Martian Half Marathon - RunHalf Marathon

Start was a little bit crowded but I was able to find some running room after about a half mile. Did the first mile in 8:30, which was a little faster than I wanted, but I was comfortable and running with a fun group of guys so I was not too worried about it. The first aid station was a disaster area with too many people trying to get water so I passed on this one. Reached mile two in 17:00. Knew there was no way I could maintain that pace for the whole race so I started slowing it down a bit and tried to maintain about a 9:00/mile pace for the rest of the race.

Slurrped down a gel about mile 4. Had two in that pocket and managed to drop one. Tried to pick it up but the guy behind my stepped on it and exploded it. Felt bad that he was going to have run with his shoe covered in Apple Hammer Gel.

At mile 6, grabbed a cup of Ultima, big mistake. That has to be one of the worst tasting substances ever. I think I picked up my pace for the next two miles just so I could get that tast out of my mouth. Reached the half way point at 57:30 and was still feeling strong. Wasn't sure if I was drinking enough, so I decided to walk through the remaining aid stations to get two cups of water.

My pace was slowing a bit and I started to feel a little tired around mile-8 so I took another of my gels (this time, I did not drop the other one that was in my pocket). Around mile 10, I was feeling good again and was pretty confident that I would beat my 2 hour goal time. Also noticed, that if I continued to run 9:00 miles that I could finish under a 9:00/mile pace. So I took my last gel and tried to run as strong as I could.

The last mile had a really steep hill up a walking path. My legs definately did not appreciate that. Thought I was a little off the pace, so I picked it up as best as I could and ran strong through the finish.


Besides not drinking the Ultima and not dropping my gel, absoultely nothing. This was a great race for me.

Immediately after the race, I suddenly got very cold. Grabbed a water and went back to the truck to put on some warmer/drier clothes. Grabbed some food and then went back out to cheer on the remaining half marathoners. Watched the first couple of elite marathoners finish and then headed home.


Nothing. This half was 12 mintues faster than the one I did last fall (which was my first), so I am making good steady improvement.


Great race, lots of enthusiastic volunteers. Would definately do it again.