I ran 13.1 this past weekend as a part of a Triathlon relay, and it TOTALLY kicked my butt. I figured it was the length of a step-back week long run... how hard could it be?
Turns out that I get total weather amnesia - in the winter I completely forget what hot weather running is like. I also didn't take the time of day into account. By the time hubby finished his swim and our biker did his 56 miles, it was 86 degrees and humid. The race was along the beach, and there wasn't a cloud in the sky.
I had toyed with the idea of maybe trying to PR... but by about mile 2 I realized this was totally out of the question. The support along the course was remarkably good. It was mostly through residential areas, and all the locals were out with sprinklers and water hoses. By about mile 8 I had my aid station routine down: take 2 sponges to wring over my head and then stuff them in the back of my shirt, then grab a glass of ice water, take a couple of gulps before dumping the ice under my hat, then grab a glass of gatorade. It was a great system, except for one small flaw. I usually run in a skirt, although I don't usually run in a soaking wet skirt. Apparently, they don't stay up very well when drenched. So every tenth of a mile or so I'd have to hitch up the waist band or risk running like a plumber. After a mile of this, as I was wishing for a drawstring, I remembered the safety pins on my race number. One worked very well to cinch up my waistband and spare all the spectators my blindingly pale hiney.
I finished the race about 13 minutes slower than my usually half marathon pace, but I still figure it was a good challenge - and good experience with running in the heat. Only 6 months 'til Fall!
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