Heels and Hills 1/2 Marathon - RunHalf Marathon

At first I was afraid the run might be slightly un-organized as far as road blocks, etc. because we couldn't figure out the exact start point...but that was the only issue and quickly fixed. This wasn't a huge crowd of runners as there were several 5K and 1 mile runners too. Primarily a women's race, there were some men out there. I truly hadn't done but a couple of 10 milers since the Austin Marathon, but had done speed work and lots of biking and swimming, so my fitness was still there. I was hoping to pull a 7:45 pace on this and would've been happy with it. I ran a 7:37 pace on the Houston Half back in January and didn't think I'd beat that especially since this was a more hilly course compared flat Houston. Anyhow, I lined up at the front and took off with the gun and really tried within the first 5K not to go out too fast. Several ladies were in front of me, but after the first 5K I started pulling past some of them. For about 3 miles I was neck and neck with a lady in a Run-On singlet that just looked like a runner...I had tried to keep up with her earlier, but the phrase (thanks Marcy) "Don't eat the paste" kept going through my head and I didn't let the pace get fast for me. Before the 1/2 way point though I passed her and between miles 5-9 really felt great and in a good groove and realized I was keeping my pace below my 7:37 from Houston. I was feeling really good and so I planned to keep pushing it. As usual, I started taking a sip of my GU2O at every mile from 2 mile forward, and I took a GU at 4 and 8. I grabbed water at two aid stations--and am glad I had my speedbelt with GU2O becuase there weren't many aide stations. I am not good at running with a cup and drinking, so I just get a little water on a couple of them. I got a slight side stitch between 9-10, but it wasn't too bad. Throughout the course I really tried to focus on quick turnover, especially going down the hills. Once I hit the last 2 miles I thought "It's just an APFT, that's it" and "have nothing left when you're done." So, I started pushing it out, and you can tell by my times--I had been pretty consistent with my avg. pace between 1-11 and then sped it up those last 2.22 miles. I knew from the start I was in the FOP, there were two (I think) really speedy girls way out front that I would never see, and then there were 3 other women that had passed me and/or stayed in front of me from the start. I passed those 3 other women in the last 2 miles, but then Frances (Run-On singlet, I found her name later on, and she was 46 and could run--every time we passed each other we said good job--she had a killer last mile) passed me again and I wanted to stay with her but just couldn't. Once I finally got the last bit I had a little left to pick up the stride some, but I really did better this run in having less in the tank come the last chute stretch. My Garmin, hit after crossing the line had it a 1:38:24 and 13.22 miles. We'll see what the official results have. I am very happy with my time, didn't expect to run it this fast, especially with the hills in it (not huge ones, but hills nonetheless). So, I'm glad to see that some speed work, cycling, and swimming has kept me where I want to be: able to race a 1/2 Marathon at any time. That is my goal--always be able to go run a hard 1/2 Mary. I am not sure how many women for sure finished ahead of me, but it was at least 4, I think, that I know of. Grabbed 2nd in the F25-29 AG...whoever was 1st must've been in the top two cause I think she ran a 1:32 something.

No too much really, I may have held back slightly too much at the beginning as I thought I went out too far. So, besides actually dropping a few lbs I've been procrastinating on doing, I think this went really well.

Got my finishers medal, some water, two banana halves, and a 1/4 of a bagel and just walked around a bit, watched other finishers come in, congratulated Frances and some of the other top group of women finishers. A Major I had met at the West Point Founder's Day dinner saw me, said hello, and took a picture as he waited for his wife to come in; he invited me to check out a running club here in Killeen, so I might do that. Stretched out, grabbed another bottle of water. Then I got to meet Dave (dgillen) and his wife Sarah--Sarah had run the race. Dave found me and asked if I was Brittany from BT, and sure enough--so I did get to meet some BT'ers this weekend! He had cheered me on in the race and I wasn't sure who it was even though he seemed somewhat familiar, and wearing a 70.3 IM finisher hat...so, glad to have met up. Was talking to them when they started the awards for the 1/2 (runners were still coming in) and didn't realize it, but heard it in time to hear my 2nd in AG. Then dgillen took off for his 6 hour ride.


Shed a few lbs maybe? That's about it...maybe not do squats a couple of days prior? Maybe taper...but that wasn't the plan, I just wanted to go run a 1/2 cause I can...and my Type A personality says run as hard as you can, and today it was good for a PR.


Good small race--not huge, promotes women running, and you could tell there was some real heart put into this race. Only it's 2nd year of going--the route was good, limited cars, well coned off and signed, plenty of cops at every intersection. While the aid stations were few, they were put in good spots and had some really enthusiastic volunteers. No complaints...great race for someone in TX that isn't used to some hills, but wants to run some and push hard in it. Might be one that I'll do again dependent upon schedule. I enjoyed it, and the course was good.