Phoenix Half Marathon - RunHalf Marathon


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Phoenix, Arizona
United States
Phoenix 10k
Sunny
 		Total Time = 1h 56m 39s
Overall Rank = 203/558
Age Group = 35-39
Age Group Rank = 20/43
Pre-race routine:

Espresso and an English Muffin with PB.
Event warmup:

Dynamic stretching, keeping loose and warm near the start.
Run
  • 1h 56m 39s
  • 13.1 miles
  • 08m 54s  min/mile
Comments:

Skipped SOMA to do this one as my first half marathon. The fact that it's my home-field run [and past my building] added to the appeal. Felt good at the start but either wasn't warmed up or went out too fast because after consistent splits of 8:40 or so I blew up at mile 11. Wound up running 10 minute miles from 11-13 due to cramps in my calves. The cramps ruined my form, as I put weight on my knees and thighs. Of course, my knees hurt like hell today and my quads are burning. Was still able to finish under two hours, which was my goal. But had I hit the pace that I know I'm capable of holding, I would have been a lot closer to 1:50 than 2:00.
What would you do differently?:

Not sure what caused the cramping - certainly wasn't lack of nutrition or hydration. So I either went out too fast at the start or wasn't sufficiently warmed up/loose. Or I went too hard.

But I've run 11-12 miles consistently for the last 3 weeks at a faster pace than my HM pace with no trouble. And then went for 50 mile bike rides the following day feeling totally fresh and recovered. Today my whole body is sore and aching and my knees are wrecked.
Post race
Warm down:

Walked out the cramps, stretched, and then sat down for a bit. Stretched some more and grabbed some water and gatorade.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

The usual suspect - cramping in my calves.

Event comments:

Good race, even though it was the first year of the half marathon at the PHX 10K. Enjoyed running downtown and past my house.




Last updated: 2012-09-24 12:00 AM
Running
01:56:39 | 13.1 miles | 08m 54s  min/mile
Age Group: 0/43
Overall: 0/558
Performance:
Splits: 1: 8:41 2: 8:41 3: 8:59 4: 8:12 5: 8:38 6: 8:29 7: 8:39 8: 8:47 9: 8:31 10: 8:42 11: 9:07 12; 10:06 13: 10:10
Course: West on Jefferson to 19th Ave, north to Washington and back east toward Cityscape. After a few turns north on Central and back down.
Keeping cool Drinking
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Average
Mental exertion [1-5] 3
Physical exertion [1-5] 3
Good race? Ok
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] 4