Race peer pressure gets me every time… Between Kaydi and Beth, I had to go do this race with them. I raced the weekend before and had very little sleep the previous few nights but couldn’t say no.
Two pieces of bread + banana + apple sauce + caffeine gel, all before the race started. I also sipped on pina colada Liquid IV (Code: HUNGRY-RUNNER-GIRL will get you 25% off and free shipping HERE!) on the way up.
We drove to the parking lot to jump on some buses and got to the starting line at around 5 am. The race started at 6, so we sat on the bus for a few minutes before heading to the porta-potty and then jogging to the starting line about .75 miles away.
You know you are starting HIGH when snow is on the ground, and your ears plug up and then pop a few miles into the race…
I brought an old pair of Andrew’s socks as throwaway gloves. They did the trick.
Two girls went out and were well ahead of me within the first mile. Kaydi and I were right around each other for almost the entire race. Kaydi had a huge downhill pr!
I ended up taking second place and don’t remember too much of what happened besides thinking how shredded my quads felt. Every mile you drop in this race, some more than others, and that hurts so bad by the end… You drop a total of 3200 ft 😮.
I was craving a flat road by mile 8.
I took gels at miles 4 and 8 and tried to connect my music on my watch again but couldn’t get it to work (AGAIN), so I grabbed my phone out of my Koala Clip (code HRG10 gets you 10% off) and was able to turn it on at mile 5ish. I needed a beat.
It felt like it had been a very long time since I last raced a half marathon (10 months!), and the distance felt longer than I had remembered;) Much longer.
That last mile hurt so bad but I kept reminding myself that it wasn’t going to kill me. For some reason reminding myself of that helps me to endure… it helps me to take my dramatic thoughts down a notch.
They also started the 5k at the finish line running the opposite way on this path a few minutes later, which caused a lot of congestion for people… hopefully, next year, they will get that figured out.
I’ve officially worn the Vaporfly 3s for three races now (Boston, Utah Valley 10k, and this race). My verdict= I don’t feel a difference between them and the Vaprofly 2. I love the 2s and 3s, but they genuinely feel the same. I love the pink/orange color combo of the 3s more, though:).
I’d love to hear from anyone else that has used both… I may be way off on this one.
Post-race= my favorite social hour.
Now to find a race for this weekend… I kid; my legs are donezo for a bit.
And so much relaxing on the couch. I have never been so sore in my life.
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Vaporfly users… notice a big difference between the 2 and 3s?
Tell me a highlight from your weekend.
Ever done a downhill race? Where?
Best place to get a burger and or fries in your opinion?
24 comments
Elizabeth
Are you keeping bees? We just started this year. It’s so fun to do with kids. Hope to have honey next year! Great race! Hope you can rest this week.
The Hungry Runner Girl
Elizabeth! Yes, that is our goal. We told Knox he needs to learn as much as possible about it and then we will do it. I’ll have to ask you all of the questions. Thank you so much and my plan is to take a nap every day;). Happy Monday, Elizabeth!
Elizabeth
Best advice is to find a local beekeeping club and get a beekeeping mentor. Beekeeping is so local, there is only so much you can learn from a book or the internet. Bees are so fascinating! Hope you have a great time learning about them.
Molly S
Congrats on 2nd place and dodging all the 5K runners! And I agree on your shoes colors-so beautiful!
I’m glad Beretta is in such good hands with Brooke in the house. I’m imagining gauze being wrapped around her head and paws by the time Brooke makes it through that book. hahah
Weekend highlights including getting a lot of overdue tasks done (had my car serviced, took dress pants to a tailor, etc) and signing up for Indy Monumental Marathon.
Hope your legs recover asap!
The Hungry Runner Girl
Thank you, Molly! Hahaha Beretta is sure patient letting Brooke practice with her:). You crushed this weekend and INDY! You signed up! I am tempted to come join you there. Hoping you have a bit less wind this year:). Thanks Molly, happy Monday!
Kristine
Congrats on your race! Downhill is tough when your legs are trashed.
We had a full weekend. Saturday I did a 21 mile solo trail run..my girlfriend wasn’t feeling well so it was just me. Sunday we slept in and biked around the seawall..lunch downtown and 3 dog beaches for River! She was wiped by the end. Weather was amazing and at one point River fell asleep on my lap when we stopped at a park bench.
We also booked our summer vacation roadtrip..we are visiting Jasper national park in august and booked some cozy cabins to stay that are pet friendly. We are road tripping starting off with a stay in manning park and a race. It’s like winning the lottery when you can book for the dates you planned or close because jasper in the summer is crazy!
Happy recovery Janae!
The Hungry Runner Girl
21 miles! Way to go, Kristine. Your Sunday sounds like it was absolute perfection. River has been wiped out after the last few weeks of events:). Ummm I think we should join you for your road trip. Jasper sounds incredible!
Wendy
Awesome race!! I have never done a downhill race, but would love to.
Best part of the weekend was having both boys home so we had a great family dinner last night. Now it’s a busy week ahead!
Have a great Monday
The Hungry Runner Girl
They are so fun cardio wise but so painful on the muscles ha. BOTH boys are home, enjoy every single second. Thanks Wendy, you too!
Amy S
Hi Janae! Congrats on the race and placing!! It reminds me of my friend whose husband is a really fast runner and usually wins or places in the races he enters, so their kids got used to that. My friend is more of a normal runner and one time she raced and her kids asked her if she won and she said no and they actually started crying! I wonder if your kids also think it’s normal to win or place in races now!
Anyways I thought I’d share that fun tangent with you. Congratulations again!!
The Hungry Runner Girl
Oh my goodness… those kiddos sound so sweet! Hahah yes, after Boston they asked if I won;). Ummmmm nowhere near:). You know I love a good tangent so thank you for that. Happy Monday, Amy!
Collette
My favorite part of the weekend was meeting you at the finish line. You are so sweet! You did awesome!! I am so impressed with how well you do at running through the hurt. That was my goal for this race, I knew I wasn’t ready for a PR, but I wanted to push at the end when I wanted to give up and that is exactly what I did.
Just FYI the ending (running over grass) or the 5k running towards you won’t change on this race. Also the Dixie cups of water at the end either, haha. I have run it 4 times now and I love the course, but wish the race director would make a few changes. I really want to run Vigor, but I have two kids birthdays right around that weekend, so I don’t think I will be able to.
The Hungry Runner Girl
Collette. I am SO thankful that I was able to meet you. Congrats to YOU. Pushing through that pain in the end takes so much strength, you are amazing. Ugggg they need to change it haha. I thought for sure I was going to trip coming off of that curb. 4 times.. I love it! I might just have to keep doing it every year too:). Happy Monday!
Blaire
YOU ARE AMAZING!!! Janae, you are seriously such an inspiration- congrats on a killer race and I hope you got to relax the rest of the weekend!!
The Hungry Runner Girl
Thank you so much, Blaire! I am giving myself a nap each and every day ha. Hope your Monday is off to a beautiful start!
You lie
Such variability in your leg girth. Some of your photos must be altered 😆.
And those paces are so unrealistic. Get a grip!!!!
The Hungry Runner Girl
Hey:) I’m confused with what you think I’m lying about… I have no idea how to edit photos besides filters on IG (but legs look different for everyone when they are in different positions) and those are my splits from the race. Have a great day!
Jenni
Congrats! The 3 a.m. wake-up call makes you a hero let alone the race haha.
Question: Do you feel stable in the Vaporflys? I recently tried them on and I felt like my foot was going to fall off the platform hah. I have since walked in them and am “getting” how they are supposed to feel but question if you’ve ever felt like you might sprain your ankles in them? Or is it just me?!
The Hungry Runner Girl
Not just you! I definitely felt that way at first but got used to them quickly. If you are looking for maybe a bit more stability in a fast shoe, try the adizero! I cannot believe how much I love them! Have a beautiful evening!
Jodie
This is so contrary to what you said your training plans were going to be. Can you provide some context and clarification for us “novice” runners.
The Hungry Runner Girl
Hey Jodie! In terms of my racing plans? For this race I had friends wanting me to do it with them and I couldn’t say no🫶! My current running mood is to say yes to what sounds fun and no to what doesn’t. I hope you have a great evening!
Bethany Brown
Incredible! Especially since you weren’t feeling 💯. I am always so impressed with you! Thanks for sharing the prerace with me. Just what I needed!
Jenn
Awesome job on your race.
We are loving the book store too this summer!
Elizabeth
Best advice is to find a local beekeeping club and get a beekeeping mentor. Beekeeping is so local, there is only so much you can learn from a book or the internet. Bees are so fascinating! Hope you have a great time learning about them.