Race Report: The Tom King Half Marathon

OK, so I did pick up my packet for the Tom King last night. Picking up your race packet early is HUGE in terms of the ease of your morning. It means that you can show up at the race 30 seconds before the gun. THRILLING.

Now, a huge glitch in my race prep was that my son was sick at my parents house. It affected my evening at home, because I was on the phone until late. I didn't really sleep well and spent a good bit of the evening debating about:

1. going out to my parents' house to spend the night and cancel the race
2. going to my parents' house to spend the night and leave for the race from there
3. staying at my own home and let my parents handle things until after the race
4. staying at my own home and heading out to pick up Ivan in the early morning and skipping the race entirely

I ultimately went with option three and suffered a terrible case of Mother Guilt. It was definitely worse than when Ivan's hands get too cold in the jog stroller or when I did not notice that his shoes were rubbing blisters. The Mother Guilt affected my sleep, and I woke up in the middle of the night feeling worried. I was on the phone with my mom at 7:00 AM and then worried my way to the race and to the starting line. At the starting line, I was telling the other runners around me that my son was currently vomiting at my mom's house.

I am sure they thought I was a freak. I am sure I am a freak. I don't know what else to say about it, but it was my first time to have my child away from home and sick.

Anyway, the run is an easy out and back from the Titans Stadium, through Shelby Bottoms and back to finish in the stadium on the jumbotron. As per usual, I started out really fast. I think I had three 6 and half minute miles, before struggling the rest of the way. This seems to be my way, and it can't be good.

Also, I was definitely slightly ill, just felt like I had some sort of major stomach issue which is most likely the same stomach issue that was going on with my son. Feeling slightly ill in a relatively long race is brutal. Choking down a Gu is just revolting when your stomach is on the fritz. The Gu is necessary, bet you spend all the time in-between Gu stations thinking you might vomit the Gu that you just choked down. 13.2 miles with the possibility of vomiting is a lot to bear.

I did, however, bear it. I also finished a minute sooner than last year (last year: 1:37; this year 1:36). I was proud, but I sort of thought I could break 1:30, so I was rather bummed on that front. Also, after I crossed the finish line I checked in with my mom and Ivan was still sick, so I had to hop into the car and head out to pick up Ivan IMMEDIATELY. I missed the breakfast buffet (I LOVE A BREAKFAST BUFFET), but didn't really feel like eating it.

Now last year, my time earned me third place in my age group (30-34) with an average pace of 7:25).

This year, my time earned me 6th place in my age group (30-34) even though I was a minute faster with an average pace of 7:24. Ok, but my average speed of 7:24 according to the results website is wrong and actually doesn't make sense. My Garmin gauged me at a 7:15 average pace. That sounds more like it. 7:15 is pretty fast, but could I have been even faster if I have not gone out too fast? Maybe. I must ask Mark Miller about this on Tuesday assuming that I am over my stomach issues.

Anyway, I am sure that I will run the Tom King next year as I always enjoy it for the most part, and I am determined to hit that breakfast buffet at least once more in my life.

Pics are of me after the race, as my husband miscalculated and missed getting to the stadium in time to take my picture on the Jumbotron. I want a picture of myself on the jumbotron!!!!

Also, I lost my medal yesterday. Hmmmm, where did it go?