I DID IT!!! [Miami Half Recap]
Helloooooooo NEW HALF MARATHON PR!
I did it! I finished half marathon #4 in under 3 hours!
2:57 and 8 seconds to be exact! The Kristina who took over 3.5 hours to finish her first half marathon in Nov. 2013 is REALLY EXCITED about this!
My finishing time starts with a 2!!!!
This whole weekend was pretty great but the race was just perfect.
Next month the A1A Half Marathon will be my last race of this season, and I’m excited to go into it pressure free since I nailed my numero uno goal yesterday!!
Saturday: Expo Day
On Saturday Adam and I drove down to Miami to check into our hotel and head to packet pickup.
As part of my Christmas gift Adam booked a suite which was pretty cool, it was gigantic and the floor was made of marble! The living room in the suite was almost as big as our living room at home! I wish we could have brought Cecil, I think he would have liked it, haha!
The expo was pretty standard for a large-ish race. I don’t love crowds so I grabbed my bib, found my name on the race wall, took a picture and headed out to dinner since it was almost 5pm by that time and I always eat my pre-race dinner at 5pm.
What? It’s Miami, we all race in flip flops.
After dinner I was in bed by 8pm and asleep soon after! I think that may have been the first time I actually was able to fall asleep so early!
Sunday: Race Day
My wakeup call came at 4am since the corrals opened at 5 and the race began at 6:15.
I ended up going with the teal Sparkle Athletic skirt and black Under Armour tank. I really liked running in the skirt!
I brought a throw away sweater but threw it away a little too soon and was FREEZING in the corrals, which were located right in front of the AAA where the Heat play!
The race announcer said it was 53 degrees, the second coldest start in race history!! By the time my corral was set off I was so thankful to be moving!
My coach had me break the race down into segments:
Miles 1-4: Ease into it @ 13:45 pace.
Miles 5-7: Pick it up a little. Stay comfortable but keep pushing.
Miles 8-12: Ramp it up @ 13:25 pace.
Mile 13: Give it all you’ve got!
I did my best to stay on track – with the exception of mile 5 when I went a little bit too fast. I was just getting so excited that I was having a perfect day, but I reminded myself I still had more than half the race to go!
I honestly could not have imagined a better race day!
The first few miles just felt breezy and effortless. Around mile 9 I started wondering when my body was going to demand I slow down since that has always happened to me. Instead I was eventually able to pick it UP for the last couple of miles and really soar into the finish.
During miles 11 and 12 I just keep telling myself I HAD to pick it up because I didn’t want there to be a shadow of a doubt that I finished sub-3. I would have been happy with 2:59 but I knew finishing faster would mean there would be no question about what happened out there on the course!
Truthfully, I felt pretty AMAZING the whole time. The weather was PERFECT, I crushed my A-goal of running sub-3 and after the race I felt GREAT. I was able to walk normally and the soreness didn’t settle in until after the 45 min car ride home!
Oh yeah, and I had added Will Smith’s “Miami” to my playlist and it started just as I was rounding the corner into the finisher’s shoot! Incredible timing!
♫ PARTY IN THE CITY WHERE THE HEAT IS ON! ♫
I could not be happier with the way this weekend went! I hope you had a great weekend too!
Have you ever had one of those races where you just KNEW it was going to be a PR day once you started? When/where was it?
Wooo hooo so happy for you!! I had no doubt you would PR this race or FL.. your training runs have been on point with where you would like to be. Nice splits – you nailed your plan! Bah I should have run Miami… 50s!! 🙂 I like the medals … they look larger than last years.
Jennifer recently posted…Shamrock Half Training – 1/19-1/25 – Week 1
Thank you!
Yes, the weather this year was much better than the two times you ran Miami. They said this was the coldest start since the inaugural race when it was 51 degrees at the start!
Oh daaaaang girl, that’s so awesome!!! So amazing to see how far you’ve come, congrats!
Amanda @ Slimplify Life recently posted…18 Miler and I finally figured it out
Thank you!!! During the race I was totally thinking about the blog and how I did not want to have to write a post explaining why I didn’t meet my A-goal, haha!
Congrats congrats congrats. Such a strong race. So awesome you get to go into A1A with no pressure. I hate to say it, but I knew you were going to kill it lol
running schlub recently posted…Post Race Recovery Day 1
THANK YOU! I am glad you had confidence because I didn’t know what the heck was going to happen! Thankfully, a couple miles in I realized I was firing on all cylinders and enjoyed every single minute feeling strong!
SO PROUD OF YOU, KRISTINA! I knew you could do it!:D and the medal looks awesome!:)
Again, CONGRATS x 10000!:D you should be really proud of yourself and all your hard work 🙂
Marie Alessandra recently posted…Great week
Thank you so much! Isn’t running the best? Being able to see real results from our hard work is just the best feeling in the world!
So exciting!! Great job!! My favorite part (besides the fact that you got a PR and met your A goal) is that you felt good running the entire race – awesome!!!
Kim recently posted…Heavy Running Week (1/18 – 1/24)
Thank you Kim! That was my favorite part too! I really felt like the miles were just clicking by! I was having a great time!
….Although I just saw my finish line picture and I look like hell! haha
I was so excited when I saw your social media updates yesterday!!! Congratulations! I’m thrilled that you had such a wonderful and strong race 😀 AMAZING job crushing your old PR!
Jess recently posted…Run the Bluegrass Training Week 7
Thank you so much for the comments and support this weekend!!!! I really appreciate it!!
AWESOME job!!! I knew you could do it 🙂 You look so darn cut in your skirt, love it.
What an incredible place you stayed in …marble 🙂
Looking at mile 5, 6, 7, 8 consistency I think you have an even quicker one in you! How many more half’s do you have in this series?
You know I was cracking up at 53 being cold “) That is my favorite running temp!
Karen recently posted…Where Do I Begin
This was the last one in the series (since I ended up not running the Palm Beaches Half). I’m running another half next month though, and that will be my last one until the fall!
It’s my new favorite running temp too!!!
I was so excited to see this on instagram yesterday!! woohoo! you did saw awesome but I had a feeling you would run a sub-3 (but didn’t want to jinx it). Now you can just enjoy your next race although I have a feeling you will continue to see improvements in your time!
Lisa @ Running Out Of Wine recently posted…Weekly Workouts And Other Updates
Thanks, Lisa!
I really think I’m just going to roll with the punches for the A1A Half and be happy with whatever happens. A friend wants me to run a 10K with her the weekend before and she’s faster than me, so if I end up doing that I really can’t have any expectations for the half!
Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyy!!! Welcome to the sub-3:00 club!! Congrats again!
So happy you had a perfect race day. It will be nice to end the season on a pressure-free note, that’s for sure.
I LOL’d at the whole 53 degrees being the second coldest start in race history. Us northerners are like “oh honey…”
Hanna recently posted…Race Recap: Icebreaker Indoor Half Marathon
Hahah I honestly don’t know how you can stand waiting in the corrals in anything colder than 50 degrees! I literally felt like a popcicle…. I was full on shivering and ready to just go back to my hotel room and get under the warm covers!
I am sooooooooooooooooooo happy for you and proud of you!!!! I could feel your excitement just by reading the post. I’m glad you felt strong the whole race and were able to push it at the end. All your hard training is paying off!!!!
I was also excited to see the suite! What a great gift from Adam. I bet he is so proud of you. 🙂
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!! Hope you feel good today, and even if you are sore, that it reminds you how TOUGH you are!
Megan @ Meg Go Run recently posted…Weekend Wrap Up!
THANK YOU! 😉 🙂
I am wayyyyy sore today but nothing as bad as after Portland, haha. My feet were a little swollen so I wore my compression socks and for the second time they really did their job! I may be a compression sock skeptic but they definitely help with swelling!
YES! Everything I have read about compression socks is the jury is out on whether they do any help DURING a run, but they most definitely help with swelling afterwards. And thank you, you reminded me to pack my compression socks today. I am going to attempt run #2!!! On the treadmill, though 🙁 Is it even worth it!? Probably not. Okay maybe I will lift instead…
Megan @ Meg Go Run recently posted…How to survive NOT running for 2 weeks.
Great job! So proud of you! The best thing is that is sounds like you didn’t hit a wall during any part of that race! I think that means a new PR is still in you! Must be the cold temperatures!
So glad you had a fun weekend.
That hotel looks amazing! Good job, Adam!
cheryl recently posted…What a difference a day makes!
Thanks Cheryl!
You know, I thought the same thing about the better PR still being in me. I’m really excited about my current PR, but I keep thinking, “did I really need to stop at that last aid station?” and “what if I didn’t take that last walking break” or “what if I started sprinting a little sooner, could I have finished in 2:56:XX” but there will be another day and another opportunity!
congratulations! what a wonderful achievement; way to push it to make your time even more under 3!
brittney recently posted…trial and error tuesday: podcasts
Thank you Brittney!! 🙂
So exciting that you just started listening to Serial! It’s really addicting! I listened to FOUR episodes during a long run one time! The eps are like chips, you can’t stop at just one!
Congratulations!!! I’m so happy for you! All of your training and hard work has paid off!
Courtney @ Running For Cupcakes recently posted…MIMM: Normal Shenanigans
Thank you Courtney! This race was really a celebration of my training. I felt so darn good the whole time! I could have danced in the middle of the road!
I am so happy for you! You sound so incredibly happy in this post; PRs are amazing feelings, aren’t they! (Yes a PR is a feeling). I hope you got to spend the rest of the day hanging out in that great hotel suite and relaxing 🙂
Amy recently posted…Tales of a Broken Tail
Thank you! The PR feeling is my favorite one! I wish they made PR emojis so I could put 10 of them right here! haha
I spent most of the afternoon taking a delightful nap!
Awesome job! Congratulations!!!!! Enjoy the amazing PR feeling–you’ve earned it!
Jenn @ Running on Lentils recently posted…Pittsburgh Half Training: Week 2
Thanks Jenn! It feels so good to have finally crossed this hurdle and to be in the 2s!
Yay, congratulations!
Margaret recently posted…PRC 5k Training Week 4 & Fight for Air Training Week 8 & NROLFW Phase 1 Week 6
Congratulations to YOU on your stair race! So so impressive!
Congratulations on your HUGE PR and for not even cutting it close to finishing under 3 hours! Your training is paying off!!! WOOHOOO, Kristina!!!!
Liv @ Healthy Liv recently posted…Weekend Snapshots + Trying New Things
Thank you Liv! I’m feeling a little sad that next month will be my last half marathon until the fall. It’s really my favorite race distance!
Congratulations again! I’m so excited to see you totally blow your A goal out of the water. You’re such an inspiration! Seeing your instagram post yesterday made me really want to get out there and race!
Lizzy recently posted…weekend rundown 2
Thank you Lizzy! Just a little bit to go and you’ll be rocking your next 26.2!!!!
That’s awesome Kristina — congratulations!!
Thank you! And a big congrats to YOU on finishing another marathon!! Those were some of the best race pics I’ve ever seen!
Kristina @ Blog About Running recently posted…I DID IT!!! [Miami Half Recap]
Yay.!!! Good job girl. You have worked so hard (from what I’ve read) and have come so far. Way to get that PR 🙂 I loove perfect races like that
jessica recently posted…Meeee Monday
Thank you Jessica! 🙂
I really could not have asked for a better day! The weather was crisp but the sun was shining, everyone was super friendly and the course was really pretty. Plus I had a great playlist that kept me pumped up!
WAHOOO!!! I had a great weekend because of the texts you sent me after this race!!! Smiling from ear to ear and jumping all around! Henri thought I was crazy!
Lauren @ The Foodie Runner recently posted…Let It Snow
Next thing you know I’ll be training to break 2 hours 😉 hahaha
Congratulations Kristina!!!! You are awesome!! Great race and recap, thank you. I am so happy for you. Perfect race by the sounds of it. On a different note, as I’ve been off here for a while, I am so sorry to read about your grandfather passing, and I hope you’re doing ok. All the best xxx
Thank you Lou! I have missed YOU and just saw you popped up an update. Heading over there to check it out after I hit publish on this comment!
Woohoo!!!! I AM SO HAPPY FOR YOU!!! I’m not at all surprised. Even though you were saying you weren’t aiming to make this one a PR anymore in favor of the next race, I knew you’d made such a huge progress this year that a PR was in the cards.
The skirt is cute! I’m glad you liked running in it!
It’s funny what a difference cold weather makes. I feel like heat is my kryptonite. (I live in the wrong state lol.) Your splits were SO even! You totally earned that gorgeous medal!
Ali @ Hit the Ground Running recently posted…A Family-Filled Weekend
It really does make such a difference! I’m trying to figure out where I can go this fall to run a relatively flat half marathon in guaranteed cool weather! haha
CONGRATULATIONS!! 🙂 So excited for you!
Thank you Dana!!!!! 🙂 🙂
YEAAAAAH GIRL!!!! SO excited for you. That is a huge PR and you have officially made your way into the 2s. Woot woot. What an incredible feeling, right? I think you will only continue to improve as time goes by and you get used to the speed. Love your outfit and your attitude – so great!!
The race where I just knew was the Portland Marathon. I as confident in my training and just woke up knowing I could make a big PR happen.
Kristen @ Glitter and Dust recently posted…The 20-Second Rule
Portland was such a great day for you! ALL of last year was incredible for you and 2015 will be as well! I know it!
I’m so proud of having a half finishing time in the 2s, I feel so legit! haha Next up, 2:49! 🙂
[…] been thinking about Sunday’s race and how the heck I made significant improvements since the Fort Lauderdale half in […]
Congrats!!!!! So awesome!! I am super excited for you! It is awesome to look at your splits…you did a great job with those last few miles!!!! Great negative split!! I can only hope I have a race that goes this well for me this year! I had a great race in Detroit last fall but it left me hungry for more…which I am sure is the case for you now after this beauty!!
Staci @ Hoosier Running Mom recently posted…Running is a mental battle…at least for me!
Thank you Staci! 🙂
This race left my hungry for more but also very satisfied. I think I’m now ready to ease into spring and have a little fun before I ramp up into marathon training this summer!
Congratulations – that is fantastic news and I am so excited for you!
Thank you so much Margaret! 🙂
Cant’ believe it’s taken me this long to read your recap, but congrats–super proud!! that PR is insane!
Cori @ She’s Going the Distance recently posted…You Know You’re a Runner
THANK YOU 🙂 🙂
[…] At the Miami Half so many good things happened and I just wanted to write them all down in one place. This post is all about the things that I might have forgotten to write about or simply glossed over in my race recap. […]
Look at you finishing with negative splits!!! CONGRATS!!!!
Helly recently posted…Week 12 Phoenix Marathon Training Recap
THANK YOU!!!! 🙂 This was the best race ever!
[…] not looking to PR this time. This race is just about celebrating a great half marathon season and running my favorite course… but I still want to do well :). I’ll talk more about […]
[…] season this winter at the A1A Ft. Lauderdale Half Marathon. She was just running for fun after breaking 3 hours for the first time a couple weeks prior and still scored her second fastest half ever! After a few weeks of rest and […]