Denouement

HKDRC Green Half Marathon

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Location:

Kowloon Tong,Hong Kong

Member Since:

Jul 02, 2007

Gender:

Female

Goal Type:

Olympic Trials Qualifier

Running Accomplishments:

Unaided:

5K - 17:11 (track Pre-kids and at BYU) (1998)

10K - 35:48 (track Pre-kids and at BYU) (1998)

10K - 35:34 (road - Shek Mun 10k 12/12)

1/2 Marathon 1:19:44 (UNICEF HM 11/12)

Marathon 2:47:08 (ING Hartford Connecticut 10/10)

Aided:

St. George Marathon 2:50:40 (10/08)

1/2 marathon - Hobble Creek 1:17:14 (8/08)

10K - Deseret News 10K - 35:02 (7/08)

Short-Term Running Goals:

PR 1/2 marathon AGAIN


Long-Term Running Goals:

Break 2:46 in Boston!

Personal:

I used to run for BYU, but only after trying out three times and finally walking on, so I was never a star. However, it was wonderful to run with great people and under Coach Shane. When you run with fast people, you can't help to improve! I graduated BYU in 1998, and didn't run a race until 2002, after having my second child. My hiatus and other crazy life commitments have made my competitive running suffer, but the last couple of years I have tried to get back into it the best I can. I have been married since 1996, to Paul Lowry, who is a runner himself. I have three boys (my three rascals), ages 12, 10, and 8.

After a great 2008 season, I was injured and eventually diagnosed and cross-diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis, a type of arthritis disease, which precludes running for all but the most stubborn.  So I am on medications, trying to stay healthy, and seeing my PT often.  And running!  Now beating the streets in Hong Kong.

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Miles:This week: 0.00 Month: 0.00 Year: 0.00
NB RC900 Black/yellow Lifetime Miles: 183.31
NB RC1300 Red/Black Lifetime Miles: 195.31
2012 MTR Lifetime Miles: 4035.70
890 Blue Lifetime Miles: 310.55
NB RC 1600 Lifetime Miles: 96.76
RC 1400 Lifetime Miles: 90.60
NB 890 Baby Blue Lifetime Miles: 233.26
NB 890 Electric Blue Lifetime Miles: 319.67
NB 890 Tokyo Turquoise Lifetime Miles: 163.54
Race: HKDRC Green Half Marathon (12.75 Miles) 01:20:35, Place overall: 1, Place in age division: 1
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTrainer 1 MilesTrainer 2 MilesRacer MilesTotal Distance
2.5012.750.000.000.000.000.0015.25

This is an environmentally friendly 1/2 marathon, the only 1/2 in HK during this training cycle.  It is too hilly to be a good indicator, but ok for good workout and practicing racing in a long race.  Here is the elevation chart http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/54223238.  I think it is a bit more rolly on the top of the hills than the elevation chart shows, but it truly is two nasty hills.  I tracked 5k splits per garmin (theirs were short), and my splits really match the hilliness.

Woke up at 5:30, oatmeal, preping.  Then a short walk to a bus pick up station.  They picked us up at 6:30, but the race started at 7:30, so I knew I would only get a short warm up, which is ok because the first hill is the steepest and so will use the first 2.5k of the race as an additional warm up.  Ran about 1.5 k warm up, good stretching, no strides.  Three stars.  I don't see any Italia running club, so I am on my own. Strategy is to take it easier on the uphills, knowing I haven't trained for them and that they'd kick my butt (esp the first one), then push as much as I could on the downhill and flat.  Race for place not for time.  But it is hard to not look at your watch and watch the time anyway :/  I wanted to keep my overall pace at marathon pace or better (3:55).  My 5k splits were:

20:24 (4:05, net up), started nice and relaxed, hung behind a lot of guys going up the steep hill, then fly by perhaps 15 guys on the first downhill,

18:37 (3:43, net down) in this part of the race, I ran with two guys for a couple of k, one fell back and one pulled forward by the end of this k.

21:00 (4:12, net up) this bugger had a less steep but longer climb.  The first k of this 5k was flatish, then long climb of approx 1.5-2k, then rolling

18:43 (3:45, net down) first part downhill, then rolling then the inverse of the steep hill (so downhill) at the beginning of this race.  This hill was too steep to totally capitalize on.

final 515m: 1:49, or 3:32 pace, decent kick.  Overall pace was 3:56, and the race converts to 1:23:01, just one second above target marathon pace.  I'll take it.

Cooled down Legs felt pretty good, I was afraid they'd be banged up but they are just a bit sore in the hip and the opposite shin. 

Night Sleep Time: 7.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 7.00Weight: 0.00
Comments
From allie on Sun, Oct 30, 2011 at 00:27:22 from 24.10.191.18

great work, michelle. excellent tune-up for the marathon.

the course looks like a nice challenge -- you won't find that kind of profile in a utah half marathon!

From Smooth on Sun, Oct 30, 2011 at 01:30:31 from 174.27.193.64

CONGRATZ on an excellent performance as tune-up for the marathon. That is one tough hilly course. NICELY done!

From Jody on Sun, Oct 30, 2011 at 09:34:46 from 75.141.131.35

Congrats on a very tough course!

From Hamdog Alum on Sun, Oct 30, 2011 at 10:22:22 from 68.185.190.140

Great race to get a good workout. Sounds like a smart race. Nice work with the hills too!

From Andrea on Sun, Oct 30, 2011 at 10:30:20 from 67.177.21.60

Great tune-up for the marathon! Especially after two hard efforts earlier in the week. Now it's just recovery time and getting sharp, mentally and physically, for the marathon. I believe we both have a great shot at the OTQ!

From Jake K on Sun, Oct 30, 2011 at 11:04:05 from 67.177.21.60

Great run Michelle! 3 weeks to go, I think you are gonna get it!!! :-)

From josse on Mon, Oct 31, 2011 at 00:15:15 from 166.250.2.61

Great job! can't wait for the real thing.

From Tara on Tue, Nov 01, 2011 at 12:50:32 from 75.169.156.160

Wow, that is an incredible time, especially considering the hills. Those are massive hills! You'll do well in your marathon no doubt.

From MCKENZIE on Tue, Nov 01, 2011 at 23:18:14 from 71.219.58.150

YAHOOO! took me a minute to translate the whole "K's" but I got it and that is an awesome race! I know your weakness has been hills but you did so well :) YAY!

Did you eat all of JJ's halloween candy? I only ate 3 mini Butterfingers...I know you would be proud :)

From Superfly on Thu, Nov 03, 2011 at 14:57:20 from 74.211.21.81

Good race. Hilly courses are tough. Not only physically racing them but mentally. Because in your mind you still see the slower splits and want to go faster- even though the hills are there. You just have to run it like you did. Run it as a good, hard workout and get race practice then try not to overpower the tough course.

From Burt on Sat, Nov 05, 2011 at 21:15:36 from 72.223.91.148

I love reading your reports. You're so awesome!

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