Well the time has finally come – this Sunday, I will be running in the Gettysburg Blue-Gray Half Marathon! This will be my first half marathon since June 2019, and my first in-person racing experience since the COVID-19 pandemic. What a time to be alive!
As I normally do, I’ll discuss my goals and strategy for my race. I’m so nervous, calm, and excited all at once! I’m happy to share my thoughts with you!
I’m linking up with My First 5K and More, Running With Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, and Zenaida for Fit Five Friday!
Goals for the Blue-Gray Half Marathon
This is the first time that I’m running the Blue-Gray Half Marathon so I really don’t know what to expect. We’re looking forward to visiting Gettysburg over the weekend and having fun family time while of course staying as safe and socially distant as possible. This will be the first time that Baby E will see me at a race, so I’m super excited about that! Of course, it’s already Friday and I’m freaking out about what to wear and what to pack!
Logistics
We’ll be heading to Gettysburg sometime on Saturday. I think we may try to see the historic sights if possible, but I don’t want to spend too much time on my feet. We’re staying at a hotel that’s right near the course start and finish, so that makes logistics much easier. Bret and Baby E will be together while I run but I don’t think there will be too many opportunities for them to see me on the course.
Race Strategy
Here’s my plan from Coach Laura:
Start a controlled, comfortable effort for the first few miles, especially on the initial uphill. Then settle into a steady, sustainable effort (think moderate to moderately hard). Once you crest the big hill around mile 11, push yourself progressively harder and focus on finishing strong!
I was originally training for the Delaware Half Marathon (which was postponed to June), so I wasn’t really focused on running hills, though my neighborhood is pretty hilly! So we’ll see how it goes. I’m a bit nervous about pacing because the fastest I’ve been lately is around 11:30 minutes/mile, though the 12:00-12:30 is now my “easy” zone. I’m not sure how it will all translate for an in-person race. I just know that I have to resist the urge to start out too fast!!
Fueling and Hydration
I’m very comfortable with my hydration and fueling plan. I am still using the same stuff – Vitalyte powder for electrolytes and Honeystinger chews for fuel. I am now using a hydration vest I purchased from REI that has a bladder, and that has worked well on my long runs, though I’m still getting used to drinking from a hose!
Unfortunately, I’ve been tracking the weather all week and while the temperatures look perfect, it is definitely going to rain on Sunday morning. Fortunately, I have experienced running a race in heavy rain and I ran through a brief downpour earlier this week on my 3 miler. I am confident that I can handle the weather, but you just never know what race day can bring!
If you’ve done an in-person race recently, do you have any tips? Any fun plans for the weekend?
so excited for you. hope it does not rain.
no matter what…just enjoy it.
I have done quite a few.
My only advice is just forget any time goals.
Thanks, Darlene! You’re so right – I gotta remember that!
I wish I would have done this race when our daughter was living there. She worked in Gettysburg, but lived nearby in Hanover. Good luck on Sunday!!! Although there are many changes these days, you may find the actual race experience may feel just like old times 🙂
Aw that would have been cool! Thank you, Kim!
How fun! I am so excited for you and look forward to hearing how it goes. Hope the rain holds off for you. Have a fantastic time
Thanks, Deborah!
It looks like you have a good plan in place for your race. Good luck on Sunday and have a great race!
Thank you!
Good luck in your race! I bet it will be so exciting to race again. Fingers crossed the weather cooperates!
I’m so excited for you! You sound like you have a solid plan in place, and you are going to great! Best of luck!
You’ve got this, Janelle! Even if it rains – I know you can deal with it.
Go out there and give it your all!
I’m so excited for you! Good luck – looking forward to hearing how it goes.
Oh, I did this race quite a few years ago and we had a great time! Obviously pre pandemic. Do they still give out the mugs to the “winning” side?
They did a great job back then. It’s a pretty course (if it hasn’t changed). Unfortunately I was in some pain towards the end. I know my husband was at the start, managed to be somewhere around mile 10 I think (by then I was in pain, unfortunately).
Oh, and did I mention that it was an unusually hot day? So I might actually welcome rain.
We did a walking tour of the battlefield AFTER the race, but we had more than a weekend — it’s a long drive for us!
We really enjoyed that racecation. I hope you have a great race, Janelle, look forward to hearing about your experience! Good luck! I hope the rain isn’t too bad, either.