Tobacco Road Half Marathon - RunHalf Marathon


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Cary, North Carolina
United States
FS Series
Sunny
 		Total Time = 1h 59m 30s
Overall Rank = /
Age Group =
Age Group Rank = 0/
Pre-race routine:

Got up around 3:30. Didn't sleep well. Had coffee and made us some eggs and wheat toast for breakfast. Left for the race around 5:30. Thank goodness we lucked into a VIP parking pass and were able to park close to starting line! It was cold so we stayed in the car to stay warm.
Event warmup:

Did some light stretching and a short run around the parking lot.
Run
  • 1h 59m 30s
  • 13.1 miles
  • 09m 07s  min/mile
Comments:

This was my first half marathon so I was really nervous. Also I have been dealing with some kind of knee problem that hasn't allowed me to run long in many weeks. I was afraid my knee would really start hurting and that I wasn't as prepared as I would have liked.

The start of the race was great. I started with the 2 hour pace group since my goal before the injury had been to go sub 2 hours. I didn't really know how my knee would hold up and how I would be feeling since I hadn't run much lately. I just felt great! I stayed with the pace group for a while but I was feeling so good that I got a little ahead. For me it was one of those days where everything just felt perfect! I was so happy to be running and the knee wasn't hurting and my body felt great. It was hard for me not to push harder. I had a couple of miles at about 8:30 pace but I knew I had to hold back or I wouldn't make it at the end. My longest run ever was a 10 mile run right before my knee started acting up. So I got into a comfortable groove and just enjoyed the run.

I was very happy to reach the turn around point at mile 8 because I was still feeling great and my knee still wasn't hurting. Was glad to see my husband before the turn and he was looking strong and ahead of his pace group. I was still on pace to do this under 2 hours! And then I got to mile 11! Knee still felt good but it was like my legs all of sudden felt like lead. I was trying so hard to push on but was struggling a bit and slowed down. The last 2 miles seemed to go on forever. I finally got to mile 12 and looked at my watch and realized how much I had slowed down and realized I probably wouldn't be under 2 hours unless I could pick up the pace. This was the hardest mile. I finally made the turn and saw the finish line which was such a happy sight! Looked at my watch and was shocked that it was under 2 hours! I had finished and survived and accomplished my time goal! What a happy moment : )
What would you do differently?:

Not get a knee injury! Felt great that even with the lack of training on long runs I was able to hit my goal. With my first HIM planned in September this run was good for my confidence!
Post race
Warm down:

Kinda walked around a bit. The knee starting hurting as soon as I stopped running so I went to first aid and got some ice for it.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

Not enough long runs

Event comments:

For me this race was a great experience. Having a parking pass helped. I am already thinking I may come back next year for the full.




Last updated: 2011-03-25 12:00 AM
Running
01:59:30 | 13.1 miles | 09m 07s  min/mile
Age Group: 0/
Overall: 0/
Performance: Good
Course: Great!
Keeping cool Good Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall:
Mental exertion [1-5]
Physical exertion [1-5]
Good race?
Evaluation
Course challenge Just right
Organized? Yes
Events on-time? No
Lots of volunteers? Yes
Plenty of drinks? Yes
Post race activities: Good
Race evaluation [1-5] 5