Arizona Distance Classic - Valley of Gold Half Marathon - RunHalf Marathon


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Oro Valley, Arizona
United States
John Bingham Racing, LLC
50F / 10C
Sunny
 		Total Time = 1h 51m 42s
Overall Rank = 165/775
Age Group = M 50 - 54
Age Group Rank = 10/28
Pre-race routine:

Not my normal routine, spent the week before in the hands of Mr. Holland America. Got in a good run on the ship the first day on the boat, 39+ laps. Then got a nasty cold and resorted to eating and drinking for the week. Got in a total of about 6 miles the whole rest of the time. Docked in San Diago, had brunch with a fellow BTer, Amy and her family what a treat, then drove back to Tucson, changed clothes and went to a St. Partick's party. Got to bed about midnight... Not my normal build up.
Event warmup:

Up at 4:55, had an Odwala protein drink and two shots of espresso, some joint juice and packed up for the race. Arrived a little after 6:00 AM. Got the lay of the land, had 1/2 a bagle, 1/2 a cup of coffee and a full water bottle of HEED just before the race. It felt like a good day for a run. It WAS COLD.
Run
  • 1h 51m 42s
  • 13.1 miles
  • 08m 32s  min/mile
Comments:

Started out a tad too easy. Should have kicked up the speed after 3 or 4 miles, not at 6 miles. That would have put me under 1:50...
What would you do differently?:

Start Stronger...
Post race
Warm down:

Grabbed a begal and banana, then an easy jog over to my car for a full water bottle of EnduroxR4. Chatted with some fellow runners and then drove to whole 15 minutes to get home.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

ME!!! I had more reserves than I thought, I will be smarter next time...

Event comments:

EXCELLENT race. Parking could not be easier. You park about 100 yds from the start/finish. Everyone hangs out and talks, etc. and they call you with a 10 minute warning. We walk over to the start and then we start... VERY easy! Timing chip made for a very easy start and it WAS WIDE enough that we could sort ourselves out very easily over the first mile or two. Everything ran like clockwork, it was easy in and easy out. I HIGHLY recommend this race. It was a very fun morning... Oh, and a PR as well...




Last updated: 2008-03-16 12:00 AM
Running
01:51:42 | 13.1 miles | 08m 32s  min/mile
Age Group: 10/28
Overall: 165/775
Performance: Average
Started slow and easy, was not sure how I would feel. Still had a stuffed up nose and a sore throat. Did the first 1/2 in 58:20, AVG HR 154. Lots of water, one hammer gel and one thermolye, one pottie break... Felt pretty good so I ramped it up for the second half. Had a positive split and did the second 1/2 in 53:21 shaving five minutes off. I kicked butt at the end. I could have shaved a couple more minutes of this easily had I not been so cautious at the begining. It was smart to start slow, but I was a bit too slow.
Course: This was a very pretty, rolling course through the Rancho Vistoso area of the Oro Valley just north of Tucson. It could not be nicer. The scenery is excellent, the traffic control is VERY well done and the folks -- both runners and organizers -- were very nice. It was a simple out and back. Some folks complained about how hilly it was but in my mind that just made in more interesting!
Keeping cool Good Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Average
Mental exertion [1-5] 3
Physical exertion [1-5] 3
Good race? Yes
Evaluation
Course challenge Just right
Organized? Yes
Events on-time? Yes
Lots of volunteers? Yes
Plenty of drinks? Yes
Post race activities: Below average
Race evaluation [1-5] 5