Course is being re-certified due to flooding. It came up very long for many. It's not officially certified at this time. Yadda yadda excuses. I just went for broke and I need the morning to be a baby and eat my pancakes. Full report later. 6:07/6:08 pace on the watch. I still wouldn't have broke 1:20 I don't think, but 1:20 would be nice. Bam, I need you state side to slap me and steal my pancakes. I still ran a 4 minute PR. AM: Carmel Half Marathon. When I picked up my packet yesterday I noticed some flooding in the area and sure enough they were making changes to both the half and full course. The re-certifications were submitted last night (I'll change my numbers when everything is approved). Got there about the time I wanted to, but was somehow running a bit late. I only had time for a 1.25 mile with some low-intensity strides (it was probably for the best). I had what I believe was a Joe Bell (from the blog) sighting. He was running the full. I thought I had to use the john, but I think it was just nerves ("race pee" is what I call it). We had a prayer and moment of silence. Lined up a bit in front of the 1:30 pace group because I didn't want to get caught up in the elite runners (the woman pacing was a 2:37 marathoner). Things went off fine and I ran in a group of 6-minute folks for a little while (~3 miles) before taking off and running on my own for the rest of the way with no one passing me (about dang time Dodgey). I usually hate running alone, but I decided I didn't want anyone around me today and I was going to shoot for sub-1:20 on my own. It was sometimes hard to tell if I was on the course or not, but once I got to the turns, signs or people confirmed my direction. This is already getting long so I will get right to the rich chocolatey goodness. Splits: 6:09, 6:08, 6:15, 6:06, 6:10, 6:17, 6:15, 6:00, 6:00, 6:20, 6:11, 6:00, 6:00, 1:35 (.28) Garmin Activity
I tried to set my watch to manual lap before the start but couldn't figure it out because it's new. I know I was pretty much dead on or a touch early to the halfway point. After that I noticed a big difference in split timing with mile markers (incidentally not long after I was running the improvised section). Ultimately it doesn't matter (even though it still hurts a bit. Could you tell?); I just hope everything is all set for any course records so folks can get their prize money. Cooled down 4.75 miles. I saw Jesse Davis coming down finish in 2:20-2:21. I think he's a 2:18 guy. I have no idea if he won. He ran the Olympic Trials last year. I am very pleased with the effort today despite my earlier grumbling. Even though 13.1-13.14 would have put me at 1:20:24-1:20:36 :) All this really means is I have to run 1:18 in September at Philly RnR. Overall, I wanted to place in the top 10 and race (as well as run) well.
The first part I accomplished (running 6th), and I think I did the second part as
well. PM: 4.25 mile shakeout (~35 min)
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