Run The Bluegrass 2012::: Race Review

Race #2 of 12 in 2012

Two weekends ago (I am such a procrastinator) I ran two half marathons in two days. On Saturday March 31st I did the Run the Bluegrass Half Marathon in Lexington, Kentucky. 

Our basketball team had a huge game against U of L to advance to the Final Four so I experimented with iron on letters and made what I thought was a pretty bad ass shirt!

Brad was my official photographer, so I actually have some pictures from the race!

My thoughts going into this race we all about getting through it fairly conservatively so that I would be able to walk/run the next day. I had heard horror stories about the hills so I was nervous but I was excited to be racing in Kentucky and I was super excited to meet several blog friends!! 

I picked up my packet the morning of the race and was REALLY pleased with the shirts. Nike Dri Fit and women sizes!!

The temperature was perfect for running, cool and a light mist. The race started right on time [with George "Bucky" Sallee playing the bugle like he does at Keenland!!!] and sure enough, there were plenty of rolling hills [the Asheville Citizen-Times Half was way worse though]. I quickly adopted a walk the hills, run the rest plan. 

The course was BEAUTIFUL! Horse farms, bluegrass, beautiful homes, horses everywhere... LOVED it. The course support was amazing and there were plenty of water stops.

Around mile 10 I realized that I was way ahead of my normal time, so I decided to bust it and try to get a new PR. Brad was waiting for me at the finish line and got these pics:

Starting to kick and this guy in the yellow came up and was trying to pass everyone!

Time to dig down deep!

I'm not usually this competitive but I did not want to let him beat me!

I'm too busy trying not to die sprinting to smile!

Not smiling now, is he?!? CHICKED!

I might look like a hot mess in these pics, but I was not about to let him beat me!! 

FINISH TIME:  2:22:25 **NEW PR**

Overall:  1039 of 1500 (69%)

Age Group:  94 of 146 (64%)

I am SO PROUD of my new PR. Couldn't be happier! 

After the race we were in a huge hurry (I didn't even have time to shower before we had to pack up to head to Knoxville to pick up my packet for the Covenant Health Half Marathon) but I did get some ice cold chocolate milk and of course my medal. 

This is by far my favorite medal so far!!! I love the blue and white ribbon and the horseshoe! 

I would definitely run this race again, I'll actually be really sad if I don't get to next year! I was originally supposed to run with my friend, Becca, but a foot injury sidelined her. Next year I hope we can run together!!

The organizers did a great job with this race and I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a challenging but beautiful course!!

Showing off my awesome double pouch iFitness belt. This thing is a lifesaver and truly the best running belt I've ever used. iFitness is sponsoring 12 in 2012 and gave us all single pouch belts. I bought the double right before my first half. 
I love both belts but like the single for long training runs and the double for long races. Just because it holds more and I like to have my phone to take pictures!

Let The Good Times Roll!

I've always been extremely proud of my planning skills. My Erin Condren planner is never far away and I LOVE writing everything in (OCD much?). Unfortunately I've run into a bit of uncharacteristic POOR RACE PLANNING.

Case in point:
Last weekend I did the Carolinas Spartan Sprint with my little brother. Side note: It took a lot out of me (so I pampered myself on Monday)

This coming Saturday I'm racing the Run The Bluegrass Half in Lexington, KY.

The very next day I'm racing the Covenant Health Half in Knoxville, TN.

And the DA of the day award goes to moi!

My new motto is obviously "be stupid!"

My plan is to run/walk the KY race (walking up hills and running down them and flats---which from what I've heard there aren't many flats!!) then see how I feel Sunday. I'm not planning on trying for a PR at either race, that's for sure!!!

I'm kind of bummed that I have to leave KY so quickly... The race in TN has no race day packet pick up (LAME) so we have to leave pretty quick to get to the expo to pick it up. Which means I'll get to see my friends for about .0654 seconds. BOOOOOOOOOOOO.

And I'm not sure if you're living under a rock but we have a HUGE basketball game on Saturday night. It'd be awesome to watch it in Lexington, but no. TN it is. Yuck. And in case you don't understand how big this game is for us Kentuckians... I'll provide this link. It's an article about how two older men got into a fight over the game DURING THEIR DIALYSIS APPOINTMENT. Seriously. It's going to be ugly. But I'll leave you with these: