3 mile warmup (with 1/2 mile at threshold pace) in 22:57, 7:38/mi, HR 160. 13.1 miles (13.26 mi by garmin) in 1:25:33, 6:32/mi, HR 168. 3.11 mile cooldown in 28:36, 9:12/mi, HR 133. Good race today, stuck with my race plan, felt good throughout and finished strong with a new 42 second PR. Arrived plenty early and got in a good 3 mile warmup with 1/2 mile at race pace in the middle on the river trail where the course ends. Wound up getting my picture taken by the race photographers on the way out and back during my warmup so I should look fresh in the pics but also like I'm sandbagging! Main goals for this race were to pace well, finish strong, average between 6:30 and 6:35 minute miles, and PR in that order. Oh, and wore my new lightweight trainers, my version of "Fast Shoes". Figured if having fast shoes worked for Cody, I'd give it a try.
Lined up a several rows back from the start (1/2 marathon and 4 mile start combined) and saw David Nelson from the blog a few rows up just before the start. Started pretty much on time. Splits according to Garmin: - 6:37 - Working my way through people running slower than they were lined up...grrrr...
- 6:36 - Still a bit slow but not worried. Feeling light and easy.
- 6:27 - Advantaged some small downhills.
- 6:31
- 6:21 - Some more downhills sections. Onto the river trail with some turns.
- 6:26 - More turns but still feeling good so picked up the effort a bit.
- 6:43 - The "big hill" in the course...wanted to make sure I didn't overdo it and pay later.
- 6:21 - Made up some with the reciprocal downhills.
- 6:27
- 6:18 - Nice final downhill back to the river trail. Fifth metatarsal on left foot starts to hurt.
- 6:25
- 6:29 - Left foot really hurting bad. Glad this is only a half-marathon. Some headwinds here, so I tucked in behind another runner for a short stretch, but mostly just pushed.
- 6:29 - Started the push to the end in the last quarter. Uphill to the finish.
- 1:25 (0.26 mi, 5:29/mi pace by Garmin)
So, happy with the result. Of course, as predicted, now I'm feeling like I could've probably run a bit faster BUT I really needed a good quality HM race after my last couple of stinkers. Met up with Dave afterwards for some chatting and some cooldown miles. Another HM in two weeks where I can push the envelope a bit more perhaps.
NB 903 - 58.41 miles. | 