Tromptown Half Marathon Review

A night 13.1 mile run with a few of your close friends? Why not?

I signed up for the Tromptown Race a few weeks ago as it was a relatively cheap half marathon. For $15.00 you get to run 13.1 on the most scenic roads, with water stops. Why wouldn't you?

"Tromptown is a loop course beginning and finishing in a small country village. A scenic run, taking in rural sights and smells. As you approach the halfway point you are running along side of the DeRuyter Lake (Tioughnioga Reservoir). You cross the dam at the end of the lake at about 7 miles and start your journey back towards the village and the fairgrounds. The course is undulating with the elevation at the dam the same as at the village four corners and the fairground, about 1280 feet. The course starts just before the cemetery, heads north toward the school and by the fairgrounds and through the village four corners. It then turns westerly and eventually northerly through the shelter of one of the hills for about 4 miles. This will be a welcome relief if it is a warm and humid evening. The return begins as you turn off the dam and progress along the East Lake Road. You will leave the lake at about the 10 mile point and return to the village on Middle Lake Road. The finish, friends and family await you at the Firemen's Fair."

I met my Friend MR at her house to take the hour long drive to the venue. We had a lot of catching up since we haven't seen each other that much since D was born.

We ended up chatting so much we missed our exit off the highway!

We arrive within 20 minutes of the starting time. Enough to grab our bib and take a quick pit stop.

I met up with some of my running group friends for an evening of fun.

Going into the race I had told myself this will be a training run. Just for fun. No pressure. Well, that shit went out the window as soon as I lined up to the start. I was situated in the back of the crowd. When we all started running a fire lit inside me and I wanted to see how long I could hold a good pace for.

The weather was Ideal Conditions. Nice 70s with a breeze. Perfect. It did help the race started at 5:45pm as well.

The first few miles ticked by at a 8 min pace. I thought, wow I could keep this pace. Feels like a good effort, but not that I am pushing into the red zone.

I managed to meet up with some of my faster running friends around mile 5. Which I was totally stoked about

I kept trailing along, keeping them in my site as long as I could. I managed until about mile 7.

After that, My legs started to feel dead, My left hip was hurting for some odd strange reason and my leg turnover sucked!

I tried to focus on nutrition and just keep pushing through

Mile 9-11 Was when 4-5 people passed me, which I was not happy About.

I sucked it up and tried to reel in the guy ahead of me, then the girl, then the other girl. Even with a Left foot that was curling/cramping up in my shoe!

I ran past the last girl into the finish shoot, glad to be done with this race. I was a salty mess even though I had 1 gel at the beginning of the race, 2 gels in the race and my hydration. My stomach felt very sloshy the last 4 miles and I knew I couldn't take any more hydration in.

Time: 1:53:01
5/12 in AG 30-34
25/95 Females
92/200 Participants
2 MINUTE HALF MARATHON PR!!!!!

I was told the Medals would go 5 deep in AG. I was happy that I would finally get a medal in a all out running race! Come to find out it was based on a percentage of how many people were in the age group so they only went 3 deep in mine. WTF?!! I was a little upset, but can't with the price I paid for the entry. I sucked it up.

On the drive home, I started to feel HORRIBLE. I had MR pull into the McDonalds so that I could vomit and all that good stuff. Same thing happened when I went home. I think the Gels didn't sit right, night race, not well rested had a lot to do with this!!
http://bobbrockimages.photoshelter.com/image/I0000k5oplifd5KQ

Onto the next race, Tour De Loop!!! So Excited!!!!!

Tipperary Hill Shamrock Run- Race Recap

Today was the day to see if all my training had paid off. All the hard work I have been doing these last few months..

It started out a beautiful morning, so I decided I would wear shorts and my compression socks as my left calf has been really tight this week.

The race was at 11AM, but wanted to get there in plenty of time as parking can be tricky and we were heading to the local bars for grub afterwards. I ate my bagel, banana and coffee at 9AM, started drinking my Gatorade and was out the door. When we got to the race we parked at the local bar we knew we would head to afterwards. Its about a mile uphill from the start. So we started trudging it up the hill. Then, the wind came. 20mph cold wind. I thought, this wasn't happening. Then, Yep, it started raining.

Now I wasn't prepared for this to happen so I had no had or gloves. At this point I looked at my honey and said, I am mentally not into this race anymore. I didn't prepare for the wind and rain. I shook it off and proceeded into the ice rink where everyone was hanging out, relaxing before the race. I took this as an opportunity to enjoy the moment and not let the weather get to me.

Otto the Orange (SU Mascot) and some Lake Effectors

The crowd in full force!

We were all so festive!

I kept with race nutrition with Half a PowerBar at 10AM, Kept drinking my Powerade. The race announcers then said, Its time to head outside. Took my gel and water and headed outside again. By this time the rain had let up and looked like it was going to be a great run.

Half the Mob Scene outside. This extended down the hill

I got into the 8 min miler group with all my friends. The gun went off. Took us 1 min to get to the start as there were 2700 people racing, and then we were off!!

Here are the splits:

Mile 1- 8:35- Kept a easy pace knowing the end was a little harder. First mile was pretty much downhill and it was hard not to want to follow the crowd

Mile 2- 8:35- Kept the same pacing. Was feeling great

Mile 3- 9:23- No matter how hard I wanted to go, I just couldn't. The wind was in my face and it was ALL uphill.

Mile 4- 8:39- I knew I had to make up some time but felt couldn't kick it in fast enough

.1- Felt good to be done!!

Total time 35:54
Total distance by my garmin 4.1
Average Pacing 8:45min/mile!!!

I was really upset about this at first but realized I couldn't be. I race this race last year, granted they did change the course, but, I still PRd by almost a MINUTE per mile!! Ill take it!

Afterwards we went to Nibsy's Pub and Celebrated with some free Pasta and great company!

My Biggest Fan and Supporter!!

Race Reflection- Tipperary Hill Shamrock Run

Well, Tomorrow at 11 AM I will embark on my 4 mile Run PR!! Oh yes, Im going for it!

Last Year at this time was when I just started Getting into training again. This year, I have been training since October so I have alot of Base going into this race.

Last year I did 38:57 which was 9:44min/Mile. I have been doing more in training than this now!!

The plan from coach is as follows:

Mile 1- No more than 8:20 per mile. Easy to do since this race has 3,000 participants tomorrow!! Of course this is dependant on if the Rain holds off!! Crossing my fingers!!

Mile 2- Settle in 8:20 or a little better

Mile 3- Kick it into gear and pass all the people that started too fast

Mile 4- Kick it hard and finish Puking...

Yep...this is my goal. Go until it hurts!!! Goal Time 33:00-35:30. I can do this!! Wish me luck!!!

Tomorrow Will be a Race Recap!!