Ran the Equinox Half Marathon down Poudre Canyon in Fort Collins, Colorado. Race started at 7000 feet and dropped down to 6000 feet, all pretty much downhill. However, the altitude kicked my Iowa, low altitude butt. Felt really good at the start but by mile 4 I couldn't breathe, that caused me to start cramping in the leg and side because I couldn't get the oxygen to keep pushing. It was a trifecta of pain all stemming from my lack of ability to get enough air. I was at 32:13 through 5 miles and felt decent enough, but fell apart pretty splendidly to finish in 1:29:14. I had no real time goals going in. my goal was to be at least at GMP (6:55 pace) for the whole thing, so in that sense I succeeded. I havent put in any speed work and that was evident, instead i've been logging miles as I train for my 2nd marathon. So while it was not a great race and I was in pain, I feel like it was a good stepping stone and training run. got 2nd in my age group and 23rd out of 700 half racers, so I got some extra little award things, overall a very nicely organized race and the scenery and weather in the mountains was amazing...if only i could have enjoyed it more.
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