Callaway Gardens Half Marathon - RunHalf Marathon

First Half Marathon ever and stoked about the result. Goal was 1:37-1:38 so surpassed expectations. After mile 9, it was really quiet, never saw or heard anyone for the last 4 miles and the speed dropped in last 3 miles, not sure if that was because no-one to 'race'. It was peaceful to hear the birds chirping and the wind through the trees, just like a training run.
Started off moderate with a 7:05 first mile followed by a 6:56, going well - easy HR, settled into rhythm and miles started to click by. I never did the math in my head for pacing, just looked at the garmin every mile to see the last lap pace. All the training lately has been with the HRM and I've focused on maintaining breathing control to get a feel for Exertion. Did not wear the HRM for the race as I didn't know if that would hold me back or get my mind wandering, just went by RPE. LEARNING the art of proper pacing.
At mile 1, was running next to a guy that was carrying a water bottle, slosh slosh slosh, we started chatting, I said this was my first half and I have a hard time with pacing, he says its his first full and asks for the split and goes, uh oh, going to fast and drops. At mile 3 passed a guy with the Vibram socks and he had a toe sticking out, that was funny, he finished about 1 minute after me so I said, hey broken toe guy, that got a chuckle. Mile 6, guy says, you doing the full or half, I respond half, he says good - have a good one and drops back, odd. At mile 8, pass the last person I will ever see (other then volunteers) and he says 1/3 done, I said only for you crazy marathoners, I've only got 5 miles to go, he laughed.
My goal was to run hard, finish strong and build the mental stamina to complete an Olympic without the mental need to walk. So far so good. Negative split? no way, my goal is to race hard til I blow up, almost accomplished that as you can see with the last 3 mile avg 30 seconds off the pace.

quick jog in the parking lot to stretch the legs and then Taco Bell on the way home.


Small race in a georgeous location. Run is on a completely closed course by the golf course, lakes, on roads and cart paths. Field was about 600 so not crowded.
Only complaint, awards for the half marathon were 3 hours after the start, that is brutal to wait for >1 hour, so I skipped it. Otherwise, this is a great race, small field, easy/plenty parking close to start line and tent.