MO' Cowbell Race Report

In which, "flat and fast" means "a big-ass hill at mile 10 that makes you want to lay down and die." 

We've been watching the forecasted temperature for Sunday morning drop every day this week! It finally said 38 (BRR!!). Luckily, it ended up being around 48 for the start -- not too bad. 

We got up at 5 and drove to St Charles, and there was an accident on the highway, so we had to drive all around these access roads - we just followed the car in front of us. NOT what you want to be worrying about on race day! By the time we got there, the exit was backed up for at least 2 miles, so we crawled to the first stop light, and ended up following the line of cars to park. We were probably a half mile from the start. 

Then we waited in line for the Porta-potties and checked Steve's extra clothes at the bag check. 

Me and My Beloved Cowbell before We Said Goodbye

At 7:20, they play "Don't Fear the Reaper" by Blue Oyster Cult, from the SNL skit that inspired the run (MO' Cowbell -- it's in Missouri, get it???). Everyone is supposed to ring their cowbell, then throw it in the bins before the start, then pick them up afterward -- we forgot to pick ours up!! 

Overall, it is a pretty flat and fast course, and at mile 5, you run through a farm (on gravel, but it's a short distance) through the "High Five Zone." It goes through some nice neighborhoods that have ponds and fountains and water features, so there's stuff to look at. There were a LOT of people running, especially since the full and half start out together and the full marathon keeps going straight at mile 12 while the half turns. Usually I end up alone for a little while, at the back of the pack, but I was in a bunch of people the whole time. 

My time for the half was 2:33:29 and Steve ran the full in 3:37:37. I thought that was pretty good! PRs for both of us (since it was his first full, his was guaranteed!) His legs were very tight afterward, so he had them stretched at the medical tent and got some ice. Meanwhile, when I was done, I went to the car, changed, moved it closer for when he finished, and then went back to the Start/Finish line to wait for him! My legs are a little tired now too! 

Here's a breakdown of my half marathon times, since people said they liked seeing my 5k improvement:

Evansville YMCA half - first ever, and still the best in terms of on-course support and amenities: 2:52
Springfield Lincoln Half Marathon - 2:45:25
B3 Carlyle Lake Half - DNF. I ran over 12 miles and then got dizzy because it was HOT. 2:50 according to my watch, so my time would've been over 3 hours.
Nashville Tom Gupton Classic - 2:36:25
PA Grand Canyon Half - very hilly! 2:42:54
And today! MO' Cowbell 2:33:29

I would like to break 2:30 next year. I think I would have done it if there hadn't been a hill!!!