Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Manchester City Half Marathon

On Sunday I ran the Manchester City Half Marathon. According to the local news, this year's race started with a record 2500 runners including some 600 displaced NYC Marathon runners! It was a beautiful day for a race with temperatures in the low 40s, bright sunny skies, and cool breezes.



After getting an extra hour of sleep, my favorite cheerleader (aka husband) drove me downtown to meet up with the girls. I found Daisy easily (thanks to her "prime parking spot" in a no parking area next to Veteran's Park, but Katherine was off getting a replacement bib for the one she left at home. We did manage to all meet up at the starting line.


You may remember from my previous blog posts or my comments on Daily Mile how this course had some serious hills. The first hill starts around mile 1 and continues until mile 2.5. There's a brief breather before the next climb at mile 3.5 which lasts through mile 5. Here runners are rewarded with a long downhill into Livingston Park before hitting the next group of climbs. At mile 6 the rolling begins (and seems to never end) and goes on and on through mile 10. Just when you think you might be able to cruise to the finish thanks to gravity and Hanover Street, runners hit a final tough climb between mile 11 and 12. For those runners with feeling left in their legs (not me) the final mile is a fast downhill that flattens out to the finish line.


13.1 - 2:08:24  
Clearly, I was dead tired. I didn't hear them announce me as Amy from Jamaica Plain and then correct it. I barely cracked a smile when Katherine and Ami cheered for me as I passed by. I didn't even have the energy to grab one of those awesome mylar heat sheets they were offering.



I did have enough spark to hang out with the girls and our families while savoring the moment. I took on a challenge running this half marathon with its monster hills that scare some runners away and I completed it. #7 done.

What I wore:




Let's Go Clown Around Sweaty Bands
Grey Nike Legend Training Tank
Red Nike Thermal Pullover
Black Nike Running Capris
Nike Dri-Fit No Show Compression Socks
Mizuno Wave Rider 8s
Red Aspaeris Compression Shorts (after)
Pink Zensah Compression Socks (after)


What's the toughest race you've ever done?

Have you entered my Sprigs Big Banjees giveaway yet? It ends Friday at 11:59 PM! Or start shopping now and use my discount code RunningEscapades20 for 10% off of orders up to $29.99 or 20% off orders over $30. It expires 11/30/12 at 11:59 PM EST.


27 comments:

  1. Im so not a racer.
    I BE IN AWE....

    ReplyDelete
  2. This sounds like the Runner's World half I did a few weeks ago - the first race where I seriously considered a DNF! Glad you powered through and I hope you're enjoying some easy, no-climb recovery

    ReplyDelete
  3. Congrats! There's so much satisfaction to be found in a tough race. Good for you. My toughest was a 35k trail run in Australia--totally out of my comfort zone but so happy I did it!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I did a half last spring that was a killer! Just hill after hill, so I definitely can sympathize. Congrats though, enjoy the rest!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Sounds like a tough one. But #7?!!! WOOHOO!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Nice job conquering those hills! I really haven't done many hilly runs... and now we're in a pancake flat part of Texas. I would be grumpier than you, I'm sure. :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Sounds really tough - congrats on #7! I'm getting ready for a crazy hilly half this Sunday - hope I fare as well :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. It was a tough race, that is for sure!!! Although, I think the Applefest Half in Hollis is more challenging!!! That was the first half I completed in 2010...and it was hilly!!! Not sure if I am just in better shape now, or if it truly was harder than the Manch half. Maybe I will have to try it again next fall to compare! : )
    Great blog Amy!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Congratulations! That's so awesome that you toughed this one out. Egads, hills scare the pants off of me. You definitely looked good doing it. :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. My first 10k was brutal. Hills galore and you just ran the 5k twice. So you knew how many hills there were and dreaded them the entire time.



    Congrats on your finish.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I've run a loop like that! Ugh, that is such a mental struggle.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Thanks! I knew eventually we would head downhill, so I tried to focus on that to get me through.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I heard others talking about Great Bay as well. I guess there's no shortage of tough races in NH ;)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Good luck Michelle. You did great at ZOOMA Cape Cod and that was pretty hilly too. You'll rock it!

    ReplyDelete
  15. LOL! I could definitely be cheered up by a nice pancake flat course next ;)

    ReplyDelete
  16. I know! Crazy awesome, right?!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Thanks for the empathy Caroline. The worst thing is when someone comes along and says, "oh it was no big deal." Mmhm.

    ReplyDelete
  18. That's absolutely it - get out of the comfort zone! 35k is soooo awesome! Way to go.

    ReplyDelete
  19. I wish I could commiserate with you over RWH. So wanted to do that one! My recovery so far has been exercising my right to vote and foam rolling!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Haha! I bet it does ;) Congrats to you too!!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Amazing job at your half, you had a great finish time! Hills are not my friend either, not a fan! THey were brutal during the RTB Relay I ran. PS. LOVE your top, where is it from??

    ReplyDelete
  22. It's a Nike thermal that I found at TJMaxx for like $20. I get all my best Nike purchases there!

    ReplyDelete
  23. We're thinking of going to NYC...appropriate, eh? You should consider taking a tutu team and join us! Pretty sure it's flat ;)

    ReplyDelete
  24. that sounds like a recent 1/2 I did - I felt as though every time we recovered from a hill, we started up another hill! Congrats on your run and for being so stylish!!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Awesome job Amy! I haaate hills. I think I'll find a flat course if I ever tackle a half!

    ReplyDelete

I love comments!

*