Rock'n'Roll St. Louis Recap

On Sunday, I ran my 11th half marathon.  The Rock and Roll here in St. Louis.  I was so ready to run this because I didn't get to run it last year, the inaugural year.  I had started training and was feeling really good.  In fact, I was even thinking about trying to PR. 

That was, however, until I found out I was pregnant, I got sick with bronchitis and had to take two weeks off running.  SOOO, I was grateful to just run it.  I was even more grateful to get to spend some time with some friends I don't get to see very much.  We ended up running the entire race together.  So let's start at the starting line.

After listening to my buddy and Alderman Shane welcome the runners, (because the mayor couldn't make it) we watched the sunrise and listened as the first corals went off. 

In what other city is this your view at the starting line?  Call me crazy, but I just can't get enough of this.  

We started off with a 10 minute mile.  I have run the GO! St. Louis multiple times and another race that goes all over downtown so I thought I had seen every route you could come up with.  I was wrong.  This route was great.  It took me to parts of town I've never been to, where the architecture is beautiful and old.  We turned so many times I thought I was going to get dizzy but I liked it.  I get so disheartened when you can look up and see nothing but people all the time.  Turns keeps it interesting.

Mile 1 through 4 was nice and easy but at mile 4 , I had to do something I've NEVER had to do before...go to the bathroom (Dang you little nuunie). At this point I'm running this race 14 weeks pregnant.

Mile 4 through 6 took us through midtown which is where SLU is as well as the gorgeous Fox Theater.  It's also reasonably flat so it was a nice segment.  Again, we were taking it easy and enjoying the race.

Source: Marathon Foto

Mile 7 through 10 took us over to the Tower Grover area which is full of history and amazing homes.  I love gawking at homes and even though I've seen these a number of times, I can't help but appreciate the craftsmanship in them.

Mile 10 was introduced by the Brooks Running Rocker and then followed by Lafeyette Square and more amazing architecture. 

It wasn't until mile 11 than I really started to feel my lack of running.  I had done a few SMALL runs in Hawaii but nothing like a training run.  Just enough to sweat basically.  So when my knees started to ache I knew the last few miles not going to be fun.

One of the things I really liked about this course is that they set it up in such a way that you don't feel like you're getting close to the finish.  Even at mile 12 I felt like we had a ways to go so it was a pleasant surprise when we turned another corner and BAM, there you were.  Done!

I won't lie.  I was sore but so proud that I had finished and I was so happy to have done it with some amazing friends.  It was the first time in a long time that I had run with anyone and I didn't realize how much I enjoyed it.

 

Source: Marathon Foto (Think I'm gonna buy this picture)

Will I do this race next year?  Yep, assuming life hasn't thrown me more curveballs than I can handle with the two kids.  In fact, I'd love to try to do 2 Rock and Roll runs next year.  Did you see the cool hardware you get when you do more than one?  It's awesome.  

But until then, I'll just enjoy the sense of accomplishment and hang up my new hardware and start thinking about what's next? 

Is it time to take a break from running?  I'm not sure yet but I can think about 2013. 

As I look ahead, what Rock and Roll runs have you done.  Which would you recommend?  I'd really need them to be July or later in the year.  

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