Half Marathon #5 Race Recap

A pirate themed race? Count me in! Last weekend I ran my 5th half marathon. I am only getting around to the recap now because life has been slightly hectic with packing and working. So here it is!

I chose to do this inaugural race because it caught my attention with its East Coast-pirate inspiration. The route ran along the ocean coast line in a neighborhood about half an hour away. It ran past Tim & Steph's house and I didn't stop in, so please forgive me, guys! ;)

I'm not gonna lie, I wasn't training like a mad man for this race, I just kind of ran it. I had done a few training runs leading up to the race, but my workouts were more cross-fit/HIIT inspired workouts. (Pinterest rocks for workouts) I do realize that I won't get my dream PR by doing this and I need to buckle down for the next one if I want to see 1:40 or below. I felt relaxed running this race, it just felt like a fun run and I think that's partly because I didn't tell many people I was running in it. 

Since I am a total slacker, I almost missed my kit pick-up and had to run out the day before the race to get it. They had it with the "out-of-towner" kits. Oops. The kits were awesome!! They included a buff, long-sleeved shirt, pirate eye patch/ear-ring, tattoo and tons of local brochures/coupons. We'll get to the tattoo in just a second...

I hitched a ride with my friend Mallory to the race because Kenny was working and I didn't want to hang out at the race by myself. I met her at her apt. at 6:30, picked up her friend and got to the race. Good thing I didn't have to use the washroom because the line-up was quite lengthy. I was a little iffy in the bathroom area, if you know what I mean, but thankfully I ran the race with no events. Sorry if that left a lot to the imagination, but if you run, you know what I mean. You're welcome:)

The tattoo.

This is what happens when you try to apply a tattoo at 5:17 am. I "followed" the directions to a T, or so I thought. When I went to peel off the plastic I realized that I ummm didn't quite get around to taking the plastic off!

So, the race.

-I started off with lots of wind, keeping mostly a < 5:00km, the hills caused me to go a little over that. 

-At 7km I started consuming my gummy bears. I always tried to eat some when a water station was in view. 

-I found a pacer. I stayed with her right until km #18. I thought it was cool because we both wore pink shirts, then towards the end of the race I realized I had a grey tank-top on. SMRT. 

- Running through the fog is fun and refreshing. It truly does wonders for your hair, too. 

-I started to slow down a lot at km 18. No finishing juice left in me. Also no gummy bears left. 

-It's funny to see people randomly dressed in pirate-y things during a run

-Eastern Passage/Cow Bay has 3 (very) steep hills. Derp. 

-I loved crossing the finish line to authentic East Coast music

-The announcer called my sneakers periwinkle blue as I crossed the finish line.

-There was free ice cream post-race... which makes this race my favourite. duh. 

-I am going to frame this:

lol!!!
Kenny and I decided this is what death looks like. 

-I finished in 1:47 and was 5th in my age group.  

 -Very well organized race! Excellent planning and awesome swag!

-Sweet medals!

Have you ever ran a themed race?

What's your favorite fuel for a race? Lately I have been loving regular ole' gummy bears. They don't make me feel sick!