2019 would be my 7th time running a Brazen New Year half marathon at Lake Chabot in California. I love this race! One year I did the back-to-back half marathons on New Years Eve and New Years Day, but usually I just chose one. I've successfully convinced a few friends to join me almost every year. This year my mom came out to walk along the lake and cheer, and it was great to have her there!
I've been 4th place at this race twice, and before I a. Got injured during my return back to running after RRR100 and b. Started working with a coach on my 5k goal, I was hoping to train for a PR here and to snag a spot on the podium. Because of the injury and lack of speed work and miles, I wasn't feeling ready for even the distance itself, and I almost didn't sign up! I think on December 30th I decided that it didn't matter how the race went, I really wanted to start the year off with miles at one of my favorite races.
The weather was perfect for racing- I wore shorts and a long sleeved shirt under my t-shirt, but those sleeves got pushed up quickly, I could have done with just the short sleeves. True to California, there were people in clothing I would wear if it were 25 degrees colder ;)
I tried to keep it pretty easy in the first couple miles and not go too hard. I had been doing some training runs on Mt. Diablo and was not running on fresh legs, and with my recent injuries I wanted to be sure everything felt okay. After about a mile people weren't so cold and settled into their pace. I found myself in 4th place and didn't think much of it. But then we hit the bigger hills, and I found myself easily keeping up! I felt pretty good! I passed one girl, but then she sailed ahead of me again on the downhill. Soon I was running with first and second place in a pack, not 100% sure if there was anybody else ahead of us or not. I felt the pace was too easy, so on one of the uphills, I made my move. It was about 2.5-3 miles in.
As I approached the next aid station, a woman walking with her back to me yelled "14!" and once she saw I was female, she started going crazy.
"First woman!! You're first woman!!! You're only number 14, go get those boys!!!"
I think I may have said, "really?" and offered a Happy New Year and a thank you. I started thinking about how cool it was to be leading for awhile, even if I didn't stay in the lead.
There are some winding switch backs on the course and I tried to get a look to see how far away the women were, but I couldn't see any. A couple times I found my mind wandering and would snap back to the race. "Concentrate."
The Half Marathon Hikers start an hour before us, so we pass a lot of them as we run. Many of the women cheered for me and excitedly exclaimed "you're first woman!" "Yeah! First woman!" "Is that the first woman- yes! yes, go girl!" It was SO FUN! Everybody was so nice! I cheered for them too, and we all said happy new year to each other.
I did slow down a little at the end, not having trained properly for the race- there are some pretty good hills in the second half and I power hiked the heck out of a couple of them. My quads were dead! I still couldn't see any women behind me, and I was able to pick off a couple men, which kept me motivated.
"First woman!! You're first woman!!! You're only number 14, go get those boys!!!"
I think I may have said, "really?" and offered a Happy New Year and a thank you. I started thinking about how cool it was to be leading for awhile, even if I didn't stay in the lead.
There are some winding switch backs on the course and I tried to get a look to see how far away the women were, but I couldn't see any. A couple times I found my mind wandering and would snap back to the race. "Concentrate."
The Half Marathon Hikers start an hour before us, so we pass a lot of them as we run. Many of the women cheered for me and excitedly exclaimed "you're first woman!" "Yeah! First woman!" "Is that the first woman- yes! yes, go girl!" It was SO FUN! Everybody was so nice! I cheered for them too, and we all said happy new year to each other.
I did slow down a little at the end, not having trained properly for the race- there are some pretty good hills in the second half and I power hiked the heck out of a couple of them. My quads were dead! I still couldn't see any women behind me, and I was able to pick off a couple men, which kept me motivated.
In the last 5k there are 10k runners everywhere. I got stuck in a line of people on the bridge, and then right before the finish a little toddler blocked me (I'm just glad I didn't take her out). I think I knew I was going to win the race, but I just couldn't believe it! My mom was right there at the finish, and it was great to see her face light up when I told her I won. I had clawed my way up to 11th place overall as well.
I know I lucked out that the fast girls didn't show (the course record is 1:31- I can't even fathom that on those hills!!), but I am so proud of the race I ran. Without any specific training and on tired legs I ran my fastest time ever at this race. This is the first race I've won that wasn't a 5k I think! It was definitely the biggest win I've ever had- usually if I'm winning a 5k there are hardly any people there haha. It was the perfect start to the year and I am really excited to be working with Coach Heather on hopefully finally hitting that pesky sub-20 5k- OFFICIALLY.