I didn’t trip on something running in the dark. I didn’t quit. I didn’t get lost. In fact… I crossed the finish line of my 5th “half-marathon”, feeling strong, in a time of 1:33:15!
Endorphin-high/“PR” smile :)
I was amazed that I had beat my previous PR (ran in March) by an entire 6 minutes. I couldn’t believe it… and I shouldn’t have. As I was shaking out my legs after the race, a man who had told me to “relax my breathing” before Mile 1, approached me afterwards and we started chatting. This is when I learned that the race course was nearly 1 mile short! A rush of disappointment immediately flashed through my body. My endorphin high was murdered on the spot.
faking a smile (with my gal, Kendra, a 5K-finisher) after getting the news
I felt cheated… and I was. After studying the course map, I think the error was somewhere between miles 5 and 7. I don’t remember passing a Mile 4 sign either, but I will assure you I didn’t run off course. The unfortunate reality that the race was only 12.2 miles was confirmed by at least 5 other frustrated half-marathon participants.
Now I do not feel as if I’ve honestly completed 5 half-marathons. Was the race worthy of 26 dedicated training workouts, a $48 race fee, and 4 hours of travelling? Possibly. Seeing that this was not a new race, and there was an ample amount of volunteers, I still don’t find this excusable – 12.2 miles is not worthy of the painful blisters that are decorating my feet… rant over.
Despite the major disappointment, I thoroughly enjoyed the race. The course was flat, as expected, and twisted in and out of neighborhood parks, vineyards, and a handful of tunnels. The sun was shining brightly for the first half of the race (glad I decided to wear my – bent – hat, but wishing I had a pair of sunglasses); though, the temperature wasn’t unbearable and didn’t seem to affect my pace a considerable amount.
I passed Mile 1 @ 7:00 minutes
Mile 2 @ 14:00 minutes
Mile 8 @ 52ish minutes
Mile 9 @ 59ish minutes
This where I started questioning myself. I was expecting to pass Mile 8 in roughly 60 minutes (as I did for Half #4). How could I be running a full mile ahead of pace!? Obviously, I didn’t stop to figure out the puzzle, so I finished the final “4 miles” telling myself untrue affirmations that I was some running superstar, haha.
Mile 10 @ 67ish minutes – yeah, right!
Mile 13.1 12.2: 1:33:15 [7:39 pace]
What I momentarily thought was a 6-minute PR transformed into no PR at all.
Despite my complaining and disappointment, I am pleased with the results:
20-24 (female) age group: 5th place/70
overall: 74th place/949
Conclusion: I need to register for an accurate Half #5, and I need the Nike+ SportWatch GPS.
Poolside R & R today…
Hill
* * *
Has a similar racing incident happened to you?
Would you be upset? Am I overreacting?
Would you still count it as running a half-marathon?
Would you complain to the race organization?
{ 24 comments… read them below or add one }
I completely understand that you were upset! I’m glad nothing bad happened because I saw your upset tweet last night! I had the opposite for my first full marathon this past spring… it was 26.6 miles (not a huge deal…), but I would have liked the lower time if it was actually 26.2!
That is so frustrating! The race organizers should not have let that happen. I would be upset too. Try to focus on what is still a huge success! That is still a lot of miles and you did great! Next year, don’t run that 1/2 again. ;)
That is such a disappointment. But you did a great job, and it sounds like otherwise it was a good race. Enjoy the R & R today!
You’re kidding. I would feel cheated too! Regardless, you are freaking speedy, and you should be proud of yourself! xoxox
I would be so upset! Great job though!!! Everything happens for a reason?
I still think you did pretty amazing! You are one speedy lady :)
Wow, that is totally inexcusable on the rece director/organizer’s part. I’d definitely write him or her about it; you worked your butt off training for that race. Their one job above all else, which should go without saying, is to provide a 13.1 mile course when they market the event as a half marathon. You did an awesome job regardless, but you definitely deserve a refund or free race entry for next year (with a corrected course, no less).
Count it as number five. You trained honestly.
And now it’s time for the full. just saying. We’re in Redding. kisses.
You are super fast! I understand you felt cheated, but you are so fast!!!! And don’t ever tell yourself you’re not because you really are!! Congrats. I completely understand why you feel cheated tho. I would be really upset too.
Wow, I can’t believe they’d allow a course to be off that much! I get pissed when courses aren’t what they’re supposed to be. I just don’t understand why they can’t measure them out appropriately! You train so hard for a specific distance only to be let down when it’s either too short or too long!
That is crazy! I would definitely feel cheated and upset…to put in all that work and not be able to finish the full distance, I would definitely mention something to the organization to make them aware that things need to be fixed for later. At least if you had had warning that the path was shorter than it should be you could have kept going on your own to finish it off. Maybe you could say you have done 4.9 half marathons? Ha!
This was a bummer, but at least we’re all in the same boat together? You should check out the Facebook page… some of the commenters explained where the flub happened – right at mile 6/7 the cyclist at the front went straight up the overpass instead of going left towards the start line (remember seeing a #6 there before the race?)
Ahh, disappointing. Let me know what your next race is! I’m doing a whole bunch of the northern california half marathon series through the end of this year http://www.norcalhalfseries.com/ I wonder if they’ll count this Davis one despite the mess up… hmmm.
great time btw!
Yes, that makes total sense… but it still doesn’t lessen the frustration. Thanks for the info.
I’m looking into the Urban Cow Half in Sacramento (October 2), but maybe another cow-themed race isn’t such a good idea, haha.
How frustrating! You still did an awesome job though Hill and I’m glad it was a fun course.
I understand being upset, but dude, you just ran 12.2 miles and did really well. That’s more than most people can say.
I would be furious!! You should still count it as your 5th though. :)
How frustrating! Ugh, I can understand how pissed you are! Really? How does this happen! But ok, do not put yourself down. You ran 12.2 miles. My 8 miles yesterday seemed soooo hard and you did more. You got out there and you did it. Don’t diminish it. There is also always another race! Be proud and awesome stats!!!
WOW, that is seriously the worst!! I can’t believe that happened!! You ran great though, try to shake it off.
I ran it too — same experience. I found your blog looking for other race reports. It’s really too bad, especially when they advertised the course as certified. At least we’re all in the same boat… or maybe that’s worse? :)
In theory, that is hilarious that such a mistake can happen. In reality, it is NOT COOL. You worked your butt off though, girl! What a rockstar pace! I’d be so annoyed too, but I think it totally counts. Racing is about the mental game and you were ON POINT! You rock :)
Oh my gosh – I think that’s awful!! You are not over-reacting! You trained hard for this race, paid money for it, and expected it to be a certain distance. Does it take away from your awesome accomplishment? No way! You did amazing (congrats on getting 5th in your AG!!) and I still think you should be proud for running a strong 12.2 miles! But – you paid (and trained) for a HALF marathon…not a random 12.2 mile race. And that sort of mess up isn’t really excusable. If it were me, I’d be really disappointed and upset at the organizers. I don’t think it would hurt to say something…at least to make sure it doesn’t happen again.
I’m really sorry about the race being short, but congrats on a strong run!!
My second marathon was over by .15 of a mile! A lot of people were upset because it is a Boston qualifier. I took a positive swing on it and joked around that we can all now consider ourselves “ultra-marathoners”. I PR’d by 10 minutes even with the extra distance…the race organizers did adjust the times accordingly, but I didn’t like that because well…we still ran the extra ya know? So, I just figured out my pace based on 26.35 miles instead of 26.2. My pace went from 10:07 to 10:03.
It’s a bummer that this race was too short! I wouldn’t be happy either!
omg, can’t believe it! still, you ran 12.2 miles! good job.
I was wondering if you would be willing to do a guest post for me while I go away.
I am new to blogging and would really appreciate it.
Just e-mail me!! :)
That blows. And is so unfair! I would think that you could complain and get your race fee refunded at the least. Garmin Garmin Garmin!
http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-Forerunner-Receiver-Sports-Watch/dp/B000CSQJ8C/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1311082110&sr=8-3