Oregon Trip Part Two - Oregon Women's Half Marathon
The next morning we got up and my friends were on the fence on if they were gonna run the 5k and decided to pass. We got ready, grabbed some coffee, and headed out. It was about an hour drive from Corvallis to Eugene. On the drive down, I had a Nuun, coffee, Little Debbie donut, and a Honey Stinger waffle. And of course because race day anxiety isn’t enough, we accidentally went to the wrong place and had to back track about 10 minutes. I still made it to the race on time but it freaked me out.
I didn't get any full length pictures of me before and there are no race pictures up yet, so this is what you get. Haha.
The weather was perfect to run in. It was about 49 degrees at 9am at the start (and 93% humidity, but I couldn’t tell). I ended up wearing my tank top, shorts, ProCompression socks, and my Tie Dye shoes. It was cold but I knew I would regret wearing a long sleeved anything. I had about 20 minutes to spare when I got there so I went to the bathroom one last time and then got my phone and watch all set up. I decided to listen to music during the race so I got that going. There were a bunch of bees flying around so I spent a lot of time running away from them. The last thing I needed was to get stung before the race. Finally it was time to start. I had my watch set for Intervals and the paces I wanted to hit during them. My goal of 1:59:59 was pretty hefty but I wanted to give it all I got.
Start
I started the race and immediately got passed by a group of people. I told myself it was fine because it was. I wanted to start off slow and easy.
Mile 1 - 9:19
Race adrenaline kicked in and I kept speeding up. No matter how good I felt I knew I had lots of miles ahead of me and I had to slow it down if I wanted to hit my goal.
Mile 2 - 9:05 (18:24)
I was finally warmed up and ready to get going. This section was weird because we had some out and backs and turning around is the worst.
Mile 3 - 9:15 (27:39)
I felt great. I was staying on pace for the most part. I snagged some water from an aid station at about 3.5 miles. At this point we were off the running path and heading to the road. I had the course memorized which was a smart move. I liked knowing what was happening ahead.
Mile 4 - 9:09 (36:48)
We were running on the road towards oncoming traffic on a two lane road. It was pretty annoying and I had to slow down behind people before I could pass them.
Mile 5 - 9:15 (46:03)
Apparently I was feeling really good. I do remember seeing the sign for mile 6 and throwing up in my mouth a little bit.
Mile 6 - 8:54 (54:57)
**HELLO IN RACE SUB ONE HOUR 10K**
I knew an aid station was up ahead so I was just cruising along.
Mile 7 - 8:58 (1:03:55)
Took a walk break, ate a Gu, drank some water, and started back up. BUT the Gu sat in the center of my chest for far too long. It was terrible. Plus there was a little hill in this mile. Blah. I was losing my steam.
Mile 8 - 9:30 (1:13:25)
The downhill helped me speed up a bit then I turned a corner and saw another hill that was bigger and I was so done with everything.
Mile 9 - 9:11 (1:22:36)
Stupid steep hill.
Mile 10 - 10:07 (1:32:43)
And then
@Keels texted me at like juuuust the right moment to help me refocus AND Party on the USA came on my mix. It was exactly what I needed.
Mile 11 - 9:18 (1:42:01)
I got a side stitch which hit me pretty hard on my right side and I stopped immediately to walk. I rubbed the spot a bit and started running again.
Mile 12 - 9:51 (1:51:52)
Glorious final mile (plus .1). Light. Tunnel. End. I could feel it. But I was so out of steam. I willed my legs to do anything and I just couldn’t. But I TRIED. I didn’t give up on myself I just didn’t have anything else left. I was pretty much running alone these last 4 miles. I saw a girl in front of me I couldn’t catch and no one behind. I have no idea where I was in the scheme of rankings. I was just so happy to be almost done.
Mile 13 - 9:30 (2:01:22)
Sprint to the finish!
Mile 13.1 - 9:09
Finish: 2:02:11
Pace: 9:20
Place: 30/160
Age Group Place: 3/22
This is race was a pretty small — only 160 people ran the Half Marathon (152 of them were women). I feel like maybe I should have tried harder to hold back at the start and maybe I would have had something left in the tank in those final miles. I also feel like I need to work on fueling during the race. That Gu messed me up and I’m pissed about it. All in all, I am SO HAPPY with how well I did! I have a new, amazing PR. I shaved 20 minutes and 11 seconds off my current PR. I ran with everything I had in me until I couldn’t run anymore. I learned some things about myself. And I know the next time I run a Half Marathon with a time goal that I WILL hit that sub 2 hour.
After the race, I went to get my timing print out and the girl was like "Oh and you got third in your Age Group, here's another medal!"
Me:
So I walk to the back tasting room (I did not mention this, but this race started and ended at a winery tasting room) and I was given a free mimosa and breakfast. I grabbed my mimosa, which she heavy poured OJ into, yuck, and then started texting my friends. Not gonna lie, was a little bummed they weren't at the finish waiting for me. Especially when I told them I would be done 2 hours after 9. I just wish someone familiar was standing at the finish line. C'est la vie. But then, in true Jenna fashion, I started to cry. I was just so overwhelmed. Running does that, you know? I felt proud and happy. It was a great feeling.
Race photos STILL aren't up. I will post those when they are.
Thanks to everyone who sent me texts of encouragement before, during, and after my race! Much love to this community of amazing people. <3