Philadelphia 1/2 Marathon - RunHalf Marathon

Started out with the 4:00 pace group - I realized that I did not put on my knee straps as my right knee felt loose around mile 2 but nothing that concerned me too much. The pace group got out a little quicker than I thought but felt fine and went with it - a little too much - I wanted some cushion as I planned to walk and gu at the 5 mile water station. I strayed a little too far as mile 4 clocked in at 8:00 - much too fast too early and I slowed down for the next mile. I saw Michele and the kids @ mile 5.5 and grabbed my knee straps and some kisses - my legs felt better immediately and I didn't care if it was all in my head or not. The pace group caught up right at the 6 mile mark. Overall exactly where I wanted to be (9mm for first 6) but the uneveness of the pacing had me worried about fatigued legs.

Next gu/walk was at 10 mile marker so I again moved ahead of the pace group starting late in mile 7 - legs started getting a little tired but it actually gave me a boost as I thought about the difference between training and racing - I was in a race with @ 5 miles to go and still had a goal time to achieve. We entered the "hilly" section of the course and I took the ups slow and the downs "fast" - not sure if that was right or not but felt right at the time - the dayafter's sore thighs tells me it was probably wrong. At the 9.8 water station I moved off to the side for a gu break and looked for the pace balloons which were nowhere in sight. Felt good about that and moved on - past the 10 mile marker at 1:28:xx and knew the sub 2:00 I wanted was "easily" within reach.

With my race goal seemingly sewed up I lost a little of my motivation and started thinking about how bored I was (same thoughts as last year) - I was still keeping a pretty decent pace but I actually stopped to walk twice for a total of about 10 seconds each in mile 11 and 12. I guess I was thinking I earned it in the first 10 miles. I was also thinking I would be disappointed the day after if I did walk and I am. (I guess I have my first motivator for next year)

Coming down the shoot I spotted Mike and Michele about 50 yards from the finish - ran over and gave them a kiss and a thanks - they covered a lot of the city that morning and I was truly appreciative of them being there.

Mile - Pace
1 - 8:47
2 - 8:29 - this pace guy is a nutjob!!
3 - 9:13 - bio break - wow those balloons got away fast
4 - 8:00 - catch-up and pass balloons before the break
5 - 8:56 - 8:00 slow down! - gu and a water break
6,7 - 17:54 - chillin' with the pace balloons for a little
8,9 - 17:43 - wasn't sure if water stations were mile markers or not
10 - 9:48 - up the biggest hill to a gu and water break
11 - 8:32 - do I have a shot at under 1:55?
12 - 9:06 - what's 1:55 anyway
13.1 - 9:46


I took 8 minutes off my previous years time for a very satisfying PR (this was my second HM) and overall I am happy with the result.

I had lost the better part of a month at the end of August into September with a heel issue so my plans to move to running 4 days a weeks and for a "speed" phase never happened. As such I am pretty satified with the results in that they match the 3 runs a week preparation. I guess I will try (again) to be smarter about injury avoidance and follow a more complete plan next year.

Found Mike and Michele and walked around and tried to stay loose while waiting for Dan and Laney to finish up. Laney looked great as she finished up strong down the shoot - a huge accomplicement for a 13 year old.


Like this race a lot - I feel it shows Philly in a good light and the organizers and volunteers are first rate.