Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Knoxville Covenant Health Half Marathon:::: Race Review

Race #3 of 12 in 2012 (and second half in two days)


So on Saturday March 31st I Ran The Bluegrass in Lexington, KY and the very next day I ran the Knoxville Covenant Health Half Marathon. I didn't mean to do this but it turned out to be an awesome weekend for me (now if you ask B-rad who had to drive all over creation, get up early, and wait around while I ran, he might have other opinions).

My major gripe with this race was that there was no race day packet pick up. I know they want to get you to the expo and make you spend more time in the city but come on. I-75 South was a parking lot due to some construction so the trip was HORRIBLE. Long story short we took two different detours, I got a ticket for improper passing (and a lecture from an a-hole sheriff), Brad had a melt down because he thought we weren't going to get to see the UK game.... and all the while we're wondering if we're even going to make it to town in time to pick up my packet. IT SUCKED.

Luckily it all worked out but if I hadn't been able to pick up my packet, I'd have been out money for the race and a hotel room in Knoxville for the night. Makes me mad just thinking about it, but anyways.

We got up early and headed to the start line.
What I wore:
Nike Miler shirt
Nike Pro Combat capris
iFitness double pouch belt
Garmin
Active Band headband
Mizuno Wave Riders
Road ID wrist elite ID
iPod shuffle
Yurbud earphones

This race also had a full marathon, it's the first race I've done like that. It was kind of gloomy at the start, but the weather felt really nice. We ran around downtown Knoxville and the UT campus first, then went to more residential areas. The race finished on the 50 yard line of Neyland stadium. I'm not a Vols fan at all, but it was really cool running onto the field.

I started the race thinking, 'Take it easy. Don't hurt yourself. You got a PR yesterday, just take it easy.' I was mainly concerned with finishing. I took off running though, and around mile 3 I felt surprisingly great. Part of the course was along a green way and it was beautiful.  The course was unfortunately HILLY. Yes, I have a gift.

I walked the hills and ran the rest. As we were finishing they announced our names and also put us on the big screen in the stadium, very cool.


After the race, looking all squinty eyed. I've got to get some sunglasses to run in. This was the first race that I've done that gave out space blankets. Don't think I'm horrible, but after the race I noticed that the first aid tent was EMPTY. I knew that some ice would be great for my knees so I ran inside and the volunteers were amazing and hooked me up. I was in and out in about 5 minutes. ***No I wasn't injured and I obviously wouldn't have done this if they were busy**


Third half of 2012 complete. Here are the stats:
What am I happy about?
If I hadn't PR'ed the day before, this time would have been a new PR for me!
Look at my 10K split, my 10K PR is 1:09:21. I shaved off 3 MINUTES (in the middle of a half, my second half of the weekend!).
I ran two hilly courses in two days and finished strong.

Afterwards we went to a restaurant that B-rad picked:
The food was good but it took FOREVER. But we got to sit outside and watch the marathoners finish. Man I was in awe of those amazing people.
icing my knees while waiting for food.

he's just happy it's over and ready for some food!
As always, my iFitness belt worked great:


I came away from this weekend on a running high. Am I fast? Definitely not. But am I strong? Heck yes.

Isn't it an awesome feeling to challenge yourself then rise to the occasion? I highly recommend it. 





15 comments:

  1. You are awesome! Wow, 2 races in a row:) Love the bright pink shirt. I am looking for some running/biking sunglasses too so if you find some great ones, let me know. Way to go!

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  2. Wow 2 halfs in a row!! I'm worried about 2 halfs 3 weeks apart! Awesome job!

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  3. awww you have the best finishing photos! and first. you ran 2 races in 2 days. AMAZING. and PR'd on the bluegrass. i talked to Coy so much about the hills of that race before you all ran it. you both are amazing for dominating that one! and then to feel strong again the next day! love it! i think it would be so cool to finish on a field. i need to find a race some day that does that :)

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  4. You're so BA. Seriously. It takes me 2 months to recover from one half. Your pictures are great too!! GOOD JOB!!!

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  5. I've always wanted to do back to backs!!! It would have to be a half too, no way I could put a marathon next to another or even another half! Ice those knees! They'll love you for it!!
    Plus, I love your pics, you look so happy!

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  6. Congrats on two great races!! I've never even thought about doing two halfs back to back. You're seriously hardcore!!! Love the pictures too, you look so happy :)

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  7. Congratulations Courtney! Great times for both races! You are definitely a warrior for completing 2 half marathons in 2 days! Amazing!

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  8. Great recap and congrats on another half done! There is nothing like the feeling of challenging yourself and meeting that challenge head on!

    Back to back? Wow! It's amazing what we can do :)

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  9. WOW you got some awesome stuff and photos :) GREAT job shaving off the 10k split and your half time .....I'd consider this a huge success :D and I can't believe you ran both halfs together!!!!!

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  10. Great job! I love that they announced your name and put it on the big screen when you finished. Love al the great pictures. Congrats on a great race!

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  11. Great job on back to back races! How cool was the finish in the stadium? I wish I would have met up with you there - I was right there when you finished. Next time!!!!!
    :)

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  12. I love doing stadium finish runs, they are just so much fun! i am super glad you got to do it! you rock and seriously two halves in a weekend, you rock in my book!

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  13. Your race pictures look really good! I am so proud of you rocking a half the day after you set a new half PR! The medal for this race looks really cool too!

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