Rock and Roll Arizona Race Recap

Finish Line! (I’m too cheap to buy the photo…)

Rock and Roll Arizona Half Marathon is in the books with a finish time of 2:04:43.  Last post I created my A, B, and C goals for the race:

A: run the whole race and  finish (CHECK!)

B: Sub 2:20 (CHECK!)

C: Closer to 2 hrs (CHECK!)

So, why am I not over the moon with my results?  Well, I always make a super-secret goal to myself before the race…a Goal D – and mine with sub 2hrs.  And I could have hit that goal if a two things would have gone differently:

1) I was unfamiliar with how ‘big races’ work.  I have never run a race with corrals and for some reason I thought corrals were just a way of lining people up in the appropriate finishing time areas and when the gun sounded everyone took off at the same time.  So, while I was in line for my third porta-potty stop before the race began (I have to nervous pee multiple times before every race I do), the gun went off.  I panicked and left the potty line and ran to the corral…. only to stand around for another 23 MINUTES for my group to start.  By mile 3, I had to stop and pee – and lost 1:55 minutes (which would bring my finish time down to 2:02:48).

2) My garmin.  I love, love, love my watch.  I am obsessed with my splits and elevation charts and compare and contrast runs on Garmin Connect like crazy.  So at mile 10 when I was getting so hot and tired, I rolled down my arm sleeves and apparently touched the bezel and it switched to some crazy screen that I have never seen before.

“Crazy Screen”.

I stopped to walk for a second and pressed every button and spot on the bezel to get it to switch back, but with no luck.  I couldn’t see my overall time or my split time…I was lost.  It really broke me.  I ended up walking two more times (just 50 feet or so each time) because I just couldn’t get over my watch not working and wondering how fast I was running.  (Note to self: start working on running more by feel than the watch in the future!)

As I reflect on the race a few days removed, I am happy.  I am happy that I have a great base going into training for the Albuquerque Half Marathon (April 19th).  In April I will be on my home turf and familiar with the course.  There will be no corrals – just 200ish people total.  I will have 12 weeks of solid training under my belt and have a better idea as to a reasonable goal should be.  On to the next race!

A few pictures from the weekend:

My first ‘big race expo’. Loved all the free stuff to sample and the great deals on running gear!

Weather was PERFECT for the race!

Tested out the light rail from our hotel to the start line on Saturday – then took a tour of ASU campus. Loved the orange trees and seeing flowers in the middle of winter.

Race day attire. I chose well – shorts and tank top were perfect. Arm sleeves kept me warm for the first 10 miles.

Beautiful sunrise from the starting line.

Getting a little tired…

Finishers Medal – happy to be done!

Happy couple! Tom completed his first full marathon.

Everyone got a fortune cookie in their swag bag. I saved mine for after the race and I think this speaks to making sure I rest and recover from this race before I start training for my next race.

I am in LOVE with these 110% Play Harder compression socks. They felt soooo good after the race. Next running gear item I want: The 110% Juggler Knickers.