Monday, March 2, 2009

Race Report: Chilly Half Marathon

Thanks to everyone for your advice regarding my taper for the Shamrock Marathon. I think I will run 16-18 miles this weekend instead of the planned 22. I think my legs need the rest, and I won't get any benefit other than psychological from running the 22.

This past weekend I ran the Chilly Half Marathon in Burlington Ontario. I ran this race last year, and it held my current half marathon PR, so I wanted to come back and run it again. Its a flat route, and the back half of the race runs along Lake Ontario and by some really nice homes in Burlington.





I went into the race with no expectations really. A PR is always nice ofcourse, but once again the weather forecast was ominous. On Saturday they were calling for -12C and -22 with the windchill (10F/-8F with windchill)... I know, freaking cold!! And I was freaking out a little bit.

Not because I was worried about my time, but because I am a wimp when it comes to the cold!

Thankfully when race morning came, the Sun was out in full force, and it was cold, but it was manageble. I brought my Balaclava just in case but I didn't end up needing it. In fact, I kinda overdressed. I had my base layer, top layer, and then my windjacket. But I was OK with being a little warm since I *hate* being cold. There were crazy people with shorts, trust me, it was not short weather!


The race was really crowded at the start. Apparently they had 400 more runners in the field this year, and I found it a bit frustrating weeving through masses of people, including walkers walking 4 abreast! People, line up at your proper pace! This went on for nearly 3 miles (5K), so it was kinda of difficult to settle into a pace and find some road space.


The race went OK, but I have to admit I dread half marathon a little. Pushing yourself for nearly 2 hours at lactic sucks, and I felt nautious and had upper back pain the whole way. I just kept thinking, this will help you peak for Shamrock.


Overall though I felt OK with the run. I have been a little worried that most of my training has been on indoor tracks and on the TM, and I have been running outside only when the weather permits, which has been rare this winter.


I gave the race an honest effort, although I think I could have pushed harder. This morning I woke up with no quad pain, so either I heal quickly or I could have ran faster, but either way, here is the result.


21.K/13.1 miles/1:57:35(chip time)/8:58min/mile/5:34min/K


So nearly two minutes from my PB, but factor in the cold, and the fact that I ran alot the previous weekend, I think I am happy with my result. Well to be more honest, maybe a little discouraged, I have felt a little like I have regressed the past few weeks, I know sometimes this happens in marathon training cycles. I hope I can repeat this at Shamrock twice (and that it is easier..).


After the race, it was great to see Marlene, (I also got to say hello the previous day at the expo). Thanks for volunteering Marlene, and it was great seeing you at the finish!

Hubs and I went out for beer and food later with some Running friends, and that is the best part of running local races!


Hope you all have a great week! Thanks for reading!


P.S - Canadian bloggers running ATB - how about a pre or post race meet up? Post in comment section below if you are interested!

35 comments:

Runner Leana said...

Chilly indeed! Great job on your half. Sorry to hear that it wasn't a PB for you, but I have no doubt that your PB is there for you at Shamrock!

Jo Lynn said...

10/F, 8/F?? Are you kidding me? I won't even tell you what "cold" is in my area. That's just crazy! Good time on the 1/2.

Progman2000 said...

Congrats on the race - HM's are brutal enough without having to deal with frigid temps, yuck

Anonymous said...

Nice job on the race. Guess they call it the Chilly Half for a reason!

RunningLaur said...

Great job at the race. I'm sure the cold would have stopped me dead in my tracks!

Mel-2nd Chances said...

great job @ the Chilly Marci... funny that we both got the balaclavas out for this weekend! I am all in for a meet-up! I think the running group and I have gotten hotel rooms, so i'm hoping we'll get there early enough on saturday to hit the expo, but yes, it would be great to finally meet you!

J said...

COLD!!! You aren't kidding! Congrats on a great race. Even though it is not a new record for you, I think it is getting you all geared up for Shamrock!

Unknown said...

Good job running a half marathon in cold weather!!

Denise said...

UGH!! Too cold!!

Great run, esp in those conditions!

Mark said...

Great time! Considering the crowds in the first 5K and the cold you did great! Good luck in your upcoming race.

No Longer Using said...

congrats! that's a great time and sounds like you had some fun after, too! :) i love local races...! good luck and sounds like a plan to get your legs rested and ready to go!!!

Marlene said...

Congratulations again, Marci! You ran a strong race and that is an amazing time, especially in those cold & windy conditions. All those layers don't exactly help with performance. :p

I would have been SOOO frustrated by the walkers! Argh.

Great seeing you!

I had to sell my ATB bib (boo) but hubby will be running, so I'll be around. A meet-up would be great!

Felice Devine said...

Great job! That's cold weather for a race!

Unknown said...

Oh wow, I cannot even imagine running in those temps. You are a rockstar, way to go!

Vava said...

Great time for a really chilly half marathon indeed! I am also running the ATB and it would be neat to meet local blogging runners for sure!

Tammy said...

Congrats on a great race!

Cindy said...

that is so cold! i feel bad complaining about our wussy cold weather here :S
great job on your hm!

Kim said...

Great time for such a Chilly day. Congrats!

Aron said...

BRRR!! wow i cant even imagine :)

CONGRATS on your race though!! you have been training hard and your legs are ready for a break! dont be discouraged by this race, you were able to run a half at around GP which is a great training run! get ready for taper and rest those legs so you can go out and rock your marathon!! and just a word of caution... i didnt feel tapered enough after pfitz, so listen to your body and cut back from the schedule if need be... better to be rested come race day!

Marcy said...

OMG those temps are INSANE!! CONGRATS chica! You did fabulous ;D ;D

Meg said...

Great work! The weather would have kept me in bed!!

Ali said...

Congratulations! It was definitely chilly for the Chilly.

Running and living said...

Congrats on a great race. Racing in cold temperature is much harder on the muscles, so this may be way you did not PR. Nonetheless, you ran a great pace so congrats again.
Ana-Maria

Anonymous said...

this should be re-named the "freezing half marathon"!!! can't imagine running in those temps! Congrats and nice pace! Try and not be too discouraged and take the time you need to rest those legs in time for the big race :)

The Laminator said...

Wow...that's really a cold one. Kudos to you for just running and getting through. I know you'll do very well in Shamrock. Nice race report too!

joyRuN said...

Great job with the half! Especially in those crazy temps - brrrr!!!

Heather said...

Great job on the half - that's awesome in such cold conditions!

Sonia said...

The Chilly Half hold my half PB in 2006, I have a soft spot for this race and it wasn't too cold that year ;-) But I agree that weaving around people really bugged me then too. I guess it hasn'T change, the walkers start one hour ahead of the runners and by the time you meet up with them it'S close to the end and you're losing patience to add mileage to your route!

I'm going to ATB, I have a pre-race dinner set-up with some runningmaniacs friends (runningmania.com) at La Cantina at 6PM on Saturday. We also have a post race meet and greet organize but I am not in charge of that one so I have no idea where it is.... but you'Re welcome to come to both!!

Anonymous said...

Good job on the half! At least you know the marathon will be warmer!

RunToTheFinish said...

BRRRR oh goodness, way to go! I'm with you i'd rather be hot!!

You rocked it and I'm amazed you are doing another race in a couple weeks.

Laurel said...

That's a great time! Nice job on the half. Especially in that bitter weather.

C said...

Great job on the half! You're totally going to kick the marathon's butt.

SuperDave said...

Wow! I am completely in awe. When I ran my race in 17 degrees(0 wind) I was whining like a little baby. Very impressed!I can't believe that that many showed up for the cold. I hate when slower runners start toward the beginning.

Lindsay said...

2 min off your pb! that is amazingly close for a race ran in a freezer!! great job on the race and toughing out the extremely cold temps.

Marathon Maritza said...

Brrrr!!! Great job on the half!