Horsetooth Half Marathon - RunHalf Marathon

My goal was 8:30 min/mile and I ended up with 8:59. I did not consider the hills as part of that goal, and last weekend I ran a flat 13.1 mile training run in 8:18 min/mile. Overall, I feel like I've achieved my goal for running pace, but I targeted my goal to the wrong event. At the end of the day, I'm happy.

I spent some time thinking about nutrition for the race and I think this helped a lot. I had a good breakfast (eggs, toast with jelly) 3 hours prior to the start. I had a Cashew Cookie LaraBar about 15 minutes before the start. At the first aid station (2.5 miles) I had a cup of water and managed the pinch technique well. Just before the second station (5 miles), I had a PowerBar Gel with caffeine, and then a cup of water. Plastic cup this time so I had to pause to drink. Just before station 3 (8 miles) I had a Hammer Gel, and then water. At the last station around mile 10 or 11, more water. When I finished, I felt very good. Very tired and feeling like I gave it a solid 90+% effort, but I never crashed. More water would have been a good thing.

Run faster. 8^)

Lots of walking around, eating orange wedges, drinking water and HEED, and eating hot dogs. Good band, so I sat on the grass and stretched for a while.


Given that a year ago I could barely run 5K without walking, I think I need more training and experience. The hills were a killer. I might have been able to push a little harder, but I think I was in the 90% zone.


There were 4 aid stations and it would have been nice to have more. I was well hydrated, but some extra water would have been a good thing.