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Los Angeles Rock N Roll Half Marathon Race Recap
| October 29, 2012 | Posted by Carrie under half marathon, injury, Running, support system |
I ran the Los Angeles Rock N Roll Half Marathon yesterday. While I’ve been nursing a few aches and pains since the Long Beach Half 3 weeks ago, I wasn’t really sure what to expect from this race. I had 2 main goals: 1) finish uninjured and 2) finish. Secondary was my time goal to finish with an average pace that started with a 10.
The last half-marathon that I ran alone was the Las Vegas RnR back last December. While I had a pretty good race and was one of the lucky ones to not get sick or have any issues, I did feel like I’ve come a long way in terms of speed since then (in my slow world) and was hoping to see how things would go yesterday.
However, I was dealing with an irritable ITB and a new tightness in my priformis and so I wasn’t really sure how it’d all go. My running buddy K came with me for the day and it was great to have company and a mini cheering squad.
at the start
The ASPCA mascot – before the race
The race itself was great. The Competitor Group completely redeemed themselves in my book after the Vegas disaster. This was an excellently run race. Parking was easy, traffic was light.
The corrals were small and while there were people supposedly making sure that runners lined up correctly, I did see people in the wrong corrals. However, the groupings seemed to work well. No weaving around walkers in the beginning, it was all very organized. The wave start got off quickly. I was in Corral 12 and we started less than 30 minutes after the official start.
The course was great. We started in Downtown at LA Live and went south towards USC and made a loop around the Coliseum. We then went back north to LA Live and turned east through downtown. I enjoyed the loops as there were always people going the opposite direction and with the Halloween themed race, there was always something fun to watch.
The crowd support was great. Especially as we were going through the industrial areas through miles 8-11. There were local cheerleaders and just generally great crowds.
My race: my plan was to start out with an average pace in the low 11′s. I was thinking to take a short walk break at every mile marker as the run/walk intervals tend to keep away the aches and pains for me. The race started and I started a little faster than planned, but my average pace was about 10:50 and I felt super comfortable. So, I stayed with it. At the 5K mark, I was still at about 10:50 and was still feeling good.
When I took my walk breaks, my average pace would quickly drop to the 11′s and that messed with my brain. My legs quickly got tired. I knew then that I had started too fast and that messed with my brain, too. Typically, I get stronger during runs, I don’t fade. Not yesterday. By mile 5, I started to lose things mentally. I’m not really sure what happened. By then, I’d known that my pace goal wasn’t going to happen and that was fine, but all of a sudden, 13.1 miles seemed a really really long way away.
As we started on the 2nd loop at mile 6, we started up slight hill and my stomach did a little freak out. I had to walk to deal with the cramping. At this point, I was watching a lot of the faster runners tear down the hills to the finish. All of that messed more with my head.
The good news of the day is that all of my usual aches and pains stayed away. No ITB pain, no knee pain, and I could feel the tightness in my priformis, but it stayed the same through the whole race. Bad news of the day – both of my hip flexors and both of my ankles weren’t happy. At. All.
As I was struggling through mile 7, I had been taking more walk breaks. I heard my phone ding and recognized that it was a text from my husband. I read the text a few minutes later when walking and found the most wonderfully encouraging text. He was getting text updates on my race and saw the 10K split and the change from the 5K and texted me some encouragement. It could not have come at a better time. I got a little emotional about how lucky I was to be out there running. I was so appreciative knowing that he was cheering for me and my attitude got better.
I was not able to get my achy legs to pick up the pace all that much, but I did get my head back in things mentally and the walk breaks became less frequent. There was a giant hill leading up to mile 10 (that was cruel), so I walked up it. We were nearing the last turn around and I then saw my blogger friend Caroline from Canadian Runner in Exile. I cheered out some encouragement (although since I had music going and was pretty tired, I know I yelled really super loud and I apologize to everyone around me for shocking them). Caroline’s encouragement back to me was super helpful at that time.
After the turnaround. We were treated to a gorgeously clear view of Los Angeles.
In the next picture, you can see the Hollywood Sign and the Griffith Park Observatory on the hill.
I continued my run/walk. Things were still hurting (mostly my hip flexors), but they hurt to walk just as much as to run, so when I finally saw mile 12, I decided it was better to run and just be done.
the guy in the sweats was blasting music through the tunnel and cheering
I wouldn’t say I picked up the pace to the finish. But, the gentle downhill slope (of the uphill that had killed me at mile 6-7) was very very appreciated.
You can see that mile 5 was where things took a turn for the worse. I was rather shocked at my last little .1 kick at the end. I must have really wanted to be done.
I like to look at the chart for my pace as well. You can see how much more frequent my walk breaks became towards the end. Final time 2:39:38 (avg. pace 12:09).
For those of you who remember the green bananas in Vegas – I just had to snap a picture of these bananas. I guess Competitor Group found a better banana supplier.
Since this was a fundraiser for the ASPCA, there were some puppies hanging around meeting people and looking for their forever homes. Don’t you think taking home a puppy would be better than a medal? How cute is this little guy?
My friend and I hit the road home and made a stop for some breakfast. Of course, I had some pancakes. Amazing. Well earned.
Later on in the evening, I rested with some compression socks and ice on my hip flexors. There was also a yummy burger, some frozen yogurt and a glass of wine.
All in all, half marathon number 5 was a success. It was difficult. It messed with my head, but I pushed through and finished strong. I know I said that things were hurting, but it wasn’t ever sharp pains, and I know my hip flexors are a weak point in my body. I am pretty confident that these aren’t serious injuries, just my body telling me where the weaknesses are and where I should work on improvements.
Honestly, I don’t have plans to run another half marathon for a while. The next steps for me are strength training and just enjoying running and working out. This is week two of Best Body Bootcamp. I’m taking today as a well earned rest day and can’t wait to get started on week 2 tomorrow.
And a final note – I wore my Yurbuds headphones during the race and they were awesome. Don’t miss out on your chance to win a pair for yourself. My giveaway is here – ends Friday.
Do you read texts during a race?
Just a few more days left to vote – Thank you so so much…
Congrats on finishing #5! Glad you were able to power through even when body parts weren’t cooperating. And how wonderful to get encouraging texts from your hubby!!
Michelle @ Running with Attitude recently posted..Yurbuds Inspire Review & Giveaway
Thank you.
Aw, Carrie, good for your for hanging in there and finishing in spite of your disappointment and not feeling very well. I am happy for your perseverance. You must be incredibly proud of yourself! Get some well-earned rest… 2 in 3 weeks is a LOT!
Lovely pictures.. and those puppers are so darn cute, too.
Elle recently posted..Banana Omelet… Bazinga!
Thank you. The rest is going well
Great job Carrie sticking it out and finishing strong! I’m sorry that it wasn’t quite what you had gone out there hoping for. As they say, they can’t all be amazing or else there’d be a whole lot more people out there doing this! I hope the aches and pains give way soon.
Kerry HK recently posted..Big Cottonwood Canyon Half – Race Recap
I was comforted by the expressions of the top finishers as they passed me – most of them were also working so hard and looking like they were working hard. No one ever said that running a half marathon was easy.
Holy cow, it seems like we were running the same race! I felt the same way during my race. My wheels fell off around mile 6 and I couldn’t pick up the pace. Not a good day for racing I guess. Sorry you had a hard time, I totally know how you felt. Hope your aches and pains go away soon:) Nice job finishing strong!
hikermom recently posted..Snohomish River Run Race Recap
Yes we did run the same race – Even starting too fast but feeling good and thinking that we could stay at that pace. I kept checking in with my breathing and it was always in a good place. So, I know that cardio-wise I could have been fine at that pace. Just my legs had a different opinion on the matter. But, we finished and we’re awesome for that!
What a sweet message from your hubby! And yay for finishing injury-free!!
Paige recently posted..Confusion with Growing the Muscles
Thank you! I’m happy that my hip flexors aren’t sore at all now, but my feet are hurting a lot. And I’ve also got the usual post-race quad pain.
You are a tough cookie!!!! Big congrats for all you do!!!!!!!
Jody – Fit at 54 recently posted..Gratitude Monday & Just Gratitude!
Thank you so much Jody! The feeling of accomplishment after doing something difficult is pretty amazing.
You did great!! I ran yesterday too, I was a bit slower though
The heat got to me, probably around mile 5 as well. Once we got out of the tunnel going up to the hill I was miserable because of the heat and the lack of shade. I still got a new PR so I am happy about that. I saw your picture on instagram after about the puppies…..I turned to my husband in the car and told him that we should have went and got one….he laughed.
I generally don’t read my texts during a race, because I have a bad problem with dropping my phone….don’t want to break it!
I’m a phone dropper too.
The sun did get me a few times – I was so glad I had on a hat, I would hide under it and concentrate on my feet.
Congratulations on finishing! We are all rockstars for getting out there!
it sounds like you pushed through a lot both physically and mentally during the race…so amazed by your strength and your ability to FINISH strong no matter what! lots to be proud of! hope those hip flexors feel better soon! glad to hear the Competitor Group redeemed themselves from Vegas…I have been hesitant to keep trying a race with them after that experience :/
Julia @ Pain, Pride and Perseverance recently posted..Reflections on Perseverance:)
My hip flexors are happy now. I overheard the Vegas RnR guy talking to someone at the Expo about all the changes they’re planning for that race this year. Not that I’m going to do it again, but it does sound like they listened. I do think the LA race was much smaller than the Vegas race, but it was very well organized. And, I saw gloves on the hands of every single water station worker.
Sorry it was a rough run, but great job to push through! Enjoy resting up and recoverying. That’s important.
Tina @ Best Body Fitness recently posted..Move It Monday: Push-Ups & Mondetta Performance Gear Review
Thank you Tina. I am enjoying my rest and am going to ease back in to BBB slowly.
Congrats on another half! My body was telling me a lot after half #11. And I’m actually listening woohoo!
That was a tough race and you made it to the finish. Nice job!
Oh and your photos make me miss CA!!
Jill @ Fitness, Health and Happiness recently posted..I Am Going To Bootcamp!
Learning to listen to my body is one of the best lessons of running. You’re so inspiring with your 12 in 12 – Good luck with #12!!!
Wow, Carrie- that sounds like a tough race! Good for you for hanging in there. I was feeling really off on my long run this weekend and thinking it was a good thing I wasn’t racing. Those days come, unfortunately. But congrats on another half don!
Laura @ Mommy Run Fast recently posted..Breast Cancer Awareness and a Reebok Shoe Giveaway!
Thank you! Maybe the bad run karma was just in the air.
Great job! You really did well and you did have quite a strong finish! I do not read texts during the races but will sometimes take photos! So, it kind of looks like the guy in the banana picture is smelling the bananas, maybe to make sure that they are ripe enough for you?
Travel Spot recently posted..Creature of Habit
He’s my food tester
Congrats Carrie! You’re right halfs are HARD–way to push through. You know I’m a sucker for puppies, I’d been all over those! Your next steps to change it up are very similar to mine. WOw that VEgas races lives on in infamy almost a year later!
Marcia recently posted..Post MCM: Home, Alive and Well
I think the Vegas race will never be forgotten.
Running that far alone isn’t easy–way to many mental battles to fight. You did a GREAT job pushing through! Congrats!!
Jan recently posted..Pumpkins
Thank you. And good point – I haven’t run that long alone in a very long time.
You did an awesome job – and a fantastic race re-cap!
My hubby and I ran in Vegas last year too – we also didn’t experience any of the issues everyone was bitching and complaining about – I loved everything about it. I’m hoping to do another R’n'R race sometime next year.
Helen recently posted..Meli’s 1/2 year Birthday!
Thank you! And yay for another person that actually enjoyed the Vegas race. I had a good experience too. Although walking back to my hotel after the race and looking around at all the people in the convention area did remind me of a war zone. I’m glad I did another RnR race.
Congratulations on a strong finish and another half marathon completed! The puppies at the end are so cute. I would definitely want to trade my medal for one of those!
Suzanne recently posted..Tate Farms
Good job pushing through. 13.1 miles IS a long way! I really don’t do well with walk breaks. I need to find my pace and hold it. Have you tries a short race without breaks? Like a 10K? Just an idea.
Coco recently posted..Sweaty Laundry? Try The Febreze Laundry Odor Eliminator (Giveaway)
Well, first I’m going to not sign up for any long races for a while. I think my biggest problem last weekend was my lack of a plan. I knew my body wasn’t going to like running the whole time since I did so much of my training with my friend at a run/walk. But, I couldn’t decide what to do and the lack of a plan messed with my head. It probably wouldn’t have mattered since my hip flexors started to hurt at mile 5, so there’s that. Your comment got me thinking that I do usually take a walk break or two in every race – even a 5K. Sometimes it’s just 30 seconds – or walking through a water station. So, I think that works for me. But, I need to get healthy now… There’s a local 10K on Super Bowl Sunday that was my first one and is on my radar in the distance.
Great race recap! I’m sorry that things didn’t work out the way you had hoped, but to me it looks like you did awesome. I love that the ASPCA was the event charity…that’s where Chewie came from so we are big supporters! Rock on Carrie!
Caroline Calcote recently posted..Halloween Happened
Yay for rescue doggies. I don’t think I knew Chewie was a rescue. I’m a big fan of that