It’s hard to describe the nervousness and excitement one feels leading up to and at their first big race, let alone a half marathon in another country. Choosing a good race and one that fits your preferences is a big decision and one I’d been thinking about for months. For the 13.1 distance, I just knew I wanted to have that experience abroad, so I began researching possibilities while planning last year’s summer trip (cue the endless hours falling down the Internet rabbit hole).
In searching for destination races, I came across the RunCzech series and knew I’d found mine. Given that my upcoming trip itinerary at the time included Italy and Croatia, getting to the Czech Republic toward the end of the trip for the Mattoni Karlovy Vary Half Marathon was definitely doable. For me, having a goal to work toward is important and really helps in structuring training, and I knew this would be a challenging yet incredible experience unlike any other that I’d remember forever. So, after giving it a bit more thought and reviewing flight prices from Milan, I registered for the race!
By the time I registered I had about two more months to prepare for the half marathon, so I was certainly nervous and uncertain as to whether I’d be ready for that distance. I did have a decent running foundation already, had done a number of 10k’s, and was already committed to going to the gym regularly. Still though, the thought of completing a half was a bit daunting (particularly the fear of GI distress) – but also very exciting. Over the next month and a half I continued to run several times a week, but my longest run prior to the race was under ten miles. I made some improvements in my nutrition though and focused a bit more on self-care (such as adequate sleep for recovery and fewer cookies).
As my summer 2018 trip involved a lot of traveling before ever reaching the Czech Republic, I was careful about what I was eating and still managed to fit in a couple of runs while on the road. I was traveling with one of my best friends, and over the course of about nine days we visited Milan, Venice, and Rome, Italy, Dubrovnik, Croatia, and several stops in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It was a whirlwind of a trip and a powerful experience to see and learn about so much of the historical context in the areas we visited.
On the morning of my friend’s departure home, I had an early flight to Prague and was exhausted. It was at this time I had serious doubts about doing the half and was dreading the upcoming travel to get to Karlovy Vary. My friend gave me some much-needed words of encouragement and reminded me that I’d regret it if I didn’t go, and he was right. So, I got myself up and started packing.
After a flight from Milan to Prague, figuring out logistics upon arrival, and a two-hour bus ride (which was surprisingly comfortable), I finally made it to Karlovy Vary (or Carlsbad) and checked into my hotel. Once settled in, I quickly made my way to Hotel Thermal where the race expo was taking place so I could pick up my packet (containing my racing bib and goodies), the shirt I’d ordered, and to pick up a new pair of running shorts. There was so much to take in throughout the beautiful town of Karlovy Vary, and it was surreal to be there in preparation for my first half marathon!
While the race start time was not until later in the afternoon the following day, I made sure to get in a healthy dinner and got to bed at an early hour (not exactly thrilling details, I know). It was also helpful to walk around the expo area and part of the town for a bit and get an idea of what the course would entail.
I feel I should mention that despite my best efforts at trying to fuel for optimal health, a candy shop encounter in Dubrovnik ended with me purchasing about five pounds of mouthwatering gummy candy (that was only to be eaten after the race, of course). I opened it around two days in and the gummy eggs were delicious. I may have had a few more pieces before bed.
Race day morning I was happy to sleep in (for me that’s about 8am), and I had to take some TheraFlu as I’d been coming down with a bit of a cold over the last two days. Some coffee and water also helped, and the excitement for what was ahead motivated me to get moving. I made sure to focus on hydrating throughout the day and used the bathroom as much as possible leading up to the race. I’d read plenty about how runners, especially those less experienced, can sometimes run into gastrointestinal issues on longer runs, and I wanted to do as much as I could to avoid that. My last bigger meal was several hours before the race, and I had a couple of energy gels to take on the road with me.
When the starting time finally arrived, I was ready to go. My stomach had that butterfly feeling, but I knew I was as prepared as I could be at that point and had done everything I could to ensure a successful race. At this point, I was just thrilled to be there, in awe of the architecture and numerous pastel-colored buildings that stretched on over the course, and was fueled by the awesome energy from the crowds.
Somehow, I actually ran the entire race! An adrenaline rush usually occurs with these types of events, and I didn’t even feel too fatigued toward the end. I just remember being surprised that I was still going strong with each mile marker, and I was enthralled with the scenic course and supportive crowds along the way. My left quad started to stiffen and burn a bit in the last mile, but I made it through and finished under my goal time of 2.5 hours (which was probably conservative to begin with). My chip time (which is the time at which you actually pass through the start/finish) was 2:21:24, so I was more than happy with my first half marathon experience.
To top things off, I received the coolest finisher medal and was able to have my name and time engraved on the back of it at the race! (Yes, I love racing swag, and no one should feel bad about that. If it’s going to help you lace up those sneakers, then you do you!) RunCzech/Mattoni put on a truly incredible event; the race and packet pick-up were well organized, staff were helpful, and the course was great and had plenty of well-stocked aid stations. The euphoria I felt during the race lasted for some time after, and I was so glad that I’d followed through with doing it and didn’t let fear of the unknown hold me back.
Post-run dinner was cheese pizza, and I gave myself a solid recovery day before heading on to Prague. I continued to hydrate and was sure to stretch after the race and in the days following. While I definitely experienced some muscle soreness (especially in the quads), I felt pretty good and was able to walk around town to take in more of the sights the next day. It was good to move around, and light walking can help in the recovery process following a race. Runner’s World has some good information on this in How to Recover from Your First Half Marathon.
If you’ve read through this far, thank you! I’d love to hear what type of content you’d like to see more of and what questions you might have. While I don’t claim to be an expert, I have traveled quite a bit and can share from my experiences in health/fitness and personal development. I ended up completing four half marathons last year and plan to write more on that, including tips on race prep and what I’ve learned in the process!
Are you training for an upcoming race? If you’ve done races before, what’s been your favorite destination?