First Half Marathon

The Women's Running Series half marathon was this past Sunday. What a great trip with my girlfriends. Saturday we drove two hours to Scottsdale where the race started and to attend the Expo. But not without making a couple much needed stops at our favorite shopping hotspots like Lululemon and Athleta. Oh Scottsdale how I do love your shopping! After lunch and shopping we found our way to the hotel where the Expo and packet pickup was held.

We had a blast at the Expo taking in all the neat vendors and cool products on display. And a little fun at the photo booth.

That night we had a great carbo dinner at a little Italian restaurant we found on Yelp. Later we came back to our hotel to relax and get ready for the race. The hotel was nice and quiet until around 1:30 in the morning when our neighbors decided to throw a giant party in the room directly next to us. It took about an hour or so for them to calm down and of course much longer for me to fall asleep. I dreaded that 5:00 am wake up call.

The race was long, I knew it would be but I seemed to have forgot since my Half Ironman. I ran almost the entire thing. I stopped at all the aid stations to walk and take in fluids. I tried to keep up with the 2:15 pace sign holder (yes there is people who hold up signs so you can follow them). But mile 6 I lost her because I had to pee. Then I tried so badly to keep up with the 2:30 pace lady but yet again I lost her because I had to stop and pee again and at that point I slowed way down too. I was getting tired my legs were heavy. They had already been a little sore before the race from all the squats, lunges and Real Ryder training I was doing. So running 13.1 miles on them might not have been the best idea. My overall time on the race was 2:35. 

After the race I met up with my friends and enjoyed the post race activities including live music, snacks, cookies, champagne and even an area where you could get a massage. But the best part of the race was the medals! Man these were huge! And they are heavy too. Women's Running Series put on a fabulous race. My friends and I definitely be back next year.

 

I was selected by Competitor Group, Inc. to participate in this event for free in exchange for my blog posting. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated.