Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon - RunHalf Marathon

The goal was to run the first mile at 10 minute pace and then miles 2 and 3 at 9:30. In just trying to go with the flow but stay within my own race, I ended up pacing the first three miles at:
9:38
9:28
9:22

Was feeling great, except for some GI issues. I was starting to feel some slight cramping, but nothing that was going to hurt my pace. As a litmus test, I did look around and see that most everyone I was running with was from my corral - good sign.

Beginning at mile 4, the goal was to pick up the pace in the 9 minute range. There wasn't a concrete time goal, just a general pace range I was shooting for. Miles 4, 5 and 6 came in at:
9:23
9:09
9:26

Mile 4 was a little slow for reasons I'm not entirely sure. Mile 5 was very comfortable and mile 6 included a potty break. (not bad - run 9:26 including using a porta-potty)

It was about this point I was starting to get a little nervous because at this exact point is where I hit the wall last year. Beginning in mile 7 I was spent and ended up limping home in one of the most painful experiences in my life. But this time, I was feeling great. My energy level was high, my hydration level felt spot on. The other glitch was my tummy cramps were getting very severe, to the point of forcing me to change my stride a little to alleviate the pain.

Back to the pace at hand - miles 7, 8 and 9 came in at:
8:52
9:21
9:01

Again, not sure why mile 8 was at 9:21 - but I think I was dropping my pace because of the stomach cramps. But I wasn't going to let them hurt my race. I pushed on. Beginning on mile 9, we came back in near the boardwalk with crowds stretching for the final 4 miles.

Last year, mile 9 marked the beginning of the most painful 37 blocks of my life running from block 1 to the turning point at block 37. This time, I looked at it as motivation, actually counting UP instead of counting DOWN blocks. Instead of saying, I have 18 blocks to go, I was telling myself I just ran 20 blocks. Mentally, that made a huge difference.

Miles 10, 11 and 12 were up Atlantic Ave., turning around and beginning back down the boardwalk. It was at this point I realized two things, I wasn't going to break the 2 hour mark, but I was going to set a PR. I was running strong, but not as strong as I would have liked. These miles came in at:
9:23
10:02
9:53

The 10:02 was due in part to my missing my wife and boys who were going to be near the hotel. I had misjudged the time I would pass the hotel and told them the wrong time to watch for me. I slowed down significantly as we pass the hotel the first time and then slowed down as we passed the hotel on the boardwalk side. My mistake and I felt really bad for not getting to see them as it would have been a great boost for the final stretch.

The sun seemed to just bear down on me on the boardwalk, but the end was near. My cramps had gotten worse and in-fact spent most of mile 9 fighting the urge to throw-up. Mercifully, a nearby water stop provided some much needed relief and the race went on. I was so close, I refused to give in and walk. So on I pushed.

Mile 13 and the final .1 came in at 9:34 and 0:56, respectively.

Finishing time of 2:03:43. By comparison, I ran the Boston's Run to Remember on Memorial Day for a time of 2:12 and ran this race last year for a time of 2:07.

Better pre-race day nutrition. In order to have a lite dinner, I had a large pasta lunch on the day before the race. After spending the afternoon in the pool with my oldest son, I went to be early, but was unbelievable famished. Instead of having soup or something more sensible, I ordered a bacon cheeseburger from room service for an early dinner. That was just stupid! I'm sure that contributed to my race day GI issues.

Stay at a hotel closer to the finish line. After finishing running 13.1 miles, I then proceeded to walk 2+ miles back to the hotel. While it was a great post-race cool down, about half way there, all body parts were getting sore. (didn't help that the GI issues still hadn't been resolved)



Conditioning. I just didn't train hard enough this summer. I was at a point where if I pushed the final 4 miles, I could have beaten the 2 hour mark. I just didn't have it in the tank and that was a function of conditioning.


Overall - top notch. My only complaint is that some people where spraying hoses on to the runners and I got sprayed several times. I HATE that as I don't like running with a wet shirt. If I want to get soaked, I'll dump water on me or ASK to be sprayed if someone has a hose. I didn't like that I was sprayed when I didn't want or need it. Just annoyed me.