Orlando Xtreme Half Marathon - Run

I really did not know how I was going to run this race. My "A" race is in 2 weeks (25k Everglades trail run), so I was leaning toward just using this as a training run and not pushing things too much. Plus, last Saturday was an 18 mile run, so I wasn't sure how my legs would respond to trying to race.

As soon as the race started, I took off; way too fast. I was running about an 8:15 and had to make myself slow down as even if I was going to race this, i am not in 8:15 pace shape for this distance (and may never be again). It took me about 4 miles, but I was able to settle into a nice slightly below 9 mm pace. I had about 2 miles around miles 9 and 10 where i slowed down a bit, but i was able to pick things up again and finished with with sub 9 miles. I should have pushed a bit harder as I missed winning my AG by 7 SECONDS!!

We had multiple days of all day rain and I was really concerned about the condition of the course, but it was in great shape. No big puddles and no real muddy areas. Yay, my new shoes did not get ruined :) We also lucked out because the rain held off for most of the run. Half way through it started up, but it was light and only lasted about 10 minutes. So, this turned out to be almost perfect running weather - 50s and cloudy!

I did have one little encounter with another runner - around mile 4 a middle aged man passed me; no big deal, lots of people pass me, but then he slowed down right in front of me. I tried to go around him on the left and he moved left, I tried the right and he moved right. This happened a few times before I finally took a wide berth around him and started to pass, as I did he sped up to try to stop me from passing! DUDE, WTF! I am not racing you and if you are doing my pace you are in no danger of winning your AG! This pissed me off, so I picked my pace up a bit and passed him. He was unable to pass me back. I knew he was behind me for some time though as I heard him breathing like he was going to die. He finally fell away. I wonder if he would have behaved that way if I was a guy trying to pass him or if his ego just couldn't take a woman passing?

Pick it up a bit more at the end so I could have won my AG ;)
Really, I am happy with this run. It is my slowest HM - although it doesn't look quite as slow if you use my Garmin distance :), but it is a trail run and the other HMs were not. Plus, I've been rehabbing my hamstring for what seems like forever and my training had taken a hit. The really good news is my hamstring felt great the entire run!!!!!

Walked to the car - and moved it closer to the finish; changed into dry clothes, did a little stretching and waited for Susan to finish. We then waited for the award ceremonies - we both took 2d in our AG! Another marathonfester won her AG and a fourth met her goal of not being last!


Genetics.


This is a very small race as the city will not allow a big crowd running through the wetlands (plus there is no parking for a lot of people). I ranked 63 out of 170 total HM runners. There was a 5k and 10k too and I think in total there was less than 300 runners. Some may have been scared by the weather, but that is close to the maximum allowed.
I saw 1 alligator and lots of water fowl and buzzards. I think they were waiting for someone to fall! Susan said she saw an otter. Because of the size and location it is a completely different atmosphere from any other race I do - very laid back and very communy (I know that isn't a real word) with nature.
I will definitely do this race again.