Hartford 1/2 Marathon - RunHalf Marathon

This was a really good run for me. The goal that I had in my head was to try to maintain a 9:07 pace so I could finish just under 2:00 hours. Quite frankly, I wasn't truly feeling this was realistic this year as its been a long season and I've been really feeling like I want it to be over. However, I have been having some really strong mid-distance runs lately and thought maybe if I could sustain the pace, I might just be able to break that elusive 2 hour mark.

Started out in the usual manner weaving through the crowd a bit, but mostly just keeping pace with most folks. I seeded myself with the 4 hour marathoners and it seemed like a good place to be when we started running. I started with Kelly and we stayed together for the first several miles running a sub-9 minute pace. We were chatting which was good as it made the first 4-5 miles go by fast. There must have been a hill at mile 5 or maybe I took a GU as i slowed a little somewhere in there.

Miles 6-10 I was really focused on just trying to maintain my current pace and keep it steady. Saw Dave on the bridge and again along the river. Especially cool along the river as music was playing and I was feeling strong and gave him a big high five.

Felt really strong through mile 10, but started to fade a little through mile 11. Started feeling a side stitch coming on and had to focus on putting that down for a bit. Did a little inner battle with myself to stay on task and think about a sub 2:00 finish (and how much I really wanted that!) which, at the current pace, was in the bag. You will NOT walk and you will NOT let up. You are almost there!! Don't prolong it, just keep running!! Suck it up sister!!

Hit mile 12, starting to feel some real fatigue in my legs. I knew that my Garmin was ahead in terms of miles so had to keep pushing to make sure that I wasnt missing that 9:07 average. I was showing 8:55 pretty much the whole race. At 12.5, my legs started to feel like jello. I was worried about crumbling but I could hear the finish and see the top of the arch. Determined at this point to make sure the race clock had a sub 2:00 hour time on it so I wouldnt have to wonder if I really got it. Saw Dave and my friend Lynne (she ran like 1:47 today—awesome!!) in the finish shute just before the arch. I turned it on here—everything I had left—yelled to Dave that I was going sub 2!!

Not much I'd do different here. All the planets aligned for me this past week and it was just an ideal day for a race. Did my 20 miler last weekend in the heat and followed that with a good ride on my recovery type ride on my bike the next day. Had two very decent mid distance runs during the week Monday and Thursday and was just in a good place to achieve my goal.

Note: Last year I finished in 2:01:03 so not a huge PR, but so important to break that 2 hour mark for me.

Took a few minutes to catch my breath. Started to feel some cramping in my hamstrings but wanted to get back to where Dave was and try to catch Polly coming in. She came cruising in at 2:04 so I missed seeing her!! Awesome job Polly!! I suspect that the next time we do this one, I'll be trying to chase you down girl!!


My performance was very much in line with what I had hoped I could do at this point!


This, of course, is Hartford Marathon Foundation's premier event and I have to say that I was very impressed with the well stocked and well manned aid stations, great music on the course and a great newly revised route through Hartford. Awesome post race party and just a great day to be downtown in Hartford.