This was my first open half marathon. I've done 5 half Ironman races, but never a HM. Based on my training, I expected to run about 1:50 (8:20 pace), and planned to run negative splits to achieve that, starting at about 8:30-8:40. Instead, I completed the first mile in 8:25. I felt good, and my HR was staying in the low 160's, but still held back a little the first half, completing the first 10K at a 7:55 pace with an avg HR of 159 (mid zone 3). At this point, I decided to start picking up the pace a little. By 10 miles, things were getting uncomfortable, but I knew I was going to be able to blow my goal time out of the water, so I just hung on. I was able to turn the last 10K at a 7:33 pace with an avg HR of 166.

In hindsight, I think I could have gone deeper into the pain cave sooner, and possibly flirted with breaking 1:40. Even though I hurt at the end, it wasn't anything like the kind of pain I've experienced the last few miles of my best half iron races.

Interestingly, my average heart rate for this race was 162. My average for the bike and run combined at Nations Tri (approximately the last 1:55 of the race) was 163. I feel this backs up my belief that I could have pushed a little harder.

Walk around a little, then stretched.


Experience running an open half marathon.