Mardi Gras Half RR

After spending most of my days last week at a physical therapy convention and most of my nights entertaining 4 of my graduate school friends in New Orleans, I wasn't too optimistic going into Sunday's half marathon. Despite my efforts to eat healthy and not drink, I succumbed to peer pressure on more than one occasion. Hmmmmm beignets, hand grenades, margaritas, wine. Ooops. I didn't want to be a bad hostess!

Regardless of my shenanigans, I was able to bust out a PR Sunday. My plan was to go out around a 7 minute pace and see if I could hold it. My goal time was a 1:30-1:35. And although I ran in college, my experience running the half marathon distance is truly lacking. I wanted to use this race as a fitness assessment to start the season and help build my confidence for the 70.3.

Unlike my usual triathlon race reports, I feel like they aren't too many details to bore you with. I went out around 7 minute pace and held it. I felt awesome. Very awesome. Until mile 10 that is. My body started tightening up a lot and I found it harder to hold my pace. I started dropping to 7:20s. The last mile I was able to pick it up a little. One of my teammates and I duked it out to the end. Luckily my old middle distance days were good for something: a kick. Final time: 134:38.

It was a very well organized race. I had a blast and the crowd support was unbelievable. A++++ from me.... I highly recommend it to anyone looking for an early season half/full marathon next year and a good after party!

Speaking of after party, I spent some of mine hanging out with Miss Fancy Pants! Great girl with amazing style! Check out her blog if you haven't already.

And in other news my other half has left his very own Bahama island and has returned to me in the cajun swamp lands. Oh does it feel good to have him back.

I know I've been absent over the past week but stay tuned for a giveaway, barefoot running blog, and a swimmer's shoulder blog. Lots of good stuff to come :)