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Nancy Goulding
2018 REVEL Mt Hood Half Marathon
Published: July 31, 2018, 7:55 p.m. 
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Overall Rating
5/5 Stars
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Describe your race day.
Favorite memories: Hearing my name announced as I approached the finish line. Meeting other runners on the course, and having friendly conversations. Having 2 of my best friends on the course with me. Volunteers and other spectators cheering for me. The amazing scenery. The sandwich boards - I LOVED reading those along the way - very inspiring! All runners gathered in the field was pretty awesome, and walking to the start together.
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Did you PR?
Yes, but my first half was 14.2 miles around Timothy Lake (Timberline Half), and it took 3:44... so that wasn't really tough to beat considering I actually trained this time. I finished the Revel Half in 2:19.
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How would you describe the course?
This course was gorgeous. I ran the half marathon and loved that I was basically on a road in a forest the whole time. Trees, rivers, clean mountain air - AMAZING. I read the course preview several times, which really helped me along the way - I knew where I was, and what was coming up. The only downside to the course was running along the open highway, but it was only for 2 miles, and I felt pretty safe (even though it was all uphill). I loved that there were so many water/powerade/potty stations. I didn't have to carry anything during the race, and I wasn't stressed about it at all, knowing all I needed would be available every 2 miles. The grade was awesome for me - 900 ft elevation drop over the entire 13.1 miles. I could tell when I was running downhill, but it wasn't extreme, so it was quite comfortable on the knees.
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Tell us about your training.
I'm not a runner, so I started my training in Jan. on a treadmill just to get up to a 3 mile run. Then I began training on pavement outside, using Hal Higdon's Half Marathon Novice 1 Training Guide, which worked very well for me. I read all the Revel Race info that was emailed to me, which really prepared me for the course. I also appreciated the downhill training advice and course preview by coach Paul. My advice: pay attention to the course preview, so you remember it during the race.
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What advice would you give future runners?
Read all the information that Revel emails you - it's worth your time. I stress out about the unknown, but Revel is so professional and detailed, that I really found myself a lot more relaxed on race day than I thought I'd be. I felt totally prepared from my training, but also from all the information Revel provided about the race beforehand.
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What fun things did you do in the area before or after the race?
My friends and I drove up from Vancouver WA, and rented a condo so that we could enjoy a full day after the race together. We took advantage of the pool/jacuzzi after the race, ate lunch at the Ratskeller in Government Camp, visited Timberline Lodge where we enjoyed more grub at the Blue Ox Bar, and walked around the grounds for killer views of Mt. Hood and the surrounding valley.
Thank you Revel for putting on an amazing event. I was ready to retire after this race, but now I'm second-guessing that decision...