The Baltimore Running Festival will always be a special event for me, mostly because it was my first race in 2007! This means I have been racing for 10 years. I’ve participated in the BRF 6 times now and I can remember exactly why I didn’t participate those other years.
The first time I did this race I ran it in 1:53:09. Then, when I returned in 2011, I ran it in the exact same time!! So part of me was like “wouldn’t it be cool if I could do that again?” since I knew it would not be a day for a PR. I ended up running it in 1:52:51, so 18 seconds faster.
Anyway, as you probably know I was not in half-marathon racing shape at all. I knew I could cover the distance, but not at a half-marathon racing pace. (My fastest half-marathons were on this course in 2014 and 2015 while training for full marathons.) It was also a warm day and the race didn’t start until 9:45, so it was over 70 degrees for most of the run. This is also a very hilly course, which makes it even more challenging. This year they changed the finish line location so it would end down near the inner harbor. Somehow this new route added on a few extra hills at the end! Usually I look forward to the last 3 miles because they are all downhill, but that was no longer the case.
Pre-Race
On Saturday morning I woke up around 5:15 and drank some coffee. At 6am I made some oatmeal with peanut butter. Fueling for this race is tricky with such a late start!
Around 7:15 Rob and I took the light rail downtown. We hung out at his office where we had another cup of coffee and a little more fuel until it was time to line up for the race. During this time we were also watched the news on his computer and followed along as the marathon and 5k started earlier in the morning.
We lined up around 9:25, and I was in corral 2 based on the predicted pace I entered when I registered (8:45). After corral 1 took off, we start walking up to the stat, and no one seemed to want to be in the front so I ended up at the front of the group. It was nice to not be as boxed in at the start!
Miles 1-6
I had no idea how to pace that first mile, but ended up running it in about 8:12 which was probably too fast. Luckily I don’t think it really affected me later. I got a cramp around mile 2 which was weird- I don’t think that’s happened in a long time!
The first few miles went by quickly and weren’t too bad. I felt like for all the uphill, we got a nice downhill to make up for it. The first time I really felt like I was struggling was around mile 6, when there was a long and steady climb for what seemed like a full mile.
Miles 7-13.1
I enjoyed running around the lake, which is flat. I had been taking water at every water station and was glad I did! By mile 8 I was really starting to hurt, but just trying to get to mile 10 when I thought it would be all downhill to the finish.
Miles 11 and 12 had some surprise hills. The kind you see from a distance and just hope you are turning before you reach it. It was all I could do to just keep running at this point in the race. After mile 12.5 I knew where I was and that it was pretty much downhill/flat to the finish, so I gave one final push to get to the end.
I looked at my watch at mile 13 to see if I was near that 1:53:09 time, and saw that I was far enough under it that I would beat my slowest course times. That was good enough for me! I made it through the finish line and saw Rob and immediately started complaining about the added hills and heat. He completely agreed with me and we joked that we were glad we both did the race because we probably wouldn’t believe each other if we both hadn’t experienced it.
Post-Race
We grabbed some food and sat down in the shade to hydrate and eat. Then we wandered over to find the beer, which was pretty far away. The new finish area was fun, but really big. We hung out for a good hour and didn’t even see anyone we knew.
After enjoying our two beers each we hobbled back to his office to get some stuff we left there. The downtown area was packed so we headed back on the light rail and grabbed lunch in our neighborhood. With such a late start time, the race basically took all day! We didnt’ get home until after 3.
Race Reflections
While this wasn’t even close to a PR for me, I knew that wasn’t even possible going into it. However, I really felt like I paced well based on my fitness and the conditions, and I was able to push myself in a way I haven’t done in two years.
Being at the start line of the Baltimore Running Festival always gives me chills, thinking about what it was like that first time I raced, and everything I have experienced since that day. This race brings out the best of the city, where all communities come together to cheer on runners. The crowd support is like no other race I’ve ever done.
Being out there again under these circumstances made me realize just how different of a runner I am, and while I have had many setbacks, I can still push through when things are challenging.
At this point I’m not sure what’s next. I kind of liked the strategy of not training and just jumping into a race at the last minute. While I love the process of training, I end up putting a lot of pressure on myself and often run more than I should just to follow a plan. So while I would like to do another race this fall, I’m not going to commit to anything at this point. I’ll just enjoy this fun crab medal until I earn another one!
[Tweet “Baltimore Running Festival Half-Marathon Race Recap is up via @milebymilerun #baltrunfest”]
You can read my other Baltimore Running Festival Race Recaps here:
Have you ever done a race without properly training?
What is the hilliest and/or hottest race you have ever done?
How do you feel about late race start times?
I’m linking up with No Guilt Life, MCM Mama Runs, and Marcia’s Healthy Slice for Tuesdays on the Run and Rachel, Susie, Lora, and Debbie for the Coaches’ Corner!
What are you going to keep inside your medal? 🙂 Congratulations on covering a tough course on a warm day. Has the half marathon always started so late?
I haven’t thought about what to keep in my medal! Since I have been running it, the half has always started that late. Expect one year there was another event going on (baseball, maybe??) and they moved the start times up an hour.
congrats on a great race! and I agree – I do like the strategy sometimes of not training and picking a race at the last minute. sometimes that’s just what’s best for our life at the moment. and that is a late start time! I would’ve had trouble figuring out how to eat before because I would get hungry again after my usual pre-race breakfast.
I purposely tried to sleep a little later so I could eat later, but I still had to plan for an extra pre-race snack!
Congrats on racing again, and congrats on doing so at one of your faves. Makes you feel kinda like a runner again–just like I did after the Mag Mile Women’s half last year. Reminds us why we love to do this, but also how hard it is!
Yes, exactly! When I realized this was my 10 year anniversary that was the extra push I needed to sign up.
Congrats on your race. Both of you! There were some unexpected late hills during the course that were not very nice. I also got a side cramp around mile 4 and I thought it was due to the late start which was 8 am for the marathon. Luckily the GU I had helped. I can’t imagine a 9:45 start. I think this is one of my favorite medals. That’s great that you were able to hang out at Rob’s office before hand. You did a great job for your unexpected race!
Thanks! I am also wondering if the late start had anything to do with the cramps. Luckily they passed after a few minutes!
Congrats to both of you! I didn’t know you were back up to this distance-that has to feel great after so much time off. It’s not all about PR’s it’s about doing what you love right?
So true! And I really jumped back up to this distance faster than I should have, but it does feel great!
Congrats to you and Ed, you did great! That an off start time so I can see how it would be hard to fuel for.
Oops, meant you and Rob!!
Haha! I figured thats what you meant:) Thank you!!
Congrats on a great race! I know it’s been a very frustrating year for you when it comes to running, but I’m so happy that things are finally looking up for you!
Thank you! Its definitely been a struggle so this felt like a bit of redemption.
Congrats to both you and Rob! What a strong comeback race! Hills late in the race baffle me – why not try to map the course to avoid them when everyone is tired?
Thanks! I know, I love a downhill finish and this was just cruel. And everyone seemed to love the new finish line but I can’t get over that the last few miles were more challenging.
congratulations on an awesome race!! you did fantastic!
I never knew that Baltimore could be so hilly! reminded me of Pittsburgh. I was really happy to see that you had raced Baltimore.
Thank you! The downtown area is actually really flat, but of course only a few miles of the course was down there. Otherwise, yes, its quite hilly! And I feel like this race really hits so many hills!
Congrats on your race finish. The warm fall temps have definitely had an impact on race times! Adore the race medal! Perhaps one of the best I have seen!
Thanks! I really felt for the fun marathoners, as Im sure the warm temps affected them even more!
Congrats! That’s a pretty good run this late in the year, after all your struggles. You should feel good about that.
Thank you! Yes, its a great feeling!
I think you did awesome, especially considering you really weren’t “training” for it. I find that I typically do much better when I don’t have that “training mentality” and just go with what the day brings me. As I have said many times, I am more of a runner than a racer 😉
Yep, I totally agree! The whole training part adds so much pressure!
I love that medal that you received! I definitely don’t know how I would feel running a race with that late of a start, but hearing how you like this race so much it makes me want to sign up next year!
Its such a fun event, although not without its challenges. The late start time is tricky plus I felt like it took up the whole day!
Way to go! Look how strong you have come back after struggling with your injury for so long. This is amazing. Good job and I know you are only going to continue to improve!
Thanks so much! It was great to just get out there and race again.
Great race and recap, Lisa! I’m so happy you were able to run and have a good day after all you’ve been through this last year or so! The heat definitely affected me on Saturday, but I’m glad I ran the course beforehand so I knew those extra hills were added in!
Im not sure why I assumed the elevation would be the same as before, since we were running down a parallel street. I think the bridge was easier but everything else was harder! Plus the warm weather didn’t help at all.
Congrats on a strong return to racing! How nice to be able to hang at your hubby’s office. I don’t care much for late starts, especially when heat is an issue. I know what you mean about the nostalgia of returning to your first race. I’ve run the first half I ever did 6x now and I always consider doing it again. All the feels of that first time come right back!
Thanks! Yes, its such an amazing feeling to be back at the place where it all started!
I’m not a fan of late race times if there’s any chance it could be hot. I don’t mind them in January or February – some extra sleep plus letting things warm up a bit is good then.
I agree a late start in the winter would be more acceptable! But when its still pretty warm out, I would rather just get started early!
I don’t know how I missed this but congrats on your race! It looks like your legs knew exactly what to do.
I’ve jumped into a half more than I’ve trained for one and those are usually my best races! I think not planning and training but just being ready for the distance keeps my nerves in check. Great job!
Thanks! Yep, its definitely better for the nerves to jump in at the last minute.
Whoa, that medal is super cool! Congrats on a hard run race. Sounds like you really enjoyed it!
Thanks! Its was a fun but hard race. And this is definitely one of my favorite medals!
Talk about consistency! Wow that is pretty dang cool you were able to run all 3 times so very close! That is a late start and I can see it would be an issue with what to eat and when. I love the medal it is so cool looking!
Thanks! I have no idea how I ran all 3 times so close to each other. The late start is definitely tricky!
Congratulations on your race, you did an awesome job especially with the hills, later start and warm weather. I still haven’t done a race in Baltimore and it’s so close to me being in Philly…I need to keep it on my radar!
Thanks so much! You should definitely do a race here some time.
Congrats on a great race and that is one awesome medal 🙂
I have done a half without proper training/taper, but it ended up my fastest half to date… so yeah, I am not opposed to spontaneous racing 🙂
Wow, thats really impressive that your half without training ended up being your fastest! There’s definitely something to be said for taking the pressure off!