Halloween Halfathon (half marathon), overall place 9, first AG 1:38:23
I ran about this same time 3 years ago as I was starting the cycle of training for Treasure Coast Marathon, I'd run the same course again in the spring after the marathon with just under a 20 second improvement in time. I remember being slightly disappointed that after all that training just a slight improvement. However, I'd soon get injured, come back, get injured again (but a little less the second time), so it seemed like there would be no progress. Next three half marathons were all slower than 1:40, and the marathon was a little disappointing (although in that time period I did PR at a 100 mile race).
This time around, I thought I had a shot of breaking or getting around 1:37 based on what I had done after the training cycle for Cleveland and comparing it to a recent tempo run (5 miles, so maybe not the best 1/2 marathon predictor but better than a 5k).
So, here are the splits for this time around: 7:17, 7:20, 7:56, 7:20, 7:31, 7:39, 7:39, 7:53, 7:32, 7:32, 7:31, 7:48, 7:37
Out of the start line I almost hurt my achilles, not sure how but enough to panic me, then ok, gradually built up speed and then back on pace, feeling good after the first mile. Second mile was good, but I noticed the course had changed. I've been running this same course since 2010 with two races held here per year (although I did not go to every single one but did go to quite a few), so not sure why it changed. It did change much, basics were the same, a loop at the beginning, an out and back to near the park entrance and finish up on the return.
So, second mile good at 7:20. Thinking I can do this, just keep the miles under 7:30, but half way into the third mile, lost sight of the pack in front of me, almost ran into the lead runner going the other way and came to what seemed like a dead end. A few runners caught up to me, we looked at each other, some turned back, some went ahead a little before turning around. Eventually, seemed to be back on track and also got the pace back under 8:00. Mile marker for mile 3 was now off by like 0.06.
Got my head back in the game and convinced myself to get back on 7:20 pace, so mile 4 was 7:20.
Miles 5, 6, and 7, hanging in there but in the low to high 7:30's
Then mile 8, turnaround, exposed, windy, slowed to almost slower then 8:00 but held it together. Then once completing the turnaround , wind at my back, three good miles , 9, 10, and 11 all low 7:30's.
But, like several recent halfs, got lazy for mile 12, did not push hard for fear of slowing too much in mile 13. Shouldn't do that. Mile 13 usually takes care of itself. Mile 12 7:48
Then slowly picked it up and got to 7:37 for the last mile. This year's course it was a straight shot. In the past we always went around the outside of the finish area and hooked back around. After the mile 3 mess up and then with each mile marker off a little more each mile, ended up with 12.98.
But, even if I were to have run another 0.13 I could've still made it under 1:40 so I'll still count this as a win.
This year they did have food and beer but no live music like in past years. Got a plaque and $15 gift card to local running store.
In the evening, more driving, out to Lakeland to see Aubrey in cheer competition and then drive back, so kind of a long day, but no way boring.
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