Women's Running Series Half Marathon Recap 2013

This will be a short and sweet race recap.  A little over due.  Sorry.

I was a week into my nasty cold, bronchitis, strep throat, whatever I had which lasted another week after this race.  I tried out a six miler on Saturday to see how I would feel and I actually felt better running than just lying on my couch or bed doing nothing.  Needless to say, I decided to do the race.  I gave up on any goals and just wanted to run it comfortably. 

Final time - 1:42:46, 9th place a/g   

Split	Hours:Minutes:Seconds Time	Miles Distance	Minutes per Mile Avg Pace
Summary	1:42:46.4	13.31	7:43
1	4:06.5	0.50	8:13
2	3:55.4	0.50	7:51
3	3:48.6	0.50	7:37
4	3:42.9	0.50	7:26
5	3:46.3	0.50	7:33
6	3:48.1	0.50	7:36
7	3:43.9	0.50	7:28
8	3:42.6	0.50	7:25
9	3:48.3	0.50	7:37
10	3:47.4	0.50	7:35
11	3:49.1	0.50	7:38
12	3:56.9	0.50	7:54
13	3:46.3	0.50	7:33
14	3:52.4	0.50	7:45
15	3:55.4	0.50	7:51
16	4:01.5	0.50	8:03
17	4:00.6	0.50	8:01
18	3:49.9	0.50	7:40
19	3:57.6	0.50	7:55
20	3:46.9	0.50	7:34
21	3:53.2	0.50	7:46
22	4:01.6	0.50	8:03
23	3:49.5	0.50	7:39
24	3:51.0	0.50	7:42
25	3:53.9	0.50	7:48
26	3:52.0	0.50	7:44
27	2:18.6	0.31	7:25

I started off with the 1:45 group so that I could force myself to just take it easy the first few miles and not get caught up in the excitement.  Plus, it was a great day for running, about 70* with overcast.  This never happens for this race.  It's usually mid to upper 80's with a fully exposed sun blaring down. 

My heart rate stayed very even, fluctuating slightly between 180 and 185. 

I think part of my success was due to falling to peer pressure and trying the new Beet Juice craze.  I ordered a few bottles and mixed 8 oz every morning with about 4 - 6 oz of Green Goodness for 3 days prior to the race and on race day.  I've read a lot about drinking Beet Juice and know a lot of people in my tri group that drink it and all have great things to say about it.  There are a few ways to take it:

• Before a race as I did -  8 oz (solo or mixed with someone else to mask the taste) 3 days prior to the race and on race day
• 4 oz daily to improve training and overall performance.  I am doing this now and plan to switch to the above plan before Charleston Marathon in January. 
• Combine the two options above

I had a bagel with PB about 2 hours before the race and one gel about 20 minutes before race start.  I had 3 more gels (mile 3.5, 6.7, and 10.25).  I drank water at every stop and Gatorade once between 3.5 and 6.7 and 2 more times between 6.7 and 10.25.

My stomach felt fine during the race, but I made sure to stick close to a bathroom for the next couple of hours.

Not my best half marathon time, but my best time at this race.  I was able to finish the race with a decent time for me so I am happy. 

Anyone else done this race (this year or year's before)?  What are your thoughts on how "challenging" it is?