365/267: Fit One Boise 2013 Race Recap

I have been using the training for my half marathon to prepare for this race as well. On Saturday morning I was up and out of the house at 7 am to meet at the shuttle pick up for my first race in Boise. It was cool, but not cold. Honestly, I'm not sure the weather could have been more perfect.

We arrived at the starting point around 8:15, had enough time to stand in line for the port-a-potties. This is one gripe I have. They had four in this first area, but nothing to let runners know that there were more before you got to the start line. So, most waited at least 15 minutes (if not more) to go potty, only to head to the start line and see at least 8 more with only short lines (or no lines!) I just wish they could have put some more signage around that told us there were more restrooms.

Heather and I at the starting line!

Anyway, we walked a little ways to the start line and were there about 10 minutes before the start. I loved the music and how pumped it made me feel. They had an all girls chorus sing the national anthem. I do wish they could have had them on microphones so everyone could hear. It was really beautiful. They had a flyover done by the Air St Luke's helicopter, that was pretty cool. Then shortly after the horn sounded for the start. This is my first corralled race, and I'm not the fastest runner, so I was toward the back.  I felt really good about my start. I didn't start the interval timer until after we crossed the finish line and did my 2 minute "warm up" as a light jog. Then jogged my 1 minute and started the 30 second walks. I kept this interval through most of the race. I think I only took two extra walk breaks, one because I didn't hear my timer and the other because there were so many walkers in my way.

The first part of the 9k course was really nice. A few kilometers through the neighborhoods in the East end (think ritzy rich houses). Then a couple more along the Boise River Greenbelt. The merge point went really well, they had cones for the first hundred or so feet, but then it was chaos trying to keep running. I guess that is the challenge. I wish they could have somehow had the walkers know to keep a lane so the runners could get by.

The crowd in front -- you can really see them on the hill right under the train
depot tower

And the crowd behind me. LOTS of people still going

I felt really great most of this race, especially since I was able to keep with my intervals. Got lots of compliments on my sparkle skirt. Water stations were all well stocked and they even had volunteers with bags so you didn't have to try tossing it in the can. Made the course a lot cleaner. I don't know if you know this, but runners are not good basketball players lol.

The finish line experience was pretty cool. What you can't see is the line of healthcare workers giving us high-fives. That was probably the most cool thing ever at a race. Loved it. Made me feel like I was a super star. =) Then ktvb (a local news station) had a video of the finish line. I screen shot this one of me finishing (on the left, in the sparkle skirt). If you want to watch me finish live, check out this video.

Then the after party was pretty cool too. Music, all powered by people on stationary bikes, lots of freebies and a nice breakfast of bagels, string cheese and an apple. Add that to the chocolate milk and yogurt freebies and I was stuffed.

Some of my Mom's Run This Town chapter. Our leader was nice enough
to invite us over to make shirts and sparkle skirts!

Me and my running buddy Heather with our finishers medal!

I was just so excited to finish this one strong. Makes me feel that much more confident for a great finish at my half. I also know that I should keep an Imatrex and maybe some ibuprofen.

As awesome as this race was, the rest of the afternoon/evening overshadowed it. I ended the race with a headache. It started out almost like my headband was too tight. But when I took it off, that didn't help. I went home and popped an imatrex and took a shower. I felt okay, but then suddenly I felt dizzy just sitting up. I spend a better part of the day on the couch. When I wasn't there, I was in my bed or in the bathroom. It was the worst migraine I have had to date. Totally sucked. I ended up going to urgent care as soon as Jimmy got home (around 7). I would have gone earlier if I could have figured out a way there, but no way was I going to be able to drive. And sitting in an exam room with three kids made my head hurt just thinking about. At the urgent care they gave me a shot of fenagren (for the nausea) and a shot of tordol (for the pain) then made me rest for 15 minutes before they would let me leave. Then we went home and I crashed on the couch for awhile. I woke up around 10 starving. So, I had something to eat and Gatorade to drink (gotta boost those electrolytes). Then went upstairs, finished my book and crashed. I don't think I moved all night!