On October 12, I ran the Baltimore half marathon as part of the Baltimore Running Festival, thanks to my friends at Under Armour. I woke up that morning and looked out my window. I could see the marathon start line! Because there were multiple races that were a part of the festival, the half marathon didn’t start until 9:45 and the marathon started at 8.
It was cool to be able to watch the start from my room, and still have time before going down to run my race!
Since it’s still warm down south, I had no idea what to wear. I decided to go with some super soft cold gear courtesy of Under Armour, and while I did end up getting a little warm, everything was so comfortable, even for wearing it the very first time!
My plan for this race was to have fun. I had been out of town for 8 days on my feet all day, and eating restaurant food at every meal, so I wasn’t expecting a lot out of this. Plus, I had just raced the Tower of Terror 10 miler the Saturday before.
I walked downstairs and had no idea where the starting line was and had to ask some cops. So much for being prepared! I was really early, and ended up waiting around for awhile. It started to rain, but thankfully we just had a few showers here and there during the race. The set up for where to start the half was honestly a little confusing.
The path to get to the half start crossed the marathon course and people kept getting in the way. Maybe there is another way they can do this or change the course for next year?
We started at 9:45, and I started half 21 not knowing what to expect!
I felt pretty good at first, but then we just kept climbing…and climbing…and climbing. I grew up below sea level, and don’t train on many hills, so this was a big wake up call for me (and my calves!)
My pace slowed a lot, but I was determined not to walk on any of the hills. I am super proud to say I ran the whole race except for water stops.
At some point, we met up with the full marathon folks and finished the race with them all together, which I thought was really neat.
The first 6.5 miles were literally all uphill, and I kept thinking “we have to go down at SOME point!” My legs were tired, and we finally hit a lake. Ah, flat ground.
We ran all the way around the lake, and I kept texting Jami funny jokes, and then this photo. I get delirious when I run and say crazy things to people. No idea why.
If you look closely on the other side of the lake you can see all the people coming around.
I made it up another hill after going around the lake, and we went into some really pretty neighborhoods.
There was a good amount of crowd support, lots of funny signs, and I enjoyed seeing the city.
About mile 9, spectators started yelling things like “you got this, this is the last big hill!” I would get excited only to run into yet another hill. This kept happening and everyone around me would laugh and groan. Eventually though, we DID hit our last hill and the last couple miles were flat and downhill which was SO NICE at the end of a race.
The crowds got thicker and thicker so I knew we were close.
This race actually went by pretty fast, even though it was a tough one. I was glad to see the finish, but didn’t feel like I was dying.
I crossed at 2:19, and got this little guy.
I was happy with my time for a fun run with tons of hills right after a vacation and another race. Works for me!
I met up with Jami after who rocked the first leg of the marathon relay. We got some grub, hung out for a bit, then it was time for me to head back to the hotel before I caught my car to go back to the airport.
The race shirts from Under Armour are so soft, I love wearing mine! I of course had to match with my speedforms going to the airport.
Why yes, I did wear my medal to the airport and on the plane!
This was a great race with good crowd support and a fun although challenging course. Under Armour is a great sponsor, and the city was a great host. If you have a chance to run this one be sure to do it!
QOTD: Do you like hilly races? Do you run them?
Disclosure: My friends at Under Armour sent me to Baltimore to run this half marathon (flights, food, hotel, race entry) however, thoughts and opinions are my own.
*Don’t forget, you can order Under Armour Product straight through my website! This is the shirt I raced in and these are the tights. The green speedforms I wore to the airport, and the headband as well.
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Looks like you had a great time! I love the little crab on the medal 🙂
Karen @karenlovestorun
You did such a great job, especially considering all of the hills! I love the medal with the crab — too cute!
the medal is adorable! good job on your run!
The medal is adorable and your Under Armour clothing is super cute. Glad you had a nice time and good race!
Adorable medal! And your clothes look awesome! I think it is so awesome that you venture out to other states to run your races. What a great way to experience other cities and meet new runners!
I don’t mind a hill here and there but from the sounds of things, this course had a ton of hills. Dallas doesn’t really have hills so that many on one course would make me grouchy but the scenery looks great.
Way to go Heather!!! What an awesome finish time on what sounds like a super hilly course! I try to avoid hilly races as much as I can lol!
I love training hills, but hate hilly races. I LOVE Baltimore so I might have to add this race to my racing wish list!
you should!
I Love baltimore and can’t wait to go there tomorrow! Congrats!
have fun!
I ran this race too, and I keep reading about all the hills in other people’s reviews…and wondering “What hills?” – I remember NO hills. But, I’m only an hour from Baltimore and the area I live in is SUPER hilly so I trained on all hills. We finished about 5 minutes apart! This is my recap: http://www.getbusyliving.org/2013/10/baltimore-running-festival-recap.html
What hills?!? LOL! the first 6.5 were all uphill. Check out the elevation chart
http://www.thebaltimoremarathon.com/Assets/Half+Elevation+Balt.jpg
Great run, Heather!! My first (and only!) half last month was also very hilly. It was advertised with as ‘fast and flat’, and didn’t include an elevation map so I thought it would be fine. Well this Louisiana girl had a hard time with the hills! I made it through in one piece, but nowhere near in as good of a time as you did!
I hate when races are advertised as flat and fast and they aren’t! bummer!
Even though Baltimore is so close to me I don’t want to run it because of the hills! Awesome job!
Great job Heather! I am used to super flat ground and my 10K was closer to Orlando this past weeked. Those tiny hills were a challenge for me! I would never survive up north! lol
You should come back out to CA, I ran the SF Nike Women’s Half Marathon on Sunday… SUPER hilly also 🙂 It ended up being a PR race for me.
Love the cute little crab on your medal. Maybe this race will make it to my bucket list 🙂
Whoop! Whoop! Awesome job! Looks like a beautiful course!
Looks like a pretty race course. Great job and cute medal!
I feel your pain with the hills! haha. I’m so proud of you for running the whole thing 🙂
thank you!!!