Race Recap: The Wisconsin Half Marathon 2023
Originally published May 2023
This past Saturday I ran the Wisconsin Half Marathon in Kenosha, WI. I believe that this is the 5th or 6th time that I have completed this race. Every year this race is probably the most meaningful one that I do, because it has been a family tradition since its inception. Not only do I get to do something that I love with my family but we all get to remember and honor my Uncle who started this beautiful tradition. This race will always hold a special place for me.
Going into the race I had the hope to PR but my training leading up to it was not indicating that would be possible. I was prepared that it might not go the way I wanted but that was ok, I was excited just to be back out running this event. I should not have been doubting myself…
4:45AM - Wake up! Ya know when I have to wake up at this time for work it always is a major struggle but if I have to get up for a race or I flight it just seems so much easier.
5:15AM - On the road to Kenosha
6AM - Arrival! Last year I was running so late, I made sure I got there without rushing and this year I gave myself too much time. For this race I decided to try a little bit 0f a different nutrition and hydration strategy. I figured I probably wouldn’t be PRing so might as well try out a new strategy. So right before arriving I had a banana in the car. (I know the recommendation is to eat prior to racing, which I do advise for most people, but I get a really upset stomach it seems no matter what I eat but bananas have proven safe)
It was a chilly drizzly morning, which was pretty unusual for this race, so even before the race began I changed one approach and switched from my shorts to leggings. That was absolutely the right choice.
While waiting for race time I did some quick easy movements to get my glutes warmed up. I did a little bit of a light jog in the parking lot so that I wasn’t starting with cold legs.
6:50AM - At the start line! I wanted to try to stay with a pace group for my hopeful goal time so I found myself almost at the front to start which was new for me. It was a new experience not having to shuffle for a few minutes just to get to the start line, but rather to just be able to start running. I was looking to stay with the 1:40 finish time pacer.
I am not a fast runner. Last year I PR’d this race with a 1:47 time and that was an incredible achievement. I usually find myself stuck and comfortable right around the 9:20 pace range. Running an 8 minute pace is really challenging for me.
7AM - Go Time! The first mile my legs felt heavy and just not a good feeling. I just kept thinking “go with how you feel today just enjoy it”. So I did.
During the first two miles I thought about what my plan for the race would be. I knew I wanted to try to stay at or under 8:10 pace per mile. So to break things up, and have little goals to get to, this is how I planned out my race:
3 miles: check my watch for my pace
5 miles: take some nutrition
Every other water station hydrate
6 miles: check my pace
9 miles: check my pace and start picking things up
10 miles: nutrition
9-12 miles: sporadically check where my pace is and work to push it slightly over each mile
12-13.1 miles: dig it out and just run
After about 3 miles I knew my pace was on but the 1:40 pacer was pulling away (in my experience pacers will push their pace a little bit). I knew that as long as I had them in my sights still, that in the second half of the race I could push my pace a bit more. As long as I didn’t get too far back I would be ok.
Overall that strategy served me very well! By not checking my watch constantly I was able to go by the feeling in my legs. What surprised me was that each time I checked my watch I was right on the pace I needed to PR and I felt good. I didn’t feel like it was hard. The months leading up to the race every run felt like I just couldn’t get faster and my legs weren’t turning over like I hoped but race day was proving otherwise. My legs felt good and confident at my pace.
In the second half of the race, specifically miles 9-Finish, I focused on keeping my pace under 8:10. I would occasionally glance at my watch to see where my pace was, focused on what an 8 min/mi was feeling like and just focused on holding that. The last stretch to the finish line is a straight shot and once I knew I was going to hit my PR I just pushed hard the last stretch to the finish line.
When I crossed the finish line I was struggling to hold back tears because I proved to myself that I need to stop doubting myself. I am more capable than I give myself credit for. On this day I managed to run better, more efficiently, and more confidently than I had in months. I got a new PR by staying focused on my plan and trusting how I was feeling.
This is a lesson and a reminder not to doubt yourself. You are so capable of achieving your goals!
Breakdown of my race (Garmin data):
