Got up early on Sunday morning which is my birthday. I showered and woke Chris. We stopped at Dunkin' Donuts to grab a coffee and headed to Portland. We got there rather early which was the plan and found parking rather quickly. We parked and walked around the new Ocean Gateway facilities there.
At the start it felt rather cool and I thought the race is going to be okay, However, when I reached mile one I began to realize how warm it was out. I stopped at the porta potty the line was too long so I decided to head on. I lost five minutes there. I looked around thehilly West End and ended up at the porta potty again. And again lost five minutes. At this point I was at mile five Running along Commercial Ave. and Munjoy Hill. Not only is Munjoy Hill a big hill to climb but I could feel the temperature rising. It was at this point that I decided I needed to walk more. I passed mile six and was looking for a water stop which was at mile seven.
I stopped at the mile seven stop and got a water and Gatorade and began to walk. And walk. And walk. I ended up walking till mile 10, which was basically the entire back cove area. It was at this point that I realized I had totally blown my predicted time of two hours and 20 minutes. And when I reached mile 11 I realized I had blown my predicted time "long time" of two hours and 30 minutes.
But it this point it was so hot that I had determined that I was going to be lucky to just finish. Everyone that I was around was walking. At mile 12 I began to run. I walked a short while at 12 and half miles.Stopped to be sprayed by the hose the fireman were holding. That was my saving grace.
From that point on I finished the race and felt pretty good. I was able to finish the race on both feet with a smile on my face and not need medical attention. So I felt pretty damn lucky!! Even though it was my longest half marathon ever 2:52.
I think Chris was relieved to see me finish without collapsing.
Was definitely the most challenging race I have ever run. Not necessarily the course but the course combined the weather. Not sure I'll ever do that again.
Had a great time anyway. Finished up with a lunch at Flatbread Pizza And a nice shower. Then headed home. And a quick dip in Chris's pool when I got home. Was a fantastic birthday!!
