Health & Fitness
PR's
5k 10/15/11 30:34 9:51 pace
8k 9/24/11 55:20 11:08 pace
10k 11/24/11 11:24 pace
10 mile 4/25/10 2:03:54
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Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
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-gt7301b & shorty70- Columbia IronGirl half Q
I was thinking about doing this race next year as my first half but along w/ what you posted below about it being hilly and a friend of mine also doing it yesterday and saying it 'kicked her butt' I'm not so sure anymore...Would you recommend this race for a first half? I have no problem incorporating hill training into my routine but I'm also not the strongest runner (see below PR's) so I just don't know if I should stick w/ something more flat for the first time...
PR's
5k 10/15/11 30:34 9:51 pace
8k 9/24/11 55:20 11:08 pace
10k 11/24/11 11:24 pace
10 mile 4/25/10 2:03:54
Re: -gt7301b & shorty70- Columbia IronGirl half Q
Well, overall I think the race would be great for a first one.
It's all women, which is always a unique experience. It was kind of nice not to have the guys there. There were women that were all shapes and sizes, and all age groups, it was actually very inspirational. I remember them announcing a finisher that was 70 years old, one that was a breast cancer surviror and also announcing several ladies that it was their first half marathon. So if they did it as their first, then you can too!
Of course, it's completely up to you though. If you would feel more at ease doing a flatter course for your first, then that's your decision. Many people would prefer that. However, I'm of the opinion that the harder the course is, the more badass I feel after finishing it. So to do that hilly of a course for your first and finish, I think that's a great accomplishment. Then you'd know for sure that you can definitely do other flatter courses.
Since your goal for your first really should be just to finish, your time shouldn't matter that much anyway. Then for your next you could do a flatter course and get a huge PR
I would do it, but that's JMO.
I would do it! Sure the hills were hard, but it wasn't anything you can't get through. The nice thing about the race is you could also do Cherry Blossom or GW Parkway 10 miler to lead up to the race.
I have to say I was shocked at how nice people were at the start of the race. It had a completely different vibe compared to other races I have done. I think it had a lot to do with the race being a girl power race.
PR's
5k 10/15/11 30:34 9:51 pace
8k 9/24/11 55:20 11:08 pace
10k 11/24/11 11:24 pace
10 mile 4/25/10 2:03:54
I'm actually running Frederick this Sunday. Them and the Irongirl have a program called the Titanium Girl challenge where if you finish both halves, you get an extra special medal. Yes, I'm all in it for the bling, LOL! Anyway, Frederick was actually my very first half, but that was in 2009, and I believe they've changed the course a bit. Last year's reviews from it were very positive though, so it would definitely be an option. It's hilly, but not as much as Irongirl.
As for RnR USA, I actually ran that too back in March and had a blast. It was overall pretty flat (had a couple hills but nothing compared to Irongirl) and was very scenic w/ views of the Washington Monument and the White House, and it ran downtown. There were a ton of people though, so the course was a little congested at times, but it wasn't horrible. It helped that the weather was perfect too.
Honestly I don't think you could go wrong with any of them for your first.
I have run the Alexandria Running Festival and wouldn't want to do it as my first race. The only reason I would do it again is I am looking to build up mileage in the and it would be a good way to get in some miles. The race wasn't organized that well, started 30 min late, didn't have a lot of porta pots, the course made it pretty easy for folks to pull a Rosie Ruiz and cut the course short, and it is a little late in the year for a spring race (HOT). My biggest complaint was probably the temp, which would lead me to pick a race that is earlier in the season. I thought the Iron Girl Half was 100x better organized and was a lot more fun.
I was on the fence about the Alexandria one since it doesn't seem to be very well known.
At this point I'll keep RNR in mind, although I'm a little bit over running races downtown. Frederick and Columbia will be my front runners. Thanks for your advice!
PR's
5k 10/15/11 30:34 9:51 pace
8k 9/24/11 55:20 11:08 pace
10k 11/24/11 11:24 pace
10 mile 4/25/10 2:03:54