2014 was my third time to race the Carlsbad Half. It has become special to me not only because I love racing in North County, but because when I first did it in 2010, that race medal was the last one I was able to share with my mom, as she passed away not long after in February.
Going into this race, I had high hopes. And for good reason. I had a streak going on, if you will. It started with the Fountain Hills Turkey Trot 5K in November, where I placed 4th AG with an all-time distance PR. Within the four weeks following, I knocked out the Fiesta Bowl Half Marathon in 1:56, my first time ever under two hours, then the San Diego Holiday Half Marathon in 1:55 - more all-time 13.1 PRs. All along, I was following Coach Frank's training plan, and also decided to start working with Brooke from Fuel to the Finish to really tighten up my nutrition. In my eyes, the stars were aligned for a lovely finish in Carlsbad...and heck, I already knew the course!
It was a BEAUTIFUL race morning on Sunday. The temperature was perfect and the sun was starting to peek out. I woke up at 5 a.m., started visualizing the course and what I did last year to get to that PR. I enjoyed a Van's gluten-free waffle with peanut butter, some water, then headed up to the start. I was relaxed and ready to get after it!
Gun goes off. The mass starts moving. We begin to climb out toward Highway 101 and I'm in a great mindset. The Timex GPS Global Trainer then begins to act as though it is drunk; I had no idea exactly what my pace was, though I could "feel" where I was for the most part. Very frustrating. On my way out, I enjoyed the beauty that is the Carlsbad coast. I mean look at it!! No matter how tough it can get out there, you have to appreciate it. I also had the chance to cheer in pros Matty Reed and Heather Jackson as they had made the turn around. Super cool.
Then about three miles later, it was time to start heading back up the coast. I don't know what happened. I mentally started to check out! WHAT?? The piriformis wasn't feeling THAT bad, but in that moment, it started to feel THAT bad. By mile 9.4, half way up the hill between miles nine and 10, I had to text Jon to relay to Coach Frank that I wasn't feeling too fantastic. Coach's response? "Just need to get it done. Good job." I made it up to mile 10 and was STOKED. Three miles left! A VERY long three miles, it was!
I was praying, changing up my music for Britt Nicole and finally Mandisa's "Overcomer" to bring me into the finish. I was a tad choked up getting my medal. Yes, I PR'd from 2013...BUT part of me was disappointed because of that streak I had going on, then I found myself back at the 2-hour mark. I wanted that 1 in front of my time again! When I found Jon, I have to admit that I had some tears for about 30 seconds.
After the race, I received a text message from Kristin Mayer, of Betty Designs, as we had tried to meet up over the quick weekend but were too busy. We had a chat about the race. I told her how I began to struggle mentally. She messaged, "It's an awesome course but the race begins after the turnaround. Mental struggles make you stronger." Right on the money. Right there. Turns out that for the first half of the race, I was pacing at 8:49, and that mental struggle did slow me down. But I never gave up.
I learned a lot from this race. First, I've come a LONG way in terms of strength, endurance, and nutrition in the last 18 months, so I should be proud, particularly of the "streak" I had going - this was the first time ever that I had minimal to no GI issues. Second, none of this would have been possible without the Lord on my side. No way. I had a devotion on my phone all weekend from the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) that read, "We're all going to battle doubts and frustrations. They're just part of life. But that's when we must choose the road of faith by trusting and obeying God regardless of what we may feel or think."
Finally, there is so much TO BE thankful for. I CAN train and race. I have the support of family, friends, coaches, and Team Betty. I am also thankful for the time our little family got to spend together in North County, even if we did get a crazy parking ticket. So Carlsbad was Carlsgood after all. :)
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