race report: get in gear 13.1

05/09/2017

And just like that, the 2017 race season has started. The Hot Dash 10 mile has been my season opener the past two years, but my legs weren’t quite race ready a month ago. So we switched it up and instead I raced Minnesota’s annual rite of spring: the Get in Gear half marathon. I was pretty stoked, too, because most of the course – river road along the Mississippi between Minneapolis and St. Paul – is my regular long run route and my absolute favorite place to run. 

After a chill morning – the race started at 9a – I checked my sweats and did a quick warm-up before lining up with the 7:00-mile pacer. The first four miles ticked off quickly as I kept pace with three other women. By the time we cruised downhill under the Franklin bridge I was warmed up and right on target. My legs felt strong, too. 

But as I flew down that giant hill I also knew I had to run back up it – along with quite a few other climbs between miles four and eight. And they weren’t much fun at race pace. By the time I hit the uphill into mile eight at Franklin… OMG. OUCH. 

It leveled out for a mile after that so I was able to get my heart rate in check, but by mile 9.5 at the Lake Street bridge I was oddly dizzy so I had to stop for a few seconds to get it together. And the climb at mile 10 into Summit Avenue in St. Paul? Yeah, I walked a short stretch of it. 

My legs felt fine, but my mind just kinda checked out for a mile. And as it did, I got in. Nothing will destroy a race or you like getting in your head. Not sure what snapped me out of it, but after some positive self-talk… 

You’ve run this stretch hundreds of times. Get moving NOW! Three-ish miles to go!

…I put my head down and found my focus. It hurt like hell. 

My Garmin beeped just after mile 12 – phone connected – so I knew Nick and Luma were nearby. And as I rounded the corner to cross Ford bridge, there they were. Exactly the boost I needed for the final mile. 

And then a tenth of a mile later this happened… 

Nick captures my best moments. 

No idea where that came from. It was puke + rally, though, as there was a woman hot on my tail. So I hightailed it out of there (maybe lost about 20 seconds), running as fast as I could to the finish line. Because the faster you run, the faster you’re done! I hit the finish line at Minnehaha park with a new PR and a lot of nausea. And just like Kona, I lost it again as soon as I hit stop on my Garmin (thanks for the water, Paul!). Really hoping puke + rally won’t become a thing! 

Results: 1:34:32, 7:13 pace, 1st AG, 13th OA

Garmin splits: 7:03 / 7:00 / 7:04 / 6:59 / 7:02 / 7:08 / 7:02 / 7:19 / 7:11 / 7:31 / 7:16 / 7:03 / 7:23

High-fives to my tribe – my main squeeze Nick, my coach Andy, team Coeur Sports, HOKA ONE ONE, Sound Probiotics and pure clean powder. I couldn’t race healthy + happy without you ♥

love this little wiggly so much ♥

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12 Comments

  • Reply Steena 05/09/2017 at 6:50 am

    omg at that puke photo! Congrats on holding 1st through that!

  • Reply Nicole 05/09/2017 at 6:53 am

    That is such an epic puke photo! Congrats on an awesome, if puke filled, season opener

  • Reply Michele 05/09/2017 at 7:03 am

    Wow- great run and great action shot by Nick! Congratulations!

  • Reply Kristen L 05/09/2017 at 10:32 am

    Ha! Quite the action shot there by Nick. Congrats on working so hard and putting it all out there — you know you worked for it! Way to go on the big PR!

  • Reply Kristin 05/09/2017 at 11:35 am

    hahahaha this is amazing! No question that you left it all out there (literally haha). Congrats on the PR!

  • Reply Caitlin 05/09/2017 at 2:00 pm

    Oh man, that puke photo is one for the ages. Congrats on your race and on managing to keep it together despite spewing like that!

  • Reply kitkatpersons 05/09/2017 at 2:10 pm

    I don’t know how you puke and rally, but it amazes me! You are superwoman and CRUSHED this race! Congrats on your big PR!

  • Reply Kendra 05/09/2017 at 8:12 pm

    That photo is a keeper :). Congrats on an incredible race and PR – those splits (yay)!!

  • Reply Leslie @ TriathleteTreats 05/09/2017 at 10:44 pm

    Awesome!! Congrats! What a race!! Always killing it even if you have to puke & rally!!

  • Reply Feisty Eats 05/10/2017 at 6:38 pm

    Congrats, Erin. Way to rally & finish!

  • Reply The Running Princess 05/21/2017 at 8:06 am

    That’s quite a photo! So glad I was reading this while eating :-0

  • Reply Michaela 05/23/2017 at 9:42 am

    Hahahaha! That puke photo! Man, I don’t know how you manage to rally after that! Girl, you are tough! Congrats on getting it done!

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