I had no preconceived notions about this run. I have been injured with Plantar Fasciitis and have not done the run training. I've done a number of slow 10k runs and a very slow 22k the week before this race.
I expected to finish. I expected it would take about 2:20 ish.
So. I started quite slowly. about a 6:40 pace. Had no desire to kill myself. Ran with some folk - not so much with them, but beside them.
Within 2k I spotted a women wearing tiger print tights (Black and white) and found my focus. As it turned out we paced each other for the whole race with her just out of reach for about 4 km in the last third and me passing her in the last 2k and her never catching up. I don't even think she knew I was there, though...I tried not to be too creepy!
Within about 4k, my right calf started complaining. Not a full lock up, but uncomfortable, nonetheless. It behaved though and I'm relieved.
The run itself was very uneventful.
It was cool, but I had my balaclava and gloves off within 5 k, I then put the balaclava on again in the wind, and finally took it off.
I concentrated on swiveling my hips a little and pointing my toes up - as per physio's instructions. When I was getting tired, I thought about quicker pace and did that.
When my body told me to walk, I told it to HTFU! and kept running.
It was an interesting psychological game. I was never winded, but in a constant state of being on the edge of pushing too hard.
I know that I was up against the edge of my abilities considering my significant undertraining. Of course my Cardio, from the 600k+ bike trip to Utah was near peak.
I was a little discouraged because I was passed by quite a few, although I passed some too.
A lot of 10 and 1 people passed me, I passed them, and so on, but I got to the finish line before they did.
I stopped at every water station and had gatorade. At one, I had to poke through the ice in the cup with my finger!
Had a second gel (tropical with caffeine) at 10k. that was it for the food. I carried two more gels, but never took them. Didn't feel like I needed them. I was looking to pee from 10 k onwards. Everytime I spotted a portaloo, there was someone going into it...Previously, I would have stopped and waited. This time I just kept running. I finally found one in the last 5k - as my kidneys were starting to hurt a little! I used the minute in the loo (that was a lot of pee!) to also stretch out my calf).
I was very steady for the whole run.
First 10k was 5:55 pace (59:19)
Second 10k was 6:14 (1:01:17) (Bathroom break)
Last 1.23k was 5:23 (0:06.23) kick for finish with 1k to go.

Is this a personal best, no. My PB for this event is 1:58:48 in 2008. But I haven't trained and I'm running hurt. I had a good race. I enjoyed myself and proved that a lot of this is in my mind.


Not much, other than not be hurt and train more.
I have not done any speed or hill work this year and have done little more than a few 10ks all winter.
I really liked the pacing and the control I had I'm happy.

A little stretch and a jog back to the Centre of the Arts for the Porkfest!


Plantar Fasciitis and lack of training.
Mental game was 100 per cent.



This is the first half marathon race I ever did many years ago where I had a finish time of 2:37 or so.
I have come a long way. I'm not a lot faster, but this race creates a comfortable space to return to running and competing.