Bull City Half Marathon Recap

On Sunday, I ran my 4th half marathon in Durham, North Carolina. This wasn’t a goal race for me, which is a good thing because there was an elevation gain of 930 feet! This was definitely not a flat and fast course. Ouch! This was a tough course and I was definitely challenged. My Garmin paused during mile 7 and so I was a mile behind, which I guess is a good problem to have but I was so confused for about a mile. I ended up finishing in 2:24:57 which while not exactly a PR (I ran my first 1/2 marathon in 2:20 6 years ago), is significantly faster than I’ve run that distance in the last 2-3 years. So that’s a definite win. I also know that had the course not been such a jerk and had I not started allllll the way in the back with my bestie (which I’m glad I did!), I could’ve run 2:20:xx. Anyway, it was a good reality check for me and I’m feeling more confident about the hills in Richmond (which are not as prolific as the hills in Durham and don’t look to be as steep).

Here’s my per mile recap (AKA my random thoughts throughout 13.1 miles):

mile 1-2 UGH. So crowded. Definitely should’ve started further up. I can barely move, nonetheless run. I don’t even want to know my pace right now. I wish people would quit stopping in the dead center of the road.

mile 2 Someone just shouted my name…OH! It’s my Twitter buddy Rose from Rose Runs On! So happy she spotted me — pretty sure my Oiselle singlet helped 🙂 It was so great chatting with Rose throughout mile 2. I love the running community!!

miles 3-4 There is a lot of local support here and all the other runners are so happy! Maybe the hills coming up won’t be so bad.

mile 5 Ugh. I’m kinda jealous of all the five milers who are finishing. Kinda wish I could join them. Oh — we’re running right through Duke. The students cheering have SO much energy. Oh, to be 20 again 🙂

miles 6-8 My GPS got paused accidentally so I don’t really remember these miles because I was trying to figure out where I was on the course. There were mileage signs but in my hazy runner head, I couldn’t decide if they were correct or my GPS was off. Clearly, I needed a nap.

miles 9-12 Um. I know this was supposed to be hilly but good.freaking.grief. Everyone is walking on the hills but I’m running because I just want to be done as soon as is humanely possible.

mile 13 Oh thank goodness it’s almost over. Oh, no. I have more miles to run after this. I’m supposed to run 18 total. I ran 1 before the race and I’m supposed to run four afterwards. How are EARTH is that gonna happen??

miles 13.1-16 Ugh. This is not a course I want to double back on but I told Kim and Seth I’d finish and then come find them on the course and run them in. So that’s what I did. I got a lot of strange looks and a couple of “back for more?” from the cops / volunteers on course and so I had to tell them all “going back for friends!” It was all worth it when I saw them in the distance. I was so so proud of them and so inspired. They absolutely killed it and that was a TOUGH first half marathon — I just hope they come back for more!

My mileage for the day was a little short, so I didn’t quite hit 18, but getting close enough 16-17 or so, with a 4+ hour drive home that same day is enough for me. I’m running 20 this weekend and already terrified.

There were lots of fun races this weekend. Who raced? How’d it go??