After what felt like the longest week of the year, I was able to successfully complete my second half marathon!
The race would have been tough without this. 
I contacted Pro-Tec Athletics about reviewing a knee brace, and Jennie with the sales/marketing department replied to me that same day. She was so helpful in suggesting a brace, and she ended up sending me TWO just to be sure I found one I liked. I ended up LOVING this patellar strap (the one she suggested), and I am SO impressed with this companies customer service. I’ll admit I was skeptical of a strap helping my knee, but boy was I wrong! This little strap worked WONDERS!
Not only were these braces sent to me for free, they were sent priority mail and I received them the very next day. This was such a life saver. I wore this strap anytime I was on my feet for a long period of time. I wore it on walks, and I wore it for the race. My knee performed amazingly. I would recommend this patellar strap to ANYONE with runners knee, or anything similar. Oh and if it couldn’t get any better, Scott Jurek wears these braces..since we’re best friends and all. Thank you so much Jennie and Pro-Tec, you helped me run this race! Ok enough mush..onto the race!
The location of this run was gorgeous. Along the bay for a good chunk of the race meant views like this.
The race was flat for the most part, but did have some rolling hills. One of the hills was so beastly and lasted for over a mile (I am a wuss when it comes to big hills.) My pace held steady around 10:40 until I hit this hill and I dropped to an 11:40ish pace. That hill killed my hips. This was around mile 7 and I really started to feel the effects of being on my butt all week. While my knee felt great (yay) my hips were screaming.
By mile 10 my thighs were burning so bad I thought they were going to cramp. This was a new sensation for me, and two days later they are STILL sore!! Miles 11-13 were on autopilot. At this point I wanted to be done. My legs were burning, my back was hurting, and my energy was GONE. I don’t think the cinnamon toast crunch I had for breakfast lasted longer than the first 3 miles. Free continental breakfasts are great! Thankfully I had my running rock with me and having him next to me was enough to keep going.
With a bum knee, a week off from cardio (seriously this week off made me sluggish!), a lack of fuel, and massive hills, I finished without walking and I now have a shiny new PR.
I chopped 9 minutes off from my last half! The Disney congestion during the first three miles made for some very slooowww miles. This meant I had plenty of room for improvement, and improve I did. Thank you to EVERYONE that sent me good knee vibes, it paid off!! I will be taking some time off of running to ensure my knee gets back to 100%. Hellooooo spin class! YAHOO time to look for the next half marathon!
Q: Have you ever run/walk/biked in a race or something similar while injured? I saw two other people with patellar straps in this race, I felt like I was part of a special club!
Blissfulbritt 
75 thoughts on “Birch Bay Half Marathon”
Larissa
Nicely done!! Congrats on the PR! I’m running my first half in June and expecting my pace to be right around yours.
Alisha's Appetite
Yayyyy! Congrats x1000, love! So happy you were able to run with a pain-free knee! That knee brace is a miracle worker 🙂
EverdayLivingPNW
Nice congrats on finishing you second 1/2! Looks like it was a great location and that the weather was perfect!
gillian
Congrats!! glad to hear the knee held up ok!
An Unrefined Vegan
You did it! I can see why you wanted to participate – looks like a stunning run. Congrats on the PR :-)!!
pickyrunner
Yayyyyy I AM SO HAPPY YOU WERE ABLE TO RUN IT!!!!!!! And have a crazy PR! Girl, you’re a superstar! Keep on running (as long as that knee holds up!)
Britta
CONGRATS!!!!! Woohoo you are such a rockstar!!!!! Ahh, I was thinking about you and your knee ALL DAY on Sunday! You did awesome, gah, I had butterflies reading this post.. I don’t know why but whenever I read run re-caps that happens to me. Anywho, SO PUMPED for you on your new PR 😀 Glad your knee held up, and I am hundo P gonna try one of those bad boys!!!!!
Kelly (@LeafynotBeefy)
Wow, awesome job! So glad that your knee held up (sounds like that brace does wonders!) and you were able to set a PR to boot! 🙂
~Kelly
http://www.leafynotbeefy.com
Amy @ A Desert Girl
Yay!!!!! That is so awesome. I am 1) glad that you were able to run the half, and 2) soooo impressed that you set a personal record even after the less than desirable week of training. Gooooo you!
FullOfSMyLES
Congratulations!!! Very impressive. The most running I’ve ever done was a relay marathon between 3 other people. That was plenty long enough for me 😉
Alex @ therunwithin
You did it! Way to go lady, injury and all. now take some much needed rest time.
lindsaybscheele
Ya! So glad you were able to run and finish with a new PR! Great job!
Leesa D
Congrats!!!! I’m so happy you were to complete the race! And with a PR to boot!! You have given me new hope that my half in May might still be possible.
HollieisFueledByLOLZ
Wow I’m extremely happy for you and I’ve actually been wondering how you’ve been doing. Glad to hear it went well. I’m glad you had good luck with the knee strap-I had one once and I don’t think it stayed well on my knee or just didn’t work for me I guess.
kadeecramer
Congrats! And the views look beautiful.. jealous!
Her Happy Balance
Congrats on your second half! That’s such an amazing accomplishment. I just signed up for a 5k and I’m excited for that…not quite a half but oh well 🙂 I have a knee brace (the type that you slip on like a sleeve around your entire knee) and I don’t really use it too much. Glad your patellar strap got you through it!
Brittany
Hey you gotta start somewhere! My first two races were 5K’s. I had to work for months to get to the half marathon!
GiGi Eats Celebrities
YOU SEE THAT!!! MY MAGICAL POWERS WORKED!!! No one can ever doubt my powers, I am a freaking magiwitch! – Magician and Witch mixed together! Ah ha ha ha ah aha!!
ABRA CODABRA!! What else can I do for you!?! !
Brittany
I want life immunity. And I want you to come visit me. I have a bunk bed, you can sleep on top.
GiGi Eats Celebrities
I am sooooo ready for a vacation – TODAY HAS BEEN MISERABLE, HOLY CRAP! I was run over by an elephant stamped and then got hit by a bus that had rhino horns attached to the front of the damn vehicle! FML
Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets
He-ay. He-ay. I’m thrilled to hear you ran the half (the whole damn time) and even PR’ed. That is freaking fabulous. Two snaps and an exploding glitter ball for you.
Rebecca@Running.Food.Baby.
Yay Congrats!!!!
I’ve never run injured! I did run a 10K last year in shoes that had way too much mileage on them – hurt so bad from KM 7-10
kepotts
Yahoo! Congrats on finishing the race, the PR & the knee holding up! That gorgeous view probably helped your positive mojo 🙂
Rach @ This Italian Family
Way to go, girl!! 9 minutes off your time! That’s amazing! 🙂 So glad your knee held up well. 🙂
myhighonlife
Woo congrats gorgeous! I hope I can get a shiny new PR this spring too. Sadly I won’t have a view like that though,
Alex @ Cookie Dough Katzen
Congrats on the run! That’s awesome. 😀
Life After Swimming
A PR after all the injury and such?! YOU ROCK! Way to go, Brittany! Guess that was a good birthday celebration 🙂
Patti
Way to go Brittany!! congratulations in chopping off 9 minutes of your time. Modern technology is wonderful, even with a little ‘ol strap around the knee! Glad the day went well for you and A.
Amanda @ .running with spoons.
Woo! Big congrats on the PR, girlie! Glad to hear that it went well despite the injury and the shortcomings of Cinnamon Toast Crunch. You definitely deserve some rest and plenty of cookies
Simply Life (@SimplyLifeBlog)
CONGRATS! what a great accomplishment!
Melissa @ Mouthwatering Morsel
whoop whoop!! it’s amazing what our bodies can do … even with a bum knee! question … do you usually reach out to consumers?
Brittany
When I find something I want to try or feel like I could use, I will sometimes contact the company to see if they would offer the product in exchange for a review. Usually this is with food, but sometimes it’s with running gear too!
Melissa @ Mouthwatering Morsel
okay! that sounds like a good idea. I never know what to do to get stuff like that cuz I like trying things! thanks girlie!
The Savvy Sister
big fat congrats!!
kaityscooking
i have never ran injured but i did run with a badddd stomachache and it was just a 5k but yeah maybe making desserts the day before and snacking the whole time didnt help much lol sooo glad you got it done, i felt that pain you were feeling as you described it haha.. and 9 minutes off?! thats awesome. hills suck esp when they are longer the a mile! congrats !
Emily
Yeeeeeeeee this is so exciting!! Go you for doin’ it. You inspire me to run more, seriously! Remember how I wanted to run a half, back in the fall? Well I still do. I need to find one. ASAP. you just gave me the running bug
Brittany
YAYAYAYA! DOOO IT! I wish I lived closer so I could run one WITH you!
cleaneatingveggiegirl
Congrats on completing your second half! That is a great accomplishment :).
Brittany @ DulceVie
Props to you for running despite being injured!!
di @ life of di.
YAY! Congrats 🙂 Another great accomplishment! Especially considering the state of your knee throughout the week!
jessielovestorun
Dear Cinnamon Toast Crunch, how dare you let Brittany down throughout her race. You should have able to provide her the energy she needed throughout the whole 13.1 miles.. SHAME ON YOU 🙂
&& to Brittany, way to kick a$$ & get it done!
spectacuLAUR
Congrats on the great finish especially after a week of taking off from doing any activity! Not only was it physically tough but mentally tough as well! I seriously have every sort of knee contraption you could think of lol but it’s awesome the company sent you some to try for free! And PRIORITY MAIL! I would just feel special. Nawwww! 🙂
Erin Runs
Yay!!!! Congrats on your half marathon. And way to take initiative and get that brace. So glad that it helped you!
Barbara Bamber | justasmidgen
Wow, congratulations, Brittany!! That’s just an amazing accomplishment, I could only dream of doing what you’ve done! Those patellar straps sound fantastic, what do they do for your knee?? xx
Brittany
The strap helps to support and compress the patellar tendon for stabilization and tracking of the patella! Fancy stuff!
TorontoRunner
CONGRAAATS Girl!! Bday AND a PR, nice, nice nice!
My last 1/2 in a race was hooooooooooorrific. walked, wanted to cry, all the rest of it. haha!
congrats!!
Corrie Anne
Hooray! Congrats!! It looks like a beautiful course.
Phil Winram
Those bands do help. I use them for basketball. Here’s a comparison with other bands.
http://www.wayandpath.com/2011/03/the-ultimate-warrior/
Nicole
Oh goodness, I need to check out that knee brace, because I have runner’s knee! I’m in so much pain, and I’m not even supposed to run for 6-8 weeks. I didn’t know that such things existed, and I think it would definitely be worth giving it a try!!
katalysthealth
Hey you won my giveaway! Email me your info so I can get your package out!
elleseesyou
i’ve only run to the bathroom or from danger, so i’m always in awe of runners!
Brennan
Congrats!!!!! Wowzers! You are awesome! It’s such a great feeling to finish something when it feels so so hard, right? And thank GOODNESS for the knee brace! I’ve been having issues with my left knee, so I might just check out this solution.
B
I’m glad to hear you made your race! I’ve played softball injured before. Hey, no pain no gain!
Megan
Britt OH EM GEE!!! NINE MINUTES. You are such a rock star. I am so happy you found something to make your knee sing sweet songs to you! Great job pushing through!! You should probably just come to DC and run a race with me. I think that should DEFINITELY be on your radar for a race this year. I’m just sayin…
Brittany Trentham (@batrentham)
Great job girl!!! You are awesome! When I get back into running, I’ll be coming to you for running advice!
Natalie @ Will jog for food
Awesome job Brit!!
Pollen & Wax
Kudos to you! Back in the day when I was a long distance runner (not recently and not for very long!) a patellar strap did just the trick. I’ll admit to DIY-ing my own. Prolz not advisable, but pretty lol-worthy to see someone go running by with a dress sock tied around their shin!
Brittany
I LOVE that you made your own!! I think had I not received this for free, I may have tried to make my own too! Perhaps when this one gives out I’ll attempt that! If not, they aren’t too expensive ;).
Profiteroles & Ponytails
Sounds like a celebration is on order. I haven’t completed a run with an injury myself but you’ve certainly shown what you’re made of by finishing this run. Well done!
Luv What You Do
Congrats on the PR! That is definitely a stunning setting! I always notice the people covered in KinesioTape. I tape myself when I can and try to have the BOY tape me but that is always tough. Enjoy your week off and if your legs are sore spend some QT with the foam roller. That always seems to help me : )
Melissa @ Mouthwatering Morsel
hey pretty girl! You probably will see that I nominated you for the Liebster Award … I hope you had a great Wednesday!! http://mouthwateringmorsel.wordpress.com/2013/02/20/2013-011365-and-liebster-award-goes-to/
Ally
Woo hoo! Congratulations! I’m so happy to read this. I’m thrilled that you were able to enter the race despite your injury- and to kill it like you did!
Christina Does It All
Yay! Congrats!!! And the location is breathtaking!
Life's a Bowl
WAYYY TO GO GIRLLL! So exciting and absolutely awesome – congrats on the PR despite the wonky feelings you were having… That course looks bea-uuu-tiful!
noshingonasphalt
Congrats on your PR Britt, you’re a flipping rock star!!! I may have missed this, but did you take any fuel with you during the race? As good as the cinnamon toast crunch tasted I’m sure it was gone within the first few miles. 🙂 Glad you had such a great experience with the brace company, too. Gah, so proud of you!!
Brittany
Oh goodness yes, I took a pack of shot bloks with me. I ate one every 30 min. I also drank some Gatorade at a couple fuel stations hah. I did also have a jelly sandwich (the hotel had no PB WTF!?) and an orange with my cinnamon toast crunch, so I did some some carbs hahah. Thank you thank you!
noshingonasphalt
Bahahaha, sounds like you have the carbs ground covered! xoxoxo
Brittany @ GOtheXtraMile
You are amaaaazing!!!! Congrats girl! ❤
P
Awesome job on the half!!! That’s great you got to review a product that you actually needed for your run. The scenery looks awesome but the hills must have been killer for sure!!
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Heather
Congrats on your PR! Just think of what you could’ve run had you been 100% healthy and fueled 🙂
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kathy @ vodka and soda
OK, i JUST ordered this since ProTec hates me and didn’t bother to respond *sniff*! my hubs got me one but it felt strange and i read on amazon that mostly everyone who used this strap loved it.
thanks for the recommendation!!!!