BYGI 2020 Half Marathon: Lovely Day

So, the question begs - if you don't talk about it and don't train for it, does a race happen?

The answer is YES.  And it was everything I wanted and more.  

Backing up - if you recall my last race, EVL - it was not the stuff dreams were made of.  I completely recognized my privilege to race, but I also was honest that I had lost my mojo weeks before the race, and if I was being REALLY honest, let my mental game lead to a complete failure where I wasn't pleased ... with my time, the experience, or even the desire to run.  Which jarred me.  

Post race, I put my running shoes aside and waited.  To heal.  Both physically and mentally.  Once again, whenever I hit bottom, I find out that I have a pretty kick ass circle of friends.  My husband was absolutely amazing and supportive.  My coach listened to me vent and offered support where I needed it and a kick in the pants when that was applicable, too.  I got the "in" on the 2020 turkey trot shoes from our fleet feet friends, and bought a pair to bring on the "Thankful runs".  And the day after the race, my friends Marcus and Maria offered me exactly what I needed, even though I didn't know it at the time: redemption...on every level.

As part of post race venting, I was talking to Marcus (fellow triathlete, runner, friend of ten plus years, fellow bad decision maker) about EVL, and he mentioned a little race that he was doing in November as part of a local running group.  It was capped at 50 runners, invite only, and totally grassroots.

It was also full.

Oh well, so much for that.  Or...for friends that sang my praises and got me a last minute invite.  For $10 I signed up to be part of the "BYGI half marathon", a race that was to take place on November 22, 2020.  BYGI = Best You're Getting In (2020).  Oh hell.  Take my money.  The race was no frills - $10 toward the top 3 places of the race (winners to get running store gift certificates from Rochester Running Company - support local sales).  Post race BYOB.  And a medal that absolutely needed a spot in my collection, designed by the RD's daughter - its a little Covee!!

Once I picked up my sneaks again on November 1, I ran for two reasons - to take a breather from life, and to get some low key miles in.  I did no speed work, had no plan, and did nothing to train for any type of race whatsoever.  I needed this.  It was running for me.  Running for where I was at.  No pressure.  No time goals.  Nothing.  I laced up my turkey trot shoes every single run, and whether the run was good, bad, or just "was", I took it with the grace that was intended at the time. And when I thought of BYGI....I smiled.  As the race got closer, the attention to social distancing and COVID compliance was evident and impressive from the RD - staggered start, masks required, directives and suggestions about social media, and so many options for an early start or virtual race that it could accommodate everyone. Even when our county turned into a yellow zone, further accommodations were made.  As someone that's pretty strictly bubbling right now, this was refreshing to see.

The week of the race was a little tough - I had started working with my coach for Ironman prep at the beginning of the November and I felt fatigued - the bike was ramping up, and combined with swimming, lifting and running, I was logging about 12 hours per week. Certain life events had left me more spent than usual - physically, mentally and emotionally - and I was struggling to hit my training metrics.  I gave a second thought to the race - with the current environment and my fitness, was it wise?  My body wasn't sure.  My head wasn't sure.  My heart...was.

And that was good enough for me.  I sent my coach a text letting him know I was gonna do the thing, and kept my expectations low.  He asked my goals and I said....to love it.  To have fun and enjoy it.  And, uh, sub 1:50 would be sweet (can't take the race outta the racer....since I had zilch aside from easy runs, an 8:20 pace was doable, or so I thought).

I laid out my race gear the night before, adding in things that made me smile - my turkey trot shoes, the RWB singlet I rarely wear to race but love running in, my "fineapple" CVG bra, and my "sus" mask.  And, of course, the Ironman visor with the sticker on.  You know I can't forget that one! (Its a superstition thing).

Race morning dawned clear, and cold!  It was about 35 degrees out, so I switched up a few things outfit wise, then left at 7 to get to the park for a quick warm up (about a half hour away).  I met up with some new friends and saw some old ones, including Josh, my best friend from preschool's husband (who just came into my life this year - life is weird!)  Everyone was masked.  Everyone kept their distance.  And everyone was so. friggin. amped. to be there.  I wasn't nervous, I was excited!!  I did a mile warm up, then loaded up my gear - there was one DIY aid station with water on course at mile 8, and that was....BYGI (2020).  Totally fine, but I opted for a handheld water bottle and stuffed a few GU's down my bra (really, yes, I stuff my bra and I'm proud of it...I fit my mp3 player, 2 gus, my car key, and probably the kitchen sink in there!!)

The race was organized into heats, and I was in wave 1, with those running "8ish" minute miles.  We trickled down started at 8:30 and were off!  The race was self timed, but set up as a strava segment, so your time was officially recorded on strava.  The first 6 miles were an out and back on the canal, with a few minor rollers (the overall net for the course was just over 400 feet per my watch).  I settled in right away at a 7:50-7:55 mile, which actually felt great.  In the first few miles I passed about 4-5 people, but never ran with anyone....a few happy comments, a few smiles, and waves at the turn around at mile 3, but I was racing solo and actually enjoying it!  The snow started to fall about mile 4, and I grinned and caught a few flakes on my tongue.  Was this a typical race?  Nope.  Was I "racing all out"?  Again, no.  But I was out running, with enough friends to feel like I was part of something, enough space to feel safe, in a setting where I would push the pace beyond a normal long run.  How lucky was I??

I held 7:50s until mile 8, when I stopped to refill my water bottle.  At that point, we turned off the canal and into Genesee Valley Park, which brought some weird turns and a few more rollers.  I slowed to a walk a few times as I wasn't sure of the turns (there were flags marking the course but I'm directionally challenged!!  I was passed here by one dude, who turned into my spotter for the rest of the race - if I could see him, I was good!!).  Miles 8-10 averaged 8:00-8:30...a combo of water stops, sighting, and I hit a lull about mile 9 where I downed a GU and it definitely helped.  I hit mile 10 in 1:19:xx and began to think I could do a sub 1:45 - which amped me up!  My PR is a 1:40, but without any prep or speedwork, this was....you got it....the BYGI 2020 and I was totally fine with that!

At this point the 10k had started (tandem race) and the winner flew by me at mile 10 with a quick pick me up - it was Marcus, my buddy!  (He handily won the race by minutes).  This gave me the boost I needed for the last 5k!  At mile 11 was our official "race photographer" - the RD's parents.  I gave them a cheese grin and a thumbs up (I am so cool) and headed up the last hill onto the Ford Street bridge.

With a mile to go, I hit mile 12 in 1:36 and knew I could bring it home - I had brough my pace back down to a 7:50-8:00 pace.  At mile 12.5, a girl I didnt recognize passed me - not lknowing if she was a half marathoner or 10k racer, I picked it up to try to catch her (I did not, but she was the 10k winner, so it was all good) - crossed the finish line in 1:44:29, for a 7:59 pace and 3rd overall female!  After I finished I thanked the dude who passed me for being such a great rabbit, and when he heard my name he commented that it was awesome to meet the "famed Rae Glaser".  According to him, I'm pretty well known as a runner around the Roc.  Why that is...I didn't ask.  Some things are just better left a mystery :-P

Post race we shivered around with happy grins - I caught up with Marcus and congratulated him, waited for his wife Maria to finish the 10k, and said hello to a few other friends I missed pre race.  I ended up bringing home a sweet gift card to Rochester Running Company for my "podium finish" - which was pretty awesome!  I cant wait to get some nutrition for Ironman training with it!!

After I got home and warmed up, I did some post race recovery - foam rolling, Epsom salt bath, and a cheeseburger the size of my face (it's science, y'all).  The next day I felt great - which told me that I still have the speed - hitting a sub 8 minute mile for a half marathon in 2020 didn't seem feasible, but the whole race, save for the last mile, felt comfortably hard, much like a long tempo run.  I felt good about the effort, the recovery was minimal, and I am so darn excited for 2021!  More importantly, it gave me exactly what I needed for the end of 2020...I wasn't happy with the way I ended EVL, and this gave me back that big ole happy dance I have when I get to run.  And when it comes down to it, that's way more important than any time could ever be for me.  All in all, it was a Lovely Day.  Bill Withers would totally approve.

So, what's next?  Oh who knows what 2021 brings.  For the rest of this year, I want to finish "running the year" (213 miles to go), and have a blast doing it.  2021, I'm coming for you - what that means, TBD, but I'm excited about it in any way, shape or form!!