Legs for Literacy - RunHalf Marathon

When they blew the horn to start us off, I went out pretty fast. The first kilometer was pretty much downhill, so I used to follow along with some of the better runners. I tried to avoid some of the larger puddles as best I could, but eventually just gave up due to how much was present in spots. Through the second kilometer the wind was at our backs and helped to carry us along, making keeping a fast pace pretty easy. I was running in fifth place and knew I didn't have any chance of catching most of the runners in front of me, so I slowed my pace a bit to keep from tiring out too quickly.

I made it through the first five kilometers in 19:36 and it was about this this point where we got onto the trail system. In comparison to the streets, the gravel trails had plenty of wet spots but not nearly as many deep puddles. I also started to be passed by a few people. I dropped to sixth, but then moved past a runner who had taken off way too fast and ran in third for a while and had steadily lost steam. When we crossed the bridge, I pick up some gatorade and drink while I ran, but I couldn't manage it. I got a couple sips, but most wound up spilling and I just tossed the cup. It's definitely an area where I'll need to work if I want to drink while running. I came through the ten kilometer mark at about 41 minutes, and wasn't sure where the official half way point of the race was, but I figure I hit the 10.5 km mark at about 43 minutes or so.

We had also started catching up to the marathon runners, and there were a few areas of the course where space was tight and you had to watch out for people who weren't paying as much attention. This problem was more of an issue when we finished the loop on the other side of the bridge and came back against the flow of the half-marathon participants. I was passed by a few more people, and on the way back across the bridge I was currently running in tenth place. However, the two guys in front of me never really pulled away and I set myself on keeping with them as best I could.

I ran fifteen kilometers in about an hour, and was feeling a little mentally and physically numb, but nothing worse than I had felt before. Eighth and ninth place were still in reasonable distance as we got back onto the streets. The earlier downpours had pretty much stopped by this point, and the streets were finally getting water-free. On the way back through the streets, we were now passing the five and ten kilometer race participants and had to weave through them at times. As we approached the bottom of campus, I started feeling better as I knew the end was near. I picked up some speed and started gaining on the two runners ahead of me. The last kilometer and a half was all uphill, and all my cross country running this fall paid off, as I pushed pass the two runners in front of me to finish in eighth place with a time of 1:28.08. My chip was removed and I slowly made my way back to the gym to try to find my friends who had already finished.

A big thing would be getting more appropriate clothing if it's going to be wet. I wore long sleeve underarmour and a long sleeve cotton t-shirt, which just held onto a ton of water. This t-shirt also got really warm in the latter half of the run, so a lighter shirt would have been appreciated.

I also need to get new sneakers, as mine aren't suitable for road running anymore. They're fine on trails, but are worn through enough that pavement gets hard on the feet and shins after a while.

I jogged a bit back to the gym to try to find my friends, but had no luck. I couldn't get my dry clothes since I had locked it in their car before the race. I wound up waiting an hour before I found them, at which point I was freezing. I got my gear and took a warm shower. I forgot to stretch, but thankfully I didn't feel too bad later that day or the next. I also grabbed some food that was available and waited for the awards.


The rain was a big factor. I had been out in the rain the day before to line the UNB mens' soccer game and was still a bit stiff from the cold rain at that game. Even though the rain at the start of the race wasn't as cold, it still took a while to loosen up during the race.

A lack of experience in running longer distances competitively also hurt. I didn't really have any strategy in place other than run and try to keep the pace constant. Doing longer runs, even on my own at tempo pace, would help me plan how to run these longer races.


There were plenty of water stations, with water and gatorade both available. I think there was a station at least every two or three kilometers for the most part.

The awards took place a long time after the race was done, and it was pretty obnoxious because we had to head back to Fredericton. We had to wait over two hours before they announced the results.

There were lots of snacks available after the race in the gym, with orange, fruit snacks, granola bars, and almonds available. There were also plenty of massage therapists on hand, but I didn't use them.