Austin Half Marathon - RunHalf Marathon

After a miles 1 and 2 it looked to be a slow day. I saw the 3 hour marathon pace group get further and further ahead (and out of site). But kept on trucking with even effort (not pushing harder on uphills and easier on downhills) and caught up with them by 7 miles. Thought that 90 minutes might be possible at that point, but 2nd half hills were pretty nasty.

Nothing on race day. I didn't feel prepared for this race mentally or physically though. Had been ill with persistent cough. Winter footing prevented very high quality run training. Just didn't feel like getting outdoors to run this last couple months and really didn't feel much like racing today.

Walked back to hotel. Couldn't stop coughing continuously for about an hour after the race and really felt like crap!


Hills. My hamstrings started griping for the last 5 miles or so. My leg turnover was good for most of the race, but I started to lose it in the 2nd half hills. But endurance was solid, and speed better than I expected.


I'm really satisfied with this result--a 55 second PR. I had low expectations due to multiple factors above. Like my last half marathon in September, each mile during the race was faster than about any I had done in training. This gives me some confidence for an attempt at under 3:10 in Boston, and I can definitely see being able to maintain a pace in the 6:40s and breaking 90 minutes this year on a flatter course with more quality work in training.