Oklahoma City Memorial Half Marathon 2011 Sunday, 01 May 2011 13.25 mi in 2:31:56 avg 11:28/mi burning 1706 calories Mile
1: 12:26/mi Standing at the rear of the corral, slowly walking forward,
cold rain dripping down the back of my neck then through the start line
and going slow to see how the knee will take the effort as well as to
avoid all of the other back-of-the-pack runners/walkers. Mile 2: 12:25/mi Over
the railroad bridge which is the first big "hill" of the course,
fighting my way through the many walls that the walkers insist on
forming as they chat their way through the morning. Glad the walkers are
here just wish they weren't THERE when I needed to run past. Is the
rain easing a bit? Mile 3: 12:22/mi Beyond the first
set of fluid stops and port-a-potties and exposed to the north winds
that are bringing in the rain. Feeling confident that the knee is going
to let me finish today. The album I had started on the iPod at the start
line has finished. We'll see how far I go before I turn it back on. Mile 4: 11:39/mi Find
a pair of other runners that are keeping a smooth pace similar to mine
and follow them mindlessly. Take a good look at the state capitol as we
pass. Feel very proud of our state. Wait! Are those clouds looking
darker over there? Mile 5: 11:21/mi Switched back from sprinkles to actual rain. No worries I am comfortable in my clothes. Feeling good. Keep motoring. Mile 6: 11:10/mi Residential
neighborhoods. These people are great. Families have set up their own
"aid" stations, giving high fives, etc. Fun stuff. Just wish I didn't
have to turn so many corners. Oh hey, there is a wedding party among the
racers and they are stopping to get married DURING the race. Sadly, I
am not going to stop and watch. CONGRATULATIONS we all yell as we pass. Mile 7: 11:38/mi Gorilla
Hill! Very cute. The residents along the road up the hill have their
own aid stations and at the top they have a large inflatable gorilla in
the yard. Lots of cheering that if you can make the top of Gorilla Hill
you can finish the race. BOOM -- hey is that thunder? Mile 8: 10:54/mi Feeling
spunky coming through the residential neighborhood and knowing that we
finally get to turn south so the wind will be at our back. Whoa! Who put
this crazy shallow hill that seems to stretch forever on the course? Mile
9: 11:08/mi The hill continues... Did I complain about corners earlier? I
would love a corner now as it gets a bit depressing to keep looking to
the horizon and seeming like you are not getting anywhere. Did I mention
this is one long slow hill? Mile 10: 11:26/mi Still
climbing the hill. Rain, rain go away. Jacket is soaked through but the
tech shirt underneath is fine. Water water everywhere. Keep running.
Getting thirsty though. Mile 11: 11:27/mi Folks at the 11
mi pit stop were great! I grabbed a cup of something and threw it in the
general direction of my open mouth. Some got inside. Most got on my
chin and jacket. Stomach is ready for breakfast. Fading a bit. Mile 12: 10:51/mi FINALLY!
off that *&^%$ hill and though we have an occasional climb it is
broken up by some flats that let me rest the legs. Inside of thighs are
reminding me that I did not spend a lot of time running in the last two
weeks. Starting to see a lot of people falling into a walk and looking
like they are spent. Got an orange slice! Oh thank you kind man with the
orange slices you are my favorite. Mile 13: 10:46/mi Wow!
I am within sight of getting my 2:30 goal so push. Folks are getting
excited because they know the finish is close. Paces are picking up. Run
to the finish line. Fly! Fly! 0.25 mi: 9:40/mi Yay! We made it. Where is the water? Food? A dry place of any kind? Oh a medal? Why yes I would like one of those. After
crossing the finish line ...RAIN! I thought running the 13.1 miles was
tough but shortly after I crossed the finish like the skies opened up
and the temp dropped several degrees. There was no real shelter for all
of the runners so I ate a few snacks and then headed to the hotel which
was about 1 mile away. By the time I reached the hotel I could not feel
my fingers or toes and my jaw hurt from clenching my chattering teeth
together. Ugh! Goals ... In starting my training so
many weeks ago I had set my goal at a 2:30:00 half marathon which had me
planning for an 11:30/mi pace. Today's performance basically fell just
short of the gold standard as I crossed the finish line at 2:32:01 on my
watch but it is a definite shining silver. I ran the entire distance
and finished with a pace under the 11:30/mi target. Given the rain and
wind conditions as well as the sheer number of people on the course I am
not sure I could have done much better. I also feel like I was a bit
less cautious that I generally am about leaving something in reserve and
really pushed on the hills to make sure I did not let myself coast just
because the going got to be a challenge. Very proud that
Kristoffer ran all of today's 5K except for walking over the railroad
bridge. He is interested in doing some more running and is discussing
another 5K. Teresa did the 5K with Kristoffer and seems to have received
a cold as her reward.
| 