No one would ever think of Williamsburg, Virginia as hilly. It’s 59.2 miles from the flat Virginia Beach Oceanfront. I am here to tell you this little patch of mother earth is full of curves – ups and downs that never let up. Although there were a couple of handsome hills, mostly the wear on my legs was the constant roll of the pretty little course from hell.
At the finish, I think I look like a serial killer.
My buddy, Larry and I started out happy enough.
The course even wore him out hey says. But he posted a much better time. No surprise there. He is a very patient training friend. I felt strong going in but not coming out. I held a 9:45 pace until mile 6. Speed isn’t my strong suit, stick-to-itiveness is. I was okay with that. But by then I was hungry and angry and had to start digging already. I knew I would finish. I just knew it would be hard. And it was. Here are the survivors doing what we came to do.
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I don’t even like beer. But anyone who tells you the best beer of your life is not after a race is lying. The carbs, the fizz. Heaven.
Good things about the Colonial Williamsburg Half Marathon:
- Running with my friend Larry
- Having his wife and my dear friend, Megan there for support and the use of her hot red jacket at the start
- the beer (did I already mention that?)
- Finishing inside William and Mary Hall
- Finishing
- The lovely little wooden bridge path in the marshy woods
- running a piece of the Colonial Parkway
- Location. I love Williamsburg.
- The finish
- the beer. (sorry, obsessed.)
Not so good things about the race:
- poorly spaced water stops
- not much crowd support I love every single spectator that showed up. THANKS!
- the constant hills
- not even one band on the course
- my time (a new low)
- the hills
I am super happy to have done this one. Number 8 is down. Would I do it again? Sure, now that I know what to expect. It’s close to where I live and it’s challenging and it’s a pretty little course from hell.
I taught 2 yoga classes the next day. It was almost as good as the beer. But not quite. (gasp, did I say that?!?!?) I still want to marry yoga. I like this little threesome we have going with running.
Up next: Tons of Yoga, Spring Half (undecided), summer training for Miami Full, Fall Half (probably Richmond). Lots of fun and maybe a little beer.
What’s up next for you?
Yay for you finishing a tough race! No matter how many halves (halfs?) I run, I always wonder why I signed up around mile 8. I had seriously considered this race as a possible for this year, but it is a little far from me in Northern Virginia and would require an overnight stay, which is not ideal right now. I am running the Reston Half at the end of March, and the Nike Women’s Half (Yes, I coughed up the exorbitant fee just for a Tiffany necklace. Don’t judge.) in April. Reston will be hilly and hard, so I am not expecting a super time there. I am hoping to break 2 hours at at the Nike half. And I registered for the half in Richmond last year when the price was super low. That will help offset the hotel I will have to get. Maybe I’ll bump into you there!
Yay for you. I loved reading this. It would be fun to run into to you in Richmond. love it!!
you are amazing. so proud of you. tell me the beer. i’ll get you some for your birthday. you can run around my house first if you’d like!
Congrats on your race! I so agree about the beer 🙂 but then I like beer. Good luck on the rest of your plans for the year!
You go girl and that you did!!!!! Looks like you enjoyed yourself, and yes Yoga & Running RULE!!!!
LOVE YOUR BLOG, A TRUE INSPIRATION!
CAROL
YOU ROCK CHICA!!!!
Clair I am just seeing this lovely write-up…you nailed it! Great description and you definitely hit on all of the important parts. I keep thinking “Who put all of those da*n hills in Williamsburg?!?!” It was great spending the afternoon running with you my friend. Meg really enjoyed it too (I think).