Martian Half Marathon - RunHalf Marathon


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Dearborn Heights, Michigan
United States
Martian Marathon
40F / 4C
Overcast
Total Time = 1h 59m 2s
Overall Rank = 834/1762
Age Group = M35-39
Age Group Rank = 106/178
Pre-race routine:

Got up 2 hours before the race at 5am, had a ClifBar and a RedBull, then left for Dearborn.
I was a little worried about parking spaces but within the usual walking distance there was plenty of space. Got a coffee and then was ready to go with about 30 min to spare, perfect!
It was very chilly around the start time, most people hung out in the 835 Mason building, where the expo was.

THe start itself was a little unorganized, the starting chute was barely recognizable and many people cut in, but it was no big deal
Event warmup:

Just a little bit of stretching
Run
  • 1h 59m 2s
  • 13.1 miles
  • 09m 05s  min/mile
Comments:

With essentially no preperation, last minute registration and the jet lag from coming back from Europe last night, I just wanted to finish and hopefully break 2 hours.

The plan was to start at around 9:15 to 9:30 pace and see how things would unfold. That plan worked out perfectly!

Around mile 7 I met up with a fellow German, Tim. We both wanted to break 2 hours, so pacing was perfect.
I had to do a potty stop around mile 10 but then caught up with Tim again.

Not sure where the GI problems came from, could be from the Gatorade at the stops.. possibly also from the GU gels, I had three as planned...
What would you do differently?:

Not sure how to get the GI problems under control, otherwise the race was great
Post race
Warm down:

A little stretching, water and bagel

Wanted to see the first marathoner come in but I must have missed that...

What limited your ability to perform faster:

GI problems, that cost me a minute, so no big deal

Event comments:

The water station around mile 6 was terribly organized
The post run events were also sub par compared to prior years

It is still a great race though




Last updated: 2009-03-22 12:00 AM
Running
01:59:02 | 13.1 miles | 09m 05s  min/mile
Age Group: 106/178
Overall: 834/1762
Performance: Good
Place 589 among 965 male total AHR 166, MHR 185 approx mile splits: 9:19, 151 9:08, 156 8:55, 158 9:02, 161 8:57, 165 9:04, 166 8:56, 171 9:01, 172 9:55, 170 8:46, 175 8:44, 177 8:44, 177
Course: Changes from the years before, the start was in Dearborn, behind the admin buidling on 835 Mason First 3 miles in neighborhoods, then nearly 4 miles out on Hines drive, then back. Last mile or so was shortly along Michigan Ave, which was not so great
Keeping cool Good Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Average
Mental exertion [1-5] 5
Physical exertion [1-5] 4
Good race? Yes
Evaluation
Course challenge Just right
Organized? Yes
Events on-time? Yes
Lots of volunteers? Yes
Plenty of drinks? No
Post race activities: Below average
Race evaluation [1-5] 3