Country Music 1/2 Marathon - RunHalf Marathon

Wow, I feel 90% really good about this, and 10% "I am so stupid!" I had a bunch left in the tank when this was over, and I should have moved up corrals like Renee told me to. Next year, next year. Good learning experience for being my first half marathon. Anywho, started off slow, after the first mile fell into a comfortably slow pace because of the huge amount of folks on the course. Miles 2-3 were long inclines. I am really glad I wore my compression socks. I felt the support as I powered up the inclines and through the crowd. Miles 4-5 were drudgery. Mostly flat, but hard to get through the crowd. I know I added distance onto the run by weaving in and out of the clusters. Caught the 2:00 hour pacer around mile 4, he passed me again around 5, then I passed him for good around 5.5 miles. Did a lot of "on your left" and tapping in the elbow at the outer left edge of the course during miles 4-8.

Reached mile 10 at 1:45 on the clock. Crowds were starting to consolidate into packs 5 wide, so I started putting more speed on and staying on the outside. Ended up losing on getting water, but had a lot more space to run. Did last 3 miles in 8:10, 7:50, 7:00, then poured on the speed on the downhill ramp to the stadium. Finished 2:08:02 on the clock. Mad at myself for because I wasn't "that" tired. I felt a lot left in the tank.

Move up corrals. Drink a little more water. Take advantage of opportunities to bust out the speed.

Walked through the exit, grabbed water, cytomax, a sponge (does my time make me sponge-worthy?), then tried to figure out where to meet Renee. Lo and behold, I look to my left and there's this smokin' hot chick in purple and black. Hey, that's my wife! She started 8 minutes before me and finished 37 seconds before me, so we were wandering through the exit at the same time. Got our picture together, grabbed grub, then started chatting about the race. She mocks me for not moving up to her corral.


The amount of people in some sections of the course. It was almost impossible to get around some packs.


This is the warmest day the race has ever had; if I feel this good after that, watch out next year! The only suggestion I would make to the organizers is to emphasize to folks to leave space on the left for people to pass. Everything else was top notch.

Honestly, I don't remember much about the in-race music or cheerleaders. I know they were there, and it contributed to a fun atmosphere, but I was too locked-in to really pay much attention.