Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon - RunHalf Marathon

I had a goal of running a 1:45. I ran the Shamrock half in 1:52 this spring and have been training hard this summer. I started in the 1:45 pace group which went off at a faster than 8 min/mile pace according to my garmin. I debated dropping back and running my race, but i thought staying with them would help keep me motivated to hit my goal. Bad move, at the 5k mark I realized that I was either going to have to adjust my pace or possibly not finish. By the 10k mark I switched from shooting for a new PR to just hoping to finish. Miles 7-10 were really bad. Last 5k were okay.

Go back to negative splits. I run much better starting off slower and increasing my pace. Also realize that depending on conditions that you might have to adjust your race plan even the day of or during the event.

Walked around for a little while, enjoyed the iced towel, water and popsicle. (that might have been the best damn popsicle that I have ever had!)
Headed over to the reunion area to wait for my wife to finish. Back to hotel for ice bath. Went out to breakfast with wife and kids and hit the beach for the afternoon.


Humidity was brutal, I couldn't cool off. Went out too fast. Waited too late to adjust pace. Also I don't think that I was fully recovered from the Chicago tri last weekend.


This is a great event. I just wish the breeze had blown in the morning to clear out the humidity. The afternoon weather was nicer than in the morning!