We left off the other day with the RocknRoll St. Louis 5k and some sightseeing tidbits. I was up dark and early Sunday morning for the RocknRoll St. Louis Half Marathon. Temps were already pushing 70 at 5am.
Despite knowing darn well this course would challenge me with hills, I did a half-assed job of training for them. I can count on three fingers how many hill workouts I did and none of them involved a hill repeat longer than 3 minutes. After running the super long inclines in the 5k, I knew I the half would be grueling, especially on a warmer day.
I made the short walk in the dark to the starting area where a sweet spot in the VIP tent awaited. When you wear a tank and shorts in the wee, dark hours, and you’re not the slightest bit chilled, that’s a pretty good indication the race is gonna be a steamer once the sun comes up and you actually start running. Sigh.
I relaxed VIP style, and enjoyed spacious, lineless VIP potties (alert: stay Runfession Friday) iced beverages, coffee, snacks and a private bag check before it was time to head to the corrals.
We were treated to a beautiful view of the Gateway Arch as we waited for our corral to go off. It rained about 6 drops as the National Anthem was sung. I decided to wear my hydration backpack to see if it was a viable solution for my upcoming marathon (Indy Monumental) in 3 weeks.
Goal: Run happy
This was not a goal race. I didn’t bother to taper and it was far too hot, humid and hilly to press for any kind of pace.
We were off in a tangled mass. I wondered how far I’d be able to run before the walk monkey hopped on my back. A RnR drone flew above us taking video as we looped past Busch Stadium. I passed a barefoot Elvis and soldiered on. Truth be told, I didn’t feel great. The 5k +40k steps walking all over the city the day before probably didn’t help matters. Whatever, I’m here to have fun. But it was not fun. It was humid. Very humid. There was a heat advisory and I distinctly remember the announcer at the starting line telling us not to hesitate to change to the 10k if we needed to. BUT we needed to make that decision my mile 3.5. Ugh. Blame the tall buildings for my Garmin being off almost immediately, feeding me lies bout pace and ticking off each mile about a half mile prematurely. As if I needed any more mental challenge.
As I approached mile 3, still not in any kind of groove, I saw the 10k runners heading in, up an incline, of course. I noted how many of them wore blue half marathon bibs. There were plenty. The thought of cashing in and changing to the 10k crossed my mind. But no, the Midwest Quest was at stake, after all. Plus I needed the mileage for marathon training purposes. On I pressed. Suck it up buttercup.
I ran behind a couple dressed as a slice of pizza and a hot dog. How they could wear costumes over their running gear in this heat, I’ll never know. I’d die.
I distracted myself from the sweatfest by soaking in the vibes of the various neighborhoods. I was sweating so much my phone armband kept slipping down. It took until the 10k point to finally settle in. Looking at the course elevation, it’s pretty clear why. We finally stopped climbing…for the moment.
We passed the Botanic Gardens then went through a beautiful old neighborhood with huge, stately homes. Many residents were out on their lawns cheering. One guy had a beer stop set up and let me tell you, he was busy! At mile 8 I felt a blister brewing on my left foot. Exactly the place I got one the size of Asia at the New York City Marathon. That one prompted me to breakup with my Mizunos. This time I was breaking in my new “marathon” Asics. I’d already worn them for a 20 miler so why are they bothering my feet now?? Could it be the socks? My Balega Blister Resist socks?? Oh the irony. It was this blister that summoned the walk monkey. Walking felt great. Running, not so much. I found myself running the flats but taking my sweet time up the hills.
I had a hard time getting down my final gel (heat does that to me) and I was more than ready to be done. The looooong inclines left me gasping and questioning what the hell I was doing here. How on earth would I run a marathon in just 3 weeks when I’m struggling in a half?
The last couple of miles were sort of a blur. I was still in hot pursuit of the pizza/hot dog couple, although I finally passed them when they pulled over for a pic on an overpass. We were heading back into the city for the finish and I could not have been more ready.
Just as they did for the 5k, RnR hit it out of the park on the half marathon medal and race shirt.
Finish: 2:18
AG: 55/232
Females: 1077/3075
Medal haul from the Remix
As I made my way through the finisher chute, I got a text from Thing 2, wanting to know when I’d be home. So I flopped down in the VIP tent for about 6 seconds before making my way back to the hotel so we could pack it up and hit the road.
But…
Not before I claimed my Midwest Quest bling.
The license plate spins with RnRChi on the other side. Love it!
Final Words: Despite a hard course I wasn’t trained for, along with some heat and humidity, this was a very fun weekend. The expo and all aspects of the race ran smoothly and were very well done. I found the city of St. Louis to be very walkable, in fact I never took the car from the parking garage until we headed home. Unlike Chicago where parking fees can set you back $50 for a few hours, I paid $10 to park the car in an indoor garage for the ENTIRE WEEKEND. Everyone we met throughout the city from doormen to restaurant service staff to race volunteers were very kind and helpful, which was hugely appreciated.
If you’re interested in RnRSTL 2017, the half is only $50 right now for a limited time.
Have you roadtripped for a race? Have you run a RocknRoll Remix?
I ran these races free of charge as part of the RocknBlog team.
As I may have mentioned once (or several times), I ran STL in 2013…about 5 weeks after my first 26.2. I don’t know if the course is the same as I had, but I do remember numerous hills…not big hills, but constant rolling hills. We had much cooler weather, though, so it wasn’t miserable. I thought the start line was beautiful with the Arch off in the distance. Also, when I was there, the World Series was happening…and there had been a game the evening prior…so there was scattered debris in spots…and the smell of stale beer in the air LOL
Congrats on your race. RnR does a great job with the medals…..especially the remix challenges. I can’t see how people can where costumes over their running gear either with how hot it gets at races. And what’s up with Elvis with no shoes? I see Elvis a lot at races and I never understand that. I can see in a Vegas race, but that outfit is way too hot.
Oh boy, the heat, humidty and hills sound brutal! You are a rockstar for powering through a finishing the race. I love all the race medals and the shirt! Rnr did a great job!
I really need to meet the couple that ran as a slice of pizza and a hot dog, LOL
The heat and humidity had to be a killer! That combo, Chicago and STL, should be the humid series. Great job pushing through and NOT detouring to do the 10k. You needed this one. Pretty sure it won’t be this hot for your marathon…
Hot humid races are though. I ran the one in Vermont that was cancelled. Not fun! St Louis looks like a beautiful city. I would like to visit there. Also would like to run another RNR race.
I loved this recap! I’m sorry the walking monkeys came and nagged at you! but you did amazing!! I also loved that the medal motivated you to stick with the Half marathon! #doitforthebling ? Congratulations on your half marathon! you are amazing!
Congrats on your race! You still had a solid finish. Running in the humidity literally is hell for me, so I would have really been struggling on that course! I’m glad you had a good time though! That arch is just stunning, whenever I see it I’m in awe.
TOUGH one! and you did great! Your recap reminded of how I felt a summer, just slogging along thinking this isn’t really fun lol but we do it because we know a better one is coming! I hope the weather is kinder for your race- i am hoping the same thing!! My race is Nov. 12t. As hard as we work, the weather can really make or break an experience sometimes. I am glad you still had fun and what an awesome bling haul!
The arch pic is super cool!!
I felt so bad for the RnR runners on Sunday! We were mountain biking in southern Missouri and melting in the heat. I remember being floored by the hills the first (only?) race I did in downtown STL. When you drive around it, it doesn’t seem hilly at all!
Fingers crossed that your Indy race has WAY cooler temps!
I’m impressed! I cannot race in 70 degrees +… I had a half 3 weeks before my marathon in similar conditions and felt awful. Three weeks later on a cool morning and tapered legs I felt amazing. So fingers crossed that you got the bad race out of the way and will nail it on marathon day!
Congrats on a great finish! I think that’s a fantastic finish in those race conditions! and It is all about the fun and this sounds like a fun destination race! That remix medal is great- super proud of my coach 🙂 !!
WOW. The heat, humidity, and those hills make for the triple-H combination of misery. Isn’t it crazy that we’ve had such warm temperatures this late in the season? Great job on pushing through all the challenges! I LOVE that medal haul. RnR gets better with the swag every year.
Great photos! And I cannot believe you were battling that heat this far into the year! Crazy. Good job though – you rock 🙂
Awesome job for pushing through on this when you didn’t really feel like it! Sometimes that’s how it goes for training (and race) days, so good practice in case you feel that way at the marathon… although I wish you a happy and can’t-wait-to-start type of day! I’ve enjoyed St. Louis the times I’ve been there for work… the various neighborhoods are pretty cool! Keep up the good work and good luck at Indy!
Love, love the bling you got!! Great job on powering through to finish your race. Those blisters sure are nasty and like to ruin a running experience.
Maybe the humidity had something to do with your blisters. My feet sweat a lot when it’s humid, and no amount of no-blister socks can help with that. Great job pushing through and getting the challenge done.
Obviously I’m always tripping for my races. 🙂 Almost out of ones we can drive to: NY (yes, I know I actually live here), NJ, & DE. Maybe VA but it’s a looooong drive.
My race that day was way hillier, but it wasn’t humid. I was worried about the heat (and it was warm), when apparently I should have been more worried about the hills — but I did train for them at least!
You finished! Winning!