Race-cations have been an annual tradition with my running friends since 2017. We started in Corning, NY and then traveled to Montreal, and Brooklyn, NY.

In 2020 and 2021, my friends and I rented a house for 3 nights in Hampton Beach, NH and ran a half marathon (among other fun shenanigans.)

It was so much fun that the next year, we rented in Old Orchard Beach, Maine and we ran the Portland Half Marathon or Marathon Relay.

Last year, we stayed in NYS but rented a house in the Finger Lakes Region. We all raced different distances (5k, 13.1, 18 mi) and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves (despite some rain.)

We rented a house on Cape Cod this year.

So I signed up for the Cape Cod Half Marathon for several reasons:

• A race-cation.
• My friends would be racing with me.
• Ocean views.
• There was a 5k option in addition to a half marathon
• The distance fit right into my marathon training plan.

Half Marathon Training:

If you follow my posts, you also know that I am not strict about following a training plan. But I do run shorter distances several times during the work week. My weekday runs are usually solo.

And on the weekends, I try to do my Long Run. Usually most of my miles are with one or more of my running friends.

13, 16, 18!!

Pre-Race Activities and Preparations:

My taper consisted of  a 18 mile marathon training run and two short runs during the work week:

We carpooled and left for Cape Cod early on Friday morning. Our first stop was lunch.

Next we checked into our VrBo in Falmouth, MA.

Then we headed to get our half marathon bib/shirts and check out the race start and parking.

Some of us signed up for the half and those who signed up for the 5k would pick up their bib/shirts on Saturday.

We walked around the expo (I didn’t buy anything.) but Sherry did buy Frank Shorter’s book and had him sign it.

By the time were were done, it was time for an early dinner. We ordered pizza (of course) and ate at our house.

Finally #flatmes were organized and we headed to bed early (though I never can sleep the night before a race.)

Race Day:

Sorry to be a broken record about not having a time goal. But my goal for races these days is to FINISH happy (that is not injured and ready to do another.)

For this race, however, due to the date, it would actually be a training run for the NYC Marathon on Nov. 3.

So if I had to guestimate my time, it would have been between 2:30 and 2:45.

Actually, even more important would be to run a smarter and less painful race than my last half marathon Labor Day weekend. Slower the first half so that I can enjoy the second half of the race…

The race was advertised as follows:

The race starts and finishes at the Mullen Hall School (130 Katharine Lee Bates Road, Falmouth, MA).

The Cape Cod Marathon Half race course is a fast and scenic route that hugs the Falmouth coastline of Nantucket Sound. Designed to maximize runners’ view of Martha’s Vineyard and the beautiful waters of the Sound, this out and back course is limited to one hill, the famous final hill for the Falmouth Road Race located in the Heights of Falmouth Heights. But don’t be alarmed – this one hill occurs at miles 6.6 and 10.5 and is over before you know it.

There are 6 stations total plus pre and post hydration at the start and finish line. All water stops will have water and Gatorade.

Portable restrooms will be at start/finish area, as well as at each water station along the course.

Included in entry fee:

• Long sleeve shirt
• Customized bib
• Secure gear check
• Unique coastal medal
• 6 water/Gatorade stations with Port-a-Johns at each location on the course
• Hot clam chowdah and soup station with vegan, gluten free and dairy free options at the finish line!
• Apple cider donuts!
• Changing tents at the finish (NEW)
• The best town, volunteers and committee to answer any questions you may have!

Four of us were running the half which started at 8:00 am.

There were close to 2000 runners in the half marathon which was the most popular of the 3 races

The runners left at 6:45 and we easily found parking. The others would arrive later and cheer us on.

I was definitely overdressed and took off most of my throw aways and hid them in the school. It was nice to have a warm place to wait.

I checked a bag with shoes and jacket for after the race. It turned out to be totally unnecessary.

Barb, Deb and Sherry left in search of the porta-potties. I waited inside for them.

Eventually they were starting the race. I guess the porta-potties lines were very long and so I left and headed to the race start.

They announced that they were starting in waves which was confusing since everyone just entered and started running when they crossed the start line.

Miles 1-3:

We started at Mullen Hall School and then headed toward the water (actually Salt Pond not the ocean yet). It was sunny but very WINDY.

I had decided to only walk at each mile until I needed to walk more often.  I made sure to drink at all water stops. I think there were at least 6 and eat a GU at every other or every 4 miles.

Miles 3-6:

We turned left onto a Bikeway which was really nice. Shady and less wind… but soon we were back along the water (now the ocean). It was again sunny but the wind seemed to be at our backs for a while. At mile 5 we turned onto Scranton Ave… still along the ocean but an inlet lined with restaurants and marinas.

Miles 6-9:

It was a beautiful course and now for several miles were running along the ocean.

The race advertised it as having one big hill… at mile 6.6.  Yup. It was steep and annoying and so I walked up it. There were also some smaller hills so not as flat as I had heard. A little past mile 8, we turned into the neighborhood and circled around heading along the ocean in the opposite direction,  Holy WIND!!!  So hard to move forward…

Miles  9-13.1:

We got a little reprieve from the wind around mile 9.5 when we turned and ran about a mile around a neighborhood.

But soon we were back along the water running into the wind. And at mile 10.5, we hit the big hill again. Of course, it was worse this time because the wind was in our faces.

As the miles went on, I struggled more and more. I walked more often. Miles 9-12 were pretty ugly. Nothing major hurt, just the usual aching lower back and sore left foot.

I was glad to be finally heading back to the school and the finish line. As I approached the finish line, our friends were ringing bells and screaming my name.  It was great to have their support.  I tried to sprint and look good as I passed them.

Post Race Activities:

I got my medal and a foil wrap (that was unnecessary) and headed to bag check (also unnecessary.)

Barb had already finished (She ran a great race,) and we headed back to the finish line to cheer on Deb and then Sherry (who had walked).

Once we all had finished, I went to the food tent and grabbed some chip (Cape Cod potato chips. LOL), some soup (You had a choice of clam chowder, turkey/rice or minestrone) and a cider donut.

Eventually we all headed home to shower, relax and then head out for a celebratory meal.

We ended the day with drinks and s’mores.

Additional Race Reflections:

It was so fun to be out there and soaking up the racing atmosphere. It was even more fun to run a race with friends.

Of course, initially I may have wanted a faster finish time…

I am competitive but I realized quickly that it was much more important enjoy this time with my friends and also not to be in pain.

I felt fine the next day. We went on a hike.

I even ran Monday morning.

Guess what? We already picked our race-cation location for next October…

and rented our house:

Positives:

• Part of a 4 day race-cation with friends.
• Half marathon, 5k, marathon and marathon relay – 4 options
• They gave our group a $10 discount.
• Well-marked course.
• Easy packet pick-up.
• Frank Shorter at the expo.
• Long sleeved tech shirts
• Lots of volunteers and crowd support
• Friends cheering you on at the finish line
• Free Photos
• Instant race results
• Post race food – potato chips, apples, bananas, 3 types of soups (minestrone, clam chowder, turkey/rice and cider donuts
• Nice medal provided to all runners.
• Adequate number of water stops.
• $$ as age group awards
• Perfect weather
• Plenty of free parking
• 1.5 miles from our rental

Negatives:

• They changed the date of the 5k after we rented the house.

Would I recommend this race?

Yes. yes. For all the reasons mentioned above.

Final Stats:

All in all, I was happy with my results. Yes, it was one of my slowest half marathons.  But it was only 10 seconds slower than my last one which was on an easier course. And I’ve been training for a marathon. My expectations have dropped significantly and I ain’t getting any younger.

And when I checked the age group results:

Yes, I won my age group.  No big deal but check this out:

I WON $75!!!!!!!!!! First time I’ve ever won money for a race.

Next Up:

11-3-24

Happy Running! Have you run a fall race yet? If so, how did go? Are you planning to run one? Any race-cations planned? Please share.

 

 

 

 

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Since today is Tuesday, I’m linking up with Zenaida (The Running Teacher) and Jenn (Runs with Pugs).

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and tomorrow:

I’m also linking up with: co-hosts Coach Debbie Runs, Confessions of a Mother Runner, Mile by Mile, and Runs with Pugs