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PF Chang Rock N Roll Half Marathon Race Report
My goal for this race was just to run strong and have fun. The parents and my cousin flew in from the cold Northeast for the race, and I was looking forward to running with my dad.
On race day, we got up early and I tried eating a little bit before getting on the road, but it wasn’t working out too well. For whatever reason, I just couldn’t eat, and couldn’t get rid of that nervous feeling in my stomach. I brought my bagel and peanut butter sandwich with me and managed to get in a few more bites on the shuttle and while waiting at the bag check.
Before the race, we were able to meet up with Lisa, Pat, Karen, and Mary. Here are a couple of pre-race shots.
Dad and me waiting for the start
It took about 35 minutes for us to reach the start line. As we were waiting, we heard the announcer say that there was no need to rush because we were all going to get the same medals at the end. When we got to the start line, we could see the announcer and we realized that it was John Bingham.
Slow and steady is the best way to describe this race. We spent most of the race weaving around the walkers, and the 80 degree temperatures didn’t help. But we just kept moving. I ran with a gatorade bottle, but got rid of it around mile 9 or 10. My hips started to ache around mile 10 as well, so we stopped so I could stretch.
Before we knew it, we were in Tempe and spectators started telling us that the finish line was “so close” and “just around the corner”. We rounded the last corner, and could see the finish line ahead of us, and we spotted the family cheering us on. Dad and I crossed the finish line together. It wasn’t a PR, but it was a strong run, pain free, and a lot of fun.
My dad and I were very impressed at how well organized the race was. I would do this race again; probably not for a PR because of the large number of runners, but definitely for fun.
Michelle (aka Maryland Girl) said...
1Way to go!!!!!!
01/21/09 10:12 AM | Comment Link
Mel said...
2Great race report, and nice pics too! Your dad looks so young
01/21/09 10:19 AM | Comment Link
Runninglaur said...
3So exciting that you got to run with your dad! I didn’t realize that the start announcer was John Bingham, his commentary makes more sense now!
Glad you had a good race!
01/21/09 10:47 AM | Comment Link
Jill said...
4Yay!!! Glad you had such a good time – sounds like a lot of fun!
Oh how I YEARN for 80degree temps!!! It’s frickin freezing here!! =)
01/21/09 11:07 AM | Comment Link
chic runner said...
5Loved the report! Way to go and great to get out there and keep going!:) Glad you had a good race despite the heat!
01/21/09 11:15 AM | Comment Link
Jess said...
6Congrats on a great race, PR or no PR!
01/21/09 11:27 AM | Comment Link
tfh said...
7Congratulations– I’d put crossing the finish line with dad over a PR any day!
01/21/09 11:40 AM | Comment Link
Javamom said...
8Congratulations!!! Glad you enjoyed the day!
01/21/09 1:04 PM | Comment Link
Alisa said...
9Yay! Congrats! Sounds like you had a great race with your family. I think it’s so neat that your Dad ran with you!
Awesome job.
(P.S. I bet the 1/2 course was packed! There were sooooo many more 1/2’s than fullers!)
01/21/09 1:32 PM | Comment Link
Melody said...
10SO AWESOME. good for you both..that is really great!! Soooo cool the Penguin was announcing
congrats!
01/21/09 2:19 PM | Comment Link
Arizona Pat said...
11congrats on getting to run with your dad. That’s special.
01/21/09 2:49 PM | Comment Link
Joy said...
12Great job & congratulations!!
That is too too cool that you did it with your dad
01/21/09 3:03 PM | Comment Link
Calyx Meredith said...
13Sounds like fun to get to run with your dad – and I have to echo that he looks so young! Glad you had a good time. I thought of you when I was in TN this weekend – not only because you were running but because I was in the knitting world.
I helped my mom in the shop tagging yarn, organizing some kits for the various sock club/sweater club events, etc. Have you chosen a sweater pattern yet?
01/21/09 4:35 PM | Comment Link
Lisa Slow&Steady said...
14It’s sounds like a fun event. I was talking to someone about it yesterday and I don’t think I’d do so well with all those people. But your report is another that keeps me interested in maybe doing it sometime.
01/21/09 4:42 PM | Comment Link
Teacherwoman said...
15Ahh, how great to cross the finish line with your dad! Great race report!
01/21/09 5:14 PM | Comment Link
mary gee said...
16I think it is so awesome that you ran the race with your dad. And it was so great to meet you and your family.
01/21/09 7:41 PM | Comment Link
Marci said...
17Congratulations on your half. That is super special running with your dad.
01/21/09 8:07 PM | Comment Link
MCM Mama said...
18Congrats on a great run! So cool that you got to cross the finish with your dad! I’ve run a few races with my father and it’s awesome to finish together.
01/21/09 8:35 PM | Comment Link
alissa said...
19Glad you had a fun race and didn’t melt in the heat! Isn’t it great to run with family or friends?
01/21/09 10:24 PM | Comment Link
Xenia said...
20Congrats to you and your dad!! So glad you both had a great time.
01/22/09 5:55 AM | Comment Link
MizFit said...
21SO SO COOL about running with your dad.
Im sending my husband this link
01/22/09 7:06 AM | Comment Link
Crabby McSlacker said...
22Wow, congrats! And with the temperatures and walkers, sounds like trying to go any faster would have been foolish. So cool you went with your dad!
01/22/09 9:38 AM | Comment Link
Marathon Maritza said...
23Congratulations! What an amazing experience to get to run with your dad…that is so cool!
01/22/09 9:50 AM | Comment Link
Sagan said...
24Congratulations! So nice that you got in some quality bonding time too. And had FUN.
01/22/09 10:03 AM | Comment Link
marcy said...
25CONGRATS chica! How awesome that you got to run it with Dad ;D
01/22/09 12:13 PM | Comment Link
Audrey said...
26Great job, Eileen! I’m glad you had so much fun, but wow – 80 degrees, that’s unbearable for me
01/23/09 12:09 AM | Comment Link
Lisa Burgess said...
27You rocked the rock’n'roll marathon!
01/23/09 11:50 AM | Comment Link
skinnyrunner said...
28great job on the rock n roll phoenix. i also ran it and thought it was a really fun race as well. i love when its a big race and a lot of people around, it makes the whole thing go faster and easier it seems.
01/23/09 3:10 PM | Comment Link
A Soldier's Girl said...
29So cool! I think its awesome that you and your dad ran it together!
And he looks so young! Good genes!
01/24/09 11:37 AM | Comment Link
Arizona Pat said...
30Hi Eileen,
If you are still participating in my HM Challenge, I need to get your race time and a description of your gift (picture if possible).
YOu can email it to me at
patmonahan1@gmail.com
It was nice to meet your family. Take care.
01/24/09 7:59 PM | Comment Link
Sonia said...
31Woohooo congrats on finishing your first half!!
And how special to do it with you Dad!! Has he been a runner for a long time?? I’ve introduce my Dad to running in May and he loves it. I am trying to convince him to upgrade to the half-marathon (sneaky I have a marathon when he turns 60 in my head… lol).
Anyway, you both kicked ass in what was a really hot one! Congrats again =)
01/25/09 10:18 AM | Comment Link
aron said...
32wooo! congrats on crossing another finish line!! sounds like an awesome race and sooo cool to run with your dad!
01/25/09 8:58 PM | Comment Link
Viv said...
33Loved the report and running with your Dad, congratulations to you both!
01/26/09 5:13 PM | Comment Link
Julianne said...
34What a special race! It’s not everyday you get to run a race with your dad. Wow!
01/27/09 12:48 AM | Comment Link