rock n roll arizona half marathon RR

I got started on my goal of Rock Idol and ran my first TourPass race this past weekend in Phoenix.  I flew in on Saturday afternoon, and met Kelsey at the expo.  You already know what happened at the expo. I also bought a hat, a luggage tag, and a Nike top exactly like the one the bf gave me for Christmas (but in a different color).

We went to our hotel for a bit, and then decided to take the light rail to Tempe for dinner with some Half Fanatics.  We got there a bit early, and wandered around down the street.  We went to a candy store, where I spent $10 on candy.  (Truthfully, I could have spent my entire paycheck there.  I love candy stores.  And things with sugar.)

Dinner with the Indy Fanatics

After dinner, we wandered into a t-shirt shop, with every intention of buying sparkly #doubletrouble t-shirts. But then we decided to get BAGS instead.  And with the help of the guy at the shop, we got these.  Which are way better than shirts.

We headed back to the hotel, still giggling over the bags.  (I guess you had to be there.)  Clothes were laid out, alarms were set, and we went to bed!

I should tell you, since it's important to the recap of the race, that I had severe stomach issues and woke up 3 times in the middle of the night.  Oddly enough, I still felt refreshed with sleep when I woke up in the morning.  Maybe I'm a really efficient sleeper or something?

So yeah, we got up, got dressed, and headed to Tempe on the light rail.  Got there about an hour before the race, used the bathroom, and found a spot to sit down before we had to drop our warm layers and head to the start corrals... which we finally did, about 20 minutes before the gun went off.

Here we are, being awesome in ARIZONA!

At 7:50ish, while I was in line for the bathroom, the gun went OFF!  The line was still long, and I didn't want to have to weave the entire race, so I hopped back into my corral and went with my people.

Mile 1:  Sooo there's also a "mini marathon," which is 5.4 miles, or something weird like that.  They are starting with us.  The only problem?  They are starting in our corrals, but their paces don't line up with ours.  So I spend the majority of my time running around slow people, and people who are walking.  They look at me and another guy who is weaving like we are asshats, but COME ON MAN!  Rock n Roll, you SERIOUSLY need to fix this.  I was SO MAD.  8:01

Mile 2:  Had to go to the bathroom.  I know from personal experience that it gets worse before it gets better, so I went now while it was still early.  8:55

Mile 3:  We split off from the mini people. YAY!  And now we get to run on a long straight road for the next couple of miles.  BOO!  8:04

Mile 4:  SO MANY Jesus bands.  Like, 2 in a row.  And then a guy singing the WORST rendition of Runaway Sue.  I guess we're in the south, but still.  One Jesus band would have been more than enough.  I crank up my Van Halen and rock on in my own way.

My personal thought about RnR race - the bands ALWAYS suck.  Or are taking a break when I'm running by, so I can't determine if they suck.  Which they probably do.  Sorry.  7:54

Mile 5:  I would like a turn SO BAD.  Running on this straight road is boring me.  8:20

Mile 6:  We finally get to turn the corner, and the view of the mountains in the distance, and the bright sunshine, is really awesome.  It's starting to warm up a bit too.  THIS is why you come to Arizona in January - it's absolutely stunning.  I know right now that I don't want to go home.  Possibly ever.  8:24

See?  I'm wearing SHORTS!  In JANUARY!

Mile 7:  All of a sudden, I have stomach cramps so bad that I want to vomit.  Remember how I said I did the toilet shuffle last night?  Yeah.  I have a sudden urge to do it again.  It's not until we get to the relay exchange area, mile 6.5ish, that I spy some toilets and finally get to use them.  It took a couple of minutes, and I still didn't feel good when I emerged.  To the point where I contemplate backtracking to the medical tent and dropping out.  But I came to Arizona for 2 medals, not zero, so I suck it up and keep running.  9:28

Mile 8:  I take this mile nice and easy.  I stop at the aid station and sip on some water, and I actually feel a little bit better.  Despite my obvious distress, I'm still running a good pace and having fun.  I really enjoy the course, and the weather is just perfect.  The race is flying by.  8:23

Mile 9:  This was the P.F. Chang's miles.  They had motivational signs on the sides of the course, and balloons, and enthusiastic volunteers, and it was just awesome.  We're also going through Papago Park, which is a bit of an incline, but it offers some fantastic views... to the point where I wish I had brought my camera with me.  8:12

Mile 10:  This is where the uphills really came into play.  I didn't think there WERE uphills in Phoenix.  But if we go up now, then eventually we will go down.  I'm not upset about this.  My legs are tired, but I'm looking forward to the downhills, and the last 5K of the race!  8:35

My favorite picture on the day :)

Mile 11:  The sweet downhill comes, as promised, and it really leads us to the promised land - a baseball field!  It's the Oakland Athletics' spring training facility!  OMG BASEBALL!  7:59

Mile 12:  Almost done, almost done!  I'm definitely ready to get my medals now.  My legs feel kind of heavy, but I'm getting a treat in a minute - a beautiful BRIDGE to run across!  Yay!  8:17

Hooray for bridges!

Mile 13:  We're back to Tempe, and heading into the home stretch of the race.  Unfortunately, the slowest walkers from the "mini" are still on the course, and they are clogging it up.  I'm doing a lot more weaving than I would have liked, so I go all the way over to the left side of the course, and run as fast as I can to the finish.  Best mile of the day.  7:54

Everybody loves a MoBot.

Mile 13.21:  I can hear the music and the announcer, but I'm having trouble spotting the finish line.  Once I see it, I glance down at Garmin.  A sub-1:50, which I thought was completely out of reach after my last bathroom break, is possible, but I have to give it absolutely everything to get there.  I pick up my feet and head for the finish line, and I indeed break 1:50 again.  1:25

Raise the roof for the finish line!  Woot woot!

Sweet finisher's medals!

Sunlight + pale Midwesterner = ghost picture

FINAL TIME:  1:49:51
AVERAGE PACE:  8:19
LESSON LEARNED:  I pee fast.
NEXT PIKERMI:  F^3 Lake Half Marathon, 1.26.2013.

I got some snacks, and went off to get my Desert Double Down medal - my reward for doing both the Rock n Roll Las Vegas Half and this one.  I told you, I came to Arizona to get 2 medals, not 0, and that I did.

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!

I then headed to the post-race party for my free beer, and a little catnap in the sunshine while I waited for Kelsey.  Life was pretty good in Arizona.

Swaaaaaaag!

2013 Pikermi #2 / Overall Pikermi #63