Run the Reagan - Half Marathon - RunHalf Marathon

The plan was to start out at a pace that was fast but comfortable and then settle into a regular pace. I thought sub 8 would be good then settle into somewhere near 8:30's. The first two mile went fine and my pace booty (Aimster) showed up after mile 1, so things were going great. At the first water stop, I was running so fast that I missed two attempts of grabbing a water cup. I thought that was cool but messed up because I would've liked some water. Then I thought at that moment, I was an elite runner but them guys are really coordinated. WOW, the things lack of sleep and rest can do to your mind.

After mile 3, I caught Aimster and passed her but I knew that wouldn't last long. As I reached the mile 4 mark, the head games started. Can I keep this pace will I burn out and fade? TOO many questions, I told myself just run!!!! Then my pace booty passed me but she was still close in eyes view. I continued along the route hoping to reach the half way mark under 54 minutes. I reached the turn around at 53:23 and then I thought to myself I could run a sub 1:47 maybe if I could hold this pace. At this point, Aimster was in view but not close, she had made her move. So, I started to pick other runners to catch along the way back to the finish. I was very successful at this little game I played with myself.

At the first water stop coming back I took my first GU and continued my quest of passing runners. I was still running sub 8:30's and feeling really good with the pace. Just before Mile 9, I saw Dana walking and she asked me if I had any salt tablets because she was cramping. I responded that I only had one GU left. Just before reaching mile 10, the feelings of a cramp started to tingle in my left hamstring and I said to myself "not know forget that idea". I then took my last GU at around mile 10. Mile 11 and 12 were tough because my pace decreased just a little over 9 minutes, but I was determined to move on and I was still feeling strong. Philip was waiting somewhere before the 12 mile marker because he wanted to point out a cell tower disguised as a tree. He mentioned this while we were in Miami and I didn't believe him. As we were running, he said I'll see you at the finish but he never passed me and started to fade away.

When I passed the 12 mile sign, I wanted at least a sub 9 for the last mile and I knew a sub 1:50 was very possible. At exactly 12.73 of this event, my left hamstring cramped and brought me to a complete halt. I was rock solid and very painful. I told myself that I could still break a sub 2 even if I walked but that wasn't an option. I rubbed it with tears in my eyes and made an attempt to keep moving forward, running with a limp which eventually loosened my hamstring. I ran mile 13 at 8:57 including my stop for the cramp. Then the finish line was in sight so it was just a matter of sprinting and emptying the tank prior to the finish line. I crossed the finish line at 1:51:38 on mmy watch but was unsure of the seconds on the official clock. I then walked down the shoot and received my medal and was very happy with my performance.

Overall, I'm very pleased with my performance. I would definitely change everything I did the night before the race and of course my hydration prior to race day SUCKED!!!!!

I met with my fast friends and watched some other GFA runners finish the event. I then took the short walk to get my race event shirt and ate a banana. This was followed by a short drive to IHOP and a steak omelette and some pancakes (YUMMY).


I believe it was my work schedule the night prior to race and lack of proper hydration also. Although I was very pleased with my performance, I questioned if I could've stayed closer to my pace booty (Aimster) if things were different.


This will be a yearly event for me to gauge my progress as I continue my running life.