Race Recap: City of Roses Half Marathon

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I ran my fastest half marathon to date (1:44:28) this weekend!

There is no logical reason for why I set a PR.

I’ve never done speed work (ever). It rained non-stop. There were hills. I developed a massive blister. And I stopped to tie my shoes three times.

Angie is flabbergasted.

It must be a boost in mental power after interviewing Dean Karnazes (episode 66) and Eric Strand (soon to be released episode 67). Amazing runners!

Here is my race recap . . .

Cape Girardeau, City of Roses
Locals simply call it Cape. I really don’t know why it has the nickname City of Roses. I’ve never noticed any roses in Cape. They should rename it “City of Killer Hills.”

Cape is a beautiful place to visit. The city is situated along the Mississippi River – America’s greatest river. Its history goes back to the Spanish and French settlement. The town boasts about 100,000 people according to its website.

If you ever visit Cape check out the River Front and you might see huge barges chugging down the Mississippi. There’s a floodwall to protect the downtown area with a mural of Missouri’s history.

The Race Experience

A local running club hosts this event in conjunction with a 5k. I estimate that between 300-400 people showed up to run. Packet pick up was simple with no lines to wait in. They gave me a technical t-shirt and parking was easy.

The course took us through some of my favorite parts of town including SEMO University, the Downtown River Front, and the LaCroix Trail. There were race volunteers at every intersection to stop traffic for we humble runners.

I was really impressed with the volunteers who were standing out in the rain to cheer us on. The aid stations were spaced every 2 miles until about mile 8 then they appeared every mile.

Running in the Rain

Photo credit: Laura Simon

The only thing I was worried about was getting a blister from having wet feet. When my feet get wet the friction causes problems. I made it about 50 steps before trudging through a puddle. A blister was pretty much inevitable.

Running in the rain is not as miserable as one might expect. It might even quicken your stride. I didn’t even think about it much. My mind was mostly on my legs. Running in a freezing rain might be a different story.

Post Race Shenanigans
I was slotted to speak at my church this weekend and I wanted to make this a Sunday they would never forget. So about 20 minutes after 11:00 I came busting into the church wearing my running clothes race bib and all. (In full disclosure I did shower and put on fresh clothes).

Standing before a very puzzled audience I said,

“Did I forget to tell everyone that today is Exercise Sunday!? Let’s start with arm circles. Ready? Get em up! One . . . and two. . . and three. . . ”.

I was joking of course.

Then I explained that before the service I ran a half marathon. Then I spoke from Hebrews 12:1-2 where the author uses a running analogy to explain our call to endure hardship.

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

What’s interesting in this text is the phrase “run with patience” which basically means to “run with endurance”. Jesus ran His race, enduring the agony of the cross, to become the originator and completer of our salvation.

My object lesson seemed to work and people got the point of the sermon.

My Running Take-a-ways

• I have no regrets about this race. I paced myself wisely in the beginning and had plenty of steam for the final 10k. I finished 58th out of 240.
• I tried to live in the moment, as Dean Karnazes says. In spite of the rain I just tried to have a good time mile after blessed mile.

Thanks to the Cape Girardeau Road Runners for organizing this great event. I hope to be there again next year.