Half at the Hamptons Race Report

This race was not everything I hoped it would be.  I didn't meet most of my goals.  I spent some time feeling badly but knew I had posted this not too long ago:

Arriving at the hotel on Saturday.  Why put this in?  

Because I think I look thinner in it than I have in awhile.

I can't resist.

‎"I made a pact with myself to never complain about an event I've successfully finished. No matter what my finish time or pace, I will cross the line with a pocket full of gratitude. Records are meant to be broken, but those moments are far and few between. Every adventure offers an opportunity to evolve, explore, and celebrate life. And that is the gift that keeps on giving." Jenny Hadfield


So I didn't allow too much disappointment to seep through. I'll do a recap of sorts with both the goods and the bads.


*****Top Billing****** goes to the weather!! It was fantastic. It was sunny and clear and not too cold. I wore pants but could have worn capris for sure. I had a short sleeved shirt under a fairly light sweatshirt. I wore a headband and light gloves.  I was very comfortable.

2012 the day before the race. Below 2011 - huge huge difference

Shortly before the race start

The good - I had a great first half of the race. I really appreciated my fellow racers, the scenery, I kept my pace going up the hills and I was enjoying myself immensely.

The race start- a fair number of shorts

This year this is about mile 2.

The good - My foot felt fine in spite of the bruise on the top. I had not trouble with it whatsoever.

The good and the bad - The course had changed some.  The beginning was fine although nothing special.  We ran around the block at Hampton Beach and ended up going back along the beach front past the usual beginning. We ran past where I rented a cottage one summer with several college friends. The cottage has long since been torn down.  Then we went along the beach until we turned towards the neighborhoods. This part was much longer than usual and okay but nothing special.  It was a bit hillier and it was longer before we were back on the ocean for  a shorter time. I have always loved the last few miles as they were the most scenic and slightly downhill.  The most scenic part was cut out.  But there were certainly parts along the ocean which were quite nice.

The bad and the good - I could not hold my paces for each mile in the 9s.   The first 8 miles were in the 9s. The last 5 were in the 10s.  My overall pace was..........9:59.  So much for that goal of no miles in the 10s.  I also wanted to be near my previous times.  I was pretty much 4 minutes slower than last year with a pace of 2:11:33.  Can I blame it on the new sections?  Nah, I just couldn't keep it up.  But I did give it my all, I continued to try to push it and I think through that managed not to have my slowest half ever.

Overall stats - I was 909/1326 and 16 out of 29 in my age group. I'll take it, pretty much mid pack for my age group and 2/3 and some down overall.

After the race wearing my medal

The good - Fellow Racers - I loved looking at jackets of my fellow racers that I coveted, reading race shirts, signs on lawns etc. One woman came up to me after and thanked me for pacing here.  I always appreciate that.

With my friend, H

The good - The race was very well organized, no doubt ever about what way to go, lots of race support for volunteers.

The good/bad - The shirt and medal are fine although pretty much like last year.  We did a little outlet shopping after and I got a new jacket and shirt at Columbia. I love that store!

The bad - I had some intestinal distress during the race which I do not typically have.  It continued after for a bit although all is fine now. I had a fantastic dinner of clam chowder, lobster roll and chocolate cake.

Swans on the way to Maine

Delicious!

The great - We are now in Maine and I am going to run tomorrow - I know I should take a day off but I will go easy. I am not in Maine that often and I can't wait to run on the ocean and go to my lighthouse and all of that.