I have a race update form the Hall of Fame half marathon all the way back on 4/24/16. I drove the course a couple days before the race and hated it, it went through areas of town that are not good and was just plain. This was to be my third half marathon. My two prior were the Wine and Dine 1/2 of a half and Run the Bluegrass, so I was ...spoiled. The previous two races were beautiful and fun and also had great expos. I wasn't looking forward to running this race after driving it, then I went to the expo and it was in a football field with some small tents scattered around and it was sad. Race morning came and it was clear skies and cool temperatures. It was 37 degrees and a little cool waiting for the race to start but perfect skirt and short sleeve shirt running weather. I ended up really enjoying the race. There were quite a few other people doing intervals and I had a similar pace to a few and kind of fell into a neat rhythm of passing then being passed by the same groups for most of the race. It was interesting to see how our different interval times all worked at roughly the same pace. Earlier in the month I ran my first half and had a PR of 3:04:07 , that was a tough course with lots of elevation gain. This race was fairly flat and I was pretty sure I could knock some time off of it so I was hoping to get under 3:00. I had another PR with a time of 2:56:07, so I was very happy with that and I'm sure that it was one of the reasons that I liked the race so much. My only real problem with the race ended up being the water at the finish line, it was room temperature eewww. I don't mind the water stops not having cold water but when I am done running I want a cold bottle of water. This was a local race for me and it was really nice to only have a 10 minute drive to get there, it made for a relaxed morning before the race. I went from not wanting to run the race to having a good time and will probably run it again next year, so a success all around. I also think that I really like the half marathon distance. I'm slow. I huff and puff starting at 20 yards in, my lungs just don't work like they should. I have to use intervals so I can catch my breath even though the rest of me feels like it could keep on running. I run at pretty much the same pace from 5k to a half, the difference is at a 5k I'm one of the last to finish, at a half marathon I have quite a few behind me and feel a little bit faster.
My first real race as a Disney race. I did a POT race before that but it was tiny and just for the purpose of getting a better corral at ToT. So anything after a Disney race, short of a world major marathon, will be hard to match the organization or and "show" Disney puts on, IMO. I heard the Rock and Roll series are pretty good as well but haven't done one to know. But I have been fortunate to pick some really good local races. I have enjoyed them all. Of course I look around and say, "this isn't Disney" but I do that to everything in my life. My local amusement park, any restaurant I go to gets compared to Disney. I compare every hotel I stay at to the Grand Floridian. My whole point is, sometimes you find a diamond in the rough when doing the local races and while it isn't Disney they can still be a lot of fun. I am glad you ended up liking the race and congratulations on the PR.
ATTQOTD: I wonder if this thread self-selects for more introspective runners. I also run solo and prefer it that way! It's nice to have some alone time and not worry about keeping pace/conversation with others. I feel like this thread is sort of like a running group, even though I don't have the temerity to sign up to the strava group yet.
II have done a training run with someone once. It was fun but I know him so we had plenty to talk about. I am not sure I would like running in a group. I realize its a good way to network and stuff but even if I could get my schedule to work to fit it in I just like running by myself. I agree that this is a "running group" for me. You get the support of people here. You can learn from others. Nobody has to worry about keeping up with
@CheapRunnerMike 
. And maybe some day I will get to meet some of you at future runDisney race. Which brings up another excellent point, you guys all like Disney. I have talked to other runners that come into work and not all of them like Disney so what would I talk to these people about on training runs?
QOTD: Have you ever gone on a run that you regretted?
ATTQOTD: There have been many times that I did not feel like going for a run, but not once have I ever gone out and get the miles in did I think, man I wish I would have just stayed watching TV on the couch.
On a side note about morning runs. I was successful in waking up shortly after 5 this morning and got in a nice 4.25 miles.
This week we have the following folks with races.
14 - @michigandergirl - Fifth/Third River Bank Run 25K (2:40:00 / N/A)
14 - @Baloo in MI - Fifth/Third River Bank Run 25K (2:10:00 / N/A)
14 - @derekleigh - Stonyfield 5K (NG / N/A)
14 - @Berniemgr - Running With the Cows Half Marathon (2:05:00 / N/A)
14 - @Miranda - Maine Coast Half Marathon (2:45:00 / N/A)
15 - @Barca33Runner - Cleveland Rite Aid Half Marathon (2:00:00 / N/A)
15 - @Dis5150 - Diva Half Marathon Branson (NG / N/A)
15 - @SFGamerBabe - Colfax Half Marathon (2:10:00 / N/A)
15 - @Anisum - Run the Vineyards Wines and Vines 5k (42:00 / N/A)
15 - @IamTrike - Sydney Morning Herald Half Marathon (NG / N/A)
Good luck to all of you! If you would like to revise your goal, let me know. Hope each of you have a great race and I look forward to hearing how it went!
Tough question to answer. During some runs, when I am in pain, I am swearing at myself for being out on that run. I am wishing someone I knew would drive by and offer me a ride home
Of course I run on a quiet road where nobody would ever drive by so it is wishful thinking but you get the point. So, during the run I regret some runs but when I am home and I get to log that mileage on my chart I never regret it. And as I am doing that I am usually planning my next run. And sometimes during a race I seriously questioned what was going through my head as I signed up for that particular race. Any marathon for example. Usually at mile 18, once the pain really sets in, I call myself all kinds of names and wonder what the heck I was thinking. Of course I am typing this and hoping my ankle is OK when I go to the doctor so I can have no excuse not to sign up for Goofy. But I am already questioning the sanity of that decision as well.
I have rambled enough but I think you get my point.
@Mommanoffherrocker, I will read your post at work. I just don't have time right now, I have to get ready.
