Thoughts:
- Miles 1-3: I couldn’t help but notice how refreshing the clean fresh air was and the beautiful scenery.
- At about mile 4: I realized this wasn’t going to be about the pace. It was going to be endurance and the finish. Quitting wasn’t an option.
- Mile 6: A few thoughts of OMG this sucks. What was I thinking?
- About mile 8:
ManWoman vs. Wild. Feeling strong and confident! - Up to this point I was slow with the mud and jumping over fallen trees but on the more level stretches I maintained about a 9:30 pace. Chad is awesome with maneuvering the uneven paths, water, logs and mud.
- Part of the course was running around a lake. Think about 500 runners at night with headlamps circling the lake. It was so cool!
- Mile 10: My thoughts were no running Dirt Days this year. No more night races. To I’m not ever running a trail race again!
- Mile 11-13: Back to feeling strong and thinking about what I had accomplished so far.
- Ice. Mud. Hills. Dark. Fallen trees. My goal. Uninjured and finish. SUCCESS!
- Yes. I will run another trail race at night
Off to a good start with clear blue skies all day and weather reports of less wind in the evening.
Almost there and oddly enough I didn’t have the typical pre-race butterflies in my stomach. At this point there was a calm about the whole thing.
When I saw the park entrance I started thinking about being out there in the dark. Really?
Getting ready in the car was another off-routine factor of this adventure. Getting dressed. Garmin. Shoes. Bibs. Eating. I surprised myself (and probably Chad too) by how flexible I could actually be with not having my race routine. Still an odd calm about it all.
Dinner was almond butter and honey on a sandwich thin.
Most important!
The finish. I kept this picture in my mind during the entire race.
Off and on throughout the race my iFitness belt with bib holders was a topic for conversation. It was the bib holder that got the attention and people wanted to know where to buy it.
The medal. Going with the whole green focused Planet Adventure theme the medal was this. I thought it was funny. Chad loved it! The differences between trail runners and street runners. This medal says it all. There really is a noticeable personality difference.
Not only was this my first of at least 12 half marathons it was also the first of at least 12 dates for Chad and I <3 With kids it doesn’t always work out that we can run races together (and the fact that he prefers trails and I prefer roads) but when it does we have the best time. And of course the obligatory wearing of the race shirt the next day.
How long did it take me? 3:09:11.8
A race to remember.
You’re probably thinking at this point, finally, she’s done
Anyone racing this weekend? Long runs. Planning spring training?
Link up below!
Tagged: 2012 goals, 2012 Race Recap, blog hop, Fitness Friday, half marathon, health and fitness, iFitness, running, trail running, Twelve In Twenty Twelve
I'm a wife, mom of 2, Swiftwick, FitFluential, Sweat Pink and Girls Gone Sporty Ambassador that is passionate about running, plant-based nutrition, fitness and an overall healthy lifestyle. Living a healthy life is not about perfection. It's about commitment, effort and progress! 
Wow sounds like you had a great time,AWESOME time you rock …Well done.Great photo’s
Thanks Claire!
jillconyers recently posted..Twelve In Twenty-Twelve || Planet Adventure Winter Half Marathon Race Recap Part 2
That sounds like so much fun! I love all the pics and the race medal:)
We had a great time. Thanks! I wish I would have taken more post race pics. Too cold and we were too hungry to bother
jillconyers recently posted..Twelve In Twenty-Twelve || Planet Adventure Winter Half Marathon Race Recap Part 2
Great recap! Definitely sounds challenging, way to push through! I also just saw your post yesterday about conquering the crane, and I am so impressed! It’s one of my long term goals, too.
Thanks Laura. I now have this strange urge to do the crane pose at random times just because I’m so excited that I can finally do it. Is that weird
jillconyers recently posted..Twelve In Twenty-Twelve || Planet Adventure Winter Half Marathon Race Recap Part 2
I’m hoping for a long run on Sunday! Great race, Jill!
Hope you get your long run in Jennifer! Thanks
jillconyers recently posted..Twelve In Twenty-Twelve || Planet Adventure Winter Half Marathon Race Recap Part 2
Great job on the run/race! Looks like it was a nice day.
It was a beautiful day. So relieved that the weather cooperated
jillconyers recently posted..Twelve In Twenty-Twelve || Planet Adventure Winter Half Marathon Race Recap Part 2
Awesome job! That sounds like so much fun, but really challenging! I haven’t done a trail race yet, but the duathlon we are doing in May has you do the run portion on trails. We are buying trail shoes so we can train!
I’m definitely buying trail shoes this year. Before the Dirt Days series starts!
I can’t wait to hear more about your duathlon and how you like the trails.
jillconyers recently posted..Twelve In Twenty-Twelve || Planet Adventure Winter Half Marathon Race Recap Part 2
My recap would look more like this:
Mile one: OMG, this sucks.
Mile two: OMG, this sucks.
Mile three: OMG, this sucks
And so on.
Love the pictures of you and your husband. So adorable.
Great job on the race!!!
Sandy you’re hilarious! Thanks
jillconyers recently posted..Twelve In Twenty-Twelve || Planet Adventure Winter Half Marathon Race Recap Part 2
What a great race! I love the image of the headlamps around the lake. How cool. Congratulations!!!
Thank you Carrie!
jillconyers recently posted..Twelve In Twenty-Twelve || Planet Adventure Winter Half Marathon Race Recap Part 2
Congrats on your race! Today I posted my recipe for cultured citrus full of probiotics. Have a great weekend.
http://naturallivingsocal.blogspot.com/2012/01/cultured-lacto-fermented-citrus.html
Looks like a fun race, great job! Looks a lot too like the Warrior Dash that I compete in
And also, way to go on not injuring yourself!!! xox
I want to run a WD this year! So cool that you’ve run one.
jillconyers recently posted..Twelve In Twenty-Twelve || Planet Adventure Winter Half Marathon Race Recap Part 2
LOVE. THE. MEDAL! Sounds like so much fun!
The medal is definitely unique
jillconyers recently posted..Twelve In Twenty-Twelve || Planet Adventure Winter Half Marathon Race Recap Part 2
oh that race just sounds/looks so awesome! Great Job! Very impressive! I am hoping to try out lots of trail running this spring (although probably not at night!)
Definitely try the trails Kathy! It’s a nice way to break up training. I bet you’ll love it.
jillconyers recently posted..Twelve In Twenty-Twelve || Planet Adventure Winter Half Marathon Race Recap Part 2
Looks like a blast a muddy blast, but fun none the less.
Love the medal.
Thanks Jen. It was definitely muddy but we loved it
jillconyers recently posted..Twelve In Twenty-Twelve || Planet Adventure Winter Half Marathon Race Recap Part 2
What an adventure! I am notorious for vowing never to run x race or any race when I’m in the throes of those final miles yet somehow I keep coming back. Very cool medal!
An adventure I’m not likely to forget
I wonder if most runners go through the never running another race phase?
jillconyers recently posted..Twelve In Twenty-Twelve || Planet Adventure Winter Half Marathon Race Recap Part 2
Great race Jill! It looks like a lot of fun, but difficult! I have never run a race at night; I don’t even like RUNNING in the dark period! You rocked it! I love the medals; what a fun idea!
Thanks Kyria. I’m not usually a fan of running at night either. Surprisingly it wasn’t so bad.
jillconyers recently posted..Twelve In Twenty-Twelve || Planet Adventure Winter Half Marathon Race Recap Part 2
What a fun race!! Those shoes are insane!!!
Hi Kat. At one point the shoes must have weighed 5 pounds from the caked on mud. Ugh!
jillconyers recently posted..Twelve In Twenty-Twelve || Planet Adventure Winter Half Marathon Race Recap Part 2
great pics of you and the hubby!!! love your blue belt!
Thanks Courtney
jillconyers recently posted..Twelve In Twenty-Twelve || Planet Adventure Winter Half Marathon Race Recap Part 2
Glad your first of at least 12 half marathons went without injury! I love the picture of you guys in your race shirts. It’s a really sweet picture!
Thank you Suzanne
jillconyers recently posted..Twelve In Twenty-Twelve || Planet Adventure Winter Half Marathon Race Recap Part 2
Awesome and congrats! Sounds like a great time!
Thank you Marisa. It was awesome!
jillconyers recently posted..Twelve In Twenty-Twelve || Planet Adventure Winter Half Marathon Race Recap Part 2
Yay for trail racing! Sounds great to me
Way to go 
I’m doing a measly 5K on Sunday… downhill on pavement. I hope I don’t fall
Love trail racing but if given the choice I will choose the roads. Good luck with your 5K. Don’t fall!
jillconyers recently posted..Twelve In Twenty-Twelve || Planet Adventure Winter Half Marathon Race Recap Part 2
Congrats!!! Trail running is so hard! I did my first trail race this year and even though I think I have a good base, those 5.5miles seem soo long!! You did awesome!
Christine recently posted..Wordless Wednesday: Believe
Thanks Christine! 5 miles of trail running feels like running 10 miles on the road!
jillconyers recently posted..Three Things Thursday || Push Ups, Appreciation and Ice Vs. Heat