Racing While Pregnant – Trent/Waldron Half-Marathon

I finally got to race today after 8 long months of no racing. I was excited but also a little nervous, as I always am. I actually wasn’t even sure the race would go on today as there are forest fires about 75 miles away, and on Thursday the smoke was so bad in Anchorage you stepped outside and the entire city smelled like a campfire. (I ran inside on the treadmill that day.)

You can see how hazy and cloudy the air is compared to the pictures last year, but thankfully the air quality wasn’t too bad today and the race was still on.

I went into the Trent/Waldron Glacier Half-Marathon today with the goal of running under 1:45. I honestly wasn’t sure how this race was going to go as I was officially 4 months pregnant as of yesterday. I had a great 15 miler last weekend, but I know how you feel during your pregnancy can change quickly.

I arrived at the course 30 minutes before the race. Usually I like to get there 45-60 minutes early, but I wasn’t putting as much pressure on myself to run a PR. I still spent some time jogging, stretching, and doing a few striders before the race to warm up.

I like to find quiet, out-of-the-way places to stretch and mentally prepare for my races.

I was definitely a little more relaxed than normal, but I still wanted to run my best. Craig being my paparazzi.

But with 10 minutes to go before the race, it was time to put the game face on.  

With 5 minutes to go, I took my warm-ups off and got ready to race. I was feeling good and ready to run but still not trying to put too much pressure on my performance. .

I barely got my shoes retied before the gun went off, and I ended up starting in the back of the pack. Luckily the field was pretty small, so I didn’t have to spend too much energy weaving around others and it didn’t take too long to get find my place in a pack with others running the same pace.

I started out trying not to push the pace too early because I wasn’t sure how my body would respond. I tried to find a comfortable pace that I thought I could maintain.

Mile 1 – 7:42

Mile 2 – 7:30

Mile 3 – 7:41

Craig and Sadie were there to cheer for me at mile 3.

By mile two I already had to pee, which was not so enjoyable. I had just gone 20 minutes before the race started, but that’s what pregnancy will do to you. I maintained a pretty steady pace throughout the first half. I’m not quite sure where mile 6 came from though.

Since it was an out-and-back course, I was able to count how many women were in front of me. At the half-way mark, I was surprised I was in 12th place. (Or maybe it was 13th, I can’t remember.)

Mile 4 – 7:49

Mile 5 – 7:44

Mile 6 – 7:19

Mile 7 – 7:32I saw Craig again at mile 6 and right before mile 8.

Next year that might be me pushing a jogging stroller like the guy in front of me.

I thought there were supposed to be port-a-potties at each of the aid stations, but there was not. I was left with little choice but to jump in the woods for a quick break right before I hit mile 8—hence the reason for the slower time. I just couldn’t hold it any longer, and I’m sorry if anyone saw me!

Mile 8 – 8:22

Mile 9 – 7:27

Mile 10 – 7:23

I was still feeling good, so it was time to start pushing the pace more. Plus the last portion of the course was slightly downhill, so that definitely helped.

Mile 11 – 7:10

Mile 12 – 7:15

Mile 13 – 7:06

I managed to cross the finish line in 1:38:39, which was 9 seconds faster than last year! I have absolutely no idea how I managed this. I honestly did not think I would be able to run under 1:40—let alone beat my time from last year.

I am absolutely stoked that this race went so well. I never thought I would be able to run this fast during my pregnancy. This was my 13th half-marathon and this race was my 7th fastest time. Crazy!

Results

Distance: 13.1 miles

Time: 1:38:39

Overall place: 48/242

Gender place: 10/129

Age group place: 3/21

When I crossed the finish line, Craig gave me this bouquet of flowers. I am one lucky girl.

He also brought me a Simply Limeade. We bought a bottle of the Simply Lemonade the other weekend, and I’m pretty sure I could have lived off that stuff.

Once again, I am honestly amazed at how well I did today considering I haven’t been training that much, I did one 15 miler to prepare for this race and prior to that I haven’t run that far since last year, plus I’m 4 months pregnant. I don’t know how much it contributed to my success, but I did take UCAN before the race. It doesn’t seem possible for a supplement to provide such a lasting boost of energy over the course of 90 minutes of intense exercise, but I felt great the entire race. I think I’m starting to become a believer in this product.