Question:Runaway Train Half Marathon?
Answer:
I was glad to get to a longer race after what seemed like weeks of
nothing but 5Ks. The pace calculators I like to use put me in the 1:40
range so I decided to aim for that, figuring a 7:40 pace plus a kick
at the end should about do it.
They forecast morning thundershowers, but the rain mostly held off; it
was cloudy, mild, windy and humid. The course loops around White Rock
Lake with a squiggle or two thrown in. About 300 of us took off from
Winfrey Point. I saw a couple of people I knew from past races, but I
couldn't remember whether I should be ahead of them or behind them, so
I went with them for the first mile. 7:24, oops. I eased off a bit,
hit some 7:42s. At one point there's a double switchback and we could
see the leaders, three guys fighting for first plus a couple falling
back. On a whim I counted the men ahead of me: 36 or so -- one guy may
have just been a jogger. Hey, I'm in 37th!
A guy caught me and we chatted about the weather, then he took off.
OK, 38th. Should improve if my splits hold up. I had a couple of 7:45s
and started getting worried, passing the halfway point in 50:18 or so,
but the course at this point was mostly into the wind and we were
spread out enough that I couldn't draft anyone. I tossed in a 7:33,
passed a couple of folks and felt better, decided to see if I could
reach the top 30. The humidity was starting to be a factor, but about
here it started to rain, lightly, and cooled us off. I was hitting
7:40 pretty regularly now, but mile marker 11 was missing so I didn't
realize I was slowing down a bit. After 12 I picked it up -- there
were people to pass again, although I'd lost count of where I stood. I
caught the guy who'd passed me earlier. Mile 13 was 7:12 and I had a
shot at my goal -- the clock rolled over 1:40 as i ran up, but my
watch said ... 1:40:00! Nailed it! And with negative splits, woo hoo!
The course was mostly well marked, but there was one place where we
were on a bike-and-jog path that crossed a street. If I'd unthinkingly
followed the guy ahead of me, who it turns out wasn't in the race,
I'd've gone astray. No markers there, no volunteers. Good thing I was
able to work it out. At several spots we had to dodge "regular"
joggers and runners, plus there was a Team in Training group run/walk
going on as well, so the course was crowded in some places. Water
stops were plentiful; no sport drink. (I bring gel for halfs so no big
deal to me.) Post-race food was apples, bananas and sport drink. The
food was at the Winfrey Point building, up a hill from the finish, but
they had water and Powerade at the finish line.
I was also there...and you know it was sort of odd to keep it all at the lake
but I guess logistically it meant not dealing with the neighborhoods...and I
also didnt like mile 11 marker missing...not so good for the mental part of the
race...the finisher medal was nice though. Boy those chip timed races can
really spoil you though...since this one wasn't I agree I kept my own
time...1:58...nothing great but I felt really good after the finish...much
better than after the Half last november...
congrats on the half, Brian! a nice strong race, and you sure know your
pacing... by feel. you hit your time goal perfectly. and way to handle
that heat/humidity. that's a killer for most people... i do pretty well
in it.
I feel lucky about ending up about where I wanted to,
considering the slow miles in the "middle third" of the race. But I
was able to pick it up at the end, which was the plan. Was fun.
Ooh, nice half, Brian! Betcha can't wipe the grin off your face now!
Thanks for the good report, it was fun to read. I think I like the
longer ones too, you don't have to go quite as fast! ;-)
