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Northern Ohio Half Marathon: Review and Recap

October 4, 2016

Happy Tuesday and thanks for joining me back here today! In addition to the usual marathon training shenanigans, over the weekend I ran a half marathon — the Northern Ohio Half Marathon. In 2015 I ran this same half as my ‘A’ race and I PRed that sucker. This year I ran it as a training run and had a great day.

Northern Ohio Half Marathon Review

First, the race review. I’m basing my review on a few factors: parking, swag, crowd support, course, and post-race party.

Parking

Parking is always a cinch at the Northern Ohio Half Marathon. It’s a pretty small race and the parking lot is fairly large. Plus it’s at a park so it’s not like you have to navigate city streets to find a suitable spot.

Swag

The Northern Ohio half marathon has some of the best swag. And by swag I mean awesome race shirt and fantastic medal. The lighthouse on the medal lights up!

Northern Ohio Half Marathon | Review + Recap | Running on Happy

Crowd support

If you’re looking for a race with a ton of crowd support, this isn’t the race for you. Since it’s a small field, the supporters just aren’t there in droves. But if you like the small races where you can zone out and relax, this one might be up your alley. I totally dig it and I have a lot of fun doing races like this one.

Course

The course is pretty great. It meanders through residential roads and quaint lakefront neighborhoods, along wooded paths in parks, and next to the shore of Lake Erie. It’s scenic and has something for everyone.

Northern Ohio Half Marathon | Review + Recap | Running on Happy

Post-race party

The post-race scene is top notch at the Northern Ohio half marathon (and all the Greater Cleveland XC events). After you run through the finish, you’re presented with your medal and a bottle of water. As you make your way through, you come to a row of tables and tents full of granola bars, pizza, Rice Krispie treats, Gatorade, coffee, hot chocolate, and multiple massage tables. Coupled with the music and the race photographers and it’s like a red carpet event — except it’s for sweaty, stinky runners and not swanky, stilleto’ed stars.

If you’re in the greater Cleveland area in October, the Northern Ohio half marathon (did I mention there’s a full marathon and marathon relay event as well?) is well worth your time. It’s a really great race and I highly recommend it.

Now, onto my race recap!

Northern Ohio Half Marathon Race Recap

As I waited in the starting area with my friend (no corrals since this is a small race), we discussed our race strategy. Our ‘A’ race this year is MCM. We were using Northern Ohio as a training run only. I’m her coach and she likes to run fast so I had to really drill that in while we were waiting around. Do not start too fast. Do not continue faster. Do not race! Luckily for me, I already had this pep talk with myself over the few days leading up to the race. Sometimes my adrenaline gets the better of me and I go balls to the wall when I shouldn’t. Not this time!

Northern Ohio Half Marathon | Review + Recap | Running on Happy

We were off. Within the first quarter of a mile I was already running too fast. I said goodbye to her and we parted ways. I needed to slow way down and I did.

Miles 1-6

Unfortunately I was plagued with back pain for the first four miles. I wasn’t planning on taking any ibuprofen unless it was an extreme emergency. I grappled with the decision to take said medication for at least the first four miles. At mile 5 I decided that I would take some at the next aid station. I was in pain and I couldn’t shake it. Ordinarily when this pain comes on, I can drop down to child’s pose or roll it out. Obviously both options were unavailable to me. #desperatetimes

I was running side by side with a gentleman for many miles. I started behind him in the first mile and I was going to use him as my pacer. It worked. We stuck together for most of the race. I was secretly thankful I had a “buddy” on the course in case I keeled over from rhabdo.

At the same aid station I grabbed a pouch of Honey Stinger gel. It was pretty good. I think I would have been better to stick with my chews but it looked tasty and I figured why not.

Miles 6-8

Miles 6-8 were fairly uneventful. I stopped for a photo opp, though, which was something I missed out on doing when I raced this course in 2015. I also lost the guy I was running with which was kind of a bummer.

Northern Ohio Half Marathon | Review + Recap | Running on Happy

Miles 8-13.1

The last five miles of the race were fairly easy. I stopped for the photo I had been waiting a year to take. It was totally worth it.

Northern Ohio Half Marathon | Review + Recap | Running on Happy

I also caught up with this woman that beats me at every single race. Literally every single one. She does intervals and I had to know her secret so I hit her up. Turns out she’s a race-walker. When she would drop to her walk I would try to mirror her. No dice! I couldn’t keep up! She had won a silver medal in some race walking championship last year. Go figure. And, as luck would have it, she’s running MCM in October, too! I’m so glad I stopped her. She’s a really awesome lady. Her name is Cindy. (Hi Cindy!)

Woman in tank - racewalker. Guy in hat - pacer.

Woman in tank – racewalker. Guy in hat – pacer.

I turned up the heat for the last couple miles. I was feeling really, really good. No leg pain to speak of and somehow my back had stopped bothering me, though it came back something fierce when I was in the car on the way home. I felt really great crossing the finish line.

Overall I had a really great race. I love the course, I felt strong, and the community of runners that show up for Northern Ohio are incredible and amazing people. I saw Cindy at the finish line and the guy I had been running with as well. He came over to say ‘good race’ and I told him thanks for pacing me. Turns out he just kinda fell apart around mile 8. I’m sure his next run will be better.

Northern Ohio Half Marathon | Review + Recap | Running on Happy

I know it was “only” a half marathon and come the end of the month I’ll have an entire other 13.1 miles left to go, but I’m hopeful this is a sign of positive change in my training. Fingers crossed.

Like a scenic course + laid back race atmosphere? Run NorthernOhio #halfmarathon!
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Looking ahead

This week is week 15 of marathon training. My peak week, people. After this week I’m into taper mode. I can’t believe how fast this training has gone. It’s always baffling how many months worth of work we put into training for races and how quickly the time seems to fly.

Official finish time: 2:11:45

xo

TALK TO ME!

What’s your favorite race?

Have you revisited a PR course even though you weren’t going for a PR?


Linking up with My No-Guilt Life, Marcia’s Healthy Slice, and MCM Mama Runs for Tuesdays on the Run, and HoHo Runs and MissSippi Piddlin’ for the Weekly Wrap. Also linking up with Nicole, Annmarie, Jen, and Michelle for Wild Workout Wednesday, and myself, Susie, Debbie, and Lora Marie for the Running Coaches’ Corner linkup.

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38 Comments


John
October 4, 2016 at 6:45 am
Reply

Congrats on the half! Thanks for sharing! MCM is getting close and I am getting excited! My runs are feeling great! Only worried about the transportation to the MCM starting line!



    rfrutkin
    October 4, 2016 at 3:14 pm
    Reply

    Thank you!

    I’m excited as well. Where are you staying? I’m staying with some friends in Columbia Heights so we plan to uber. But if you’re near Crystal City definitely take the shuttle!

Ellie
October 4, 2016 at 8:33 am
Reply

You look so powerful when you run! I’m definitely going to keep this race in mind for the future. Ohio isn’t too far away from me 🙂



    rfrutkin
    October 4, 2016 at 3:13 pm
    Reply

    I do?! That’s one of the nicest things ever, thank you! You should definitely toss this on your calendar for 2017. 🙂 I’ll be there!

Michelle @ Lively Chicken
October 4, 2016 at 8:39 am
Reply

Sounds like a great race! I have family in Ohio so would love to fit this race into a visit with them next year.

I never know whether to talk to people if I end up running next to them for a while. I don’t want to bother someone who doesn’t want to chat! Glad I am running my first marathon with my mum. We’ve agreed to stick together the whole race so I’ll have someone I know to talk to!



    rfrutkin
    October 4, 2016 at 3:12 pm
    Reply

    That’s great! I like having someone to talk to for the super long distances. I normally don’t chat it up with someone if they have earbuds in. The guy I was running with did (as did I) but the woman I stopped to talk with didn’t. 🙂

kim
October 4, 2016 at 9:00 am
Reply

Nice race report, congrats!



    rfrutkin
    October 4, 2016 at 3:11 pm
    Reply

    Thank you!

Janelle @ Run With No Regrets
October 4, 2016 at 9:25 am
Reply

Great recap and congrats! I loved that photo you stopped to take, definitely worth it! I have definitely struggled with not racing on a run…that’s what happened at RNR Philly. That is a course that I PR’d 5 years ago and I keep hoping I can get back to that point, but the weather hasn’t been kind to me the last couple of times I’ve run that race. It’s nice when you have a person that can be your pacer during a race.



    rfrutkin
    October 4, 2016 at 3:11 pm
    Reply

    Totally worth it, right? I think that’s what helped me stay the course and keep my pace under control. I knew I wanted that photo. 😉

    You’ll get your PR mojo back! Maybe on a different course?

Laura
October 4, 2016 at 9:28 am
Reply

Congrats!! Sounds like it was perfect timing for a tune up race before the marathon. Enjoy the last few weeks of training!



    rfrutkin
    October 4, 2016 at 2:48 pm
    Reply

    Thank you! It was a really fun race. 🙂

Gretchen
October 4, 2016 at 10:19 am
Reply

Great job! Loved the recap and that is the coolest medal ever. So jealous of the light! I guess I have to do the race next year 🙂



    rfrutkin
    October 4, 2016 at 2:48 pm
    Reply

    YES YOU DO! It’s so close to you. No excuses. 🙂

Lesley
October 4, 2016 at 10:24 am
Reply

I’m easily amused, and a medal that lights up would be awesome! I already have a 5k medal that you can turn a flashing light on and off.



    rfrutkin
    October 4, 2016 at 2:44 pm
    Reply

    That’s awesome! My son is totally in love with this medal. Lol.

Jolene
October 4, 2016 at 11:48 am
Reply

What a cool medal! Congrats on your half! MCM was awesome last year. Definitely a bucket list race. Jealous of your cool weather.



    rfrutkin
    October 4, 2016 at 2:43 pm
    Reply

    Thanks! Yes I’m definitely looking forward to MCM!

Kristen
October 4, 2016 at 4:07 pm
Reply

Great job with the race! And that medal sounds awesome – I don’t have one that lights up like that!



    rfrutkin
    October 4, 2016 at 7:24 pm
    Reply

    Thanks so much! It’s a pretty awesome medal. 🙂

Teresa
October 4, 2016 at 4:32 pm
Reply

Never use the word ONLY when talking about a half! In my opinion, they are just as challenging as fulls…it’s all relative to the runner. 🙂 I love the different terrain of this race…a little bit of everything to keep you on your toes! Kudos to your photographer, great pics of you running and looking strong!



    rfrutkin
    October 4, 2016 at 7:24 pm
    Reply

    Exactly why it was in quotes. 🙂 In terms of my training right now, it was only a half but I’m training for a full so it truly is only half the distance I’ll be running in a few short weeks!

    It was a really fun race and I highly recommend it!

Marcia
October 4, 2016 at 9:48 pm
Reply

Congrats on a strong race! This sounds like a good one. So funny about the speedy race walking lady and that you see her at so many races! My half and full PRs are both on the same course in Michigan. I’ve never been back to run them again. I think I’m going to leave those memories alone.



    rfrutkin
    October 5, 2016 at 2:13 pm
    Reply

    Good call. Sometimes it’s best to keep them as memories. <3

Meranda@Fairytalesandfitness
October 4, 2016 at 9:48 pm
Reply

Great job! The course sounds lovely as is the medal!

Those race walkers are fast aren’t they? I met a few during the WDW marathon!



    rfrutkin
    October 5, 2016 at 2:12 pm
    Reply

    SO FAST! My coach is a race walker and he walks 2 minutes faster than I run. Seriously?!

Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home
October 5, 2016 at 8:11 am
Reply

I do revisit PR courses but I always go for a PR! Doesn’t mean I get one tho…

I like smaller races–I don’t enjoy the congested race courses (except for the Chicago marathon, but that’s a whole different animal). Great job and I love the medal!



    rfrutkin
    October 5, 2016 at 2:08 pm
    Reply

    When I go for a PR on a PR course I get all panicky unless I’ve done the training! This time around I hadn’t done any HMP work so I knew it would be a pipe dream. 🙂

    I also don’t like congested races. Which is weird because I’m totally looking forward to MCM.

Julie @ Running in a Skirt
October 5, 2016 at 9:03 am
Reply

Congrats on the half! Isn’t it funny how we bond with the runners around us even without having a normal conversation. There is a girl that always beat me… and one race I finally got faster. I felt pretty awesome.



    rfrutkin
    October 5, 2016 at 2:06 pm
    Reply

    Ha! That’s awesome!! I hope I beat this lady one day… darn it! 😉 I love chatting it up with other runners during races, provided we aren’t both putting in major effort.

Nicole @ Fitful Focus
October 5, 2016 at 10:27 am
Reply

Congrats on the half! This sounds like a really nice race! I’m glad you stopped Cindy and learned some of her secrets. I’m so impressed with you both!



    rfrutkin
    October 5, 2016 at 2:02 pm
    Reply

    Aw, thank you! Cindy’s so nice. But she’s too fast for me. Haha!

Kimberly Hatting
October 5, 2016 at 2:53 pm
Reply

This course sounds beautiful! I also prefer “smaller” crowds at distance events like this. I have several races I have done numerous times…and the PR’s are always there in my mind. I have learned the term PR is kind of a misnomer because even if it’s the same course, you will never have the exact same race….the weather, crowds, individual runners, my current state of fitness, etc. all are variables that alter each race experience.



    rfrutkin
    October 5, 2016 at 4:20 pm
    Reply

    You’re right, every race is different! I like the smaller crowds because it’s a lot more laid back. 🙂

HoHo Runs
October 5, 2016 at 2:59 pm
Reply

Great job on a very strong race and nice recap too. I hope your friend did well and followed your instructions. I enjoy the smaller races! (Why am I running Chicago? IDK). That must be the coolest medal ever with the actual light in the lighthouse. It took me a good while to figure out those are your arm warmers tucked into your running belt. LOL. Thanks for linking, Rachel!



    rfrutkin
    October 5, 2016 at 4:21 pm
    Reply

    Haha! They are actually my husband’s old socks but for some reason I didn’t throw them away, I kept them and I’m glad I did because I needed them later on in the race. 😉

San
October 21, 2016 at 9:26 pm
Reply

Congratulations! What a great race. I had to chuckle about Cindy… 🙂



    rfrutkin
    October 22, 2016 at 12:11 pm
    Reply

    Cindy is gonna be the end of me! Haha. Thankfully she’s a very nice woman. 🙂

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