Lehigh Valley Half Marathon - RunHalf Marathon

The rain slowed to a drizzle, and once I warmed up (within a mile) I discarded my Grove sweatshirt (thanks Chrissy!) and was comfortable the rest of the way. I joined the 1:45 pace group, which was great. The leader was inspiring, especially in the segment through the park with some hills and gravel paths. It was pretty crowded for over half the race. I felt great, much better than the ten-miler two weeks ago. I started to lose the pace a little in the last three miles, and finished a bit behind the leader, but was almost exactly on pace for the whole race anyway. The water stops were very crowded and short, but I did get two drinks later in the race. I kept waiting for an easy section to eat my gel, but ended up not eating it until around 9 miles. That, and seeing my Dad with a sign for Carrie and I, were boosts for me. I felt like I pretty much gave it all by the end.

Well, not much as far as the run itself. I loved running with the pace group. I didn't taper biking or swimming, so I guess I could've done better without the two hour ride on Thursday night. Who knows? I should've had my gel earlier, and would've drunk water earlier too if the water tables had been more stretched out.

It was very cold. I got a foil wrap and waited for Carrie and Chrissy. I was shivering and miserable by the time they finished. It helped that we had to climb the stadium steps to get our food (for warming up, that is-- some found it sadistic of the race directors to make runners climb steep steps after a half marathon!), but the line for the food, and the lack of plates, made it hard to enjoy or even hold the food. I couldn't stop shivering until later when Joe gave me a towel to put over my head.


Maybe the lack of full taper. I think the short run Saturday actually helped me feel less sluggish than I felt for the 10-miler two weeks ago.


I was a little worried that my effort in the Cherry Blossom 10-miler two weeks ago would adversely affect this race. If it did, I didn't notice. I felt better than I did for that race.