Houston Half Marathon - RunHalf Marathon


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Houston, Texas
United States
Houston Marathon Committee
60F / 16C
Precipitation
 		Total Time = 1h 49m 51s
Overall Rank = 719/9349
Age Group = 45-49
Age Group Rank = 551/5173
Pre-race routine:

Took a mini vacation and stayed at Crown Plaza Hotel.(Wife uses any excuse to stay at hotels. This time this was a good idea with a 4 year old in tow.) Woke up about 4:45, showered, had some coffee and a peanut butter and banana sandwich. Sipped on some Gatorade and waited for shuttle with about 30 other runners at hotel.
Event warmup:

Arrived at site about 5:50 and checked bag. Walked around, finished Gatorade and sipped on water. Did some warm up exercises and stretching then headed to start line.
Run
  • 1h 49m 51s
  • 13.1 miles
  • 08m 23s  min/mile
Comments:

Goal for this race was sub 2 hours but push for 1:50. With the warmer weather and no real warm-up, I went out slower on the first mile than I had originally planned. I pace myself with HR monitor (the excitement and warmth added about 5-10 bpm) and use the Run/Walk/Run method (5min run/1min walk). The last 1.1 miles I sped up and adjusted to a 3min run/30sec walk (but walked only once).
What would you do differently?:

I really can't think of anything. Except maybe not walk during last mile.
Post race
Warm down:

Stretched and walked around a lot looking for my family. I gave my daughter the free breakfast and ate the rest.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

I think if the temperature was in the lower 40's I might have knocked a minute or 2 off my time. I'm not real sure.

Event comments:

Being my first Half-Marathon I am very well pleased.




Last updated: 2010-10-05 12:00 AM
Running
01:49:51 | 13.1 miles | 08m 23s  min/mile
Age Group: 71/5173
Overall: 719/9349
Performance: Good
mile, time, HR 1) 10.12 159 2) 9.08 164 3) 8.34 171 4) 8.43 169 5) 8.02 174 6) 7.58 175 7) 8.23 176 8) 8.05 173 9/10) 16.13 173 (I pushed start button too soon for mile 9, so I combined 9 and 10) 11) 8.09 171 12) 8.16 173 13.1) 8.11 181
Course: Started near Minute Maid Park and ended at the GRB. Mostly flat except going up any overpass.
Keeping cool Average Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Good
Mental exertion [1-5] 5
Physical exertion [1-5] 4
Good race? Yes
Evaluation
Course challenge Just right
Organized? Yes
Events on-time? Yes
Lots of volunteers? Yes
Plenty of drinks? Yes
Post race activities: Good
Race evaluation [1-5] 5