. . . Well no, MA is a repeat state for me, so just two new states added this year (ID & NJ). However, Mr. Judy (more so than me!) and I have spent many happy hours on the Cape, as his parents retired to there (but then moved away about the time we moved up closer to them). I always thought my half in MA would be Cape Cod, but when Runner’s World did their only Heartbreak Hill Half, I just felt called to do it.
I’m joining up with the Weekly Wrap from Holly @ Hohoruns and Wendy @ Taking the Long Way Home to share my taper week leading up to the Cape Cod Half. And then I’m done, but not quite finished, as Pahla B likes to say (visit the Killer B Queen here). As in I’m done with double digit racing, but not quite done racing.
Workouts update
- Monday: Dogwalk, 5 miles easy, JY Train Your Core (13 minutes)
- Tuesday: Dogwalk, SB WU (8 minutes) PB Full Body Weight Loss (25 minutes)
- Wednesday: Dogwalk, 5 miles easy, JY Twist Your Core (7 minutes)
- Thursday: YFR Hamstrings, Travel to Cape Cod
- Friday: Pre race yoga, walk to pick up packet & see the ocean (while it wasn’t raining)
- Saturday: Cape Cod Half Marathon, post race yoga
- Sunday: Farewell Cape Cod & AMR, Travel home
Mileage: 23.1 (+6)
JY = Jasyoga
PB = Killer B
TM = Treadmill
YFR = Yoga for Runners*
WU = warmup
CD = cooldown
SB = Stationary Bike
YFPR = Yoga for Pain Relief
YTU = Yoga Tune Up Lower Body*
*Disclaimer: Amazon affiliate links; I will make a small amount of money if you buy through these links
Running Updates
Monday
Since today was an easy run, it went a whole lot better than yesterday’s progressive run. It was supposed to be run at a slightly faster pace than my usual easy run pace, although I have run many easy runs at the pace.
A couple of miles were quite a bit faster, but overall the pace was just fine — and Rachel @ Runningonhappygives me a range of paces anyway. I am usually on the higher side (as in the slower pace).
Wednesday
5 miles easy was on the schedule, but I decided to do 4 1/2 and then throw in 5 strides. It was windy — but not as windy as the race is supposed to be — still, it gave me an opportunity to see if a buff could help hold down a hat in windy conditions. Seemed to work.
Saturday
Last half for the year done. So very done. Nothing like running 13.1 with major wind, rolling hills & cold rain the entire race. According to Mr. Judy was, indeed, a Nor’easter. But running it with fellow BAMRs — it was priceless.
Favorites of the week
In case you missed it, this weekend I attended the Another Mother Runner retreat on Cape Cod. We laughed, most danced, we learned, we bonded, we tackled or spectated a half in a Nor’easter.
Yes, the weather was just stunning Thursday, Friday, and it was great for the marathon on today.
But Saturday, the day of the race, it was a soaker. A Nor’easter, in fact. Rain, light to heavy to light and back to heavy the entire race. Wind in the 20 mph range with gusts up to who knows where. Waves crashing over the seawalls — one person said one even got her and all she could do was laugh.
I won’t leave you in suspense: it wasn’t a PR. Although I will always run better in nasty, cold conditions then direct sun and heat — one of my goals was to simply beat my time from NJ (read about that here) and I did that handily. I am happy with this race, although definitely sad because it’s a really beautiful course and we didn’t get to enjoy it much on race day — in fact, I took no photos at all during the race.
The race was still a fantastic experience, but you’ll have to wait on the recap a bit; I’ll be back on Tuesday to grade my October.
Have you entered my giveaway of Couch to Active here?
Let’s get the conversation started:
Would you bail on a race if it was a nor’easter?
Worst conditions you’ve ever raced in?
Do you like doing strides? I love them! I can be fast for short periods of time
Chocolaterunsjudy 
Wow! Kudos to you for doing a race on Saturday. That weather was no joke! Looking forward to your race recap!
I’ve run in pretty bad rain and wind before, never snow though, well not yet anyway haha
I still have to do a race in Massachusetts. I’m going to do the Run to Remember Half Marathon in Boston in May next year. I’ve heard its a pretty cool race so I’m looking forward to it!
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Well, I had run in rain (but never a whole race), run in bad wind, have done fun runs in the snow (and usually then walk them if it’s slippery!).
Now I’ve done 2 MA halfs. 🙂
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The worst race conditions I’ve ever run in would have to be a 10 miler in April. 40 degrees, pouring rain and wind along the Chicago lakefront–I think it took me 2 days to warm back up!
Congrats on conquering the nor’easter and finishing strong!
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Thanks Wendy! Yes, your race sounds similar. We called our room the sauna, which did help on race day. 🙂
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Kudos on the two new states this year! I’ve done rainy, I’ve done cold. But, I’ve never done a rainy and cold half (that I can think of). Friends can make even the worst of conditions a great experience. I’m glad you were with a group. Congrats on another finish line. Thanks for linking!
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The race definitely would have been much less fun if I hadn’t been with a group. Then again, I would never have signed up for it on my own!
I had done rainy halfs, but never one that rained the entire time. I’ve done extremely windy halfs. But never the 2 together — until now.
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I cannot wait to hear more about the retreat. I met them many years ago at my first Zooma half in Annapolis, Congrats for powering through tough conditions
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I first met Dimity at ZOOMA Annapolis, too. I’ll write about the retreat too, but it will probably be a few weeks.
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Well, I have pretty much run (and raced) in everything short of a tornado. At Dam to Dam last June, we had what was as close to a hurricane in Iowa as there could be…thankfully, it was only for the first mile or so. I ran the first 12 miles or so of Grandma’s Marathon (2015) in pouring rain. I did a 5-miler back in February with sub-freezing temps and several inches of snow. Although I’m not afraid of (most) anything, I do prefer nicer race day conditions…but Momma N has a twisted sense of humor. But those tougher races test our strength and give us great stories, right? 😉
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Who doesn’t prefer nice race day conditions? As far as my halfs go, though, I think maybe 5 out of the 20+ have actually had nice weather.
Whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, right?
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I’d have to see what the conditions were and the temps. If that kind of weather happened for a local race, I’m sure I’d stay at home. If I traveled for it, I’d definitely have some thinking to do.
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I’ve never bailed on a race yet . . . don’t know what I’d do if it were local. But it’s always more fun with friends.
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Ooof sounds like awful weather but congrats on getting it done! It always helps to have people to run with in those instances.
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Yup, the weather was definitely pretty brutal. But also much more fun with so much support!
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I’ve run in some awful weather. I tend to think if I’ve paid for it, I’m running it. I’m not sure I’d do so if it were dangerous though.
Congrats on your new states
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I kind of think the same way about having paid for it already. In fact, I wouldn’t have chosen to do another half in MA, but it was included in the price of the retreat & there was no shorter distance option. I’m not sorry I did it, but it was such a beautiful course I am sorry the weather was so foul.
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I wish I could say that I haven’t run in such conditions but that weather has followed me around – sleet & freezing race for 13 miles, monsoon rain for 13 miles, and then Brooklyn. I wouldn’t say any of them were fun. But I wouldn’t have bailed but many runners did. The only thing I regret was not enjoying the course. Hard to see anything in the pouring when you are shaking from the cold. I must prefer a hot race than rain. Enjoying the scenery for me is a better experience than a faster finish time.
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I enjoyed the race, but I was sad that I couldn’t enjoy the course, which was really nice.
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Congrats on finishing a tough race! How cool you got to meet the ladies from Another Mother Runner. I used to listen to that podcast all the time. Sounds like a fun retreat.
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The retreat was a lot of fun. But yes, the race was challenging!
I had met Dimity at ZOOMA Annapolis — briefly — but this time I actually got to chat with her, which was great.
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Great job dealing with tough conditions during the race! That’s too bad that the weather was great before and after race day but it chose race day for the Nor’easter.
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Well, it is what it is. It was still actually a super fun race!
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Do you do the official 50 states club? I just learned of this the other day and am considering it. If I were to do it, I’d do the half marathons, because marathons still count towards that but it doesn’t HAVE to be a full in every state.
I think cold and rainy is about the worst I’ve raced in. Not sure I would have raced had it been a serious storm. I love strides! It’s a good way to finish a workout strong and a good way to get some bursts of speed in there.
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No, I’m not part of the club. I like to do my own thing. 🙂 They were out in force in the race I did in NJ!
I’ve never done a half in the snow, thank God, but I have raced in it. Last year I started to use screw shoes for the winter — made a huge difference for me!
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Great idea to keep your hat on with a buff. Does it go under your hair or under your chin? And well done for tackling that race. I’ve done cold, hot, windy, rainy: I don’t really mind but the hot ones have been the ones where I’ve had a sit down and a cry mid-race!
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The buff goes on under your hair. And it worked beautifully!
I agree with you, I’d rather tackle those conditions than a hot race any day! Although it’s been a couple of years since I’ve had great race weather. I think I’m due for some!
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Congrats on the race in that weather! I think wind is the worst race condition. Cold rain I can deal with…ok, I can deal with wind too, but I don’t like it. I don’t think I’ve ever raced in horrible conditions. The most extreme was -2 degrees at the start, but it was sunny and not windy and actually one of my best races.
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It wasn’t my first really windy race, but it was my first rainy & windy race. But whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, right?
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