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 11th. 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 2nd
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!
