Half marathon race.
I have run the companion marathon of this race several times in the past. I usually used it as a training run. It is a hilly trail race and the slower times just about match what my long run pace should be. I gave up any thought of a marathon this year because of soreness issues as I come back from injury. I have been focusing on 10 milers and halfs instead. I decided to jump into this one late enough I had to pay the highest registration fee. grrr. When my father was alive he would come with me to this race. It was always a great time even if I had a tough race.
I ran a 10 miler last weekend in 1:22. If I had continued on I would have hit half marathon in about 1:49. I knew I couldn't match that on this hilly course, but I figured I could go under 1:56 for a new season best.
Up early, a 90 minute drive to the race. I brought a video camera and got the marathon start on video. We were bussed to the half way point of the full marathon and started an hour later.
8:22, 8:14, 8:31, 8:28 - we are on a paved bike trail and it is mostly downhill. Funny, when I ran this section as miles 14, 15, 16, and 17 in past marathons I don't remember it being downhill. Maybe I have a shot at 1:50.
9:34, 10:44, 10:21, 10:10 - we hit the wooded trails at mile 5, and it is tough. Mostly uphill with uneven footing. I stepped in a hole and twisted my left ankle midway through mile 5. It hurt, but not too bad, maybe only a strain. I was able to keep on running, slowly. Forget 1:50, Now I am back to hoping for 1:56.
9:23, 9:29 - we are on the roads, only a few hills, but my feet hurt and I have no ooomph. Now 2:00 is my goal.
10:01, 9:03, 9:55, :57 - a hilly mile, a flat mile, and a long climb to the finish line. 2:03:13 finish. I had forgotten how hilly this race is. Even the flat parts had hills.
Slowest time of the year, but it was a good effort. The marathon winner caught up with me just before the 26 mile mark. I decided not to challenge him over the last 400 meters. I was about 20 meters behind him when he crossed the finish line. If the local paper puts a picture in the paper, I might be in the background.
At about the 25.5 mile mark we are back in town, and there is a grocery store where we make a turn to head to the climb to the finish line. There was a middle aged man in a motorized wheel chair moving along the sidewalk. He gave us a wistful look as we passed him. Suddenly it occurred to me that sore hamstrings weren't worth bitching about.
Good miles everybody.
Way to go LambofGah
