Disclaimer: I received an entry to the Ocean City Running Festival and a travel stipend as part of being a part of The Vibe. Learn more about becoming a part of The Vibe: A BibRave Network, and check out BibRave.com!
I had a great half marathon race earlier this year at the Salisbury Half Marathon, so time-wise, I wasn’t sure if the Ocean City Running Festival Half Marathon would compare. And I was a decent amount slower at the Ocean City race, which was Saturday, Nov. 2. However, my race went much better than my run at the inaugural Ocean City Running Festival in 2023, which was unseasonably hot.
At Salisbury, in April, I ran 2:18:17, my fastest half marathon since 2018. I knew it would be a challenge and the stars would have to align, but when I signed up for the Ocean City Half, I put my goal time in as 2:15. I’ve run faster than that before, it’s just been a while. The last time I ran faster than 2:15 was now six-and-a-half years ago (and now I’m 34 instead of 27).
Like last year, I promoted the race as part of The Vibe: A BibRave Network, and this year, I also got to be part of a pre-race chat with OceanCity.com (watch that here).
The Eastern Shore Running Club ended up with 42 social team members. Since we had a large team, we got to set up a tent at the finish line. Unfortunately, my car was in the shop, so I did not have a car to get to the race. But fortunately, the ESRC team (who are also my friends!) pitched in to help. Veronica got my race packet on Friday and drove me and the ESRC branded tent to the race, Kimberly drove me back home and Bob drove the tent back to my house. Thank you all!
The tent was a great meet-up spot and allowed us to get some team photos, connect with other runners and share info about the club. We also had some snacks left over from the Pirate’s Wharf 5K that we put on in October to share.
Veronica and I arrived a little after 6:30 a.m. She was running the 8K — there are four distance options (5K, 8K, half marathon and marathon) — and I was running the half marathon. My race started at 9:15 a.m., but we had to set up the tent, and half marathoners had to be on the buses by 7:50 a.m.
It had been pretty warm in October, and I wore a tank top and shorts on race morning. I felt fine at home in Salisbury. But at the Ocean City Inlet, it was super windy, and I was glad I’d brought a towel to sit on in the car with me, because I used it as a cape to shield me from the cold. Once running, I was fine in the shorts and tank.
Although my race wouldn’t start for a while, it was nice to see the sunrise, and I boarded the bus to head to Assateague State Park. The drawbridge actually went up right before we headed over the bridge!
I think I was on the first bus, and I was easily able to get in and out of a porta-potty. I wanted to run a little bit extra for my marathon training, so I did an easy-paced 1.5-mile warm-up.
I’d been having some foot/heel pain in the weeks leading up to this race, but nothing too terrible. This race day was the worst heel pain — plantar fasciitis — I’d had since probably around Grandma’s Marathon in 2022. I’d just gotten a pair of new shoes (a newer version of shoes I loved), which I haven’t worn since.
Since this race, I’ve gotten a muscle scraper and new plantar fasciitis socks, have been wearing my running shoes with the inserts and other supportive shoes at basically all times, have done exercises with a band, and as always, have taken some rest days. The pain wasn’t as bad leading up to this race and it hasn’t been as bad since.
While I was still able to run, the foot pain, which came on early, did put a damper on things. I ran the first two miles and at the end of Mile 2, I started doing a 30-second walk at each mile. I enjoy run-walk intervals anyway, and it gave me something to look forward to.
Because of this routine and maybe also because I wasn’t pushing as hard as I would have if I had not had the foot pain, my pace was consistent. My fastest mile was 10:32 and my slowest was 11:48, but nine of my 13.1 miles were between 11:10 and 11:37. I’ve also become a more consistently-paced racer because after running for 20 years, I know what to expect from myself and I’ve now also paced 17 half marathons (one was after this).
The course is flat, except for the Verrazano Bridge that connects Assateague Island with the mainland. It’s short and near the beginning of the race, so it’s not too bad. The first eight miles of the course are basically on one road (except for just a tiny bit on Campground Road at the start before turning onto that main road). I looked forward to seeing my boyfriend, Mike, outside of Sinepuxent Brewing, which was around Mile 5.5 on the course. We were able to give each other a high five as I continued toward Ocean City.
In addition to walking the 30 seconds at each mile (which could vary; I could walk a little longer if I wanted to), I also walked the water stops. It did feel nice to get off Route 611 after eight miles of going the same way.
I was around some of the same people for the entire race, including two women wearing black shirts and neon orange leggings, and a few members from Sparrow’s Nest, the only group that had more team members than ESRC (121!). They were everywhere! We were doing different run-walk intervals and passed each other regularly.
After the first eight miles, runners turned right onto Old Bridge Road, which runs parallel to Route 50, then headed through the West Ocean City Park and Ride parking lot. Then, there were only four miles left. We crossed the Route 50 bridge and then headed toward the Inlet before crossing under the Boardwalk arch.
Even though we were basically steps away from the finish line at Mile 10, there was still plenty more to go, and it was getting warmer. However, it was nothing compared to the previous year, when I was really suffering on the Boardwalk. We had to run up to 15th Street on the Boardwalk before turning around and heading back, then going around the pier.
The marathon started at 7:30 a.m. and had runners start in Ocean City, make their way to Assateague, do some running while on Assateague Island and then head back to where they started. They also went out-and-back a little bit on the Boardwalk, but they turned around at 5th Street instead of 15th.
Because of the timing of the marathon and half marathon, I got to see some faster friends who passed me along the way, which was nice.
I crossed the finish line in 2:29:31. It felt slower compared to my fast-for-me race earlier this year, but it’s kind of average for my recent non-pacing half marathons. It was nine minutes faster than my time at this race in 2023 (2:38:34).
After crossing the finish with my oyster medal, I hung out with friends at the Eastern Shore Running Club tent.
I don’t love the 9:15 a.m. start (while I enjoy sleeping in, I also don’t like running in the heat, and for the length of time I’m running, it’s bound to get a little warm), but I enjoyed the event and look forward to returning — without the plantar fasciitis.
The next day, I took part in Runners’ Wind Down Yoga at Meta Yoga in West Ocean City. Fortunately, I got yet another ride from a friend, Dana! The class was led by Jacqueline, who had just run her first half marathon. Although my feet still hurt, it was nice to stretch them — and the rest of my body — some! The race swag for the half marathon and marathon was a sweatshirt, which I wore to yoga.
Splits
Mile 1: 10:51
Mile 2: 10:32
Mile 3: 11:14
Mile 4: 11:11
Mile 5: 11:10
Mile 6: 11:25
Mile 7: 11:12
Mile 8: 11:31
Mile 9: 11:37
Mile 10: 10:59
Mile 11: 11:33
Mile 12: 11:48
Mile 13: 11:16
Last bit (.31 on watch): 3:07 (10:05/mile pace)
She Runs by the Seashore 