First half marathon in well over 2 years. Felt great to get back out and run a longer race and to be finally back in serviceable fitness. Did not have any real expectations besides wanting to be under 1:30, I started off very conservatively as a result, even getting passed by the 1:30 pace group, but then paced off them until around 6 miles, at which point I felt very fresh still so started to work harder for the 2nd half, ended up with a strong negative split and felt good at the end still. A beautiful race as the sun came up over the mountains here in Phoenix and perfect weather - 45 and no wind. 1-2 miles of total warmup time.
Splits: 6:57, 6:49, 7:01, 6:35, 6:45, 6:44, 6:27, 6:34, 6:39, 6:45 (biggest hill on course), 6:18 (down off the hill), 6:31, 6:33, :56 for the remainder - 1:27:38, was at roughly 44:25 at halfway, so 43:13 on the way home, for a 1:12 negative split
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