Having already raced some of their races in other cities, I was excited that the Rock ‘n’ Roll series was coming to DC!
Under the guidance of a nutritionist, I did not carbo-load the night before (she claims I don’t need to, but I claim, “Where’s the fun in that?”). I started off my morning with my new pre-race breakfast favorite: Steel cut oats microwaved with milk, egg whites, and topped off with banana slices for sweetness (nutritional translation: 300 calories of carbs. protein, more protein, and fructose/glucose).
With so many athletes, it was a slow walk to get to the start. But the energy was great! I was surrounded by everyone from newbie runners bonding in the anxiety of their first big race to experienced runners saying hello to familiar faces from the trails. Realizing that I wouldn’t need my headphones, I tucked them away and got ready to experience a band at every mile marker. Finally, we got to the start and...HURRRAAAYYYY...we were off!
At Mile 2, I noticed some friends from DC Tri Club waving at the runners while they were pedaling their own bikes on trainers. Do these guys ever stop?
At Mile 4, I thought to myself, “Hey, this isn’t so bad. Maybe when I get to the Half Marathon split off, if I’m still feeling good, I’ll just keep going for the Full Marathon.” This is the person who looks at a glass and says it is still half-full.
I made my way up 18th Street from Constitution Avenue towards Adams Morgan for the first and only big hill of the whole half marathon. The hill lasted until Mile 7. It was a steep hill, but it helps to know it’s just one.
By Mile 8, I started to feel the effects of a first big race in several months. Ughh, how do I still have 5 more of these miles? This is the person who looks at her glass and says it is half-empty.
At Mile 10, with 3 miles left, I pushed myself through with the reminder, “C’mon, this is less than your short morning runs.”
At Mile 12, I turned a corner in Capitol Hill and came across the largest inflatable Rock ‘n’ Roll doll I’d ever seen, straddling both sides of the street. Like a child, I couldn’t help but smile at the novelty of such a surprise. As I prepared to run underneath him, I burst into laughter when I noticed a sign that someone was carrying: Did you smell something? I needed the mental break to take my mind off of the physical pain.
I reminded myself that this was a short trek up to the grocery store and back. I knew the finish line was around the bend. I also reminded myself that it was time to leave everything on the course. I hit the ground as fast as I could. Seriously, it was a “vomit or die trying” mentality to get to the end. And with a sigh of relief and a huge smile on my face, I finished my 9th Half Marathon of my career.
As if the race wasn’t fun on its own...Safeway was a sponsor. Why was this so exciting? Well, on top of the awesome coupons I picked up at the expo the day before, the post-race area had so much more than just bagels and bananas. There were fruit cups and Open Nature GREEK YOGURT (nutritional translation: 100 calories of protein and live active cultures for those of us who are lactose-intolerant)! And competing for the slot of best post-race recovery drink, there was a truck of chocolate milk AND a truck of Muscle Milk giving out samples! By far, this was one of the best post-race recovery zones.
The Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon was a great start to a 2012 Race Season. The DC community came out in full force. It was nice to hear the cheers of friends, see fellow athletes on the course, and listen to some of our local music acts at different mile markers.
Now, on with the show....
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