tobacco road half marathon - Run

Was not really confident of fitness coming in so I decided I needed to not go out to fast. Planned on trying to go 5:55 pace through first half and then see how I was doing.
First mile felt pretty easy but it is more up than not so I thought I would just stick with it. I only hit the mile in 6:02 so quite a bit slow even of my 5:55 plan. Picked it up in 2nd mile and then once on trail starting off hitting some 5:42's. Got a little nervous when seeing low to mid 5:40's but I felt pretty in control. Problem was it was early and the first half of the out and back course is more down.
Got to the turn around in 38:20. Started heading back and then BAM. Got to 8mi and I started to take strain. The downs that made for easy 5:40's were now ups and I was starting to crater. I was like oh crap. It is one thing to hang on for 1 or 2 miles but I was going to have to hang on for 5mi. Mile 10 to 11 was a pretty stiff climb (at least it felt like it) and I looked down and saw 6:10. I am was man this is getting ugly. Sort of stumbled, wobbled to the end and was somehow able to keep going at a reasonable pace. Ended up that I only positive split the race by 12 sec. Went out in 38:20 and ran, exploded, clawed, stumbled my way back in 38:32 for a 76:52 overall time.
Got 11th overall and was 1st master.

Not really do anything different on race day besides maybe w/up like normal so getting to race pace would be easier.

nothing running wise. Just waited to see d00d and Louiskie finish the marathon


Coming back from a lengthy lay off and fitness is not coming back nearly as quick now that I am hitting mid 40's


Very solid race all around.