Half marathon race.
I had forgotten how hilly the middle of this race is.
Two weeks ago I managed just under two hours on the track.
This course has about a 45 second per mile penalty.
I thought I might be able to match the 2:03 I ran 3 years ago
or maybe slip to 2:05. I wasn't sure how well I had healed up.
Turned out I was wrong.
Drive 90 miles to the race.
Get there in plenty of time, get packet, get prepped.
Cheer on the marathoners starting on the track.
Cheer on the 10kers as they head out.
Climb on the bus to the start.
Hit the portapotty, stretch, jog.
It had rained yesterday and there was a light mist
coming down for most of the morning, so
we were warned that the trail parts of the course were slippery.
Count down, and we're off.
The first four miles were on paved bike trails and gravel roads,
fairly fast, 8:40, 8:40, 8:42, 9:14, well ahead of pace,
but I knew I would need to build a cushion to make up for the tough parts.
Onto the trail and into the hills. Did I say hills?
10:28, 11:42, 11:32, 10:46. Did I mention it was hilly?
I walked the steep uphills, and some of the less steep.
In the past I could make up time on the downhills, but with my
feet just getting back to OK and the ground being slippery I
didn't try to press on the downhills and in fact held back a bit.
Out of the hills and onto rolling dirt trails and gravel roads.
My left foot ached before the race started, I must have slept on it funny.
It didn't get any worse. But now my left hip and left knee,
right foot and right hammy were aching.
A couple of hills I had to go back to a walk because the knee felt like
it was locking up or the hammy felt like it was cramping up.
Sub two hours was out the window after mile 5, sub 2:05 was long gone.
I set my sights on sub 2:10.
10:09, 9;19, 9:58. Oooph. I was on the cusp and things were hurting.
Thankfully heat wasn't a problem, just achy joints.
A guy who had passed me several miles ago had come back into view
and I focused on closing on him and staying ahead of two women just behind me.
9:29. It was working. I was back at sub 2:10, but now I faced the notorious
hill leading up to the finish.
10:09 - not good enough.
I am on the flat street leading to the finish on the track, but my watch
says I have a 30 second cushion. What? That doesn't seem right. I push the pace.
:54 to the finish. 2:09:39. Yippee. I guess my math was off.
The two women behind me also get in under 2:10.
We all congratulate each other as they take off our chips and give us the finishers medal.
My left knee is a little wonky, but not bad. A few other parts are sore but I feel pretty good.
I wrapped both feet and both knees as part of prep.
If I hadn't I'm pretty sure I would have locked up or something would have given out.
Anyway, I am now recovering at a Hardees munching on chicken tenders and curly fries.
Nom nom nom.
