pain started bothering me after 4 miles so I slowed down a little bit and failed to keep up with the 2 hour pacer.  However, it was a good surprise that I stopped to pay attention to the pain after 7 miles and only focused on finishing each mile. It was about that time I saw Carine turning back with great pace; there weren’t many runners before her so I was extremely proud of her. We exchanged a high five and I was fully charged again. There was a big hill 2 miles before the finish line that made me almost give up. Through thinking of those training sections and friends’ encouragement, I refused to take defeat lying down at that moment. Then I saw the finish line; that was it, the emotional moment that I was looking for, a sense of accomplishment!

My time record was 02:17:48, which was kind of disappointed cause I was aiming for less than 10:00 pace considering I did 11:00 pace at flying pig.  Yet one of many reasons I love about running is that it’s a competition with yourself. All these disappointments and unsatisfying regrets will eventually turn to motivations and fuel for next challenge! 

Through running I realize I was born to love challenges. All the pain and suffering merely help to build up the fulfilling and satisfying power gained in the journey. I am a lucky girl who gets the chance to experience this kind of infinite joy. I like to thank Marc and Matt’s inspiring stories, Max’s persuasion and most important, Carine’s company. It’s really comforting to know there are friends on the road with you! Yellow stone half marathon I am coming and hopefully full marathon in near future. This is the start of my running life and I have no intention of slowing down!

-Grace-