I just ran the Ducksburry Duxbury Half Marathon and here is my recap! But sadly, I didn’t see any ducks. What’s up with that?!
The reason I came out to Boston was to visit Tina and run her last long run with her. She is training for the Boston Marathon and had a 20 miler on the schedule for this weekend. We’ve been trying to find a good time to meet up for months and finally all the stars aligned AND finally the snow stopped! <- pre-req of me coming to visit since I cannot biologically handle the cold.
I was greeted at the Boston airport with this runner lady.
We found a half marathon about 30 minutes from where she lives and signed up. The plan was to run about 6-7 miles before the race, run 13.1 miles at the half and boom – long run done and done.
We carb-loaded the night before with chicken and rice…
and COOKIES. Lots and lots of cookies.
Pre-run breakfast:
Duxbury Half Marathon Recap and Results with extra mileage thrown in…
This was the 3rd annual Ducksbury Half Marathon and all the race proceeds go to the Alzheimer Day Program.
Tina and I set out super early to get in extra mileage before the race. Unfortunately the forecast said it was going to rain. We packed extra clothes to change into and hoped for the best.
After the pre-race miles we got our bibs from packet pick-up…
And did a quick change in the car. It did start raining on us a little bit during our first part of the run so it was great to get out of those clothes.
Reluctantly I finally got out of the car. Let’s run the race!!
Since we were really doing a super long run for marathon training AND the forecast was COLD and rainy – I did things differently from how I normally prepare for a half marathon. This included over-dressing and realizing I might need to carry or ditch my top layer.
I have never run before or after a half marathon race before to make it into a longer run. But I know a few friends that have done this. I was concerned I would be super tired or not motivated to keep going but the distraction of the race was perfect. It didn’t feel like 20 miles!
However, I would probably not add miles to the end of a race. I’m just not motivated or self-disciplined enough.
Tina’s friend Marissa was super nice and took some finish line photos of us even though she finished ahead.
Overall: I loved the Duxbury Half Marathon. New England looks so different from running around SoCal. I really got lost in looking at all the houses and snow and forest-y landscape. Plus there were peeks of the Atlantic Ocean on parts of the course. Love it!
I love running in new places 
And the rain held off for the actual race part of our run so that was a bonus!!
The race gave out these seeds to plant instead of medals. How cute is this?!
And then it was time to celebrate with Marylou’s iced coffee… (they are legendary in the area and have amazing iced coffee and so many different flavors!)
and treats!
Sadly after an afternoon hanging out with Q, T, Mal and Murphy I had to leave. I really wanted to be back home in time to spend Easter with my family and took a late flight back to LA.
I got to the airport and was hungrier than hungry so I shouted “YES!” to this sign. It was awkward.
See you later Boston!
My friends are pretty much scattered across the country. The one I see most lives in Denver, and I live near Omaha. We try to see each other twice a year. Everyone else, I see when I see them, which is sad, but at least there’s Facebook. 🙂
Sounds like a great race! It’s always fun running with friends. Most of my friends live in California but all over the state! I make quite a few trips to see them. Most of them are my college friends. Now that I am in San Diego I really feel far away from them. Most are in NorCal or Fresno area.
I love this idea so much! Running with friends makes ANY run easier and in a new place is even better! I do my best to see close friends two times a year while we’re living abroad but have actually been able to see them more like 4 times so far!
You gals are such champs! Great job on the 20-miler. Have added some miles before a race but not a fan of it.
I’ve never added miles before or after, I guess I’ve never really thought about it because I’m so into race mode. But I think it’s a great way to get more miles before! I’m so inspired by any runs longer than 10 miles right now. I can’t wait to run 20 miles someday!
No ducks! But did you see any berry’s?
Just read Tina’s recap – you guys rocked it!! That’s so nice of you to fly all the way out there. It really is easy to keep long distance friendships going as long as both people put in the effort. All of my college friends are in another state, so we keep in touch as much as we can and try to plan reunions around weddings and other fun events.
I moved to Chicago in November and my running buddy is supposed to come and visit me. Granted she is planning her wedding and all that jazz so I will give her a break. Once June is over though, she better get her butt out here.
Looks like you had a great trip!
I have mostly out of state friends 🙁 I’m from Martha’s Vineyard, went to boarding school in Western Massachusetts, college in GA for a year, lived in Minnesota for a year, back to Boston for college, back to Minnesota for grad school, and then moved to California. Most of my family is in New England, parents are in Wyoming but moving to GA at some point. Plus, at boarding school, most of my friends were from out of state… so my 3 best friends from high school now live in Vermont, South Carolina, and Alaska. Makes me sad to be so far from everyone, I wish flying was a lot cheaper!!
I added miles before AND after a 5k one time. It was a point-to-point race, so I ran from the finish to the start, start to the finish, and then had my sister drop me off 7 miles from our house hahaha.
We got a Dutch Bros. coffee in Phoenix last year and that place always have a crazy line all day long. People love it. I’ve had yet to try it though.
I thought I invented 7 pre race miles for halfs to create 20 mile training runs! I do it all the time. It makes life easy knowing I only need water for the 7 mile part because the race will provide for the rest. And I completely agree that you should do the extra miles before the race.
Cute seeds idea.
I ran a 10k once and added 6 more miles after….yeah, not a good idea. I think I’ll add them before from now on! What a great way to get in a 20 miler!
You are adorable. I had a 20 miler this past week too.
Love that they gave out flower seeds in lieu of medals, how clever!!
You know the OKC Memorial marathon is right around the corner… Big deal this year. I am still crossing all my fingers and toes that you consider the trip.
xoxo Hugs from not quite so far away as New England!!
Okay, I’m going to look up that race and see if it works 🙂
love the seeds instead of medals!
I have added miles to a race a few times – most recently I did some miles after two half marathons to get to 17 and 20 respectively. The trick is to pretty much go out for your extra miles almost immediately after the race is over. Don’t dawdle, look at the race festival food, procrastinate, or you won’t end up doing it. I also have experience with failing to do planned mileage after a race because I just didn’t feel up to it – ultimately doing the miles before the race is probably a safer bet.
Ha! I love the seed idea! What a unique gift that could be a little more useful than a medal 🙂