Ran this race as part of my training w/ no real taper. Took Wednesday off this week but that was due to calf tightness and not any conscious effort to decrease mileage.
The course is mostly flat to gradual downhill course. A good crosswind was blowing from the Lucky Peak Canyon until we reached Barber Park. It then seemed to turn around and hit us in the face once we were in town until the finish at Ann Morrisson Park.
I was supposed to do a 14M goal marathon pace run last weekend but I figured that running a Half at greater than goal MP might be even more effective. My A goal going into the race was 7:10/mi pace and the B goal was 7:15/mi pace- so I fell right in the middle of both goals. I was on pace for the A goal through 10M but I started to fade in miles 10-12 due to multiple factors including a horrible stomach ache, a slight headwind, dodging 10kers and slow marathoners, etc. I also walked through at least 3 aid stations to make sure I got enough fluids down later in the race. It wasn't super warm but probably a little warmer than ideal. Despite all that, I was able to recover and finish the last mile @ 7:15, so evidently I did have something left in the tank.
Pretty happy with the result- a 3 1/2 minute PR. I always feel like I could have done better but I suspect I'm not alone in that regard, especially amongst runners. Now its time for a great couple of weeks of training and focusing on dropping some more weight before the taper for UVM in 4 weeks.
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