Lake Country Half Marathon - RunHalf Marathon

Plan was to go out at about 8:10 first three miles, then miles 4 through 10, goal pace (7:50-7:55), then last three, kick it up a notch to 7:40-7:30 pace. How do you like that? I worked the plan to a T. There were a few challenges. Being the cheap b*stard that I am, I am milking every last mile out of my dying Garmin. Right now that means I get about 6 miles before it goes dead. So my plan was to turn it on every once in a while for a mile or two to help lock into the correct pace. Decided to wait until mile two to turn it on, because they had starters grouped by pace and I started with the 8:00 mile group...who promptly went out at a 7:40 pace the first mile. So I backed off the next two miles knowing I had a little cushion built in. It was hard as I watched the group around me pull out ahead of me. (don't worry I saw most of them later, as I was passing them.) I turned Garmin back on at miles 5-6 to confirm that I was locked into race pace. (I was) At this point I was running near a group of about 6-7 runners who were just ahead of me. I used them to continue to maintain my pace. There was one guy who was very enthusiatic. It was bugging me a little. I am all for getting into it, but he seemed to be trying to make it seem like the pace wasn't really that hard and he could kind of goof off. I said to myself, I hope I pass that guy later. I, myself did feel very comfortable at the pace, but tried to be more reserved. At mile 7 I did get a little anxious as that is were wheels fell off last year, but that passed. At mile ten the group in front of me was down to 4 (including Mr. Happy-go lucky.) At that point I started to push the pace to 7:40-7:35. Still felt good. Within a mile, I had passed all 4 in front of me. With about a mile and 1/2 left, you hit a longish gradual uphill. I remember Dave telling me to attack the hill. So I did. Pace for this mile was about 7:30. Then you are rewarded with a 1/2 mile down hill. I still felt decent and pushed the pace a little more. As I made last push to finish line, I knew I was going to leave my previous PR (1:44) in the dust. It is amazing when things going according to plan.

drink more. Took two bottles on fuel belt and drank at a few aid stations, but was real salty at end and needed more water. Good news for today is that it didn't really affect me.

ran back to the car.


being in the middle of marathon training


Even though this was not my 'A' race for the year, it meant a lot to me. As I battled my glute/hamstring issues last year and had one sub-par performance after another, I seriously thought that all the PRs of 2010 where as good as it was ever going to get for me. As things finally improved in training this year, I was a still a little uncertain that I was back. Well I'm certain now and ready to build from here. Bonus, I REALLY appreciate this PR and hopeful there are still a few more to come.
* Extra thanks to Dave for getting me ready for this one both mentally and and physically. Now on to the big one.