Christie Clinic Illinois Half Marathon - RunHalf Marathon

The whole thing went really well I thought. When we started I didn't have any issues it seemed really getting back up with the pacer I was going to follow. So far this race has some of the best run support around that you will find. They had bands playing at different sections of the course and in general people come out to cheer you on. I decided to stay with the pacer until at least mile 6 and from there I would decide how I felt as to if I would go ahead of him. The first two miles flew by it seemed and we were about 10-15 seconds faster than what we should have been. My heart rate was doing great. Only around 155-56 which is just a beat or two higher than my Z2. Grabbed some water at the first aid station and then at the second I did Gatorade and water. Once I got to mile six I was feeling fine and decided that it was a good time to leave the pacer and group behind and start going at least 6:50 a mile or better if I wanted to be under 1:30. Glad I did. I felt great and once I went by the aid station with the Gu's I took one and some water. Just what the doctor ordered. I was really starting to reel people in. From that point on I was not passed at all and I bet in total I passed 75 people at least. In hindsight I think I should have left the pacer maybe even a mile sooner. Around mile 9 I started to pour on the speed a tad more because I wanted to make sure I was under. Once I hit 10 I knew all I had was a 5k to run and I did that around 20 minutes or less I believe. By mile 11.5 my quads were starting to burn pretty good but I just kept picking new targets ahead of me and made it a goal to reel them in and pass them. Once we were one mile out I knew I had to give it everything so I poured on more speed and I think I was running around a 6:20-30 pace at least I think. When I was coming into the stadium I had three guys ahead of me and I was able to sprint past all of them and finished strong. This truely is an awesome finish location. I am an Illini fan and getting to finish on the 50 yard line of Memorial stadium where so many great football players have played is pretty cool. Overall a great race!

Really the only thing I would have done differently is leave the pacer a mile or so sooner so I wouldn't of had to push it quite so hard the last few miles. I think I could have maintained a 6:40-50 pace sooner than the 6.25 mile area. Not much else I could have done. Possibly lost a couple extra pounds before the race and not have my nagging foot problem going on!

Walked around and did some light stretching. Knew my legs were going to really be hurting in a few hours so I did some quad stretches and what not.


Not leaving the pacer sooner. Really this was my first half marathon race so it was a very big learning experience. Next time will hopefully be better.


This is a great course. If you want to Boston qualify this is a nice flat course for the most part with only a few "hills" thrown in there. Lots of volunteers and plenty of aid stations and entertainment/support along the way. They have been doing a great job for five years now it seems. I plan on racing again next year...maybe the full.