Providence Rock n Roll

 

The 2ndAnnual Providence Rock n Roll Half Marathon is part of a world wide race series event that focuses on bringing music and running together with a band located on just about every mile and celebratory concert with a major headliner. This was my 3rd Rock n Roll event. Most locations have both a full marathon and half marathon, but this one was just a half and then a 2 person Relay (5m and 8m).

 
Providence is a great small downtown. The race start/finish was right at the State House which is walking distance to most hotels, bars, and restaurants, as well as the Expo/Convention Center. You couldn’t have asked for a more perfect, organized, convenient location! No car needed! (Although don’t let me go off about the airport shuttle that cancelled services without telling anyone on BOTH days!!).
The event had 3574 half marathoners and about 100 Relay teams. Nice and small for RnR terms which kept the race course uncongested!
I came to Rhode Island 2 days before race day to experience the area and stayed an extra day after the race to head to Newport.  I stayed at the Westin that was connected to the Mall and the Convention Center/Expo and just 2 blocks from start.
Downtown is full of fun bars and restaurants, but not much else to do if you are not into museums/architecture. Friday I found myself at Lolas on the river enjoying the sunset over downtown in the distance. They have awesome margaritas!
Saturday was a rainy day, which was good because I needed the rest, after being sick all week with a sinus cold. I stayed in bed til about 3! I then visited the expo again (when I went Friday right before close, it was completely empty. No excitement. I decided to just grab my stuff and I would come back Saturday to try to get pumped up with the other runners). The Expo was OK. Not that big and a lot of repeat vendors. I mean, seriously, do we need 4 head band vendors?? Or 3 vendors of ear buds? I mean, lets get something new and exciting! (although, I guess most people don’t do a race a month, so this IS new and exciting to them! LOL) There were a lot of freebie trial size items so that was good. But seriously people, do you have a grab a HANDFUL of the trial sizes instead of one? Wow.  
The RnR merchandise was better than last years, and I actually splurged. They are quite pricey, but there was this super cute Hawaiian running skirt I could not pass up!! =)  Now I just have to figure out how I am going to wear a tutu without covering it up! Lol
I had an early dinner at Bob and Timmy’s Grilled Pizza in Federal Hill that was highlighted on Man vs Food on the Food Network Channel. AHMAZING is all I have to say!! I almost finished the entire thing!
The WaterFire event took place Saturday, so I got to walk the river and watch the lighting of the bonfires. It was definitely a different experience. It ended up being a really nice evening weather wise after the rain cleared. The temps had dropped and I knew it was going to be a perfect race morning! Which it was! It ended up being about 70, clear, and practically no humidity!
I didn’t get much sleep the night before the race. Probably staying in bed all day didn’t help. I slept about 4 hours when it was time to get up at 530. I really tried to push it to the last minute since all I really had to do was go a couple blocks. Coffee wasn’t helping, so I took the 5 Hour Energy that they gave us at the Expo, hoping it wouldn’t affect my stomach since I had never taken it before. I forced down a banana, but couldn’t get much else down. My stomach wasn’t quite right, and being tired wasn’t helping. I finally walked over to start about 615 and there still didn’t seem like a lot of people.
As I walked around to loosen up the legs I saw someone wearing a bright shirt reading “I run to demand a Cure.” It was great to see and chat with her and remind me on why I was there. I took some pictures, passed out the breast cancer bracelets, then finally decided to hit the porta potties. I ended up still being in line past the national anthem and starting of the first few corrals. Luckily I was in corral 9, so had some time. I made it back to my corral with just moments to spare!
After a few shout outs from the announcer, we were off! I decided I wanted to take it a little slow and try to do another race without stopping for walk breaks. I was doing good for the first few miles, despite starting off on a few hills. Hills? What? Providence isn’t flat?!?
About mile 2 I heard someone yell out “Pink Feet!” It was a fellow follower from my FB page! We chatted a bit, but then I had to continue on. She gave me motivating words that the hills were going to end soon.
I rounded a couple corners and BAM! I was slapped in the face with the biggest hill I have ever seen on a race! I mean, seriously, this was about a 25% grade type of a hill! There was this little old man standing on his porch watching us run with a grin on his face. I yelled out to him “Stop laughing at us!” I mean…why would these crazy people be running this crazy hill!?? This is when I pretty much gave up the thought of running the entire race. I started doing the run/walk method.
After that, it was pretty much downhill (one serious downhill to the water) and a couple slight inclines. Much of the course was shaded, residential, through parks, along the water, and then into downtown for a couple laps, and back to the State House.
I started getting tired about mile 8. My body felt fine. No cramps, not too much soreness, just tired. I’m sure being sick all week didn’t help. I did start to feel a little nauseous, but this could have been because of my sinuses draining down my throat the entire race. About this time the 2:30 pacers had passed me. I had given up on my nonstop running goal, and now I had given up on beatting my PR. I decided I would just enjoy the rest of the race, and not stress my body out any more. The 2:45 pacers quickly came next, and I said “Absolutely not!” I picked up the pace and tried to stay ahead of them, when I suddenly heard them say they were ahead of time. I guess I needed them too push me through. Thinking I was behind, I really got myself back on course. I was 'Still in this race!'
The last couple miles in the downtown area were absolutely mind draining. You could see the State House/finish area, but we were running completely the opposite way. The faster runners were heading back and passing us, so you had to mentally remind yourself it is only a couple more miles, even though it felt like it was so much further! You really just wanted to give up, turn around, and run with them! 
Then at that moment I heard a couple more ‘Pink Feet’ shout outs! It was the same girl I had met at mile 2! I thought she had passed me since I had practically ‘given up’ about mile 8! She put me back into high spirits.
The water stations were spread out a little further than the normal 1 mile. The last 1-2 miles I was in much need of water and there was no station in sight! I almost found myself asking the group of cheerleaders for their water! lol
The finish line was on an incline where you really had to ‘Earn that Finish!’ It was definitely not a 'sprint across the finish line' type of moment I usually try to do. I felt like I was barely moving, and wondered how pittiful I looked as the spectators cheered us on.
The Finish line was great. There were lots of goodies like chocolate milk, popsicles and wet towels. LOVE! …As I usually have to empty the water they give me to wipe off all the salty sweat. The towel did wonders for this and cooling off and clearing my sinuses!
I finished just in time to grab my two free beers (thanks to the girl that gave me her beer stub) and the awards ceremony to start. I still dream of the day where I am anywhere NEAR as fast as these runners!
The concert was Karmin, which was a lot better and more unique than I was expecting. I got a ‘Thank you’ from a guy that said he was following my sparkling tutu most of the way! (Im thinking I need a race shirt that says on the back ‘Chase the skirt!’)
All in all it was a good day. I strongly recommend this race. The course is enough of a challenge, and is also beautiful. The layout of the city, race events, parking, hotels, etc is perfect.

I headed to Newport and spent the rest of the day on a bar hop with some very friendly yacht mates, ending with a beautiful sunset on the water!