race recap: #rnrchi half marathon 2016
My alarm went off at 5AM on Sunday morning. I was VERY thankful for a good night's sleep. Our hotel room was right next to the L, so every 12 minutes, a train was going by. There were several times while we were there that I would ask Matt what that noise was, only to realize that it was the dang train. The first night, I slept terribly, so a good night's sleep the day before the half marathon was awesome.Unfortunately, my stomach did not have a good night's sleep. Ugh. I get a "nervous tummy" before every single one of my races, and usually most of my long runs. But, for some reason, I could tell this one was different. I just couldn't get my stomach to settle down. So, before we left, I grabbed a bottle of water to sip on in hopes that it would help my stomach, as well as keep me a little more hydrated before the race. Of course, NOT something I had been doing during my long runs. Mistake #1.Matt walked me to the VIP tent where I found Ashley, Brandi, and Brandi's mom to chat with until it was time to head to the starting line. We talked about our crazy races and their other experiences in VIP (it was my first time!), before I headed to the porta potty for one last chance to get my stomach to settle down. I kept repeating my mantra in my head all morning - YOU GOT THIS! - but I was still incredibly nervous and my stomach was just not having it.I don't think I've ever gotten to a starting corral as late as I did on Sunday. Usually I'm one of the first ones in the corral and have time to stretch before everyone starts piling in. I ended up not getting to the starting line until 6:15 and it was PACKED! I snuck my way into the middle where there was a little bit more room, and took a few selfies at the start.
Thank goodness I did, because Steffany spotted me and came and chatted with me the first few minutes before the gun went off. While we were both supposed to be in corral 4, we some how ended up in the middle of corral 3. Oops. So, Matt totally missed me at the start.
Finish Time - 1:41:51 Average Pace - 7:47/mile
Like I said, not a PR and definitely not the pace I was training for. I'm definitely disappointed because I KNOW I had that PR in me. But, I know there are other races - and I also know there are things that I need to be changing in my training to better prepare myself for that PR. But, thankfully, I can say that I race almost 6 minutes faster that I ran RNR Chicago last year!
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Oh, and those "side stitches" I though I was having the entire race. Turns out I had them the rest of the day. It wasn't until I was laying in bed that I realized what I was feeling definitely wasn't a side stitch, and I had been having a cramp in the exact same spot during a few of my runs for weeks. I ended up going to the chiropractor the next day who determined it was actually my iliopsoas muscle (also known as your hip flexor that originates off the spine and attaches to the top of the femur) that is inflamed and putting pressure on the fascia between my abs and obliques, causing that uncomfortable pressure/side stitch while I run.
Hmm, guess what I haven't been doing since I started training? My hip circuit that I had been so diligent about doing. That had helped me get over my my pelvis issues I had been having since having miles. Oh yeah, that little thing that was keeping those injuries at bay. Yup. I have been neglecting the ONE thing I KNOW that I absolutely need to be doing in my training. I've done my circuit twice now, and I've noticed a significant difference in that pain in my side.
As a run coach, this hip circuit is something I have my runners do almost DAILY, as a way to help prevent injuries and make them stronger and faster runners. If you are dealing with injuries, or are just looking for a way to prevent injuries from happening, sign-up below and have my short, effective hip circuit sent directly to your inbox!