Sunday, September 26, 2010

Salem's Wicked Half Marathon

On Saturday, we ran the Wicked Half Marathon in Salem, MA (where the infamous Salem Witch Trials took place). It was an unseasonably HOT day, and it actually hit 90 degrees. The course was really nice, and winds around Salem and Marblehead, with some slight inclines and declines, but nothing too intense.

Ryan's Report:
I felt MISERABLE the entire race. My plan going in was to hover at a pace around 8:40 min/mile (about 10 seconds faster than marathon goal pace.) We did a mile warmup, and I was already feeling really hot. As soon as the gun went off, I knew it wasn't going to be my day. I had major stomach issues right from the start. It felt like a combination of rocks bouncing around in my stomach and a gremlin inside my stomach punching his way out. It was miserable. I suffered to hang onto 8:55 pace, and it was grueling. I usually love to run long distances, but this was a day where I just wanted to be done. I finished in 1:57:08, and it was one of my worst races I've had in a long time. I felt awful. Bethany came and tried to bring me in the last half mile, but I was too shamed and embarrassed of my poor performance that I told her I didn't want her to see me in such rough shape. Anyway, I felt better after the race, and I really love the race shirt. It's a long sleeve red tech-tee, with a cool black bat on it.

I drank some fluids and got something to eat and then felt better. We then decided to take the short ride up to Ipswich, MA to run on the Stone Cat Trails (where Bethany will be running her 50 miler in November, and I'll be running my first trail marathon). We found the trails, and popped into the woods for a few easy recovery miles. These trails looked really nice, relatively flat, very NON-technical (which Miss Bethany likes), and tons of snakes and chipmunks and other miscellaneous critters.

Bethany's Report:
I never have much to say in a race recap. I tend to just run and not really think about it. I had a good run. My plan was to run any pace under 7:50, my goal marathon pace. I started out on pace for a 1:38, which is reasonable for me but with the heat and the fact that I ran 31 miles 6 days earlier and I was out of work sick 2 days this week, I slowed down to a 1:41ish pace. My overall average was 7:41. I finished 10th woman overall (apparently I was 3rd before I slowed down) which is pretty rare for a race out here, most races here are VERY fast. I finished 7/172 in my age group. I'm glad I ran sub 7:50s, that's really all I cared about. If you count last Sunday to this past Saturday, I ran a total of 66 miles so I'm pleased with that. I went on to run 17.5 miles yesterday (I had to get in .5 because I ran 4.5 miles earlier in the week, I like a nice even number at the end of the week).
I got some chaffage on my back yesterday which was a first for me. I don't tend to get chaffage anywhere when I run. It wasn't from my bra but rather from my racing singlet (it was lower on my back) because my singlet got wet. I rarely sweat while I run, I'll finish a race and be bone dry so you know it's hot when I start sweating! I don't mind getting chaffage though because I love how it stings in the shower (true story!)

Post race pic taken at Salem Willows. Yes, it was windy, but my hair looks like this all the time wind or no wind 

Have a nice week everyone

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

ahhhhhhh i want to go to salem so bad! i was thinking of doing their devils run halloween race.

great job in this race for the both of you. it was a really hot day saturday and you guys ran that race awesomely.

Kathleen said...

You two are amazing! I can't imagine running like the two of you do. Congrats!

Shellyrm ~ just a country runner said...

I think you both deserve a congratulations! The temps have been higher than usual and it really effects your running.

Bethany, you don't sweat? Okay I sweat enough for both of us!

Then you two go run trails! You two are crazy amazing!

Jennifer said...

Sorry Ryan had a bummer tummy for the race, and yes the heat is hard! Of course it's what we are used to down here... still it's good to push through the bad times, it makes you understand what you are made of! Great job both of you! Still way faster than I could have run it!

Colleen said...

I'm thinking between Ryan's sweatyness and Bethany's lack of sweat, your kids will be a perfect balance :)

Ryan, Phil will feel better knowing someone who can run as long and fast as you even has a bad half marathon. The heat does him in too.

And I love the hair comment!

Amanda said...

Another race in the books. Ryan great job getting it done when not feeling well. Bethany you did a great job too.

Silly Girl Running said...

I think that it's so cute that you go to these races as a couple! :)

And your hair really doesn't look that bad. ;)

Denise said...

great job...to both of you!!!

ShutUpandRun said...

Ugh...sorry Ryan had such a crappy race. We've all been there. Stomach issues are the worse. Bethany, congrats to you on such a speedy finish, even in the heat!

Marlene said...

Congrats to you both! That is some crazy heat... not good for racing! Way to hang in there.

Emily said...

you love the chafing sting in the shower??? you crazy girl! Great job to you both- and Ryan remember that every bad run helps you learn something and improve!

Julie said...

Congrats to both of you:) Nice work!

Unknown said...

Ouch, are you joking? You love the stinging of chaffing? That cracks me up! It just killllllssss me, worse than a bee sting ANY DAY!
Congrats on your race!

Oz Runner said...

great job to you both...

Aron said...

you two are awesome - congrats!

zbsports said...

The race seems so interesting and challenging. The event is tough and looks everyone is happy to it. Good post too.

Jenn said...

Nice work guys! 90 degrees-NASTY! I hate heat! I love the nice even number..lol! I always do that!

MCM Mama said...

Great job on the run, guys! And I wish I didn't sweat. I ran 4 miles this morning and it was fairly cool and I still had to wash my hair again afterwards because I was sopping wet.