Zeitgeist Half Marathon - Run

This is not a flat easy course. Two major hills, one minor, and rollers for the last couple miles. About 1100ft of gain on this course.

Before I get into my report I have to give a shout out to my wife. She also ran the race, and has now completed her first half marathon!

This was the first time I have ever raced with a good plan. I decided to lock onto a heart rate, and race to that. I knew I could sustain 160bpm for at least ten miles, so that was my goal, 160bpm for the entire race.

Because of waiting for our friends the start chute was packed. I decided to hang back and wait for it to clear, it's chip timed, and even by waiting I bet my gun time would be the same by letting the crowd thin.

I took off just about a minute after the official start. I ran at a perceived ez pace as I worked my way through the crowds towards the front. Within the first mile the running was basically clear. The first hill start around a mile in, and last for two. About 600ft of rise, so it's not too bad, but it's there. I ignored my pace, and just ran at 160bpm. Cresting the top I felt great, and really let myself stride out on the backside. I passed quite a few more people on the backside. Down to the bottom where we run through a little subdivision, there at mile 4 is the 2nd aid station, I grabbed a water and took a sip without breaking stride and was off.

After the subdivision is the middle hill. It is not high or steep, but it was the toughest part of the race for me. Still my HR was locked in, and I was happy. Another sip of water at the mile 6 aid station, blast down the back of the middle hill, and look up the the last big hill.

Last big hill, just over a mile, 400ft or so of gain, with the last couple hundred yds pretty steep. I was flagging just a bit. Noticed I had been running for about 48 minutes, so I popped a couple shot blocks. Kept my HR in line and crested the hill. I got passed by several people going up the hil, but left most of them in the dust ( for good) on the back of the hill.

The rest of the race was just running. It got progressively harder to maintain my HR. I was passed by 3-4 guys, and passed an 11 yr old boy who was running the race as well. He had a great race going, but was nearing the end of his line, and taking some walking breaks. Still, kudos for him, he was under a 8min pace on a tough course.

About 200 yds before the finish there's a short stupid steep hill, I walked it last year. This year it was an easy run to the top, then striding out to finish strong.


Not much. Maybe try and kick it up just a little sooner near the finish. Maybe try for HR of 165-170 next race?

Hung out and waited for my friends, relatives and wife to finish. I did grab my drop bag and put on some layers. The wind was cold! Had a blast watching my wife and her sister kick it up and sprint to the finish.

We all hit the food tents, ate the meal, and then took off. It was just too cold to hang out for awards and raffles (plus I am building a garage, and had to get some work done)
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Nothing. In fact I felt so good after the race I wonder how much harder I could have pushed.


I am stoked about this race and my finish time. This was my first real comparison race. Same course, similar weather, just different me. Last year in my first ever half marathon I ran a 10:22 pace and over 2:15 for the race, I also had to walk several times in the last miles. This year it was a 7:34 pace, and over 35 minutes faster! To finish in the top 25 of a large field is awesome, and to do it with gas left in the tank has me wondering what's next?

The only downside is I outran all the ladies, so there was no late race pick-me-up scenery ;)