On Sunday, Baby L and I ran our first race together at the Corvallis Half Marathon. It was an absolutely perfect day for racing. About 48 degrees and sunny at the start. Couldn’t ask for anything better!
I didn’t really have too much of a plan for this race. Mostly I just wanted to get out there and run with my hometown crowd. A friend of mine was running this as her first half, and we decided to try to stick together for the first few miles. Neither of us was really sure what our pace was going to be on the day, but we thought we would probably start around a 9-9:30 pace and see how it went.
We ended up settling into about a 9:05 pace. My friend wasn’t wearing a watch, so I just did my best to run steady, even splits and we stuck together. Just after mile 8, I had to make a dash to the bathroom, but I told her to keep crushing it and to even pick it up a little if she could — especially in the last couple miles. She ended up doing amazing! I didn’t waste much time using the bathroom, but even with trying to catch up with a fast 8:45 mile afterward, I couldn’t even see her in the distance.
I knew I couldn’t maintain that faster pace, but was able to settle back in again around an 9:05-9:10 for the last few miles. I ended up finishing in 1:59:00, and my friend finished two minutes faster in 1:57:00! She had a really great, super strong first half marathon!
It was such a blast to sort of act as a pacer for my friend, and really made the miles fly by. Like I said before, I didn’t have any expectations for this race. I really just wanted to go out and have a good time. I ran a little faster than I thought I would be able to thanks to race day adrenaline and a couple days of “taper” beforehand. It was so much fun to see friends who weren’t racing cheering around town and at the finish. I also really loved having a big group to catch up with and celebrate with in the (root)beer garden after the race. I think Baby L had a great time too! We will definitely have to find another race to run together!
Defy Your Limitations 
Look at you running a sub 2-hour half marathon!!! What are you now, 15-16 weeks pregnant? How did it feel? Did you monitor your heart rate much? You are amazing, lady. That’s great that you got to run it with a friend – I’m sure it made the “first” experience for her that much more enjoyable.
What did you think of the half marathon course in Corvallis? I have never done this race (I’m not sure why) but really want to. From the looks of it, the finish area is in Reser Stadium? That’s pretty awesome. Any negatives about the race?
Yep — I’m 16 weeks now. I felt good. Actually better than I expected! I don’t monitor my HR, but really try to think about how I’m feeling and how hard I’m working. The Corvallis half course is a good one. You do end in Reser Stadium, which is pretty cool. There is one or two long gradual hills, but they really aren’t that bad, I don’t think. Though that’s probably what most people complain about!
Congrats to you and Baby on your race!!! Amazing time running for two. Looks like a fun day! Hope you are doing and feeling well! xoxo
Already being a great role model for Baby L! And, of course, inspiring others (like me!). So glad the day turned out perfect for you both!
What a fun day! Congrats on your sub-2! I love seeing so many pregnant women being active (so many are pregnant right now!)… you’re such an inspiration!
Great race!! Sounds like you had a good time!! 🙂
I’m impressed with that time!!! Congrats! 🙂
Thanks! I was surprised. Haha. Definitely a fun race!