Race Recap: Newport Half Marathon
On Sunday, I ran the Unitedhealthcare Newport Half Marathon in Newport, RI. My goals for this race were to negative split, start slow-finish fast (1:25:00), and win. I knew the course would be challenging, but I was ready for a vacation! Monday was an easy run; Tuesday was a 3 mile race at work (18:00 flat!); Wednesday was a light run; Thursday was a day on the elliptical; Friday was my travel day (did lots of SMR during travel) and I jogged 4.5 miles and did core work; Saturday was completely off. I told myself it would be a nice vacation, race win or not. On Friday, I did some basics--picked up my packet, drove the course, bought Oktoberfest tickets, ate lunch in Newport, and checked into my room at Bay Willows Inn. Packet pickup was easy. There was a lot of parking at Second Beach, and it was free in the off season, so I got to check out the beach after I picked up my race packet. I bought a tube of anti-chafe cream (it works) and had some good science talk about mentors. Lunch was