Hobble Creek Half Marathon. My goal was to run sub-1:12 and it didn't happen, but I gave it all I had today. I scratched out a PR, by 10 seconds. Results are here.
The race started about 40 minutes late, a byproduct of some busses that didn't show up to pick up runners. So it was hotter and brighter than it would have been if it started on time. I may be the only one, but I really prefer racing when the sun isn't right on top of me, it just makes it feel hotter and later in the day, and thus slower!
The upshot, I suppose, is that I managed to get in 3 miles of warmup while waiting for the race to start. The downside is that I warmed up and cooled down three times. It was a little frustrating, but I did get to chat with the St. George boys, Scott B and many others.
Once the race started, things spread out quickly. A group of four went out fast, including Clyde, Matt Harmer, and the two Runners Corner guys. Steve Hooper, Scott and I hung together for a half mile or so and then I surged a bit and was alone in fifth after that. And I continued to race alone through about mile 7. I think this wasn't a good thing. I couldn't see anyone ahead to chase down and I had no one nearby to work with or help me push the pace. My splits were actually very modest and the course did not seem like the downhill screamer I remembered! Here are my splits for miles 1-7: 5:22, 5:28, 5:21, 5:21,5:30, 5:27, 5:40. At around this time, Ryan Bybee caught up to me. This was actually a benefit. I was starting to struggle a little and fall off the pace and we ran together until around mile 9 when he dropped me. Splits were 5:31, 5:35 for 8 and 9. But I did see one of the Runners Corners guys ahead and struggling a bit so i had something to focus on. I caught and passed him at mile 11, so still hanging on to 5th. Splits for 10 and 11 were slow; 5:54, 5:58, as the course leveled out. I ran the first 11 miles in 1:00 flat. Then I was on my own again, trying to wrap up this race. My calves started to tighten. As a rule, this is my most serious sign of physical fatigue and it only happens when I am redlining. I focused on keeping my pace as fast as I could manage, squeezing out 5:47 for mile 12. Heading into mile 13, I was ready to be done. It was hot and my calves were giving me more signs of trouble. I hit the mile 13 marker and made the turn to head towards the finish on the grass. That's when my calves started to seize up and cramp, literally making it impossible for me to keep my stride. The last 1.1 was 5:27.
I think the cramping may have been a symptom of dehydration. I grabbed cups at every aid station, but most of the water ended up on the ground rather than in my mouth. I think the late start sort of threw off my pre-race nutrition a bit as well.
I ran four miles to cool down after the race through Mapelton mansions. No calf problems at 9:35 pace.
Final analysis, hey it was a PR! Ten seconds faster than last year, not really groundbreaking, but an improvement. My training is basically very similar right now to where it was last year and I am a little bit more fit. Not a whole lot, but some. Congrats to Clyde on his 3rd place finish! Many other great performances today by other bloggers. | 
