Palmetto Bluff Half Marathon - Run

I started the race slowly, partly because it was crowded, but also to get warmed up. It was in the low 50s/high 40s when we started, but I was wearing a singlet because it was supposed to warm up to the 60s. So after 3 miles, I felt warmed up and started my 3:1 run/walk ratio. Miles 1-4 averaged 10:25 or so, miles 5-8 averaged 10:40, then mile 9 was 11 minutes, mile 10, 12 minutes (!), miles 11-13 all in the 11 minute range.
Temps were perfect for going sleeveless.

The course is very pretty, with lots of shade, though there was some traffic in parts. There were a lot of volunteers, and the water stops worked great.

I am sure that my long bike ride yesterday was not ideal, but I was a little surprised still that I faded so quickly and couldn't maintain anything around 10:40 with the walk breaks. I think my training suffered also because of the bronchitis, and lack of consistent running during all that. So I would not do anything differently, but maybe I should have lowered my expectations a little for today's race.

Met up with my daughter and had a cup of gatorade. I was feeling really thirsty, and unfortunately, they ran out of water. My daughter was nice enough to run back to the car and bring me my water, but I also got a beer. Not such a great idea, I think, as it gave me a headache on the drive home. Post-race barbeque was good!


The day before, I biked 33 miles over all of our "hills" (i.e. the bridges), and that was a pretty tough ride for me. I think it might have contributed to my decline in the second half of the race.


Ran out of water after the race - not so great. Otherwise, the race was well organized!