I don't know what to say.... To sum it up, this was probably one of the hardest races I've ever ran. I was so set for a P.R. My body was ready, my mind was ready, I was at low elevation and the weather was nice. I guess the lesson learned is to scout the course better and run as such. I don't want easy, fast, downhill courses, just an honest course. Oh well, next time. We got to the start with 45 minutes to spare. I found a bathroom, jogged for maybe 1 mile, then found another bathroom. By then, everyone was heading for the starting line, so I followed along. We wandered down a dirt path behind the casino and gathered around the tunnel starting line. I did like how we were all gathered 20 feet behind the starting line and as the start approached, they called us up to the line. Just prevented the overcrowding that is common. I took the lead at the gun and ran the first 2 flat miles through the tunnels until we turned around. Coming back towards the start was a joke. There were so many people that I was forced off the road/trail and on to the shoulder where there were loose rocks and uneven footing. People weren't moving for me and I had nowhere else to go. I was getting ticked..... Miles 4 through 7 were all uphill and the hard-packed sand turned to loose sand. It was horrible. My feet were slipping and I was constantly dodging holes and cracks on the course. Mile 7-10 were back the way I just came, so it was downhill, but I couldn't take advantage because of the loose footing. Anyway, I pushed as hard as I could and came away with the win. No money, but I got a pretty cool trophy. I was some eagle-looking-thing made of marble. I swear the thing weighs 7 lbs.
I should be happy, but my body was capable of so much more. It was my first Half Marathon win, so that's good. My garmin had the course at 13.46 miles. Many other people made the same comment about the length of the course. According to my garmim, my time after 13 miles was 1:13:39, just 10 seconds or so off of my Bryce Canyon Half time, so go figure. There is no way I took 3 minutes to run the last .2 miles. Oh well. I'll try and find some other spring half marathon next year.... Oh yeah, 2nd place was 1:22, so I did well running by myself.
Pace: 5:48 (according to the race website)
Note: They changed the course after 2007. Next year they are cutting out the uphills and loose sand and extending the tunnel portion instead. I still won't go back because of the congestion and poor footing.
Also, this was my first half marathon where I wore lighter shoes. Past 2 I've ran in my regular training shoes (cumulus) but I wanted to try a lighter shoe. I ran in my yellow speedstars and I loved it. These have got to be one of my favorite shoes ever. Anyway, the lighter shoe with less cushion was fine. My calves were fine, feet fine, no big deal. I'll stick with them in the future.
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